In this episode of Fireside, Campfire Consulting’s Founder & CEO Chris Marine and Head of Strategy David Gogel sit down with Meranne Behrends and Luke Behrends, founders of Words From The Woods — a Portland, Maine creative agency known for bold ideas, human-centered storytelling, and work that resonates far beyond the algorithm. Together, we explore why bold creative thinking still matters in a world obsessed with metrics, dashboards, and constant optimization. We dig into what happens wh...
Discover the science of persuasive messaging with communications expert Anat Shenker-Osorio in this compelling archive episode from Benn Marine's former podcast, Ocean of Organizing. While the Campfire team dives into 2026 planning, this conversation from 2019 remains strikingly relevant for anyone crafting messages that move people to action. Anat, whose research has appeared in The Atlantic, Boston Globe, and The Guardian, shares game-changing insights about how progressive campaigns can c...
Measurement and attribution beyond last click is still in its infancy, and it remains one of the most persistent challenges marketers face at every stage of growth. But we’re also at an exciting moment. Leaders like the one on today’s episode are connecting the dots in measurement and helping solve for real attribution. In this conversation, Chris Marine sits down with Madan Bharadwaj of M² to explore why there’s no single source of truth in marketing performance and how triangulation attribu...
On the five-year anniversary of Responsibly Different™, we're diving deep into why healthy media ecosystems matter—not just for brands, but for the very fabric of our communities and democracy. Our Founder Chris and Impact Director Benn reflect on the last 5 years of the podcast and the next chapter of the Responsibly Different™ podcast. Did you know counties that lose their local newspapers see a 2-3% drop in voter turnout? Or that 75% of Americans trust local news compared to only 58% who ...
In this episode of Fireside, Chris Marine and David Gogel sit down with veteran broadcast journalist and Edward R. Murrow Award winner Brian Yocono for a heartfelt conversation about the purpose and power of journalism. Brian reflects on what it means to report with integrity, the evolving role of local news, and the human side of working in a newsroom. For Chris, who worked alongside Brian early in his career, this conversation is deeply personal — and rooted in the founding values of Campfi...
Before you drop a dollar into paid media ask yourself, are you really sure you’re reaching the right people? In this episode of Fireside, we sit down with Anastassia Laskey, founder of Ground Control Research, to talk about the power of audience insight, the role of AI in speeding up foundational research, and why brands need to go deeper than demographics and surface-level personas. Ana shares how her team helps companies uncover who their audience really is, what drives them, and how to spe...
Hidden among the pages of Maine's queer history lies an extraordinary treasure most people don't know exists: 43 different LGBTQ+ newspapers and newsletters dating from 1974 to 2016, all preserved and digitized at the University of Southern Maine. As Megan Mac Gregor reveals in this intimate Pride Month conversation, these publications weren't just news sources—they were community lifelines when mainstream media either ignored queer existence or reduced it to harmful stereotypes. Journey wit...
What if the best place to run your next ad isn’t online — but inside a packed concert venue, right before the lights go down? In this episode of Fireside, Chris Marine and David Gogel sit down with Jared McCarthy, Co-Founder of Venue Ad Network, to explore how screens inside live music venues are becoming a powerful tool for both brands and communities. They unpack the origin of VAN, the role independent venues play in local culture, and why media rooted in real-world moments might just be th...
What happens when a local newspaper opens a café? In this episode of Fireside, Chris Marine and David Gogel sit down with Aaron Britt, Publisher of The Midcoast Villager, to explore a bold experiment in local journalism—and what it means for the future of media. Aaron shares how their team transformed a newsroom into a community hub, why the move isn't just about coffee, and how brands and advertisers can better support independent journalism through deeper, more intentional investments. We t...
What happens when our desire for climate accountability transforms into cancel culture? In this thought-provoking conversation, author of the book Cancel Culture in Climate, Jenny Morgan breaks down how our collective approach to sustainability communication often backfires, creating fear rather than progress. Jenny explains what drove her to write "Cancel Culture and Climate" – seeing organizations retreat from public climate commitments out of fear, even as climate impacts intensify around...
In this special episode of Fireside, Chris Marine and David Gogel of Campfire Consulting are joined by Katie Patrick — Australian-American environmental engineer, author, and self-described “climate action designer.” Katie specializes in “the design of getting people to change,” applying behavioral science and gamification to help communities and businesses drive measurable environmental action. She’s the author of How to Save the World: How to Make Changing the World the Greatest Game We've ...
The future of media isn’t human vs. machine—it’s human with machine. In this episode, Chris Marine and David Gogel from Campfire Consulting sit down with Adriana Richards and Evan Bogris from AI Digital to explore how AI can supercharge media strategy without replacing the human insight that makes campaigns resonate. We unpack how their DSP-agnostic tech helps brands plan smarter across platforms like Amazon, TikTok, and Trade Desk—while keeping the emotional intelligence, storytelling, and c...
Chris Marine and David Gogel of Campfire Consulting sit down with Gerrit Hooker of Outfront Media to talk all things out-of-home — from the beauty of old-school painted billboards to today’s data-fueled digital canvases that basically follow you (but, like, in a cool way). Gerrit grew up in the OOH world — literally — and brings decades of insight into how this classic medium has quietly become one of the smartest plays in modern media. While everyone else is yelling at you through your phone...
Retail media is evolving, and so are consumer expectations. In this episode, Chris Marine and David Gogel are joined by Max Mullinix from SmartCommerce to explore how brands can reduce friction in the shopper journey and create seamless, omnichannel experiences. From leveraging programmatic channels to harnessing platforms like Pinterest for product discovery, we dive into how technology is reshaping retail marketing. Plus, we break down the critical role of inventory management in delivering...
It wouldn’t be a media podcast if we didn’t talk about the Big Game! But here’s the twist—Chris and David almost always agree on strategy… except when it comes to the Super Bowl. Who knew?! In this episode, we break down why the Super Bowl still matters (even if you’re not buying a $8M ad), how regional buys, social engagement & retail tie-ins can drive impact, and why mid-sized brands should rethink their Super Bowl strategy. No creative breakdowns here—just real talk about how smart bra...
Agency consolidations are transforming the media landscape, presenting both opportunities and challenges for global and regional brands. The discussion explores the balance between technological advancements and the risk of losing local accountability and creativity in an increasingly centralized market. • Highlighting growing agency consolidations and expected impacts • Exploring opportunities for both global brands and regional challengers • Assessing innovation versus as...
Chris Marine and David Gogel unpack the highlights from Disney’s annual Tech and Data Showcase at CES. They discuss what the team is most excited about and explore the impact these innovations will have on media planning and buying in 2025 and beyond. Enjoying this content? Text us your thoughts! (if you want a response please include an email address in your text) Learn more about Campfire Consulting Visit the Responsibly Different™ Shop where 50% of all profits go back to nonprofit organiz...
Imagine if your voice could influence an election. Join us as Chris, Campfire's founder and Benn, a seasoned political strategist, shares actionable steps to boost voter turnout. From early voting to creating accountability with friends, we dive into the power of direct voter engagement—door-knocking, phone banking, and more—highlighting initiatives like SURJ, Vote Forward, and Vote Early Day to make voter contact accessible for beginners. The episode also emphasizes self-care, resilience, an...
Discover the art of balancing sustainability and profitability in an ever-changing industry landscape. Maria Kingery, co-founder of Southern Energy Management and strategic guide at 360 Impact, emphasizes the importance of core values and the cycle of co-creation—connect, commit, celebrate—as foundational elements for leadership and organizational growth. From setting clear visions and tactical execution plans to managing the inherent volatility of the solar and green building sectors, Maria ...
What if we told you that trash could be a treasure trove of data? Meet Mikey Pasciuto, the co-founder of Scrapp, a startup revolutionizing waste management through data-driven solutions. From his roots in Massachusetts to earning a dual degree in mechanical engineering and sustainability at the University of New Hampshire, Mikey's passion for sustainability is contagious. In this episode, Mikey recounts the unexpected beginnings of Scrapp at UNH, where a project aimed to avoid a five-page pap...