You Should Talk To

In this episode, Rachel Smith, VP of Marketing at Sky Zone, joins our host Daniel Weiner. Rachel shares insights from her journey from being a radio host to her current role in marketing, reflects on changes in consumer behavior throughout her career, and why you shouldn’t take things personally in this industry. Their conversation kicks off with Rachel's observation about the shift in marketing strategies companies need to make to reach younger generations. She advocates for more sincerity and storytelling in content to address fatigue from constant sales pitches. Rachel emphasizes the importance of adapting to meet the evolving needs of consumers, especially in a world saturated with marketing messages.Daniel chimes in with a hilarious anecdote about AT&T's mishandling of a service outage, which highlights the need for authenticity and transparency in brand messaging. Rachel agrees and stresses the importance of follow-through after issuing apologies or promises to customers. Customers want to be seen and heard - so explaining how this outage happened, how they’re going to fix it, and how it’s never going to happen again, is crucial to earning your customers' trust. Rachel also offers advice to agencies and vendors seeking to collaborate with marketing leaders like herself. She stresses the importance of building genuine connections and avoiding overly aggressive sales tactics. Rachel encourages a more thoughtful and empathetic approach to outreach, highlighting the value of respectful communication. For example, having a mutual colleague tee up a conversation is much better than cold pitching your product to strangers on LinkedIn. Check out this week’s episode to hear more about Rachel Smith’s strategies for creating meaningful connections and fostering creativity in the marketing industry.Guest-at-a-Glance💡 Name: Rachel Smith, VP of Marketing at Sky Zone💡 Where to find them: LinkedInKey Insights:They Called My Baby Ugly Rachel Smith, VP of Marketing for Sky Zone, shares a pet peeve she has working in the marketing industry. It's those messages saying, “I looked at your website performance and I can improve it by doing X, Y, and Z. Calling her website, her baby, “ugly” is a sure-fire way to ensure you never get a message backDon’t Take It Personally Not aligning on a project the first time around is not a big deal. In fact, it can make you and the client closer as you get a clearer picture of what they actually want. As long as you are gracious and you don’t take it personally, this moment will just be a bump in a very long road ahead. The Ethics of AIRachel Smith, VP of Marketing at Sky Zone, expressed her excitement for AI in the marketing industry. She and her team are finding a comfortable balance between ethics and efficiency so that everyone is satisfied. 

In this episode of YouShouldTalkTo, Daniel Weiner sits down with Brandy Blackwell, VP of Marketing at the Another Broken Egg Cafe. Brandy is a strategic powerhouse all about optimizing her marketing strategy in 2024 and beyond.  Marketing has changed drastically in this post Covid world and one of the things Brandy noticed is that people are aging into their social media platforms. Boomers and Gen Xers are on Facebook. You can’t even find a 20-something-year-old on Facebook. And 20 somethings and younger are on TikTok. Knowing where your audience is on social media will be a game changer in the next few years. Brandy also predicts that the next six months are going to be a little difficult economically, so you need to be able to be patient. Focus on those key business drivers and do what works for you rather than whatever everyone else is doing. Right now is the time to really personalize your strategy and make sure that what you’re doing is what’s best for your company and your franchisees. There’s the right way to give gifts and there’s the wrong way to give gifts. Brandy says that she will accept reasonable gifts if she doesn’t know they’re coming in the mail. But super grandiose gifts from people she’s never spoken to, or spoken to once or twice, is a big red flag. Especially when the sales people start to expect something because of the gift. This episode is full of great strategic advice for anyone looking to fine tune up their marketing strategy in 2024. Guest-at-a-Glance💡 Name: Brandy Blackwell, VP of Marketing at Another Broken Egg Cafe💡 Where to find them: LinkedInKey Insights:Push and PullBrandy Blackwell, VP of Marketing for the Another Broken Egg Cafe, says that she needs a bit of pushing pull from her SMEs to execute the best marketing strategy she can. If you have ideas, she wants to hear them now, not after the fact. “Are we in a Recession?” When asked what keeps her up at night, Brandy said the state of the economy for the next six months. There are signs that the next few months are going to be a bit rough. But if your strategy is personalized for your company and you’re not chasing trends, you’ll be alright.Overwhelmed with Tech OptionsThere are so many new programs and software out there that it’s hard to keep track! It’s overwhelming to figure out if you should switch out your program for a new one and if the cost of the switch is worth it. At the end of the day you have to keep an eye on the money and make a strategic decision. 

In this episode of YouShouldTalkTo, Daniel Weiner sits down with Erin Levzow, CMO of the Museum of Ice Cream. Erin shares all the ins and outs of being a CMO for a company that sells joy. Erin says that one of her favorite things about marketing is that it can be incredibly algorithmic. She can take a look at the data and know what she needs to do based on their findings. If the audience does this, she’ll do that. And she finds that she can be more creative with this mathematical thinking.  As the leader of her department, she shares that the best thing that you can do is be prepared to be spontaneous. She will always value her plans, but she knows that life can be unexpected and affect her work very quickly. So she has learned to be flexible. That way she can keep a level head and pivot her team towards the next best plan of action.Erin also talks about the interpersonal relationship skills that you need when cold pitching and working with agencies. More than once she has received emails with the wrong names, rude attitudes, and even gift cards from people trying to bribe her into a meeting with them! None of these tactics, according to her, are going to get you a meeting with anyone. If you’re looking to call or meet with a CMO, consider the basics. Start with knowing their full name and how you can be of value to them. This episode offers great advice for CMOs, employees, and agency owners who are looking to polish off their networking techniques and make better connections. Guest-at-a-Glance💡 Name: Erin Levzow, CMO at Museum of Ice Cream💡Noteworthy: Have a plan, but be prepared to be spontaneous. 💡 Where to find them: LinkedInKey InsightsMath in Marketing Encourages CreativityErin Levzow, CMO of the Museum of Ice Cream, explains why she thinks that an algorithmic approach can encourage more focused creativity. She knows that it sounds like the opposite is true - but she has found that once you start to put parameters around an idea, you are more likely to create something innovative and new. She has seen people innovate at a higher rate, test faster, and produce amazing results. It’s Going to Go to Sh*tIn response to a question asking how to survive as well as thrive in 2024 as a CMO, Erin answered, prepared to be spontaneous. Always have a plan, always know where you’re going, but be prepared for that plan to go to shit. And it could be for a number of factors: a recession, layoffs, a political year, advertising space - any number of things that are out of your control. Be prepared to be flexible.Please Don’t be RudeIf we’re talking about cold pitching, Erin has seen it all. People have tried every single way to get her attention. Whether that means being rude in their emails, questioning her budget, or even bribing her with $10 gift cards if she would just take a meeting with them. Not only will this not get you hired, but it will kill your chances of working with her and her company in the future. 

In this episode of YouShouldTalkTo, Daniel Weiner sits down with Monica Fleury, CMO of 100 Coconuts. Monica tells us all about the changes coming to the marketing industry. She’s provided profound insights into the ever-evolving landscape of marketing, including the fact that customers care about what brands care about. Customers want to know what a brand stands for and if they can align with their values. 100 Coconuts, for example, prides itself on authenticity and sustainability. While that would usually live within the company’s mission statement, marketers are now making that information readily available to their customers because their customers are looking for information. Customers will then buy from 100 Coconuts knowing that they are a sustainable brand and they themselves align with sustainability. Monica also talks about the responsibilities that brands should take when an agency fails to complete a project. There are many reasons that a brand could have sabotaged an agency's work. Things like clear briefs, timelines, and budgets are on the brand to avoid overwhelming agencies. It’s also important to reward the vendors that invest in you. Monica tells us the story about how she was auditing her company's vendor list and increased the rates of the vendors who did consistently good work. And she raised their rates without asking them. Monica says it’s important to invest in your vendors because they invest in you too. This episode offers great insights into the current cultural shift in the marketing industry and agency dynamics. Guest-at-a-Glance💡 Name: Monica Fleury, CMO at 100 Coconuts💡Noteworthy: She believes in investing in your agencies and your vendors. The more you invest in them the more they invest in you. 💡 Where to find them: LinkedInKey Insights:Customers Care About What You Care AboutMonica Fleury, CMO of 100 Coconuts, tells us how the industry is changing for both marketers and consumers. The mission statement used to be exclusively for internal use. Now customers want to know what you stand for and what you believe in. So now the mission statement is public and customers align themselves with you if you align with any shared values - like sustainability, for example. Unrealistic Expectations Monica believes that the unrealistic expectations of brands can traumatize agencies. She says there are good agencies out there, but you can’t expect too much from them when you’re overwhelming them with work and expecting the best results. Things like timelines, budgets, and clear briefs are the responsibility of the brand. Authenticity and AIMonica talks about how she’s been grappling with the idea of using AI in marketing. Her current company’s mission is all about authenticity, and she feels as if AI goes against that mission. So, she’s removed AI from her marketing strategy. It may be more work, but she believes that her customers will appreciate the effort. 

In this episode of YouShouldTalkTo, Daniel Weiner sits down with Kacie Jenkins, the SVP of Marketing at Sendoso. Jenkins shares her unique insights on marketing for an AI-based company and how to manage all the different moving parts. She shares a particularly traumatic story of working with an agency that was way in over their heads and resulted in the company’s website crashing right in the middle of a product launch. While it was a traumatizing experience, Jenkins says that the event pointed out specific red flags within the agency that she can look for in the future. Because of the previous agency’s failure, she was recommended a much better fit for the project. The newer agency had much better communication skills and she was able to connect with the team on a human level, rather than the cold, reserved communication she was getting from the previous agency. Jenkins says that the more human approach translates well in start-up spaces while making the client jump through hoops to communicate their needs does not. Kacie also recognizes how much pressure can be put on herself and her team. Working in the marketing industry can feel like a bunch of adrenaline rushes, which is very exciting. But it’s also important that everyone on the team has a chance to recharge their batteries. She talks about how she monitors her team to ensure no one burns out. Which can include spa days and gifting! Kacie is looking forward to the marketing industry as a whole focusing on a more personal connection with their customers. She wants to see more creativity and risk-taking, rather than focusing on meeting short-term goals as fast as possible. Jenkins believes that AI will help companies make more personal connections and that Sendoso is working in the right direction.This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the more human side of being an SVP in Marketing, and what it takes to be a leader in the startup world.  Guest-at-a-Glance💡 Name: Kacie Jenkins, SVP Marketing at Sendoso💡Noteworthy: Kacie emphasized the importance of self-care within your leadership strategy and making sure no one on your team burns out. 💡 Where to find them: LinkedInKey InsightsMIA: Hired Agency Goes Missing When Website CrashesKacie Jenkins, SVP of Marketing at Sendoso, tells us how everything went wrong during a product launch as she recounts a negative agency experience. In hindsight, she could recall some red flags that she thought could be a problem down the line. However, she never expected the agency’s entire team to go missing when they caused a website crash in the middle of a launch. It took hours for Kacie to communicate with someone on the team, and even then it was clear they were way in over their heads.Embracing the Shift Toward Human-Centric MarketingKacie says she’s excited for the resurgence of personalized marketing. She mentioned that marketers want to shift towards more personal, thoughtful, and useful approaches. The two emphasize the shifting focus toward creating meaningful connections with their audiences. She’s also looking forward to seeing brands embracing creativity and experimentation, and moving away from a strict focus on short-term goals. 

In this episode of You Should Talk To, host Daniel Weiner sits down with Helen Piña, the VP of Marketing at White Cup. Helen dives deep into the world of CRM solutions tailored specifically for distributors. She emphasizes the significance of having a CRM that addresses the unique needs of distributors, given the vast array of generic CRM options available in the market.Helen passionately shares her belief in the importance of product marketing. She argues that a strong product marketing foundation is essential for any marketing endeavor to succeed. Without understanding the target audience, their problems, and how a solution addresses those problems, other marketing strategies risk falling flat.The conversation takes a light-hearted turn as they discuss the challenges of defining White Cup's messaging and the humorous moments they shared during the podcast recording. Through it all, the episode offers valuable insights into the marketing landscape and the role of CRM in it.Guest-at-a-Glance💡 Guest: Helen Piña, VP of Marketing at White Cup💡Noteworthy: Helen Piña, VP of Marketing at White Cup, specializes in distributor-tailored CRM solutions.💡Where to find Helen: LinkedIn Key Insights:The Power of Product Marketing:Helen Piña underscores the pivotal role of product marketing in any business venture. She passionately believes that without a solid foundation in product marketing, other marketing strategies are bound to falter. Helen emphasizes that understanding the target audience, their challenges, and how a solution addresses those challenges is paramount. Without this understanding, even the most sophisticated digital marketing or demand generation campaigns might not hit the mark. In essence, product marketing lays the groundwork for all other marketing endeavors, ensuring they resonate with the intended audience.White Cup's Unique CRM Offering:White Cup stands out in the crowded CRM market by offering solutions tailored specifically for distributors. Helen highlights that while there are numerous generic CRM options available, distributors have unique needs that require specialized solutions. White Cup's CRM not only addresses these specific needs but also empowers distributors with tools to harness their data effectively, driving revenue and ensuring business growth.The Challenges of Messaging:During the episode, there's a candid moment where Helen grapples with succinctly defining White Cup's messaging. This moment underscores a broader challenge many companies face: crafting a clear, compelling message that resonates with the target audience. Helen's candidness offers a relatable glimpse into the intricacies of marketing communication and the importance of getting it right.

In this episode of YouShouldTalkTo, host Daniel Weiner sits down with Jami Horowitz, the VP of Marketing at Surcheros. Jami emphasizes the importance of prioritizing needs when seeking partnerships and offers insights into the evolving landscape of agencies. She believes that while agencies are abundant, finding the right fit is crucial for brands. Jami also dives into her role at Surcheros, a growing brand with a unique niche in college towns. She discusses the shift from Quick Service Restaurants (QSR) to the rise of fast-casual dining, emphasizing the value of customization in the latter.As they navigate the challenges of marketing in a tight-budget environment, Jami underscores the significance of conversion media and the need for agencies that recognize the value of every dollar.Guest-at-a-Glance💡 Guest: Jami Horowitz, VP of Marketing at Surcheros💡Noteworthy: Jami Horowitz: 15+ years in food industry, heavily focused on QSR evolution.💡Where to find Jami: LinkedIn Key InsightsThe Value of Agency Experience:Jami Horowitz believes that every brand marketer, regardless of their industry, should start their career at an agency. Being thrown into the deep end at an agency allows individuals to learn every part of the business, understand the intricacies of agency operations, and become better brand partners. This experience equips them to discern when to challenge agencies and ensures effective collaboration.Relationships Over Tools:Jami emphasizes the significance of relationships in the agency world. While many agencies might offer similar services and access to the same platforms, what differentiates one from another is the people and the relationships they foster. She believes that people buy people, not just services or access to tools. Building and maintaining strong relationships is paramount for successful collaborations.Earning the Right to Innovate:In the realm of marketing, Jami underscores the importance of proving return on investment (ROI) before venturing into more creative and experimental strategies. By demonstrating consistent ROI, marketers earn the trust of their stakeholders, which then grants them the freedom to explore innovative approaches and "have a little bit of fun" with their campaigns.

In this episode of YouShouldTalkTo, Daniel Weiner sits down with Robert Berris, the Chief Innovation Officer at Brightwell. They cut through the noise and get real about the challenges and opportunities in innovation. Berris brings a fresh take on co-creation, emphasizing the need for client collaboration from the get-go.The conversation shifts gears to the often-dreaded RFP process. Both agree it's broken. Berris offers a no-nonsense approach: no decision-maker in the room, no proposal. It's that simple. He argues for a process that values meaningful questions over price tags.Lastly, they delve into the complexities of navigating a regulated industry like payments. Berris shares his ongoing journey to validate new ideas in a space where MVPs are a no-go. The episode wraps with insights that challenge conventional wisdom, making it a must-listen for anyone looking to shake up their business strategy.Guest-at-a-Glance💡 Name: Robert Berris, Chief Innovation Officer at Brightwell💡Noteworthy: Expert in innovation, emphasizes client collaboration and challenges conventional RFP processes.💡 Where to find them: LinkedInKey Insights:Standing Out in a Saturated Market:Robert emphasizes the need for agencies to differentiate themselves by showcasing the value they've created for clients. He criticizes the repetitive pitches that focus on buzzwords like "human-centered" and "strategic," stating that agencies should instead highlight their unique contributions to client success.Measuring Innovation:When it comes to innovation, Robert advises focusing on what you intend to learn and why. He introduces the concept of a "learning agenda," which includes knowns, unknowns, assumptions, and hypotheses. This structured approach helps in validating key unknowns and can be a game-changer in any industry.Rethinking the RFP Process:Robert calls out the flaws in the traditional RFP (Request for Proposal) process, stating that it often dehumanizes the interaction between agencies and brands. He argues for a more collaborative approach, where both parties can ask meaningful questions and understand each other's thinking.

In the latest episode of YouShouldTalkTo, host Daniel Weiner engages with Matt Kobach, the VP of Marketing at Slice. Matt demystifies Slice, highlighting its distinctiveness from other delivery giants like Uber Eats and DoorDash. He emphasizes the critical role of understanding the customer and the product in successful marketing.Matt shares insights from his professional journey, touching on the importance of taking pride in one's work. He recalls his days as a golf caddy and lawn mower, drawing parallels to the satisfaction he feels in executing a well-crafted marketing campaign. The conversation underscores the value of dedication and precision in any endeavor.Wrapping up, the duo delves into the challenges and objectives that keep Matt on his toes. Sales, app downloads, and customer engagement top his list. The episode serves as a testament to the power of clear vision and unwavering commitment in the marketing realm.Guest-at-a-Glance💡 Name: Matt Kobach, VP of Marketing at Slice💡 Noteworthy: From PhD candidate to social media expert, Matt pioneered marketing strategies, even becoming the NYSE Snapchat guy.💡 Where to find Matt: LinkedIn and TwitterKey InsightsThe Power of Understanding 'Why' in Marketing:Matt Kobach emphasizes the importance of understanding the 'why' behind marketing decisions. He believes that knowing the reasons behind actions leads to more effective content creation and marketing strategies. Without this understanding, marketing can become a mere color-by-numbers exercise, lacking depth and effectiveness.Sales Drive Marketing Objectives:For Matt, the primary concern that keeps him up at night is sales. He stresses the importance of seeing consistent growth in various metrics, such as the number of shops onboarded, orders per shop, and app downloads. Matt believes that marketers should align their objectives with tangible business outcomes, focusing on metrics that directly impact sales and customer engagement.Passion Makes the Difference:Matt wants team members who are genuinely passionate about Slice. He believes that this passion is crucial for the platform's success, as it directly impacts local, independent shops. Matt's favorite pitch came from someone who not only downloaded the Slice app but also approached a local pizza place to inquire why they weren't on the platform. This level of initiative and genuine interest stands out and makes a significant difference.

In the latest episode of YouShouldTalkTo, Daniel Weiner sits down with Jason Moskal, the SVP of Marketing at Randstad. Jason dives deep into the evolving landscape of consumer sentiment. He sheds light on how many brands, despite their efforts, seem to be missing the mark in truly understanding their customers.Jason emphasizes the pitfalls of the "me too" approach in marketing. He believes that to truly resonate, brands need to be in tune with the unique needs and desires of their audience. It's not just about following trends but about forging genuine connections.In a world where consumer sentiment shifts rapidly, staying plugged in is more crucial than ever. Jason's insights offer a fresh perspective on how brands can navigate these changes and build lasting relationships with their customers.Guest-at-a-Glance💡 Name: Jason Moskal💡 What he does: SVP of Marketing at Randstad💡Noteworthy: Jason has a mosaic background spanning beer, banking, hotels, automotive, and staffing, emphasizing diverse industry experience.💡Where to find Jason: LinkedInKey InsightsThe Shift in Agency Preference:Jason Moskal discusses the noticeable shift in brands gravitating towards smaller, specialized agencies post-COVID. He emphasizes the importance of smart agencies, regardless of their size. Jason believes that agencies should prioritize partnerships and avoid merely chasing trends or awards. The focus should always be on delivering value and building a genuine connection with clients.The Essence of Listening to Customers:Jason underscores the importance of brands staying in touch with their target audience, especially in the wake of the pandemic. He warns against overcomplicating marketing strategies and stresses the significance of direct communication with customers. By continually listening and understanding their needs, brands can offer unique perspectives and stand out from competitors.The Challenge of Rapidly Changing Consumer Mindsets:Jason highlights the challenge of keeping up with the ever-evolving consumer mindset. In the past, insights from focus groups would be considered gospel for a while. Now, consumer opinions and preferences change almost instantly. The rapid pace of change keeps marketers on their toes, pushing them to discern between lasting insights and fleeting trends. The key is to stay ahead and ensure that marketing strategies align with genuine consumer needs.

In this episode of YouShouldTalkTo, Daniel Weiner sits down with Jeff Perkins, the CMO of Greenlight Guru. Jeff shares his unique insights on the role of specialized agencies in marketing. He advocates for their use in specific tasks but also sees potential in their ability to tackle diverse projects.Jeff, however, cautions against the idea of a truly full-service agency. He argues that the complexity of marketing makes this an unrealistic expectation. It's a candid take that challenges conventional thinking in the industry.The conversation takes a sharp turn as Jeff expresses a bold view on marketing automation software tools. He asserts that these tools are ineffective without the right team to operate them. It's a reminder that technology is only as good as the people behind it. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking a fresh perspective on the dynamics of marketing.Guest-at-a-Glance:💡 Name: Jeff Perkins, CMO at Greenlight Guru💡Noteworthy: Jeff is a published author -- check out his book here. 💡 Where to find more from Jeff: LinkedInKey Insights:Specialized Agencies: A Double-Edged SwordJeff Perkins, CMO of Greenlight Guru, discusses the role of specialized agencies in marketing. He suggests that while these agencies are excellent at specific tasks, they can also be given a chance to work on diverse projects. However, Perkins cautions against the idea of a truly full-service agency. He argues that the complexity of marketing makes this an unrealistic expectation. It's a candid take that challenges conventional thinking in the industry.Marketing Automation Tools: Misunderstood AssetsJeff expresses a bold view on marketing automation software tools. He asserts that these tools are ineffective without the right team to operate them. It's a reminder that technology is only as good as the people behind it. This insight is particularly valuable for businesses that heavily rely on automation tools, urging them to invest in their teams as much as they do in their technology.AI: The Future of MarketingJeff shares his excitement about the potential impact of AI on marketing. He believes that AI can turbocharge marketing efforts and doesn't see it as a threat to jobs. Instead, he views AI as a tool that can enhance the work of marketers, from brainstorming to defining target audiences to drafting blog posts. This perspective offers a positive outlook on the integration of AI in the marketing industry.

In this episode of YouShouldTalkTo, host Daniel Weiner sits down with Tom Spaven, VP of Marketing at goodwipes. Tom shares his candid perspective on the marketing industry, asserting that everyone is essentially "winging it" due to the constant changes and challenges in the field. Instead, he encourages marketers to be more creative and to stand out, likening it to being the "purple cow" in a field of regular cows.The conversation takes a deep dive into the current economic climate and its impact on consumer spending. Tom argues that consumers are still spending, but brands must drive relevance and make people feel good to attract their dollars. He also discusses the concept of the "lipstick index" and how consumers still seek self-care during recessions.Towards the end, Tom discusses the importance of team well-being and the role of culture in an organization. He also expresses his excitement about the shift back to brand building in marketing and the potential of artificial intelligence.Guest-at-a-Glance💡 Name: Tom Spaven, VP of Marketing at goodwipes💡Noteworthy: Tom brings a fresh perspective on marketing, emphasizing the human element and the importance of brand building.💡 Where to find Tom: LinkedInKey InsightsThe Human Touch: Personalization in OutreachTom emphasizes the importance of personalization in outreach. He suggests that everyone wants to feel special and heard, and it's crucial to inject a level of personalization into your communication. However, the sheer volume of communication can be overwhelming, and it's easy to miss opportunities. He suggests that successful outreach requires an element of humility, humor, and the luck of catching someone on the right channel at the right time.Consumer Spending and The Lipstick IndexTom discusses the concept of the "lipstick index" - the idea that even in a recession, consumers still want to treat themselves, albeit in more affordable ways. He argues that consumers are still spending, but brands need to drive relevance and make people feel good to attract their dollars. This puts more pressure on brands to be relevant in a target occasion and meet consumer needs.The Pendulum Swings Back: The Return to Brand BuildingTom expresses his excitement about the shift back to brand building in marketing. He believes that the pendulum is swinging back from performance-focused strategies to a more holistic approach that includes long-term brand building. He argues that every opportunity is a chance to build a brand and to perform, and marketers should think about their strategies holistically.

In this episode of YouShouldTalkTo, host Daniel Weiner sits down with Kaylin Durham, Chief Marketing & Digital Officer of Aaron's and BrandsMart USA. Kaylin shares her journey from being an "agency rat" to leading marketing for two major brands. She discusses the shift in consumer behavior over the years, emphasizing the increased expectations of shoppers for curated and personalized experiences.Kaylin also delves into the importance of agency partnerships in marketing. She talks about the balance between relationship-building and delivering quality work. Kaylin stresses that brands must invest time in providing agencies with the context they need to excel and the importance of cutting ties early when partnerships aren't working.Lastly, Kaylin shares a bit about her personal life, including her first job mucking stalls at a horse farm. She believes this early work experience instilled in her a strong work ethic and the understanding that no one is above a dirty job. This episode is a deep dive into the mind of a seasoned marketer, offering valuable insights for anyone in the industry.Guest-at-a-Glance💡 Name: Kaylin Durham Chief Marketing & Digital Officer at Aaron's and BrandsMart USA💡Noteworthy: From working in an agency to leading marketing for two major brands, Kaylin has gained experience that helps her recognize and nurture high-quality client-agency relationships, and why these partnerships are important. 💡 Where to find Kaylin: LinkedInKey InsightsThe Rising Bar: Consumer Expectations in the Digital AgeKaylin discusses the significant shift in consumer behavior over the years. She notes that shoppers' expectations have increased substantially, with consumers now expecting more curated and personalized experiences from brands. This shift is driven by the vast amount of information and content available at consumers' fingertips. As a result, brands are now held more accountable for creating personalized experiences that resonate with their customers. This insight highlights the importance of understanding and adapting to evolving consumer expectations in the digital age.The Marketing Conundrum: Achieving More with LessKaylin shares one of the critical challenges keeping her up at night: doing more with less. She notes that the days of large marketing budgets are over, and marketers are now expected to be good stewards of the funds they're given. This means leveraging the talents and resources available to make the maximum impact for customers. She also emphasizes the importance of being customer-centric and making strategic decisions based on the brand's position in the marketplace.Agency Partnerships: Balancing Relationships and Quality WorkKaylin delves into the importance of agency partnerships in marketing. She emphasizes the need for brands to invest time in providing agencies with the context they need to excel. However, she also stresses the importance of cutting ties early when partnerships aren't working. This insight underscores the delicate balance between building relationships with agencies and ensuring they deliver quality work.

In this episode, we dive into a rich discussion with marketing maven, Tara Robertson, exploring the landscape of modern marketing. Tara shares her insights on the importance of customer research, asserting that understanding your customer's pain points is paramount to creating effective marketing strategies. She emphasizes the value of data-driven decisions and highlights the crucial role of strong client-agency partnerships.As the conversation progresses, Tara articulates her excitement about the rising influence of artificial intelligence (AI) in marketing. She contends that ignoring the growing impact of AI could be detrimental, urging marketers to stay ahead of the curve. The discussion also touches on the potential of AI to facilitate a more strategic approach in marketing.On a personal note, Tara expresses her concerns about the current economic climate and the increasing layoffs. She emphasizes the need for building a more diverse workforce, advocating for more opportunities for diversity, equity, and inclusion in marketing.Guest-at-a-Glance💡 Name: Tara Robertson, Chief Marketing Officer at Bitly💡Noteworthy: A dynamic marketer with a keen focus on data-driven decisions and diversity in the industry.💡 Where to find them: LinkedInKey Insights:The importance of data in marketing decision-making. During this episode, Tara Robertson emphasized the critical role of data in marketing decisions. She highlighted that relying on intuition without data backing often leads to costly mistakes. By harnessing data, marketers can validate their hunches, and improve the effectiveness of their campaigns. The conversation highlighted a real-world example of how Tara's team saved $50,000 by opting for a data-driven approach over a traditional customer research project. This insight reinforces the idea that data is an invaluable asset for any marketing team.The necessity of firing clients who don't fit. One of the intriguing topics brought up during the episode was the concept of firing clients. Both Tara Robertson and Daniel Weiner agreed that it's important to terminate relationships with clients who hinder an agency's ability to deliver results. They mentioned that while this might initially lead to difficult situations like layoffs, in the long run, working with the right clients ensures the agency's growth and its employees' job satisfaction. This insight drives home the point that client-agency compatibility is crucial for mutual success.The potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in marketing. AI's impact on marketing was a key theme in this conversation. Tara stated that ignoring AI's advancements in the current era is not an option for marketers. AI is not only accelerating the pace of progress in the field but is also allowing marketers to focus more on strategy than execution. The discussion emphasized that understanding and leveraging AI can lead to innovative strategies, thereby keeping businesses ahead of the curve in an increasingly competitive market.

In this episode, host Daniel Weiner invites Jamie Walker, EVP, Marketing of Keyfactor, to discuss the journey and success of her digital marketing agency. Jamie shares her experiences on how Keyfactor has thrived in a competitive market and emphasizes the importance of building trust with clients, ensuring data privacy, and being transparent in their operations.The conversation delves into the unique challenges faced by digital marketing agencies and how Jamie has tackled them head-on, making tough decisions and embracing change for the betterment of her company. Jamie also reflects on the role of data in driving business decisions and how maintaining a strong focus on performance has contributed to Keyfactor's growth.In addition to discussing the business side of things, Jamie offers personal insights into her sources of inspiration, mentioning Serena Williams and former IBM CEO Ginni Rometty as two powerful women who have shaped her own approach to leadership. This episode provides an engaging look into the inner workings of a successful digital marketing agency and offers valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs and industry professionals alike.Guest-at-a-Glance💡 Name: Jamie Walker, EVP Marketing at Keyfactor💡 Where to find Jamie: LinkedInKey Insights:The Importance of Trust in Digital Marketing. Jamie Walker, CEO of Keyfactor, emphasizes the critical role trust plays in digital marketing. As consumers become more data-conscious, it's essential for agencies to establish and maintain trust with their clients. Transparency in data collection and use, honest communication, and ethical practices are all key factors in building a trustworthy reputation. By focusing on trust, digital marketing agencies can not only protect their clients' interests but also forge long-lasting, productive relationships.Navigating the Transition from Traditional to Digital Marketing. Daniel Weiner and Jamie Walker discuss the challenges faced by businesses and agencies in transitioning from traditional to digital marketing. They explore how both clients and agencies need to adapt their strategies, skills, and mindset to succeed in this new landscape. By learning from experiences and embracing change, companies can find innovative ways to reach their target audience and deliver more effective marketing campaigns.The Balance Between Specialization and Full-Service Offerings. In the episode, Jamie Walker shares her thoughts on the balance between specialization and full-service offerings in digital marketing. She argues that agencies should focus on what they do best and not attempt to be all things to all clients. This approach allows agencies to excel in their areas of expertise and provide the highest quality service to their clients. By understanding their strengths and limitations, agencies can build strong partnerships and deliver better results in the ever-changing digital marketing landscape.

Developing a successful client-agency relationship takes time and dedication, and it requires open communication, transparency, and mutual trust. But above all, a client-agency partnership is a two-way street. In this episode of the YouShouldTalkTo podcast, our host Daniel Weiner welcomes Bryan Law, the chief marketing officer of ZoomInfo. They talk about what it takes to create a strong partnership, how both parties can work together on making a client-agency relationship work, and the importance of being receptive to feedback in these partnerships.Guest-at-a-Glance💡 Name: Bryan Law, Chief Marketing Officer of ZoomInfo💡 Noteworthy: Bryan has over 20 years of experience in marketing, general management, strategy, e-commerce, and analytics. He has held leadership roles at ZoomInfo, Salesforce, Google, Tableau, and Monitor Deloitte, amongst others.💡 Where to find Bryan: LinkedInKey Insights ⚡Making a client-agency relationship work takes time. You can't build a strong and long-lasting partnership overnight. It takes time and dedication from both parties. Bryan says, "Normally, you're going to pay incrementally more. It's going to take a while for them to ramp [up], and so you have to be willing to make that investment in order to get the return out of them. And I think just the way in which ZoomInfo moves, we move very quickly. We iterate very quickly. I think it can be challenging for a third party to come in and really understand our business in a way that we would expect them to and move as quickly as we would expect them to. And so that's why we have not used them as much here." ⚡The client-agency relationship is a two-way street. It takes two to make a partnership work. So, if you want to create a mutually effective partnership with your external vendor, make sure you're both committed to it. Bryan says, "The quality of the work obviously is important as well. But I do think the way in which you work together is really key and making sure that you're developing that relationship so that you're on the same page and getting the most out of the partnership." ⚡Being receptive to feedback is one of the key traits of a good agency. Being receptive to feedback makes all the difference in a client-agency relationship. Bryan shares an example of a negative experience that turned positive. He explains, "I think, in particular, once you provide that feedback, not actioning on it is a real problem. And actually, on the flip side, that digital agency I mentioned that I've now worked with at a few companies, we had a period where it wasn't going [well], but we provided that feedback, and they jumped on it, and they said, 'Hey, this is a process we're going to put in place to make sure that we address it. This is how we're going to check in. We want to be very open about the areas that we're sort of getting that feedback.' And they would collect it across the team and share it back. So I think that's an example of where you can do a better job of it, but with this particular one, they were having issues on sort of sloppiness of work, timeliness of work, and then they weren't being responsive to the feedback and making the changes that we needed."

Too many clients report negative experiences with external agencies. And whether that's because of communication hurdles or poor quality of work, agencies often get a bad reputation. But do all of them deserve to get a bad reputation? In this episode of the YouShouldTalkTo podcast, our host Daniel Weiner welcomes Ashley Remstad, the VP of Marketing at Homebot. They discuss the benefits of working with agencies, explain why trust is necessary, and share tips on creating authentic relationships.Guest-at-a-Glance💡 Name: Ashley Remstad, VP of Marketing at Homebot💡 Noteworthy: Homebot is a client engagement and retention portal that maximizes repeat and referral business for lenders and real estate agents by empowering consumers to build wealth through homeownership.💡 Where to find Ashley: LinkedInKey Insights:⚡Agencies prepare you for the unknown. The future is unknown, but it's always good to have expert professionals on your team. That's why agencies are a great way to prepare for the unknown. Ashley says, "I think that agencies prep you for the unknown. You're balancing a lot. You're working with a lot of different companies of all different sizes, depending on where you're at, and it makes you flexible. So, if I'm honest, the transition was pretty easy. I had worked with a lot of companies that were the size of my company at that time. I knew exactly what they needed. I knew exactly how I could add value. So it was pretty seamless, I will say."⚡Agencies get a bad reputation. Agencies have a terrible reputation for being unreliable or unprofessional. But not every agency is the same. Some agencies don't deserve the bad rep they get. Ashley explains, "I think agencies do get a bad rap probably because there are a lot of bad agencies out there. Intentional or not, there are a lot of agencies that are not acting as partners, that are spreading themselves too thin, that are doing a poor job with hiring, that are not good business planners. Honestly, they haven't created a good business, and because of that, in an already crowded space, I would say there are a lot of bad agencies, and so agencies do get a bad rep. If you've been burned once, that's all it takes."⚡The best outreach strategy is to create value and build trust. The best way to a client's heart is to provide value. Value creates trust, and trust creates strong relationships. Ashley explains, "I had a very long sales process with someone that relentlessly reached out to me, and all he did honestly was provide value. 'Hey, what can I do for you? Is there anything that I can help your team? I noticed that your team is using this tool. Hey, I've done research here. I wanted to send you this. I thought you'd be interested in this.' And he kept me connected and engaged for, I don't know, six months or something, and it worked. So you established trust that way and authority, and people want to be in a collaborative space and feel like you can add value." 

In this episode of YouShouldTalkTo, Kathy Neumann, CMO of Rent, explains why it is important to test before pulling back the budget, even during hard times. Kathy and our host Daniel Weiner get into the benefits of digital to brands and consumers and discuss the importance of agency-brand relationships, how to work with agency partners, and how to get the most out of them.Guest-at-a-Glance💡 Name: Kathy Neumann, CMO of Rent.💡 Noteworthy: Kathy is a strong marketing professional skilled in marketing, digital, social and brand strategy, market research, management, direct, performance and multi-channel marketing. Kathy joined Rent as the CMO in February 2022 with a wealth of experience in brand and consumer marketing. Most recently, Kathy oversaw integrated marketing at chewy.com, the beloved direct-to-consumer pet food and pet care brand, awarded one of "America's 20 Hottest Brands 2020" by Ad Age. Prior to Chewy, Kathy worked on building brands including Carter's, OshKosh B'gosh, Lands' End, Pink, and Victoria's Secret. 💡 Where to find Kathy: LinkedIn l WebsiteKey Insights:⚡ Test before you pull back the budget. The COVID pandemic has brought both changes and problems that have affected everyday life and the entire economy. Due to the uncertainty that followed COVID, many companies stopped working, and even now, we are witnessing many brands pulling back and controlling spending due to the current economic situation. Kathy points out that pulling back budgets is often a short-term reaction that can do more long-term damage, so she suggests testing first. "The most important thing to do is keep testing when you tend to pull back budgets. Sometimes we get that test because they're expensive in the short term or more inefficient in the short term, but that's what's going to give us the leverage to improve our performance over the next six, 18 months. And if you forgo your testing plan, you are really giving up future efficiencies. Whether that's new channels, new creative, new copy, CTAs, all of that stuff, it's still gotta be tested just like it was back when things were a little bit brighter, maybe. And if we walk away from that, we're walking away from really being good stewards of the business."⚡ Agencies are a smart investment in partnerships to accelerate performance and learning. Often the success of a brand or a business depends on creating the right partnership with an agency because agencies can contribute a lot to their development. They can help you with many things, and you can also learn a lot from working with them. Kathy says that during her career, she has used agencies for many different things and that you should definitely invest in them. "Agencies can play a critical role in helping grow a business, especially as we're testing new things, and we're trying to find additional expertise, additional hands on the keyboard, skill sets that we may not have or we may not know we need yet. And it's often easier to partner with an agency and learn through something, and maybe there comes a time where you have an understanding of what's going to work for your business, you've learned through it, and it starts to migrate back into the house."

In this episode of YouShouldTalkTo, Ivonne Kinser, the VP of Marketing and Innovation at Avocados From Mexico, explains why the Metaverse doesn't work for all brands and gets into the differences between the culture of a brand and the culture of an agency and their perspectives. Ivonne and our host Daniel Weiner discuss the importance of agencies and how you can successfully choose the right ones and work with them.Guest-at-a-Glance💡 Name: Ivonne Kinser, VP of Marketing and Innovation at Avocados From Mexico.💡 Noteworthy: Throughout her career, Ivonne has played leadership roles in multiple corporations representing multibillion-dollar brands, as well as in top advertising agencies such as Lintas, McCann Erickson Worldwide, and The Richards Group, working with well-known brands in almost every category. In 2014, she joined Avocados From Mexico as the head of Digital Marketing, and in seven years, she built the organization's digital practice, which became one of the most successful digital groups in terms of performance and innovation. In 2022, Ivonne became the first Latina to be awarded the American Marketing Association's highest honor bestowed upon a deserving recipient, the Lifetime Achievement Award. She has also been included in the list of "100 Most Influential Latinas in the U.S." in 2021 and 2022. 💡 Where to find Ivonne: LinkedIn l WebsiteKey Insights⚡ The Metaverse is not for everyone and every brand. Recently, the number of startups and established companies working on building products around the Metaverse has been growing. The Metaverse is a virtual world, a vision of how the next internet generation will work. It's a trend, but while some see it as the next big technological breakthrough, others aren't impressed. Ivonne says the Metaverse works for some brands but not all. "You have one shot and that sort of thing. If you go and you do it right, you'll have great results; or you will burn the brand in the eyes of the consumers that may have a bad experience. And honestly, I have no doubt that we're going to get there. If we have the same conversation in maybe three years, the situation will be a lot different, but right now, I don't think the hardware is there to provide the experience that we want to provide to our consumers. There are exceptions; there are some brands that are doing it really well, but it's not a majority."⚡ Agencies don't have visibility into all the areas of business. More and more brands are working with smaller independent agencies specializing in one or two services because hardly any full-service agency can do everything really well. According to Ivonne, it's hard to find an agency that can have visibility over all the areas of the business as someone has on the brand side. "Agencies are missing one capability that perhaps is at the strategic level. When a group of people at the part, whatever you want it to be, can look at the business of the brand and look at all the possibilities, and then identify the problem, identify the ways to get to that solution, and then assemble that team of expertise within the agency."⚡ Ivonne says there's a lot to learn about digital integration from vendors and agencies, so she always devotes time to those who offer technology that is a strong driver of anything and those who understand brand challenges and provide a solution for a specific problem. "One of the things that makes a brand successful in this space — digital technology integration — is just gathering the knowledge from the players that are building those capabilities in the industry. So, I gain as much as they gain because I'm learning from them. 

The CMO leads brand management, marketing communications, market research, product marketing, distribution channel management, pricing, customer success, and customer service and manages the marketing team. And one of the primary responsibilities of a CMO is to bridge the gap between the company and technology by setting the requirements for the management of and access to customer data.But tech, in general, is having a rough time, with layoffs, etc. We have seen a lot of depressing news lately, and it's hard to get through this situation; it's hard for CMOs to manage the expectations of scared and worried teams. In this episode of YouShouldTalkTo, Kyle Lacy, the CMO of Jellyfish, explains how to manage your teams' expectations successfully and how you can succeed in the future. Kyle and our host Daniel Weiner discuss brand measurement, the importance of driving efficient revenue, and what separates the good agencies from the bad.Guest-at-a-Glance💡 Name: Kyle Lacy, CMO of Jellyfish.💡 Noteworthy: Kyle has spent the last 17 years building, scaling, failing, and winning in high-growth software. He is currently serving the Jellyfish team as their CMO, and before joining Jellyfish, Kyle had the pleasure of building a company called Lessonly. He has also led teams at Seismic, OpenView, Salesforce, and ExactTarget. Kyle has been recognized as one of Indiana's Forty under 40 by the Indianapolis Business Journal, Anderson University's Young Alumni of the Year, and TechPoint's Young Professional of the Year. In addition, he is the author of three books: Twitter Marketing for Dummies (Wiley, 2010), Branding Yourself (Pearson, 2011), and Social CRM for Dummies (Wiley, 2012).💡 Where to find Kyle: LinkedIn l WebsiteKey Insights⚡ You don't have to measure everything. Brand measurement programs measure aspects of a brand's product, competition, and category, and one of the main reasons for conducting brand measurement is to ascertain changes that improve your brand's performance. But, according to Kyle, in the marketing world, there is a dilemma about whether or not you should spend a ton of time and energy trying to measure a brand, and he doesn't think you should. "I get the measurement fanatics that think you should measure everything and can measure everything — which is true. You can build attribution models to measure absolutely everything that you possibly could want to do, but there are some times where experiences — like a great direct mail or a great event, or a podcast — it just doesn't need to be measured. And I've found that creatives are more creative when it's the idea that's more important than the actual revenue generated."⚡ It's important to drive efficient revenue. While the past few years have seen plenty of investment, successful fundraising, and rapid growth, things have changed. Tech is having a rough time regarding the economy and layoffs, and Kyle says that it's still about growing but while driving efficient revenue. "If you drive efficient revenue — both inbound and supporting outbound, or your product — then you're going to have a good story to tell. If you don't do it efficiently, it's going to be very, very difficult in the near future."⚡ The marketing team needs to understand the leading and lagging indicators of where the market is going. Kyle is the CMO of Jellyfish and successfully leads his team and manages their expectations. From the leadership standpoint, Kyle explains how CMOs should manage the expectations of their teams. "We have a product that is needed; there's a reason why we have product/market fit. We need to execute and be proactive and remember, and have empathy with the market. I've said that for the past six years to my team, so it's not