In this Brand Retro episode, Mike is joined by Administrative Companion Kira Nyland to break down marketing titles—what they really mean, what roles typically sit under them, and why vague titles create confusion. They also talk about the pitfalls of not being specific enough and how clearer wording can improve understanding and expectations.

Highlights

• Think about defining marketing and how to define it - 3:46
• Not being a big fan of titles - 8:23
• A more descriptive text - 10:18
• Using catchy titles - 11:05
• You have to educate your customer - 11:46
• Market yourself - 26:22
• The title is important - 27:04
• Playing the game and having the title that the person is looking for - 27:04 Episode Resources
• Connect with Mike Brevik:
• http://www.cyberdogzmarketing.com/
• [email protected]
• Kira Nyland, [email protected]
• https://cyberdogzltd.com/

In this Brand Retro episode (Part 1 of a series), Mike talks with Tate about starting his internship—why he chose Cyberdogz, what the initial goals are, and how to get real value from an internship experience through learning, projects, and growth.

Highlights

• Getting into an internship - 1:14
• Why an internship at Cyberdogz? - 4:17
• There's no wrong question to ask - 5:25
• You need to learn how to ask the right questions - 8:21
• How this internship is for Tate - 10:21
• How Tate loves to design logos - 13:17 Episode Resources
• Connect with Mike Brevik:
• http://www.cyberdogzmarketing.com/
• [email protected]

In this Brand Retro episode, Mike sits down with Blood & Vampira to talk TikTok strategy—why creators make videos on the platform, how short-form content is planned, what kinds of videos to create, and how long production can really take.

Highlights

• Why produce videos on TikTok - 1:19
• Making short one-minute videos - 3:18
• Videos to watch - 6:12
• Time to complete a video - 7:43
• Coming to TikTok just to have fun - 10:35
• What's the plan going forward - 11:44
• How TikTok has opened doors to create cool content - 14:45
• You have to be yourself - 16:17
• Their two most recent videos - 21:20 Episode Resources
• Connect with Mike Brevik:
• http://www.cyberdogzmarketing.com/
• [email protected]
• Connect Blood & Vampira
• https://www.tiktok.com/@vampira910_and_blood
• [email protected]

In this Brand Retro episode, Mike talks with Pete Dankelson from Pete's Diary about what it's like to build momentum on TikTok—from starting as a creator, to defining your audience, to using content to make a positive impact.

Highlights

• Getting on TikTok and becoming a content creator - 0:55
• Defining the audience on social media - 3:04
• Making a difference for kids like Peter in schools - 4:01
• Integrating guitar playing to speaking to the kids - 4:51
• An audience that engaged with them - 6:48
• Some videos that went viral - 8:25
• Producing content on a daily basis - 12:49
• It's impressive when he goes live - 13:48
• One of his favorite bands - 15:20
• A growth plan for TikTok - 17:07
• Be yourself, do not try to be somebody that you're not - 18:34 Episode Resources
• Connect with Mike Brevik:
• http://www.cyberdogzmarketing.com/
• [email protected]
• Connect with Pete and Dede Dankelson
• [email protected]
• https://www.tiktok.com/@petesdiary
• https://www.instagram.com/petes.diary/
• https://www.petesdiary.com/

In this bonus Brand Retro episode (Part 2), Mike and Kira continue the Cyberdogz origin story—covering key turning points, lessons from Mike's background, and the choices that helped shape the thinking behind Cyberdogz.

Highlights

• Knowing when it's time to walk away from comfort - 2:04
• His background and experience - 4:05
• Being in printing for 9 years - 4:20
• Applying for a local retailer - 6:25
• More freedom, more fun, more creativity - 9:19
• Being in the right place at the right time - 12:36
• One thing that he would like to do differently - 14:39 Episode Resources
• Connect with Mike Brevik:
• http://www.cyberdogzmarketing.com/
• [email protected]
• Kira Nyland, [email protected]

In this bonus Brand Retro episode (Part 1), Mike and Kira Nyland dig into Mike's career path—the key stops, early influences, and experiences that shaped his approach and helped lay the foundation for Cyberdogz.

Highlights

• What we wanted to do when he was young - 2:50
• Different projects for people - 5:02
• The fundamentals of painting - 7:53
• The best illustrator that he has ever seen in his life - 11:16
• Finding ways to make money - 13:00
• Getting offers - 15:17
• Doing big illustration projects - 17:20

Episode Resources

• Connect with Mike Brevik:
• http://www.cyberdogzmarketing.com/
• [email protected]
• Kira Nyland, [email protected]

In this Brand Retro episode, Mike and Kira Nyland break down the customer journey from concept to completion—what to ask, what to consider, and how to approach brand-building in a clear, step-by-step way so you can start with confidence.

Highlights

• The different services that they offer - 1:13
• Every client is different - 4:04
• What's the method - 6:05
• The logo should tell a story - 7:15
• A common part of the experience - 9:17
• Identify the things that you need - 11:04
• The most enjoyable thing throughout the process - 16:34
• Loving the journey - 19:21
• A process to start working with Mike and refresh your brand - 24:54 Episode Resources
• Connect with Mike Brevik:
• http://www.cyberdogzmarketing.com/
• [email protected]
• Kira Nyland, [email protected]

In this Brand Retro episode, Mike sits down with Sandi Harding, General Manager of the last Blockbuster, to talk about how one remaining location keeps the spirit of a bygone era alive—plus the role nostalgia and community play in keeping a brand relevant.

Highlights

• Sandi's experience - 0:39
• Having a Christmas bonus - 4:57
• Being a movie family - 7:36
• The Blockbuster game - 8:17
• Having unique ideas - 21:01
• Renting movies - 21:46
• The biggest change for her - 26:32
• How it was in "the beginning" - 28:02 Episode Resources
• Connect with Mike Brevik:
• http://www.cyberdogzmarketing.com/
• [email protected]
• Connect with Sandi Harding
• https://bendblockbuster.com/

In this Brand Retro "Brand Spotlight" episode, Mike talks with Chris Ratterman, Founder and CEO of Shady Rays, about how the brand was built, the journey behind it, and why focusing on quality and purpose can matter more than chasing volume.

Highlights

• How to solve a problem - 2:12
• Loving sunglasses and solving a problem - 4:08
• Quality over quantity - 5:55
• What builds the relationship with customers - 9:13
• About the brand - 9:29
• Marketing filters - 14:06
• Creating a loyal brand - 14:30
• Humanizing a brand - 17:26 Episode Resources
• Connect with Mike Brevik:
• http://www.cyberdogzmarketing.com/
• [email protected]
• Connect with Chris Ratterman:
• https://shadyrays.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/shadyrays/
• https://twitter.com/shadyrays
• https://www.facebook.com/ShadyRaysEyewear
• http://cyberdogzmarketing.com/brandretro/
• [email protected]
• [email protected]

In this Brand Retro "Brand Spotlight" episode, Mike sits down with Kevin Stecko, Founder and President of 80sTees.com, to talk about the brand's journey, the business behind retro pop-culture merchandise, and what it takes to build a loyal customer base around nostalgia.

Highlights

• His background - 1:19
• Having creativity - 4:29
• Marketing and merchandising - 5:11
• Education as a huge part of the culture - 7:15
• His first legitime supplier - 9:04
• Cartoons and creations - 10:18
• His brand lovers and followers - 21:24
• What would be a "panic moment" - 24:19 Episode Resources
• Connect with Mike Brevik:
• http://www.cyberdogzmarketing.com/
• [email protected]
• Connect with Kevin Stecko:
• https://www.80stees.com/
• https://www.facebook.com/80sTees
• https://www.instagram.com/80stees/
• http://cyberdogzmarketing.com/brandretro/
• [email protected]