Brand Boost Podcast: Marketing, Vlogging, Influence, Social Media, Strategy News

We all know the players:

• YouTube
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• Snapchat

Even though we may know them, do we realize how much the influence our buying decisions? More so, which platforms are driving the most buying decisions?

Join Rob Hix and Vincenzo Landino as they discuss this with a live audience.

About Rob Hix

Lifetime small business owner with a passion for live video production, commercial audiovisual systems, and broadcasting. I'm an employer, employee, executive and janitor all wrapped into one amazing career. Innovation and outside-of-the-box solutions are my "sweet spot". I live my life in my own self-interest, to the benefit of my employees and clients. I work best with those who place a premium on their lives and exchange value-for-value to achieve their goals.

Enlightened Audiovisual is a comprehensive A/V design, installation and live video production firm serving the commercial and federal markets. We are a partner-based company that provides embedded expertise in the field of video conferencing, collaboration and livestreaming systems. We specialize in enterprise-level deployments throughout North America that are centrally-managed and maintained, with expertise in Cisco TelePresence, Polycom, Crestron, Skype for Business and many online livestreaming platforms.

About Vincenzo Landino Vincenzo Landino is an entrepreneur, speaker and host of the Brand Boost Podcast. He is the the co-founder and Creative Director of Aftermarq, video content consultants, specializing in brand amplification and digital storytelling. With experience as a brand correspondent, Vincenzo's portfolio includes a 1 billion impression campaign launch for Applebee's as well as work for Mazda, Kia Motors, Paul Mitchell Schools, Barilla Pasta, DC United, Tinder, and Zoomph.

In the world of ephemeral content, brands must know how to succeed with broadcasts that may not have a long shelf life after its original stream.

 

About Rob Hix

Lifetime small business owner with a passion for live video production, commercial audiovisual systems, and broadcasting. I'm an employer, employee, executive and janitor all wrapped into one amazing career. Innovation and outside-of-the-box solutions are my "sweet spot". I live my life in my own self-interest, to the benefit of my employees and clients. I work best with those who place a premium on their lives and exchange value-for-value to achieve their goals.

Enlightened Audiovisual is a comprehensive A/V design, installation and live video production firm serving the commercial and federal markets. We are a partner-based company that provides embedded expertise in the field of video conferencing, collaboration and livestreaming systems. We specialize in enterprise-level deployments throughout North America that are centrally-managed and maintained, with expertise in Cisco TelePresence, Polycom, Crestron, Skype for Business and many online livestreaming platforms.

About Vincenzo Landino Vincenzo Landino is an entrepreneur, speaker and host of the Brand Boost Podcast. He is the the co-founder and Creative Director of Aftermarq, video content consultants, specializing in brand amplification and digital storytelling. With experience as a brand correspondent, Vincenzo's portfolio includes a 1 billion impression campaign launch for Applebee's as well as work for Mazda, Kia Motors, Paul Mitchell Schools, Barilla Pasta, DC United, Tinder, and Zoomph.

This is the time of year when everybody creates "prediction posts." Here's the number one marketing prediction seen everywhere: "This is the year of Facebook Live. Companies will move their content production to live video."

Mark W. Schaefer doesn't agree. What's the reason a company would NOT do live video?

1. Legal constraints
2. Cultural constraints
3. Talent constraints

Those obstacles don't go away in a year, or even two years. Will there be an increase in live video? Of course. That seems like a pretty safe prediction. Will there be a transformation in 2017? No. It's a couple of years away.

Here is Mark's original article: https://www.businessesgrow.com/2016/12/19/facebook-live/

Who is Mark W. Schaefer?

Mark W. Schaefer is a globally-recognized speaker, educator, business consultant, and author who blogs at {grow} — one of the top marketing blogs of the world. Mark has worked in global sales, PR, and marketing positions for 30 years and now provides consulting services as Executive Director of U.S.-based Schaefer Marketing Solutions.  He specializes in marketing strategy and social media workshops and clients include both start-ups and global brands such as Adidas, Johnson & Johnson, Dell, Pfizer, The U.S. Air Force, and the UK government.

Mark has advanced degrees in marketing and organizational development and holds seven patents. He is a faculty member of the graduate studies program at Rutgers University and is the author of five best-selling marketing books: Social Media Explained, Return On Influence, Born to Blog, The Content Code, and The Tao of Twitter, the best-selling book on Twitter in the world. Return On Influence was named to the elite "Top Academic Titles" of the year by the American Library Association, which declared it an "essential" and "pathfinding" book. Content Code was named one of the top five marketing books of 2015 by INC magazine. His books are used as textbooks at more than 50 universities, have been translated into 12 languages, and can be found in more than 750 libraries worldwide.

He is the co-host of The Marketing Companion, one of the top 10 marketing podcasts on iTunes.

Mark is the seventh-most mentioned person by CMO's on Twitter and is among the Top 10 most re-tweeted marketing authorities in the world. He was listed as one of the Top 10 authorities on Social Selling by Forbes. His blog is in the top 1 percent of blogs in the world, based on number of reader comments. In 2015 he was named as the number two blogger in the world by Social Media Examiner and was named number one on a list compiled by Buffer. He is among the Top 10 Marketing Influencers in the world.

Mark is an entrepreneur and start-up advisor who recently launched a revolutionary new method to track and measure content marketing success. He has advanced degrees in both applied behavioral science and marketing, studying under Peter Drucker for three years.

He is among the world's most recognized social media marketing authorities and has been a keynote speaker at conferences such as Social Media Week London, SXSW, National Economic Development Association, Word of Mouth Marketing Conference Tokyo, National Association of State CIOs, and the Institute for International and European Affairs (an EU think tank). Mark has lectured at Oxford University, Carnegie-Mellon University, Princeton, and many other prestigious institutions.

Mark is a popular and entertaining commentator and has appeared on many national television shows and periodicals including the Wall Street Journal, Wired, The New York Times, CNN, National Public Radio, CNBC, the BBC and the CBS NEWS. He is a regular contributing columnist to The Harvard Business Review.

Who is Vincenzo Landino?

Vincenzo is an entrepreneur, speaker and host of the Brand Boost Podcast. He is the the founder and Creative Director of Aftermarq, a video consultancy specializing in brand amplification and digital storytelling. With experience as a brand correspondent, Vincenzo's portfolio includes a 1 billion impression campaign launch for Applebee's as well as work for Mazda, Kia Motors, Paul Mitchell Schools, Barilla Pasta, DC United, Tinder, and Zoomph.

Outside of his professional life, Vincenzo is a die-hard Steelers fan, avid golfer and wine maker.

Who is Amy Schmittauer? Amy Schmittauer is producer of Savvy Sexy Social, a YouTube series dedicated to helping you lift your day so you can love your life. This proactive lifestyle channel has amassed a community from over 179 countries whose viewers have contributed more than 3 million views. A co-founder and video marketing consultant at Aftermarq, Amy has helped clients discover brand awareness through video blog content and is writing her first book on the topic.   An internationally-acclaimed public speaker and edutainer, Amy has walked on stages from her hometown of Columbus, Ohio, all the way to the other side of the world in the Philippines, while achieving high marks at the world's most influential marketing events such as Social Media Marketing World and Hubspot's Inbound.

Social Media crowdsourcing at its finest. Help support the Brand Boost Podcast here --> patreon.com/brandboost How to Copy Netflix

After working in Marketing at Netflix for eleven years, todays guest, Barry Enderwick, frequently got asked to have conversations about the Netflix he knew, its transition to what it is doing now, and how it is structured. The undercurrent of these questions is always the same: how can the magic of Netflix's meteoric success be recreated?

Netflix seems like they can do no wrong. They are fearlessly expanding internationally and creating some of the most compelling entertainment available anywhere and being rewarded with continued record share prices and revenues. Who wouldn't want to replicate that?

Andiamo!

Links of Interest:

• Read Barry's full analysis with links to company culture deck
• Kaizen Creative Partnership
• @kaizenbarry

About Vincenzo Landino:

Vincenzo Landino is a brand correspondent, speaker, and live streaming strategist. He has worked with brands such as Applebee's, Barilla Pasta, DC United, Tinder and more!

Voiceover Artist, Rachel Creveling Rachel owns Belle Strategies, a social media marketing company specializing in turning followers into customers. She has been providing voice over talent for 6 years and has recorded for TV, Radio, and Podcasts. Find her at www.bellestrategies.com.   The Brand Boost Podcast mission The Brand Boost podcast is the show for brands looking to create the 'start-up sexy' marketing ideology all while commanding total brand appeal.   About Fifty 2 Creative

Fifty 2 Creative is a Digital Media Agency that focuses on brand amplification, customer experience and storytelling through various digital platforms. We strive to master the ins and outs of your business, who your ideal customer is and how to deliver the best experience to them every time. We take a unique approach to each client knowing full well that every business has different needs in the digital marketplace. Above all else, Fifty 2 Creative's mission is to build long-lasting, meaningful relationships. Our clients are part of our family, not just another checkmark in our portfolio.

Social Media crowdsourcing at its finest. Help support the Brand Boost Podcast here --> patreon.com/brandboost

Enjoy the podcast? Give us a rating or a review on iTunes!

Get a free 30-day trial of the Spera platform and the free Freedom Economy report by heading over to brandboostcast.com/freedom 

There is a vibrant and growing movement of self-reliant, creative and ambitious women and men of all ages - freelancers, entrepreneurs, digital nomads, artists, and contract workers - who've declared independence from the traditional corporate world. They have chosen to pursue their passion, take control of their work lives, and enjoy the freedom that comes with this lifestyle.

This is the Freedom Economy revolution.

Who is April Smith?

April has been working in the marketing space for 6 years and before creating Social Ape she was employed at ESPNU as the Social Media Manager, where she created content and interacted with avid sports fans via social media on a daily basis.

Originally from Richmond, VA, April graduated from Radford University and has lived in Charlotte since 2007. April has also actively been involved in giving back to the community, as well as serving as a connector to those around her. She has served on the Social Media Charlotte board and is extremely passionate about marketing, public relations and Charlotte. When April isn't glued to her computer or phone, she's most likely doing hot yoga, hanging with her dog Frank, traveling or checking out the newest restaurants in Charlotte.

  What is Spera.io?

Spera is developing a full-service digital office platform that will significantly improve the freelance work style.

Get a free 30-day trial of the Spera platform and the free Freedom Economy report by heading over to brandboostcast.com/freedom 

• Manage Projects
  • The lifeblood of the Independent. View your open projects, track your progress, manage users, and keep up on your goals with the Spera Project Management tools.
• Get Paid Fast
  • More money, no problem. Offer clients the ability to pay you via the Spera Platform Payments offering. Collect Checks, Credit Cards, and ACH via text, email, and through the Spera Platform.
• Tasks to Invoices
  • Show me the money. Migrate your project tasks directly to customizable invoices with the Spera Platform Invoices tool.
• Robust Mobile App
  • Independents on-the-go. Access your Spera account from your mobile phone and remotely send off and collect payment on your latest invoice.
• Manage Clients
  • It's all about your people skills. Keep track of projects for former, current, and potential clients with the Spera Platform.
• Access to Capital
  • Build your business. Help your business grow by receiving exclusive access to growth capital with Spera's special lending partners.

Who is Vincenzo Landino?

Vincenzo is an entrepreneur, speaker and host of the Brand Boost Podcast. He is the the founder and Creative Director of Aftermarq, a video consultancy specializing in brand amplification and digital storytelling. With experience as a brand correspondent, Vincenzo's portfolio includes a 1 billion impression campaign launch for Applebee's as well as work for Mazda, Kia Motors, Paul Mitchell Schools, Barilla Pasta, DC United, Tinder, and Zoomph.

Outside of his professional life, Vincenzo is a die-hard Steelers fan, avid golfer and wine maker.

Who is Amy Schmittauer? Amy Schmittauer is producer of Savvy Sexy Social, a YouTube series dedicated to helping you lift your day so you can love your life. This proactive lifestyle channel has amassed a community from over 179 countries whose viewers have contributed more than 3 million views. A co-founder and video marketing consultant at Aftermarq, Amy has helped clients discover brand awareness through video blog content and is writing her first book on the topic.   An internationally-acclaimed public speaker and edutainer, Amy has walked on stages from her hometown of Columbus, Ohio, all the way to the other side of the world in the Philippines, while achieving high marks at the world's most influential marketing events such as Social Media Marketing World and Hubspot's Inbound.

Voice Over Artist, Rachel Creveling

Rachel owns Belle Strategies, a social media marketing company specializing in turning followers into customers. She has been providing voice over talent for 6 years and has recorded for TV, Radio, and Podcasts. Find her at www.bellestrategies.com.

Enjoy the podcast? Give us a rating or a review on iTunes!

Get a free 30-day trial of the Spera platform and the free Freedom Economy report by heading over to brandboostcast.com/freedom 

Check out the latest episode!

  "Employee advocacy" is a term used to describe the exposure that employees generate for brands using their own online assets.    While social media is often the main medium for employee advocacy, these "online assets" include email, chat, forums, discussion boards and more.   IBM is one brand ahead of the curve in the employee advocacy, even going so far as using live streaming and influencers, like today's guest, Brian Fanzo, to add a new dimension to the brand. Listen in as Brian talks about how a major brand is realizing amazing results with this new media and how your brand can embrace the change.   Andiamo! About Brian Fanzo Brian is a leading voice of the millennial generation in digital media. He has 10+ years experience managing, deploying and training enterprises and small businesses on cyber security, community management, collaboration, digital marketing, video conferencing and social business. As a technology and social media strategist, Brian's presented at numerous technology conferences, as well as quarterly presentations for the Federal Government Joint Chiefs of Staff and on-site in Iraq and Afghanistan for the United States Army.   His passion for change and people is evident as he delivers keynotes on topics ranging from employee advocacy and social selling to personal branding. He was recently awarded the Top 25 Social Business Leaders of 2014 by IBM & The Economist Intelligence Unit.   Currently he's the Chief Change Officer at iSocialFanz while also hosting two weekly twitter hangouts #SbizHour & #Cloudtalk and also is the cohost of the SMACtalk podcast. (Social, Mobile, Analytics, Cloud) About IBM International Business Machines Corporation (commonly referred to as IBM) is an American multinational technology and consulting corporation, with headquarters in Armonk, New York. IBM manufactures and markets computer hardware,middleware and software, and offers infrastructure, hosting and consulting services in areas ranging from mainframe computers to nanotechnology.   The company originated in 1911 as the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company (CTR) through the consolidation of The Tabulating Machine Company, the International Time Recording Company, the Computing Scale Company and the Bundy Manufacturing Company. CTR was renamed "International Business Machines" in 1924, a name which Thomas J. Watson first used for a CTR Canadian subsidiary. The initialism IBM followed. Securities analysts nicknamed the company Big Blue for its size and common use of the color in products, packaging and logo.   In 2012, Fortune ranked IBM the second largest U.S. firm in terms of number of employees (435,000 worldwide), the fourth largest in terms of market capitalization, the ninth most profitable,[11] and the nineteenth largest firm in terms of revenue. Globally, the company was ranked the 31st largest in terms of revenue by Forbes for 2011. Other rankings for 2011/2012 include №1 company for leaders (Fortune), №1 green company in the U.S. (Newsweek), №2 best global brand (Interbrand), №2 most respected company (Barron's), №5 most admired company (Fortune), and №18 most innovative company (Fast Company).   IBM has 12 research laboratories worldwide, bundled into IBM Research. As of 2013 the company held the record for most patents generated by a business for 22 consecutive years. Its employees have garnered five Nobel Prizes, six Turing Awards, ten National Medals of Technology, and five National Medals of Science. Notable company inventions include the automated teller machine (ATM), the floppy disk, the hard disk drive, the magnetic stripe card, the relational database, the Universal Product Code (UPC), the financial swap, the Fortran programming language, SABRE airline reservation system, dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), copper wiring in semiconductors, the silicon-on-insulator (SOI)semiconductor manufacturing process, and Watson artificial intelligence.   IBM has constantly evolved since its inception. Over the past decade, it has steadily shifted its business mix by exiting commoditizing markets such as PCs, hard disk drives and DRAMs and focusing on higher-value, more profitable markets such as business intelligence, data analytics, business continuity, security, cloud computing, virtualization and green solutions, resulting in a higher quality revenue stream and higher profit margins. IBM's operating margin expanded from 16.8% in 2004 to 24.3% in 2013, and net profit margins expanded from 9.0% in 2004 to 16.5% in 2013.   IBM acquired Kenexa (2012) and SPSS (2009) and PwC's consulting business (2002), spinning off companies like printer manufacturer Lexmark (1991), and selling off product lines like its personal computer and x86 server businesses to Lenovo(2005, 2014). In 2014, IBM announced that it would go "fabless" by offloading IBM Micro Electronics semiconductor manufacturing to GlobalFoundries, a leader in advanced technology manufacturing, citing that semiconductor manufacturing is a capital-intensive business which is challenging to operate without scale. This transition had progressed as of early 2015.   On August 6, 2015, IBM announced that it will buy Merge Healthcare Inc for $1 billion. Vincenzo's Italian Lesson of the Day: Talk fast, tweet faster. = Parla veloce, tweet più velocemente. About Vincenzo Landino:

Vincenzo Landino is a brand correspondent, speaker and live streaming strategist. He has worked with brands such as, Applebee's, Barilla Pasta, Cinnabon, SocialFresh and more!

Voice Over Artist, Rachel Creveling.   Rachel owns Belle Strategies, a social media marketing company specializing in turning followers into customers. She has been providing voice over talent for 6 years and has recorded for TV, Radio and Podcasts. Find her at www.bellestrategies.com.   The Brand Boost Podcast mission   The Brand Boost podcast is the show for brands looking to create the 'start-up sexy' marketing ideology all while commanding total brand appeal.   Enjoy the podcast? Give us a rating or a review on iTunes!

Get a free 30-day trial of the Spera platform and the free Freedom Economy report by heading over to brandboostcast.com/freedom 

There is a vibrant and growing movement of self-reliant, creative and ambitious women and men of all ages - freelancers, entrepreneurs, digital nomads, artists, and contract workers - who've declared independence from the traditional corporate world. They have chosen to pursue their passion, take control of their work lives, and enjoy the freedom that comes with this lifestyle.

This is the Freedom Economy revolution.

Who is Scott Monty?

Scott Monty is an internationally recognized leader in digital communications, digital transformation, social media and marketing. As CEO and co-managing partner of Brain+Trust Partners, he addresses and advises businesses and groups about the power of humanity in business, particularly through digital transformation and strategy. Scott spent six years as an executive at Ford Motor Company, as a strategic adviser on crisis communications, influencer relations, marketing, customer service, innovative product launches and more. He also has a another decade and a half of experience in communications and marketing agencies. Scott's clients have included Walmart, IBM, Reebok, Coca-Cola, and Google, and The Economist ranked him as #1 atop the list of 25 Social Business Leaders. He most recently ran Scott Monty Strategies. He is a board member of the American Marketing Association and an adviser for a number of Silicon Valley companies. He writes about the changing landscape of business, technology, communications, marketing and leadership at ScottMonty.com, and edits and produces the widely acclaimed weekly newsletter and podcast The Full Monty.   What is Spera.io?

Spera is developing a full-service digital office platform that will significantly improve the freelance work style.

Get a free 30-day trial of the Spera platform and the free Freedom Economy report by heading over to brandboostcast.com/freedom 

• Manage Projects
  • The lifeblood of the Independent. View your open projects, track your progress, manage users, and keep up on your goals with the Spera Project Management tools.
• Get Paid Fast
  • More money, no problem. Offer clients the ability to pay you via the Spera Platform Payments offering. Collect Checks, Credit Cards, and ACH via text, email, and through the Spera Platform.
• Tasks to Invoices
  • Show me the money. Migrate your project tasks directly to customizable invoices with the Spera Platform Invoices tool.
• Robust Mobile App
  • Independents on-the-go. Access your Spera account from your mobile phone and remotely send off and collect payment on your latest invoice.
• Manage Clients
  • It's all about your people skills. Keep track of projects for former, current, and potential clients with the Spera Platform.
• Access to Capital
  • Build your business. Help your business grow by receiving exclusive access to growth capital with Spera's special lending partners.

Who is Vincenzo Landino?

Vincenzo is an entrepreneur, speaker and host of the Brand Boost Podcast. He is the the founder and Creative Director of Aftermarq, a video consultancy specializing in brand amplification and digital storytelling. With experience as a brand correspondent, Vincenzo's portfolio includes a 1 billion impression campaign launch for Applebee's as well as work for Mazda, Kia Motors, Paul Mitchell Schools, Barilla Pasta, DC United, Tinder, and Zoomph.

Outside of his professional life, Vincenzo is a die-hard Steelers fan, avid golfer and wine maker.

Who is Amy Schmittauer? Amy Schmittauer is producer of Savvy Sexy Social, a YouTube series dedicated to helping you lift your day so you can love your life. This proactive lifestyle channel has amassed a community from over 179 countries whose viewers have contributed more than 3 million views. A co-founder and video marketing consultant at Aftermarq, Amy has helped clients discover brand awareness through video blog content and is writing her first book on the topic.   An internationally-acclaimed public speaker and edutainer, Amy has walked on stages from her hometown of Columbus, Ohio, all the way to the other side of the world in the Philippines, while achieving high marks at the world's most influential marketing events such as Social Media Marketing World and Hubspot's Inbound.

Voice Over Artist, Rachel Creveling

Rachel owns Belle Strategies, a social media marketing company specializing in turning followers into customers. She has been providing voice over talent for 6 years and has recorded for TV, Radio, and Podcasts. Find her at www.bellestrategies.com.

Enjoy the podcast? Give us a rating or a review on iTunes!

Get a free 30-day trial of the Spera platform and the free Freedom Economy report by heading over to brandboostcast.com/freedom 

Check out the latest episode!

Get a free 30-day trial of the Spera platform and the free Freedom Economy report by heading over to brandboostcast.com/freedom 

There is a vibrant and growing movement of self-reliant, creative and ambitious women and men of all ages - freelancers, entrepreneurs, digital nomads, artists, and contract workers - who've declared independence from the traditional corporate world. They have chosen to pursue their passion, take control of their work lives, and enjoy the freedom that comes with this lifestyle.

This is the Freedom Economy revolution.

  What is Spera.io?

Spera is developing a full-service digital office platform that will significantly improve the freelance work style.

Get a free 30-day trial of the Spera platform and the free Freedom Economy report by heading over to brandboostcast.com/freedom 

• Manage Projects
  • The lifeblood of the Independent. View your open projects, track your progress, manage users, and keep up on your goals with the Spera Project Management tools.
• Get Paid Fast
  • More money, no problem. Offer clients the ability to pay you via the Spera Platform Payments offering. Collect Checks, Credit Cards, and ACH via text, email, and through the Spera Platform.
• Tasks to Invoices
  • Show me the money. Migrate your project tasks directly to customizable invoices with the Spera Platform Invoices tool.
• Robust Mobile App
  • Independents on-the-go. Access your Spera account from your mobile phone and remotely send off and collect payment on your latest invoice.
• Manage Clients
  • It's all about your people skills. Keep track of projects for former, current, and potential clients with the Spera Platform.
• Access to Capital
  • Build your business. Help your business grow by receiving exclusive access to growth capital with Spera's special lending partners.

Who is Vincenzo Landino?

Vincenzo is an entrepreneur, speaker and host of the Brand Boost Podcast. He is the the founder and Creative Director of Aftermarq, a video consultancy specializing in brand amplification and digital storytelling. With experience as a brand correspondent, Vincenzo's portfolio includes a 1 billion impression campaign launch for Applebee's as well as work for Mazda, Kia Motors, Paul Mitchell Schools, Barilla Pasta, DC United, Tinder, and Zoomph.

Outside of his professional life, Vincenzo is a die-hard Steelers fan, avid golfer and wine maker.

Who is Amy Schmittauer? Amy Schmittauer is producer of Savvy Sexy Social, a YouTube series dedicated to helping you lift your day so you can love your life. This proactive lifestyle channel has amassed a community from over 179 countries whose viewers have contributed more than 3 million views. A co-founder and video marketing consultant at Aftermarq, Amy has helped clients discover brand awareness through video blog content and is writing her first book on the topic.   An internationally-acclaimed public speaker and edutainer, Amy has walked on stages from her hometown of Columbus, Ohio, all the way to the other side of the world in the Philippines, while achieving high marks at the world's most influential marketing events such as Social Media Marketing World and Hubspot's Inbound.

Voice Over Artist, Rachel Creveling

Rachel owns Belle Strategies, a social media marketing company specializing in turning followers into customers. She has been providing voice over talent for 6 years and has recorded for TV, Radio, and Podcasts. Find her at www.bellestrategies.com.

Enjoy the podcast? Give us a rating or a review on iTunes!

Get a free 30-day trial of the Spera platform and the free Freedom Economy report by heading over to brandboostcast.com/freedom 

Ever see a really cool campaign on social media and wonder how the brand came up with that idea?   We decided to go beyond the campaign and talk to JR Watkins agency of record, Mithun Agency, to find out how they leveraged a great hashtag and told amazing stories with the brands' patriarch.    Listen to Libby Benda as she walks us through steps that are necessary to make a campaign successful.   Andiamo! Key Takeaways

1. Don't skimp on paid media. In order to ensure you are reaching your target audience, understand you must spend some money on ads. 
2. Utilize influencers that have their own built in network of followers.

About JR Watkins

Take a look at all 6 Chapters from the Unfinished Business Campaign (#GhostMyPost), along with repurposed user-generated content.

Instagram: @jr_watkins

From humble beginnings in Plainview, Minn., to a multi-national company, one thing has stayed the same: Our commitment to making hard-working products from high-quality natural ingredients.

YouTube: The JR Watkins Story

Write-up in AdWeek Found Here

Follow JR Watkins on Social for your daily dose of recipes, products and more:

Instagram

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

YouTube

Watkins Incorporated is a manufacturer of health remedies, baking products, and other household items. The entire catalog includes 400 products. It is based in Winona, Minnesota, United States, and largely relies on an independent sales force of 25,000 people to distribute its products. This sales force sells the products using various methods, including the Internet, person to person, trade shows, party planning, and fund-raising. In order to increase overall awareness for the brand, the company has begun offering a select number of products in national retail outlets.

The company was founded by J. R. Watkins in Plainview, Minnesota, who began selling liniment in 1868 door-to-door the southeastern part of the state. The company moved to Winona in 1885 and added a number of products to its lineup. Baking materials including pepper and vanilla extract were added in 1895. J. R. Watkins died in 1911.

The "finest private administration building in the world" printed on postcard mailed in 1915

By the 1940s, Watkins was the largest direct-sales company in the world, but soon began to decline. The demographics and buying habits of the United States had major shifts in the following decades, and the company did not keep pace. Watkins filed for bankruptcy protection in the 1970s, and was purchased by Minneapolisinvestor Irwin L. Jacobs in 1978.

In 1996, Jacobs' son, Mark Evan Jacobs, began to take over day-to-day operations of the company. He was 14 at the time his father purchased the company, and had worked as a Watkins salesman for many years. The younger Jacobs was an aspiringactor, appearing in minor roles in films like Biloxi Blues and Goodfellas, but he realized that his acting career wasn't advancing. Since taking over the reins, he has controlled spending, introducing an enhanced compensation plan for sales associates, along with an extensive brand study that led to the introduction of products onto store shelves for the first time.

Wal-Mart has carried about 20 Watkins products since 2003, and other stores nationwide, including Cub Foods, Hannaford,Whole Foods, Rainbow Foods, Pick 'N Save, Schnucks, Hy-Vee, New Seasons Market food stores, Walgreens, Smith's Food and Drug, Target, Sunflower Market, Ultas, and others are carrying select items, particularly spices and extracts as well as some personal care items from the catalog. The reception from the retail community has been strong. A new all-natural line of personal care products were introduced to the retail community in the spring of 2008 and has quickly gained market share against Burt's Bees and others. A new home cleaning line that is all-natural debuted at Target and rolled out nationally in the 2nd half of 2008. The sizes of the spice and extract line offered to the retail community are different than that offered to the consumer via the independent representative which allows the independent representative to maintain an advantage in their marketplace. At this time both channels are performing well with this approach.

The seven-building Watkins headquarters in Winona is on the National Register of Historic Places as the J.R. Watkins Medical Company Complex. It was listed in 2004 for having national significance in the themes of architecture, commerce, and industry.[2] It was nominated for being the longtime headquarters of the nation's largest direct sales company in the early 20th century, and for the Prairie School design of its 1911 Administration Building by architect George W. Maher.[3] The front entrance includes a window designed by stained-glass artist Louis J. Millet depicting Sugar Loaf, a local landmark.

Find Mithun Agency on social media here:

Instagram

Facebook

Twitter

Libby Benda, Social Media Community Manager at Mithun Agency

Twitter

Vincenzo's Italian Lesson of the Day:

A chi dai il dito si prende anche il braccio | Give them an inch and they'll take a mile. (Literally, if you give them the finger, they will take an arm).

About Vincenzo Landino:

Vincenzo Landino is a brand correspondent, speaker and live streaming strategist. He has worked with brands such as, Applebee's, Barilla Pasta, Cinnabon, SocialFresh and more!

Voice Over Artist, Rachel Creveling.   Rachel owns Belle Strategies, a social media marketing company specializing in turning followers into customers. She has been providing voice over talent for 6 years and has recorded for TV, Radio and Podcasts. Find her at www.bellestrategies.com.   The Brand Boost Podcast mission   The Brand Boost podcast is the show for brands looking to create the 'start-up sexy' marketing ideology all while commanding total brand appeal.   Enjoy the podcast? Give us a rating or a review on iTunes!

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We are at the front-end of a revolution in work and the pursuit of freedom is its driving force.

There is a vibrant and growing movement of self-reliant, creative and ambitious women and men of all ages - freelancers, entrepreneurs, digital nomads, artists, and contract workers - who've declared independence from the traditional corporate world. They have chosen to pursue their passion, take control of their work lives, and enjoy the freedom that comes with this lifestyle.

This is the Freedom Economy revolution.

The Brand Boost Podcast has partnered with Spera.io to bring to you a deeper look inside the revolution known as the Freedom Economy. Over the course of the next few months, we'll dive deeper into the minds and stories of folks that have chosen freedom over "cushy" 9-5 jobs.

Who is Koka Sexton?

A recognized expert in social marketing and lead generation that has produced revenue for B2B companies, Koka has continued to make generating new business the focus of social media. 

Finding creative ways to plan, develop and execute communications, social media and content marketing campaigns that break through the noise and provide value to buyers in excess of what they expect.

Koka is the expert in social selling. Some would say he is the reason social selling exists, he would say that social selling existed once the internet was created. 

What is Social Selling Labs?

Social Selling Labs works with companies to align sales and marketing actions to increase revenue. A process of analysis, content creation and social media distribution followed up with metrics that have a business impact.

Social Selling Labs. Using data and technology to increase revenue. Build your sales pipeline. Forever.  

What is Spera.io?

Spera is developing a full-service digital office platform that will significantly improve the freelance work style. Get a free 30-day trial of the Spera platform by heading over to brandboostcast.com/freedom 

• Manage Projects

  • The lifeblood of the Independent. View your open projects, track your progress, manage users, and keep up on your goals with the Spera Project Management tools.

• Get Paid Fast

  • More money, no problem. Offer clients the ability to pay you via the Spera Platform Payments offering. Collect Checks, Credit Cards, and ACH via text, email, and through the Spera Platform.

• Tasks to Invoices

  • Show me the money. Migrate your project tasks directly to customizable invoices with the Spera Platform Invoices tool.

• Robust Mobile App

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• Manage Clients

  • It's all about your people skills. Keep track of projects for former, current, and potential clients with the Spera Platform.

• Access to Capital

  • Build your business. Help your business grow by receiving exclusive access to growth capital with Spera's special lending partners.

Who is Vincenzo Landino?

Vincenzo is an entrepreneur, speaker and host of the Brand Boost Podcast. He is the the founder and Creative Director of Aftermarq, a video consultancy specializing in brand amplification and digital storytelling. With experience as a brand correspondent, Vincenzo's portfolio includes a 1 billion impression campaign launch for Applebee's as well as work for Mazda, Kia Motors, Paul Mitchell Schools, Barilla Pasta, DC United, Tinder, and Zoomph.

Outside of his professional life, Vincenzo is a die-hard Steelers fan, avid golfer and wine maker.

Voice Over Artist, Rachel Creveling

Rachel owns Belle Strategies, a social media marketing company specializing in turning followers into customers. She has been providing voice over talent for 6 years and has recorded for TV, Radio, and Podcasts. Find her at www.bellestrategies.com.

Enjoy the podcast? Give us a rating or a review on iTunes!