CultivatED Marketer

In this 12th episode of CultivatED Marketer, hosts Brent Bowen and Matt Tidwell, PhD, chat with Kristen Majdanics -- part two of a two-part conversation. She'll share the attributes she looks for in a team member, as well as the differences between working in an agency or a larger organization. They close the discussion with a great case study: where your namesake earned you a free sandwich.

In this 11th episode of CultivatED Marketer, hosts Brent Bowen and Matt Tidwell, PhD, chat with Kristen Majdanics, Senior VP of Marketing at Firehouse Subs. In part 1 of a two part discussion, we chat about cause marketing and how the pandemic impacted the business.

In this tenth episode of CultivatED Marketer, hosts Brent Bowen and Matt Tidwell, PhD, chat with Grant Gooding -- part two of a two-part conversation. He’ll share his distinctive approach to hiring as well as his alignment with community and cause in part two of this interview.

In this ninth episode of CultivatED Marketer, hosts Brent Bowen and Matt Tidwell, PhD, chat with Grant Gooding, CEO of PROOF Positioning. In part 1 of a two part discussion, we talk emotional data and the use of fear in marketing.

In this eighth episode of CultivatED Marketer, hosts Brent Bowen and Matt Tidwell, PhD, aren't interviewing a new guest. Instead, they decide to take a reset, reflect on the guests they've had over the past six episodes, and look forward to what's coming up next.

In this seventh episode of CultivatED Marketer, hosts Brent Bowen and Matt Tidwell, PhD, chat with Mike Swenson -- part two of a two-part conversation. A veteran communication professional, Mike has enjoyed a multifaceted career as a broadcast journalist, a governor's press secretary, and founder and leader of a successful public relations firm that has produced ground-breaking work. His next act includes some voice and on-camera acting work. We'll chat the evolution of marketing communications and the skills needed to advance in the industry.

Welcome to CultivatED Marketer …

In this seventh episode of CultivatED Marketer, hosts Brent Bowen and Matt Tidwell, PhD, chat with Mike Swenson — part two of a two-part conversation. A veteran communication professional, Mike has enjoyed a multifaceted career as a broadcast journalist, a governor’s press secretary, and founder and leader of a successful public relations firm that has produced ground-breaking work. His next act includes some voice and on-camera acting work. We’ll chat the evolution of marketing communications and the skills needed to advance in the industry.

CultivatED Marketer Ep. 7 (Part 2) — Mike Swenson

Brent and Matt talk with Mike Swenson, veteran communication professional. Mike has enjoyed a storied career as a broadcast journalist, press secretary to a Governor, and founder and leader of a successful public relations firm that produced ground-breaking work. His next act includes some voice and on-camera acting work.

* In the end, Mike’s firm came up with a campaign that became Lee National Denim Day. He tells the story of how the program migrated along with the cause over the years, which speaks to the depth and longevity of the program.* After mentioning how all this work took place right in Kansas City, the group discusses whether new marketing professionals in the field still feel they need to move to the coasts to work on “cool” projects. Mike believes the culture is changing … and when his firm would fly candidates in from elsewhere in the U.S., including the coasts, they were always blown away by KC (in a positive way).* Brent asks which skills Mike believes are most important for inexperienced marketers. When people ask Mike what he’s looking for when hiring, he says a sense of urgency. Focusing on the details and doing what you say you’re going to do — he wants people to be urgent about that. He also mentions the entrepreneurial spirit of having the freedom to try and the freedom to fail.* For new marketers, Mike says there’s a learning curve to putting yourself out there and sharing your ideas, but you have to learn to sit with being uncomfortable at first. Brent shares about the conversations he has with new marketers in his own business — don’t be afraid to speak up because he wants to hear any ideas they have.* Mike places importance on the idea that you always have to keep learning. And that you’re never alone … you have a team to lean on. Mike says his proudest accomplishment from 32 years in the industry is all the friendships and relationships he’s made along the way.* When considering the next leaders in his organization, what did Mike look for in his employees? Mike says he liked to identify people who could do things better than he could, while also being inspiring to the rest of the team. He also says, once you’ve identified those leaders, it’s important to get out of their way and let them lead.* Even when a leader isn’t leaving — like Mike left Crossroads in July of last year — Mike believes in creating practice groups with specific focuses within the organization as a way for people to assume leadership roles. It gives them a chance to build their portfolio and learn tactics for managing people.* The group discusses the ways that professional development is important for young marketers and the types of opportunities that are available — from organizations to conferences and more.* What’s the next act for Mike? Brent and Matt ask about Mike’s new focus on a creative pursuit: voice acting. Mike shares that he’s always been told he had a “great voice,” and he started out in radio and television broadcasting.

In this sixth episode of CultivatED Marketer, hosts Brent Bowen and Matt Tidwell, PhD, speak with veteran communication professional and leader Mike Swenson in what’s part one of two conversations with Mike. In this first part, they chat cause marketing and the origins of Lee National Denim Day, how working on “cool” projects and the coasts don’t have to be synonymous and the state of marketing communications as a profession. Watch for part two with Mike where we discuss skills required for professionals and thoughts on who sees advancement in their career.

Welcome to CultivatED Marketer …

In this sixth episode of CultivatED Marketer, hosts Brent Bowen and Matt Tidwell, PhD, chat with Mike Swenson. A veteran communication professional, Mike has enjoyed a multifaceted career as a broadcast journalist, a governor’s press secretary, and founder and leader of a successful public relations firm that has produced ground-breaking work. His next act includes some voice and on-camera acting work. We’ll chat the evolution of marketing communications and the skills needed to advance in the industry.

CultivatED Marketer Ep. 6 (Part 1) — Mike Swenson

Brent and Matt talk with Mike Swenson, veteran communication professional. Mike has enjoyed a storied career as a broadcast journalist, press secretary to a Governor, and founder and leader of a successful public relations firm that produced ground-breaking work. His next act includes some voice and on-camera acting work.

* Mike shares about his “retirement” from working at Crossroads, but has started his own consulting business … so he sees it more as “repackaging” his talents and brand, rather than retiring. The group comments on Mike’s radio voice. Anyone out there looking for a new voice?* Matt brings the group’s attention to the recent topic of brands taking stands, which Mike is familiar with from his previous work in cause marketing. He asks Mike about his nationally-known project, Lee National Denim Day.* “What better public relations is there than to have our corporate clients partner with a non-profit and give back?” Mike believes investing in a community is the best thing a client can do .. which can help in the future so they have a “savings account” when things go wrong.* As “Casual Friday” was taking hold in the mid-1990s, women were having a harder time dressing casually without being able to wear jeans. Lee Jeans wanted to convince companies it was okay to wear jeans in the workplace. At the same time, they wanted to support breast cancer, which was more stigmatized in 1990s society than it is today. * In the end, Mike’s firm came up with a campaign that became Lee National Denim Day. He tells the story of how the program migrated along with the cause over the years, which speaks to the depth and longevity of the program.

Upcoming CultivatED Marketer Guests

* Guest — Join us for part two with Mike Swenson shortly.

In this fifth episode of CultivatED Marketer, hosts Brent Bowen and Matt Tidwell, PhD, talk job searches, informational interviews, and developing new skills with Sports Illustrated's (and former Awful Announcing podcast host) Ben Heisler