Big Things Podcast

Entrepreneurship is a rollercoaster of wins and losses. But what if we told you that viewing these losses as opportunities for growth could change everything? In this episode, we’re joined again by founder of I Love Ugly, Valentin Ozich, to have a candid conversation about the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. Valentin returns as a follow-up to our interview last year to explain the mindset shift that helped him continue to grow his brand, even when life got really hard. He explores the power of personal growth and self-care, the importance of celebrating life’s mundane moments and how to ease up on ourselves. 

We explore topics including the fascinating world of subconscious reprogramming, how to overcome obstacles, finding clarity in our goals and finding connection. This episode is motivating, uplifting and real. Join us on this inspiring journey of self-discovery and purpose. 

Learn more about Valentin:

1. I Love Ugly: https://www.iloveugly.com/ 
2. I Love Ugly on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iloveugly/  
3. Valentin Ozich on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valentinozich 

Subscribe to Arcade’s Newsletter, SCAN 👀 CLUB: https://www.arcadearcade.ca/scan-club 

Show Notes:

1. 00:15 - Catching up on I Love Ugly and how the past year has gone for the brand and Valentin. 
2. 01:20 - Big changes in Valentin’s life and thoughts on “The War of Art.”
3. 08:10 - Mindset, discipline and celebration. 
4. 12:30 - How to live in the moment as an entrepreneur and relieve the pressure of “the grind.”
5. 17:10 - Why you need to work harder on yourself than on your business.
6. 23:45 - Clarify what you want to accomplish and how to show up. 
7. 27:00 - How to achieve your goals through persistence. 
8. 31:00 - Thoughts on 15 years of I Love Ugly and what inspired Valentin to step out of the driver’s seat.
9. 38:00 Life will always intervene and force you to take breaks
10. 40:15 Entrepreneurship can be lonely. Remember to keep “wise council” around you.
11. 47:25 - How Valentin stays creative artistically while managing a business. 
12. 51:40 - How to use your subconscious mind to solve problems. 
13. 53:30 - Valentin’s art and future goals with helping others. 
14. 55:40 - Who is making waves and why?

Mentioned in this episode:

• Danny Morel https://www.instagram.com/dannymorel/?hl=en 

Big Things with Mitzi (@mmmitzi) and Mike (@mmmiiike).

For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/

Production by Morgan Berna, editing by Oliver Banyard.

What if you could unlock the secret to bring a top performer at a marketing agency? That’s exactly what our 2023/2024 social media interns, Andrée Sonnenberg and Chamane Dizon, are looking to discover in this fascinating episode. Andrée and Charmane put Mike and Mitzi in the hot seat, turning the tables to ask them the questions they want to know as students and new marketers.

Not just a regular Q&A session, this episode goes deep into what distinguishes a top performer (from people who hire and promote!), how to make an impact without ruffling feathers, tips for becoming a problem-solver and letting yourself lean into the newness of a situation. Mike and Mitzi discuss boundary setting, imposter syndrome, work-life balance and self-care advice.

This episode will equip you with practical insights for navigating the marketing industry, no matter what stage you’re at!

Subscribe to Arcade’s Newsletter, SCAN 👀 CLUB: https://www.arcadearcade.ca/scan-club 

Show Notes:

1. 00:30 - Meet Arcade’s Social Media Interns: Andrée and Charmane!
2. 02:00 - Icebreaker round! Learn a bit about Mike & Mitzi.
3. 04:30 - Some less obvious ways top performers show up in the workplace. 
4. 06:00 - Problem solving is a superpower. 
5. 08:30 - Expectations Mike and Mitzi have with students applying for internships.
6. 13:15 - SCAN CLUB AD
7. 13:49 - How does creativity play into being a top performer?
8. 20:15 - The different ways creativity exists in marketing. 
9. 22:20 - How to continue growing in the marketing industry. 
10. 26:50 - How to stay in beta even when it’s uncomfortable. 
11. 29:55 - How to show up as a new employee without crossing boundaries or stepping on toes. 
12. 38:40 - How to overcome imposter syndrome.
13. 42:00 - How to strike the balance between hustling and self-care. 

Big Things with Mitzi (@mmmitzi) and Mike (@mmmiiike).

For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/

Production by Morgan Berna, editing by Oliver Banyard.

Jimmy Kim, CEO and co-founder of Sendlane, is known for his expertise in email and SMS marketing. In this episode, he shares his incredible journey from working in the car industry to becoming a digital marketing powerhouse. He shares his top tips for mastering the art of email marketing, particularly for ecommerce brands. Jimmy explains how email is about more than campaigns and automations, diving into the importance of crafting personalized experiences for customers and evolving strategies based on new data. We discuss KPIs, understanding audience behavior and optimizing campaigns. 

We continue the conversation by delving into the potent combination of copywriting and storytelling in email marketing. With Jimmy’s guidance, learn how to weave compelling narratives and create experiences that captivate customers. Then, we wrap things up with a discussion around SMS marketing for acquisition and retention. Join us, and learn from one of the best in the business!

Subscribe to Arcade’s Newsletter, SCAN 👀 CLUB: https://www.arcadearcade.ca/scan-club 

Connect with Jimmy on LinkedIn

Or follow Jimmy on X: @yojimmykim

Show Notes:

1. 01:30 - How Jimmy made moves from a career in vehicle sales to founding Sendlane. 
2. 09:30 - Building a business by accident.
3. 11:00 - What it means to be the world’s best generalist. 
4. 15:00 - The types of emails Jimmy recommends ecommerce brands use. 
5. 17:40 - The longevity problem batch and blast emails create. Audience management dos and don’ts.
6. 21:00 - Where does storytelling come in with email marketing? 
7. 28:40 - KPIs Jimmy closely watches for email marketing.
8. 31:50 - Why it’s so crucial to watch your unsubscribes. 
9. 34:15 - How to build a solid acquisition strategy. 
10. 39:00 - How SMS complements email marketing. 
11. 42:50 - How to create an SMS message that works. 
12. 44:30 - Who is making waves and why?
13. 46:45 - Where to connect with Jimmy. 
14. 46:45 - Where to connect with Jimmy. 

Big Things with Mitzi (@mmmitzi) and Mike (@mmmiiike).

For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/

Production by Morgan Berna, editing by Oliver Banyard.

Do you struggle to create and release video content? If you aren’t at least dipping your toes into video, you’re falling behind. Half of all social media users prefer video over other types of content. 58% of viewers will watch an entire brand video if it’s less than 60 seconds long*. So, why aren’t all businesses and content creators doing it? In this episode, we’re joined by Natasha Pierre, host of the Shine Online Podcast and Video Marketing Coach, to talk about the 5 biggest mindset blocks she sees with creating video. From perfectionism and imposter syndrome, to overwhelm and content planning, we talk about how these mindset blocks show up and how you can overcome them to create impactful video content. Natasha also shares her rationale for creating over 100 podcast episodes in an era where short-form content continues to gain popularity. 

Take Natasha’s 5 Day Video Confidence Challenge! https://shinewithnatasha.com/challenge 

Subscribe to Arcade’s Newsletter, SCAN 👀 CLUB: https://www.arcadearcade.ca/scan-club 

*Source: https://sproutsocial.com/insights/social-media-video-statistics/

Show Notes:

1. 01:30 - Mike and Natasha catch up about using Threads after speaking at a recent Thinkific webinar. 
2. 02:55 - How Natasha landed in the content space and chose her niche. 
3. 05:20 - Transitioning out of social media management into a new phase of your career. 
4. 06:53 - Working through perfectionism around creating video content.
5. 08:52 - Showing up exactly as you are online to build connection. 
6. 11:30 - Not feeling represented in the content you watch. 
7. 13:35 - How Natasha coaches creators experiencing overwhelm with video content. 
8. 15:05 - How to create content sustainably and maintain a social media presence for the long-term. 
9. 17:25 - How Natasha preps a thought-leadership piece. 
10. 20:12 - Handling Imposter Syndrome and feeling cringey when making video content. 
11. 24:08 - How to figure out what to post. 
12. 26:07 - How to map out and evolve your content pillars. 
13. 28:02 - Choosing your niche, rounding out your content and deciding what to post where. 
14. 30:58 - Deciding which social media platform is right for your brand.
15. 33:20 - Choosing your non-negotiables with posting.
16. 36:55 - How Natasha has stayed dedicated to The Shine Online Podcast to create over 100 episodes. 
17. 39:03 - Who is making waves and why?

Mentioned in this episode:

1. The Shine Online Podcast: https://link.chtbl.com/shineonline 
2. Berna Anat: https://www.heyberna.com/

Big Things with Mitzi (@mmmitzi) and Mike (@mmmiiike).

For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/

Production by Morgan Berna, editing by Oliver Banyard.

[REPOST] Your brand is a whole lot more than the products or services you sell. Your brand is what you stand for, and establishing your core beliefs can help you stand apart from the rest, attract like-minded clients, and better serve your community. Today’s guest is Ryan Mack, Chief Commercial Officer at Made In Network. As CCO, his job is a mix of marketing, entertainment, business development, and corporate strategy.

Prior to this role, Ryan was the President of Virtue, which is the creative agency of Vice, where he led efforts globally with a specific focus on the Americas. This sums up what he has been doing most recently, but Ryan has a wealth of experience and a diverse body of work, which you’ll hear more about in this episode; where it all started, what drew him to content marketing, and what his philosophy looks like today.

One of the things that stands out about this interview is Ryan’s perspective that the death of social media is bureaucracy. Once there are too many decision-makers on something as simple a tweet, he believes that it stifles creativity and outcomes. Tuning in, you’ll hear about his experience with this and how he sought to make social media intentional again by moving to a smaller agency. He speaks about the importance of establishing your core beliefs as a brand and how it can help you become more agile, but don’t overthink it!

The best brands don’t. Ryan offers advice for those just starting out in content creation, emphasizes the power of collaboration, and shares his predictions for the future of digital content. Tune in today to find out more.

Find Ryan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanjmack/ 

Key Points From This Episode:

• Find out how Ryan first got started in marketing, sparked by his fascination with the internet.
• How risk and constant experimentation have served him in his career.
• Ryan explains how he takes risks based on what is demonstrating traction in the market.
• What got him interested in creating content: the question, ‘What are we going to say?’
• Establish your core values as a brand, but don't create bureaucracy around daily mechanics!
• The opportunities Ryan saw in the rise of social media and how he positioned himself to capitalize on them.
• Balancing quantifiable results and creative content that aligns with the brand.
• Ryan talks about some of the most exciting projects he worked on during his time at Carrot.
• Hear about Ryan’s transition from Carrot to Virtue at Vice; competing as a creative agency.
• From Virtue to Made In Network; he talks about his passion for making “small things medium.”
• The momentum and traction in episodic, intentional scheduled programming from an entity.
• Ryan explains why a creator would want to compete with traditional media outlets.
• What brands can learn about building brand equity from this perspective of creating a media house around original content.
• Learn more about what Ryan calls the “mad science of content algorithms.” 
• The power of collaboration; how to leverage connections between channels.
• Ryan’s predictions for the future, including live programming becoming more polished.
• How 2020 has impacted Ryan personall

Big Things with Mitzi (@mmmitzi) and Mike (@mmmiiike).

For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/

Production by Morgan Berna, editing by Oliver Banyard.

Have you been wondering how AI will impact the future of digital marketing and content creation? In this episode we talk with Maria Osipova, CMO at Penny AI and one of the lead educators in Gigantic’s Generative AI course, to dissect the role AI can and will play in marketing. Gain insight into how these technologies are revolutionizing various sectors, including media, marketing and sales. We delve into the limitations and opportunities of AI in content creation, Maria’s favorite ChatGPT plugins and tips for marketers wanting to navigate this new terrain successfully. 

An episode packed with valuable insights and tips, this is your chance to stay ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving world of AI and marketing.

Learn more from Maria: https://gigantic.is/courses/ai-marketing 

Subscribe to Arcade’s Newsletter, SCAN 👀 CLUB: https://www.arcadearcade.ca/scan-club 

Show Notes:

1. 03:35 - Where AI is at now, we’re seeing a pace of growth we’ve never seen before
2. 06:55 - When people say “AI” what are they actually talking about?
3. 08:50 - Will AI replace marketers?
4. 14:00 - What industries will AI be most helpful for?
5. 15:50 - Cautions to take when using AI for content generation.
6. 19:30 - Opportunities generative AI creates for marketers. 
7. 22:35 - How leaders can get their teams into the mindset to try AI. Best platforms for marketing teams to jump into. 
8. 27:30 - How to find plugins to use with generative AI platforms like ChatGPT. 
9. 29:25 - What makes a great prompt?
10. 34:15 - Are there any risks with using generative AI?
11. 36:25 - A message for people who feel afraid to try AI. 
12. 40:00 - What Maria is excited to see happen with AI next. 
13. 41:10 - Who Maria is seeing making waves and why

Mentioned in this episode:

• Penny AI: https://getpenny.com/about-penny/
• trnd.io: http://trnd.io/
• Bernard Marr, Futurist: https://bernardmarr.com/ 

Big Things with Mitzi (@mmmitzi) and Mike (@mmmiiike).

For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/

Production by Morgan Berna, editing by Oliver Banyard.

Are you tired of feeling like your content is at the mercy of social media algorithms? Cameron Uganec, SVP & GM at Thinkific & The Leap, is trying to show creators a better way to monetize online. Cameron is a seasoned expert in building brands and products in the creator economy. In this episode he shares insights on how creators can maximize monetization opportunities and build audience-centric brands. We explore the 3 phases of the creator economy, from the rise of social media influencers to the current entrepreneurial phase, and deep dive into the concept of ‘creator educators.’ Cameron explains why it’s more beneficial for creators to pursue an educator path rather than chasing influencer status. Cameron unveils his journey, from managing big brand accounts to now empowering content creators at Thinkific. We explore his experiences, insights and predictions for the creator economy, further illuminating the ways this economy is reshaping the digital landscape.

Learn more about Cameron:

1. Instagram @maketheleap
2. TikTok @the.leap
3. Twitter @cameronu
4. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/uganec/ 
5. The Leap: https://www.theleap.co/ 

Subscribe to Arcade’s Newsletter, SCAN 👀 CLUB: https://www.arcadearcade.ca/scan-club 

Show Notes:

1. 01:00 - Introducing Cam!
2. 02:00 - How Cam got started working with SaaS companies. 
3. 03:30 - Working in the creator economy before it was called the creator economy. 
4. 07:00 - What phases the creator economy has gone through and where it’s at now.
5. 09:00 - How to think like a creator educator. 
6. 11:00 - What are the benefits of focusing on the creator educator track?
7. 12:00 - Getting over imposter syndrome around creating digital products. 
8. 14:00 - Taking an audience-first approach as a digital creator. 
9. 17:00 - How to stop being at the mercy of the algorithm and take back your power as a creator. 
10. 21:20 - Mental health concerns in the creator economy. 
11. 24:00 - Barriers to entry with digital courses and falling into a perfectionism trap. 
12. 27:00 - The story of The Leap and how we worked together to build an audience that ultimately led to a low customer acquisition rate. 
13. 31:30 - How to validate the type of content you’re making.
14. 34:00 - Who is making waves and why? 

Mentioned in this episode:

• Jasper.ai: https://www.jasper.ai/ 
• Descript: https://www.descript.com/ 
• Durable.co: https://durable.co/ 

Waves Podcast with Mike (@mmmiiike) and Mitzi (@mmmitzi). 

For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/

Big Things with Mitzi (@mmmitzi) and Mike (@mmmiiike).

For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/

Production by Morgan Berna, editing by Oliver Banyard.

Ever wondered about the magic behind your favorite brand's unique sounds? Does your brand have a sound? Have you ever really considered it? Every time we add music to our social media videos, or sound effects, we start to build a sound ecosystem around our brand – and that affects how your audience feels. In this episode, we’re talking with sonic branding experts, Joe Belliotti and Rebecca Jolly, about the release of their new book: How Music Grows Brands. They break down the science behind sonic branding, how to strategically select sounds and music that fit your brand’s target demographic and more. 

Purchase your copy of How Music Grows Brands: https://www.howmusicgrowsbrands.com/ 

Subscribe to Arcade’s Newsletter, SCAN 👀 CLUB: https://www.arcadearcade.ca/scan-club 

Show Notes:

1. 00:30 - About Joe and Rebecca’s backgrounds.  
2. 05:00 - The importance of sonic branding in advertising. 
3. 08:00 - Splitting the spectrum of sound vs. visuals. 
4. 10:06 - What drove Joe and Rebecca to write their book?
5. 14:15 - How sound influences branding. 
6. 19:25 - Should you use original music or stock music?
7. 21:25 - The psychology of sonic branding. 
8. 25:15 - Which brands have integrated sound thoughtfully?
9. 28:30 - Intentional sonic branding, jingles and resonating with consumers. 
10. 32:00 - How small to mid-size brands can start getting into sonic branding. 
11. 38:40 - Who is making waves and why?
12. 42:40 - AI and the sonic branding space. 
13. 45:15 - Where to learn more about Joe and Rebecca. 

Mentioned in this episode:

• Sounds Nice: soundsnice.co
• Mayflower Entertainment: https://www.mayflowerentertainment.com/ 
• DJ Fresh
• AIAIAI: https://aiaiai.audio/beautiful 
• Cathy Applefeld Olson - Hollywood In Mind: https://www.hollywood-mind.com/ 

Waves Podcast with Mike (@mmmiiike) and Mitzi (@mmmitzi). 

For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/

Big Things with Mitzi (@mmmitzi) and Mike (@mmmiiike).

For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/

Production by Morgan Berna, editing by Oliver Banyard.

Are brand deals dead? Is AI going to replace user-generated content? Should brands invest in creator partnerships? Where are the opportunities for creators to earn an income right now? In this episode, we sit down with Sean Scott, The Partnership Expert, to talk everything creator economy. Sean shares advice for creators looking to land big brand deals and turn their content creation into a lasting career. Sean also shares opportunities creators may not be considering (including a tip MrBeast uses), what channels brands should focus their spending on, guidance around gifting and more. 

An exclusive offer just for listeners, grab Sean's "Creator Monetization Checklist" for free! This checklist is normally $9: https://thepartnershipexpert.gumroad.com/l/creator-monetization-checklist/WAVESFREE

More from Sean:

• Website: https://www.thepartnershipexpert.com/ 
• Instagram: @thepartnershipexpert

Subscribe to Arcade’s Newsletter, SCAN 👀 CLUB: https://www.arcadearcade.ca/scan-club 

Show Notes:

1. 02:30 - What is The Partnership Expert and how did Sean get started with it?
2. 03:45 - Bouncing back after a layoff and finding a new passion. 
3. 06:30 - The importance of bringing work back to your values. 
4. 08:50 - Earning opportunities for creators.
5. 09:20 - AI use in the creator and UGC space. 
6. 11:15 - Are brand partnerships in decline? 
7. 14:20 - Unique ways creators are making money with their content. 
8. 16:00 - How to create great long-form video content. 
9. 17:30 - What channels should brands be focusing their partnership spend on?
10. 19:50 - Is UGC worth the investment for brands?
11. 21:45 - How to land brand deals. 
12. 27:30 - Does gifting in exchange for content still work?
13. 29:30 - Tips for creators who want to work with more brands. 
14. 31:00 - Are brand trips still relevant?
15. 32:55 - Tips for brands wanting to collaborate with other brands. 
16. 34:10 - Thoughts on brands and influencers collaborating on a product, is it worth it for creators?
17. 36:15 - Who is making waves and why?

Mentioned in this episode:

• TELFAR: https://telfar.net/ 
• Jake Shane: https://www.tiktok.com/@octopusslover8 

Big Things with Mitzi (@mmmitzi) and Mike (@mmmiiike).

For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/

Production by Morgan Berna, editing by Oliver Banyard.

Do you feel like you’re constantly chasing the tide of the digital marketing industry? Trends in the industry seem to move lightning fast and there’s no sign of it slowing down. We knew there had to be a better way. In this episode, we’re sitting down to talk with Alyssa Yuhas, Futurist, award-winning designer and the Creative Director at Arcade, about scanning. Alyssa implemented this strategy, used by Futurists, at Arcade through a program she calls SCAN CLUB. The process allows marketers to stop “pivoting” and instead lean into curiosity, and intention to craft strategic work that resonates. Alyssa breaks down everything you need to know to start scanning on your own in this episode. 

More from Alyssa:

• Website: http://alyssayuhas.com/
• Instagram: @alyssayuhas
• [previous episode] The Enduring Power of Curiosity: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/s03-s04-the-enduring-power-of-curiosity-with/id1484888104?i=1000510522147
• [previous episode] What Trends Teach Us About the Future of Brands: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/what-trends-teach-us-about-the-future-of-brands/id1484888104?i=1000574870972 

Show Notes:

1. 2:30 - A bit about Alyssa’s background and work. 
2. 5:45 - What is a futurist?
3. 8:30 - What is scanning? 
4. 10:32 - How do you find signals?
5. 12:45 - Why it’s important to always stay curious. 
6. 15:00 - Categorizing “Buckets” and using “STEEPV” to understand signals. 
7. 17:00 - What inspired the start of Arcade’s SCAN CLUB?
8. 21:05 - How signals connect to brand strategy development.
9. 24:00 - The massive advantages this system holds for marketers. 
10. 27:30 - Examples of scans and trends from “SCAN CLUB.”

Mentioned in this episode:

• SCAN 👀 CLUB: https://www.arcadearcade.ca/scan-club 

Big Things with Mitzi (@mmmitzi) and Mike (@mmmiiike).

For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/

Production by Morgan Berna, editing by Oliver Banyard.