AMA RIFF Podcast

#86 Oh damn, do we have one for y’all today. The crew gets the chance to talk to the president of Wisconsin Brewing, Paul Verdu. But, that’s just the starting point. 

 

Paul Verdu is a beer guy. And when we say, beer guy check this out. 

 

🍺 VP Brand Marketing, Constellation Brands

🍺 President, SABMiller 

🍺 Interim President, St. Archer Brewing Company

🍺 Vice President Sales and Marketing, Tenth and Blake Beer Company

 

When we say, this guy knows beer. He friggin’ knows beer. He has worked in China and South Africa and Canada. And Kurt and Pat couldn’t wait to sit down with Paul to hear his story. 

 

And holy sh*t does he deliver. 

 

One of the best parts is hearing his take on building underdog brands! Hint it’s all about the emotional appeal. And how to deal with “wicked problems.” 

 

Grab a couple of pints – you’re going to need ‘em. 

 

Check out Lake Louie Brewing. 

Reach out to Paul at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-verdu-0a9b0b2/

 

Want more Kurt and Pat? Yeah, ya do: 

 

✅ Connect with Kurt at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kurtlingel/

✅ Connect with Pat at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pmcgovern1/

 

🍺 Paul’s Pint: Warp Speed, Lake Louie Brewing

🍺 Kurt’s Pint: Badger Club Amber, Lake Louie Brewing

🍺 Pat’s Pint: Yankee IPA, Lake Louie Brewing

 

Don’t forget to like and leave a comment. That’s the energy that powers this supertanker!

Want more insights into marketing? Take a look at our full lineup.

In this episode, AMA MKE President Michele Tonkovitz riffs with Celia Faye Meisel about the dynamic partnership between sales and marketing teams.

 

Turn up the volume and get ready to explore insights, advice, and ideas on how collaboration on strategies, personal brand development, leveraging customer insights, and nurturing lead can significantly impact a company's success and help close more details.

 

Be sure to also connect with Celia Faye Meisel, Sales Growth Consultant and Creator of the "More Method":

https://celiafayemeisel.com/

https://www.moremethod.com/3-things

https://www.linkedin.com/in/celia-faye-meisel

https://www.instagram.com/celiafaye.meisel

https://www.facebook.com/CeliaFayeMeisel

 

Book a 20-Minute Exploration Call to see what sales growth can look like for your business this year.

Our AMA Riff guest Justin Metzger is really a jack of all trades ... and knows what it takes to run an AMA-zing press room during a trade show. Learn, connect and grow when you listen to Justin's public relations advice. Plus, get inspired by his tales about starting his own T-shirt business and voiceover work.   You can find Justin here: Email: [email protected] Shirt website: metzgerandsons.com Voice etc website: metzgermidwest.com

Tom Graybill from Trimarq Communications, Inc. once again talks to AMA Milwaukee President Michele Tonkovitz. In the last conversation with Tom, he explained the importance of video as a marketing tool. Today he shares the hidden joys and benefits of networking—a practice that got lost during the pandemic and is now returning with a renewed spirit.

Some of us love it, some of us dread it, but networking is essential for meeting new people, deepening relationships, and building your brand. Most of us blindly walk into these events with a vague goal of collecting a set number of business cards, but there’s so much more we need to know to make networking work for us. As Tom visits area colleges, he offers helpful tips on making those vital connections in the working world.

Listen and learn:

✅ Where to look for the people you want to connect with ✅ Why networking is a practice that never ends ✅ What your goal should be at every event ✅ How a good impression can bring you referrals

Reach out to Tom on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomgraybill/ or via email at [email protected], or visit his company’s website at trimarq.com.

RIFF Hosts:

Michele Tonkovitz [email protected] Pat McGovern [email protected]

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so how much more meaningful is a quality video? Find out as you listen to Part 1 of my conversation with Tom Graybill of Trimarq Communications, Inc. Through the media production company that he has been a part of for over 20 years, Tom helps his clients put their best foot forward with effective audio-visual communication.

He explains why video is the most important marketing tool in your business arsenal, giving you the opportunity to present your business precisely as you wish. As the viewer watches up to an average of one minute of video, this medium has been proven to be a powerful means of conveying your message--and Tom shares how the little details make all the difference. Some key conversation points:

✅ When to go professional versus DIY ✅ Establishing a budget for video production ✅ Crafting the message you want

Reach out to Tom on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomgraybill/ or via email at [email protected], or visit his company’s website at trimarq.com.

RIFF Hosts:

Michele Tonkovitz [email protected] Pat McGovern [email protected]

We all know music moves people’s bodies, hearts, and souls. But it also inspires them to spend their money. Today as I talk with Leonard Novati, you will hear an inspiring story of how this software engineer/deejay from Tanzania turned his love of African music into a growing business venture.

Creator of user-friendly music app Afro Charts, Leonard has found a way to not only share the unique sound of African music with the world, but also provide a platform for independent artists. As he worked to bring the app to life, the entrepreneur continued to work full-time and he faced the obstacles posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. You will hear how though it wasn’t always an easy road for Leonard, his passion served as the driving force he needed to bring his dream to fruition—and the same can be true for you.

We will discuss:

• Finding your target audience
• The importance of effective marketing
• How to preserve as you pursue your vision
• And more

Reach out to Leonard on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonardnovati/ or via email at [email protected].

RIFF Hosts:

Michele Tonkovitz: [email protected]

Pat McGovern [email protected]

#67 Buckle up the Keppler bros Frank and George are with us! These two… are the force behind a very cool brand: Brew City Brand/Good Land Supply Company. 

 

This is the company responsible for all kinds of great t-shirts, hoodies, pens, you name it. This is no small operation. They have worked with Miller Coors and Disney just to name two. 

 

So given all this, Kurt and I wanted to get these guys on because 1.) they are a good hang. And 2.) how you market this kind of company.

 

We got it…and a lot more including how much this space has changed. And how logo wear is every bit as important as any other channel in a company’s overall marketing mix. Plus their launch story is awesome. 

 

Wanna get in touch with go here: https://brewcityonline.com/

 

Want more Kurt or Pat? Yeah, you do!

 

✅ Kurt at: [email protected]

✅ Pat at: [email protected]

🍺George’s Pint: Lakefront Brewing, Pumpkin Lage

🍺Frank’s Pint: Central Standard, Door County Cherry Vodka

🍺Kurt’s Pint: Company Brewing, Lordy, Lordy Hazy IPA

🍺Pat’s Pint: New Glarus, Spotted Cow

Need more red meat? Take a look at the full lineup.

It’s a new year and we’re returning with new guests! Meet Milena Dlugi, the owner of a virtual assistant company Milena Elite LLC and also our most recent AMA Board secretary. Offering a wealth of insight, skill, and experience, she shares life lessons we all can learn from.

Listen as she details how she relocated from Poland to the United States shortly before the Covid-19 pandemic hit and came to a personal crossroads. Working fulltime for a local company, Milena felt something missing and wanted to pursue her passion of venturing out on her own. After finding inspiration through local networking events, she started Milena Elite which allowed her to bring two of her dreams—creating a company and helping others—to life. We also talk about:

• How having a virtual assistant can give you your life back
• Effective ways to market yourself and your business
• Why networking and building relationships are the keys to success
• The importance of finding a work-life balance

Reach out to Milena on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/milena-dlugi/ or at [email protected]

 

RIFF Hosts: Michele Tonkovitz: [email protected]

Pat McGovern [email protected]

 

#18 Hey everybody…and welcome to 2022. In this first episode of the new year, Michele and I sit down with Lindsay Golder. 

 

Lindsay has a TON of experience in marketing. She has worked on both the agency as well as the client-side of things. And now she has decided to go it alone with her own business: Tillandsia Marketing. She shares the meaning of the name in the episode. 

 

We also hit on: 

 

• How she got into the business. 
• How she decided to go it alone and start her own agency. 
• The importance of your network and how to reach out when you need them. (Great stuff)
• And the 4 things improvisational theater can teach you about marketing. (Even better stuff)

 

We loved talking to Lindsay and we hope you enjoy the episode as well. Let us know. 

 

Reach out to Lindsay on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsaygoldner/

 

RIFF Hosts: 

 

Michele Tonkovitz: [email protected]

 

Pat McGovern [email protected]

Interested in learning more about the AMA...head over to: https://www.amamilwaukee.org/

Music by: VJ Memes

 

RIFF Artwork: Emma McGovern

#18 We are back with the Riff and this is a great one to start off 2022. We have an amazing sit-down with Emily Lopez. 

 

Emily is a Senior Channel Marketing Manager. She is also the founder and president of Elo Consulting Group.

 

Elo is a marketing agency that provides sales & marketing coaching, strategy development, and group collaboration for women who are launching, expanding, or rebranding their business. 

 

In this episode, we learn the strategy and tactics entrepreneurs need to embrace to get some wins in 2022. Spoiler alert: her advice on networking is spot on!

 

To learn more about Emily check her out at: https://www.flowithelo.com/ or connect with her on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elopezmarketingmanager/

RIFF Hosts: 

 

Michele Tonkovitz: [email protected]

 

Pat McGovern [email protected]

Interested in learning more about the AMA...head over to: https://www.amamilwaukee.org/

 

 

Music by: VJ Memes

 

RIFF Artwork: Emma McGovern