Welcome back to Digital Coffee: Marketing Brew! In this episode, host Brett Deister sits down with Michael Buckbee, co-founder of Noa Toa, to dive deep into the rapidly evolving world of AI-driven search and what it means for marketers and brands alike. Together, they explore how AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, and Google Gemini are set to reshape search marketing, why traditional SEO isn’t dead—but is quickly changing—and what marketers must do to prepare for this new era.

Michael shares his expertise as both a technologist and a marketer, revealing not just how AI is transforming search results and search user behavior, but also what practical steps brands can take right now to protect and enhance their online reputation. From addressing the realities of AI “hallucinations” to rethinking content strategy for maximum ROI, this episode packs actionable advice for anyone looking to get ahead in digital marketing.

Whether you're curious about the interplay between PR, SEO, and AI, questioning the role of brand reputation in AI search, or just want to know how to ensure your content is visible in a fractured, AI-integrated landscape, you'll find tons of insight here.

Stick around to hear Michael’s tips on how to audit your keyword strategy, make friends with your PR team, and why empathy—and actual human voices—will continue to matter even as AI becomes ubiquitous. Plus, learn about free tools and tactical tips to make sure your brand isn’t left behind as search marketing enters a whole new era.

1. Michael Buckbee drinks an entire pot of coffee a day—he claims his "large mug" makes it only 2 or 3 cups!
2. OpenAI's ChatGPT is now considered by some companies as their "most popular and least well-trained representative."
3. Amazon’s new AI-powered shopping assistant "Rufus" is actually powered by the Claude LLM model, letting users ask much more specific, conversational questions while searching for products.

1. AI search vs. traditional search engines
2. Changing strategies for SEO and marketing
3. Impact of AI on brand reputation
4. Preparing websites for AI indexing
5. Evolving content marketing strategies
6. Importance of empathy and human voice
7. Future opportunities and challenges with AI

In this episode of 'Digital Coffee Marketing Brew,' host Brett Deister sits down with Zeke Camusio, a seasoned entrepreneur and founder of Data Speaks, an AI-powered analytics platform. They discuss the importance of data-driven decision-making in advertising, challenges in marketing attribution, and the impact of third-party cookie deprecation. Zeke also shares detailed insights into different attribution methods, including media mix modeling and incrementality experiments, and how AI can enhance marketing analytics. The episode concludes with practical advice for small businesses and a look at the future of data privacy in marketing.

1. Zeke Camusio drinks both coffee and tea—coffee in the morning and tea at night—but prefers strong Italian espresso, especially Lavazza!
2. A whopping 61% of conversions are shared by more than one advertising platform, making attribution really tricky.
3. Before the internet, marketers still ran ad experiments using incrementality testing and media mix modeling—old-school marketing science!

1. Challenges with marketing attribution accuracy
2. Importance of data-driven decision making
3. Reliability issues in platform-provided metrics
4. The impact of third-party cookie deprecation
5. Benefits and limitations of AI in attribution
6. Cost-effective attribution strategies for small businesses
7. Evolving privacy regulations’ influence on marketing

In this episode of Digital Coffee Marketing Brew, host Brett Deister interviews Angela Bettencourt, a global communication professional with over 20 years of experience. Angela shares her insights on how businesses should prepare for and handle PR crises, the importance of adapting messaging for diverse markets, and the role of storytelling in rebuilding public trust. She recounts her experiences, including organizing Sierra Leone's first-ever renewable energy conference, and discusses the impact of AI on global communications and crisis management. Tune in to learn practical tips on leveraging technology, embracing strategic communication, and maintaining organizational values during challenging times.

1. Angela Betancourt is a scuba diving enthusiast—her LinkedIn banner is a scuba diving photo!
2. During a major conference in Sierra Leone, Angela and her team had to invite 149 Paramount Chiefs by texting each one individually on a flip phone because most didn’t have internet access.
3. Angela brews very strong coffee at home with a percolator and prefers trying unique, local coffee shops when traveling.

1. Crisis communication planning and response
2. Adapting messaging for diverse global audiences
3. Leveraging technology and AI for research
4. Challenges of international campaigns and logistics
5. Storytelling to rebuild and maintain trust
6. Navigating tariffs and international market entry
7. Importance of organizational values during crises

In this episode of Digital Coffee Marketing Brew, host Brett Deister talks with Steven Schneider, co-founder and CEO of TrioSEO, about the importance of human-focused SEO strategies for B2B and SaaS businesses. Steven shares insights on creating compelling SEO content that drives meaningful results and the evolution of SEO from the 'wild west' era to today's focus on building trustworthy brands. They discuss challenges in B2B SEO, effective approaches to bottom-of-the-funnel content, and emerging trends like personal branding and AI search. Steven also offers practical advice on balancing SEO for algorithms and human readers, measuring the impact of SEO on sales pipelines, and ensuring long-term value for clients.

Steven Schneider is an experienced SEO specialist with nearly a decade devoted to helping businesses thrive on Google. Focused primarily on the B2B and SaaS industries, Steven crafts tailored strategies that drive meaningful growth through organic search. While he steers clear of e-commerce and local SEO “entirely different beasts,” as he says Steven’s passion for all things search and content makes him a go-to expert in his field. Always at the forefront, he’s now expanding his expertise into AI-driven search, and he’s never short on industry stories or enthusiasm. For Steven, SEO isn’t just a job it’s a lifelong fascination.

1. Steven Schneider is a self-proclaimed coffee snob thanks to his wife’s family, who owns Herkimer Coffee.
2. He always starts his SEO strategies at the "bottom of the funnel" for maximum business impact.
3. Steven is very active on LinkedIn, posting daily and chatting with folks about SEO and marketing.

1. Human-focused approach to SEO strategies
2. Importance of branding over simple websites
3. Bottom-of-funnel, high-intent content creation
4. Patience and long-term mindset for SEO
5. Balancing Google optimization with human readability
6. Personal branding and C-suite visibility trends
7. Measuring SEO success by sales pipeline impact

In this episode of Digital Coffee Marketing Brew, host Brett Deister welcomes guest Tim, a software engineer who has created influential social media bots for growth and revenue generation. They delve into the nuances of black hat marketing, its crossover with cybersecurity, and its effect on social media platforms. Tim shares insights on his career, including the high profit margins from using bots and the ethics of such practices. The conversation covers the challenges of achieving organic reach in the current social media landscape, how algorithms and platform strategies affect content visibility, and the controversial topic of shadow banning. Tim also provides practical tips for marketers on balancing automation and manual tasks, emphasizing the irreplaceable value of critical thinking and genuine content creation. Tune in to explore the ever-evolving dynamics of social media marketing and the role of AI and automation in shaping its future.

Tim O'Hearn is a software engineer whose career took him through a wide range of businesses and industries during his twenties. In 2017, he found himself drawn into the shadowy world of Instagram and social media automation, a notorious space where violating platform terms of service was commonplace and highly lucrative. While not an original inventor in the field, Tim became a power user and skilled developer, building and deploying some of the more advanced botting platforms of the era. Throughout the late 2010s, he leveraged this expertise to establish a successful business, navigating the complex and often controversial landscape of social media underworld.

1. Tim Ohearn is into sparkling teas, especially those found in Korean dining spots in New York City—he even describes them as similar to de-alcoholized champagne.
2. Tim created some of the most pesky and effective social media bots, helping his agency rack up millions of followers and over $500,000 in revenue for clients.
3. In his book, Tim shares that he was once a video game cheater who outgrew gaming but maintained a knack for breaking the rules—eventually channeling that into social media strategy.

1. Black Hat Marketing and Social Media Tactics
2. The Rise and Regulation of Bots
3. Algorithm Changes and Decline of Organic Reach
4. Viral Content and Time Decay Effects
5. Role of Email Marketing and Mailing Lists
6. Shadow Banning Controversies and Platform Power
7. Proper Use and Limits of Automation and AI

Tim's Book: https://amzn.to/43KCVqS

Welcome back to Digital Coffee: Marketing Brew! In this episode, host Brett Deister sits down with Ivan Vislavskiy—CEO and co-founder of Comrade Digital Marketing Agency—to dive deep into the rapidly evolving landscape of digital marketing and AI. Ivan shares his firsthand insights on how artificial intelligence is transforming everything from content creation to search engine optimization, automation, and lead qualification. Whether you’re a seasoned marketer or just starting out, you’ll learn why harnessing AI is no longer optional if you want to stay relevant and competitive. Plus, Ivan explains the growing importance of expertise, authority, and trust (E-A-T), the changing rules of SEO, and what the future might hold as the next generation of consumers turns to new search platforms like TikTok and AI chatbots. Grab your coffee (or tea!) and get ready for a caffeinated chat packed with practical advice and actionable strategies to future-proof your marketing game.

Ivan Vislavskiy is a forward-thinking marketing professional who has closely followed the rise of AI technology in his field. Even before generative AI tools like ChatGPT became mainstream, Ivan participated in industry roundtables where marketers discussed both the potential and risks of AI. Once tools like ChatGPT gained popularity, Ivan and his team began integrating them into their workflow, particularly for content development, keyword research, and SEO tasks. However, Ivan remains cautious about relying exclusively on AI-generated content due to concerns about search engine devaluation and authenticity. To balance efficiency with quality, he oversees a process where AI-generated drafts are carefully reviewed and personalized by human subject matter experts, ensuring all content meets high standards and resonates with audiences.

1. Ivan Vislavskiy enjoys both coffee and tea, starting his mornings with coffee and switching to green tea midday, then winding down with herbal tea at night.
2. Ivan's agency, Comrade Digital Marketing, built their own AI-powered system to analyze and qualify client leads by reviewing transcripts from chats, forms, and calls.
3. Ivan predicts video marketing will be vital for SEO dominance in the near future, but points out most of his legal clients are too busy to create video content themselves.

1. AI’s vital role in digital marketing
2. Balancing human expertise with AI content
3. Google devaluing generic AI-generated content
4. Automation of internal marketing processes
5. Importance of specialization for agencies
6. SEO diversification across multiple platforms
7. The growing necessity of video marketing

Welcome to another episode of Digital Coffee: Marketing Brew! This week, host Brett Deister sits down with Charlie Riley, the Head of Marketing at OneScreen.ai, to shine a spotlight on a topic that often gets pushed to the back burner: internal marketing. In this insightful conversation, Charlie shares why internal marketing is just as crucial as external efforts, explaining how it impacts company culture, boosts employee morale, and creates the alignment needed for real business success. With over twenty years of experience building marketing functions from scratch at startups and established companies alike, Charlie offers practical advice on fostering collaboration between departments, maintaining consistent messaging, and adapting internal communication for hybrid and remote teams. Whether you’re a marketing leader, sales professional, or just passionate about workplace dynamics, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways to help you strengthen your team from the inside out. So, grab your coffee (or iced Americano) and join us for a fresh brew of marketing wisdom!

Charlie Riley is the Head of Marketing at OneScreen.ai, a platform that specializes in measurable out-of-home advertising. With a diverse background spanning multiple industries and company sizes, Charlie has often been the first marketing hire, building out functions from the ground up. Beyond marketing, Charlie has also led sales teams on several occasions, developing a deep understanding of the synergy between marketing, sales, and customer support. Charlie’s experience reflects a hands-on, collaborative approach, ensuring that marketing works seamlessly across all pillars of a business to drive demand generation and brand success.

1. Charlie Riley prefers iced coffee over hot coffee and usually goes for an iced Americano.
2. At one company, Charlie’s team sent out a daily internal email called "What We Know Now" to keep everyone updated and connected, especially after going remote.
3. Charlie has been the first marketing hire at six different organizations, leading marketing and sales teams from seed stage startups up to companies with $200 million in revenue.

1. Importance of internal marketing for success
2. Cross-functional collaboration between departments
3. Impact of internal marketing on morale
4. Adapting internal marketing for remote work
5. Ensuring message consistency internally and externally
6. Common mistakes in internal communication initiatives
7. Role of technology in internal communications

In this episode of Digital Coffee Marketing Brew, host Brett Deister discusses the advantages of podcast PR over traditional PR with guest Michelle Glogovac, a podcast publicist and host of the award-winning podcast 'My Simplified Life.' They delve into how podcasts offer unique opportunities for storytelling, building trust, and reaching niche audiences. Michelle shares insights on the importance of personalized pitches, the long-term benefits of podcast appearances, and the cost-efficiency of podcast PR campaigns versus traditional PR. They also touch upon the role of AI in PR, the growing podcast landscape, and strategies for repurposing podcast content for broader marketing efforts.

Welcome to another episode of Digital Coffee: Marketing Brew! In today’s show, host Brett Deister sits down with Neil, CEO and cofounder of Voltage Holding Company, to dive deep into the fast-moving world of Amazon FBA and e-commerce growth. With more than fifteen years of experience building, launching, and acquiring brands, Neil shares his invaluable insights on how businesses can thrive on Amazon by avoiding common mistakes, building strong brands, and navigating the ever-changing challenges of logistics and profitability.

Get ready to learn why standing out in a competitive marketplace is about much more than price, how the right mindset and patience are key to building lasting success, and what the future holds as AI transforms the way sellers connect with customers. Whether you're just starting out on Amazon or looking to elevate your business to the next level, this episode is packed with tactical advice, firsthand stories, and the trends every seller needs to watch. So grab your coffee, settle in, and join us as we explore what it really takes to succeed on Amazon—and beyond!

Neil grew up in Oregon’s Rogue Valley, a place he remembers as the birthplace of drive-through coffee kiosks—like the now-famous Dutch Bros. He’s witnessed firsthand how these roadside stands sparked a national love affair with coffee, a trend that rapidly spread over the last few decades. Despite America’s growing coffee craze, Neil enjoys sharing a calming ritual with his wife every evening: sipping a turmeric-blend tea together for its anti-inflammatory benefits and a bit of daily connection.

1. Neil grew up in Oregon, where the first coffee drive-thru kiosks appeared, and his family hosts full-scale tea parties with vintage china and treats.
2. Neil prefers to only sell products on Amazon with at least $12 in net profit per unit, often focusing on higher-ticket items like $200 audiophile cables instead of low-margin, high-volume commodities.
3. Neil predicts that Amazon’s upcoming AI tech, called "Cosmo," will fundamentally change product discovery from keyword-based to intention-based, making it even more important for sellers to have high-quality, well-optimized listings.

1. Strategies for Amazon FBA profitability
2. Importance of brand building and trust
3. Navigating shipping and logistics challenges
4. Adapting to AI and automation trends
5. The value of patience and perseverance
6. Leveraging omnichannel ecommerce approaches
7. Optimizing listings through strong visuals/copy

In this episode of Digital Coffee Marketing Brew, host Brett Ey welcomes social media expert Peg Fitzpatrick. The episode delves into the importance of video content for businesses and the evolving landscape of social media platforms. Peg shares her extensive experience, tips for engaging content creation, and key strategies for leveraging platforms like YouTube, Instagram, Pinterest, and LinkedIn. The conversation also touches on essential tools for video editing and repurposing content, while highlighting the critical importance of building a community and maintaining an adaptable approach to social media strategy. Additionally, Peg gives insights into her journey in the social media realm and her upcoming book 'The Art of Small Business Social Media: A Blueprint for Marketing Success.'

Guest Bio:

From triple ginger tea to her festive favorite Nutcracker Sweet, Peg Fitzpatrick’s story is defined by her zest for flavor and her eye for delightful details. When she’s not experimenting with layers of ginger and honey in her teacup, she’s on the lookout for the special Celestial Seasonings blend that reminds her of the holidays—proving she brings creativity and enthusiasm to every aspect of her life, down to the drinks she enjoys.

Here are 3 fun facts revealed in this episode:

1. Peg Fitzpatrick is actually a tea drinker—her current obsession is a "triple ginger" tea blend with ginger slices and ginger honey.
2. Brett Deister once built a Pinterest following of over 15,000, back when repins were huge, even though he initially had no idea what he was doing.
3. Peg shared a "super top secret" tip: she uses repurpose.io to automatically share her short videos across multiple platforms, saving tons of time.

Here are 7 key themes discussed in the episode:

1. Short-form and vertical video dominance
2. Small business strategies for social media
3. Platform algorithms and changing reach
4. Multi-platform content repurposing tools
5. Importance of community and engagement
6. Building an email list for audience ownership
7. Adapting to frequent platform updates

Link to Peg's Book: https://amzn.to/4jJMMUh