Dialsmith Podcast

(A video version of this episode can be viewed on our Engagious YouTube Channel here: https://youtu.be/Wek5M3a76F8)

My guest for this podcast episode is Aaron Draplin, graphic designer, author and founder of Draplin Design Co. (DDC). Why would I interview a graphic designer on the Engagious Podcast? Because Aaron is not only an award-winning designer who’s done amazing work for Nike, Burton Snowboards, Esquire, and Ford Motor Company among others, he’s also an author and captivating speaker who’s authentic style comes across not only in his craft but in his method of connecting with audiences of all shapes and sizes. I’ve been wanting to talk with Aaron for a long time to get the stories behind some of the projects he’s work on like the Voyager 2 poster he did for NASA, designing a US Postage stamp, and developing the popular FIELD NOTES notebook brand.

Admittedly, this is one of the most fun and free-wheeling conversations I’ve had since I started this podcast, and I know you’re going to enjoy it. Some of the things Aaron and I talked about were:

@2:04  What it’s like taking the TEDxPortland stage in front of more than 1000 people.

@4:08 Designing the P-Rod and Janoski logos for NikeSB

@7:47  How he crafts a talk to engage the audience and take them on a journey.

@9:51  What’s the story behind the NASA poster?

@11:38  How the FIELD NOTES brand came to be.

@31:50  What’s the story behind the U.S. postage stamp?

I hoped you enjoyed the conversation with Aaron. If you liked this one, I recommend that you check out the episode featuring Pricilla McKinney of Little Bird Marketing where we discuss how persona marketing, when done right, can help business reach their full potential.

Thanks for listening! If you have any comments or suggestions on who would be great for us to talk with in future episodes, please connect with us on LinkedIn or Twitter. We’d love to hear from you.

Until next time, #BeEngagious

Welcome back to the Engagious Podcast. On this episode, I talk with Priscilla McKinney, CEO of Little Bird Marketing and host of the podcast Ponderings from the Perch. In addition to being a world class marketer and cultural anthropologist, Priscilla has carved out an exciting niche for Little Bird Marketing, helping market research companies reach their full potential. Priscilla is as genuine and practical as they come. I learned a ton from talking with her.

In this conversation we discuss:

@7:08  Why attraction works in business like it does at cocktail parties 

@9:31  What is SOAR and how does it support a winning marketing strategy

@12:05  Hard lessons learned about personas through failure

@22:23  What’s the most dangerous thing that marketers sometimes do?

@26:24  It’s NOT the marketing that’s annoying

@36:28  How process and systems (not magic) lead to profitability

If you liked this episode, I also recommend that you check out my conversation with Kristin Luck where we discuss, among other things, how to engage customers through storytelling and video.

Thanks for listening and I hope your time spent with our podcast has brought you value. If you have any comments or suggestions on who would be great for us to talk with in future episodes, please leave a comment below. We’d love to hear from you.

Until next time, #BeEngagious

In this conversation we discuss:

@3:57  What’s the big idea behind Red Shoes Living?

@8:40  What are the five steps in the Red Shoes Living framework?

@11:30  What are some things you can do immediately to start embracing the Red Shoes philosophy?

To learn much more about Red Shoes Living and how to apply it to your work and life, check out Lonnie’s new book.

Thanks to the Insights Association for partnering with us on this episode and introducing us to Lonnie at the Insights Leadership Conference.

If you liked this episode, I also recommend that you check out my conversation with Kathy-Klotz-Guest where we discuss, among other things, how humor can be used to connect with customers as people.

Thanks for listening and I hope your time spent with our podcast has brought you value. If you have any comments or suggestions on who would be great for us to talk with in future episodes, please leave a comment below. We’d love to hear from you.

Until next time, #BeEngagious

In our conversation, Golden and I discuss:

02:30  The definition of Semiotics and how he uses it

07:30  Marketing to the youth culture in China

10:30  Advice for Western brands wanting to enter the Chinese market

12:30  Three emerging food and beverage trends in China

14:30  Why Pink Diamond ice cream is a hit with Chinese youth

If you liked this episode, I also recommend that you check out my conversation with Rick Cesari where we discuss how he transformed no-name products into everyday brands like the George Foreman Grill, Sonicare and the Juiceman Juicer.

If you have any comments or suggestions on who would be great for us to talk with in future episodes, please leave a comment below. We’d love to hear from you. Until next time, #BeEngagious.

You hear stories about people who walk away from a prosperous career to launch a passion project, but don’t often get to talk with them about it. Well, in the case of former PR executive Gail Becker, we get the story directly from her. After rising through the ranks in government communications, entertainment, and finally as a president at global PR firm Edelman, Gail walked away to start CAULIPOWER, a cauliflower-based food company inspired by the dietary needs of her kids.

In our conversation, Gail and I discuss:

@3:45  The power of stories to engage with people

@8:42  What she learned from being part of the entertainment industry’s shift from VHS to DVD

@10:35  Universal truths for changing behavior through persuasion and influence

@13:07  How her food company was born

@16:58  How did she develop the brand and voice for CAULIPOWER

If you liked this episode, I also recommend that you check out my conversation with Rick Cesari, direct response industry veteran and expert in B2B marketing.

If you have any comments or suggestions on who would be great for us to talk with in future episodes, please leave a comment below. We’d love to hear from you.

Until next time, #BeEngagious