IN THIS EPISODE…
Even the most experienced marketers have made mistakes that have jeopardized campaigns — or even their careers. What lessons can you learn from marketing, PR, and other creative professionals who have navigated threats, miscommunication, or reputational breaches?
In this Matters of Creative exclusive Halloween episode, Bobbie Bailey, Jenny Ridenour, and Matt Hirsch hear the most stressful marketing horror stories from past guests Blake Denman, Cassandra Le, Kelsey Chance, Natalie Bowman, Kate Ramsey, Leah Knight, and Troy Alstead.
Listen to this episode now for some spooky (and savvy) marketing don’ts!
ABOUT OUR GUESTS:
Blake Denman is the Founder and President of RicketyRoo, an internet marketing agency for small- to medium-sized businesses. With over 17 years of SEO experience, he specializes in inbound marketing, PPC advertising, and website design and development. Blake and his team speak at popular digital marketing conferences, including MozCon and LocalU, and contribute to recognized SEO publishing sites like Semrush and Search Engine Journal.
Cassandra Le is the Founder and Brand Strategist at The Quirky Pineapple Studio, a creative marketing and media agency. As a brand and marketing consultant, she has worked with mission-driven brands and thought leaders to help them share their stories, connect with their communities, and drive brand awareness through culturally competent marketing. In 2019, Rising Tide Society and Honeybook named Cassandra as a top marketer driving community and innovation.
Kelsey Chance is the Founder of Good Chance Creative, and her journey began with her dog’s Instagram account going viral, sparking her passion for social media and photography. What started as a side hustle evolved into managing social media for Kroger and now has led to Good Chance Creative.
Good Chance Creative specializes in creating scroll-stopping, human-centric brand content for clients like Domaine Serene, Rustic Bakery, and Sinegal Estate. From photoshoots to influencer campaigns, Kelsey and her talented team excel at crafting compelling narratives that resonate in today’s digital landscape.
Natalie Bowman is the Managing Director of Product and Digital Experiences at Alaska Airlines, where she also served as the Managing Director of Marketing and Advertising. As a recognized brand, digital, and social marketing leader, she has experience leading major brand launches in fashion, tech, media, luxury retail, automotive, and travel. Natalie recently acquired the Oh Happy Day Party Shop, launching the DTC brand into Kohl’s, Nordstrom, and hundreds of global boutiques. She has been named an Ad Age Digital Trailblazer, a Rising Brand Star by BrandWeek, a MAKERS Women Awardee, and one of Brand Innovators’ top 100 Women to Watch.
Kate Ramsey is the Senior Principal of UX Design and Experience Strategy at Nordstrom, where she aligns teams to create cohesive and meaningful customer experiences across multiple channels. She has been with the company since 2011, holding roles including UX Design Manager and Principal UX Designer. Having studied fine art and graphic design, Kate transitioned into new media by teaching herself how to design digital interfaces for a CD company.
Leah Knight is the Owner and President of LK Consulting, a professional consulting firm utilizing Gallup Strength strategies to achieve peak performance in individuals, teams, and organizations. As a 20-year business owner, she has led, managed, and implemented strengths-based practices to create positive organizational cultures. Leah has worked with Fortune 500 companies, agencies, law firms, small businesses, teams, managers, and individuals.
Troy Alstead is the Founder of Ocean5, a LEED Silver certified entertainment and event venue. He is also the Founder of Table 47, a farm-to-table restaurant, and The Cup Coffee Lounge. Troy serves on the board of directors for several companies, including Levi Strauss & Co. and Harley Davidson. In 2016, he retired from Starbucks after 24 years with the company, having most recently served as the Chief Operating Officer responsible for leading the business’ global operations.
GUESTS IN THIS EPISODE:
- Bobbie Bailey on LinkedIn
- Jenny Ridenour on LinkedIn
- M Agency Website | Instagram
- Blake Denman: Website | LinkedIn | X
- Cassandra Le on LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube
- Kelsey Chance on LinkedIn | Instagram
- Natalie Bowman on LinkedIn | Instagram | X
- Kate Ramsey on LinkedIn
- Leah Knight on LinkedIn
- Troy Alstead on LinkedIn
Quotable Moments:
- “Sleeping was not really an option for the next couple of days.”
- “She tried to replicate all of that in Spain, and it was an absolute nightmare.”
- “Page Six did a blurb about it, and they said that us hiring Lizzie Grubman was the equivalent of someone hiring OJ to sell knives.”
- “I had to present at midnight after getting out of bed just 10 minutes before.”
- “The business could be successful but damaged so easily by what somebody else did.”
Action Steps:
- Thoroughly vet partnerships and collaborations: Conduct comprehensive background checks and due diligence when partnering with individuals or other businesses. This helps prevent associating your brand with unsavory partners and ensures value alignment, mitigating potential reputational risks.
- Adapt marketing strategies to cultural contexts: Customize your marketing approach to fit the cultural norms and expectations of various audiences. This ensures clarity and relevance, reducing confusion and improving campaign effectiveness in diverse markets.
- Set clear communication and expectations: Clearly communicate project details, expectations, and responsibilities with all involved parties from the start. This prevents misunderstandings and ensures everyone is aligned, especially in complex projects involving multiple stakeholders.
- Prepare for crisis management: Develop a crisis management plan to address potential issues swiftly and effectively. Being prepared helps minimize damage and allows for quicker recovery when unexpected problems arise in marketing or business operations.
- Recognize the importance of scalability and resource management: Ensure that your resources and plans are scalable and adaptable to changes in project scope or participant numbers. This foresight prevents logistical challenges and allows for smooth execution, even when unexpected growth or changes occur.
SPONSOR FOR THIS EPISODE…
This episode is brought to you by M Agency, a full-service creative marketing agency in Tacoma, Washington.
We are a strategic partner for companies wanting to build memorable brands, websites, and marketing campaigns.
Our team of creative professionals leverages their unique talents and skills to provide various branding, design and development, marketing, and creative services.
If you’re ready to take action with your marketing, visit https://whatisyourm.com/.