Send us a text

In this episode of Fr8 Marketing Gurus, Jennie sits down with Marina Mayer, Editor-in-Chief of Food Logistics and Supply & Demand Chain Executive, and the visionary behind the Women in Supply Chain Forum. They dive into the intentionality behind building authentic communities in logistics, the evolution of media in supply chain, and how events like the Women in Supply Chain Forum are driving real change—not just professionally, but personally.

Marina shares behind-the-scenes insights into launching an award-winning event without an events background, the importance of mentorship and branding, and why setting boundaries at work is essential for long-term success. They also discuss emerging industry trends like AI, robotics, and workforce development—and how to lead with unshittified values in a tech-driven world.

🔥 Topics Covered:

• Women-led leadership and community building in supply chain
• AI, automation, and the future of work
• Branding yourself professionally and personally
• Managing remote teams with trust and flexibility
• Influencer marketing in logistics

📍Learn more about the Women in Supply Chain Forum:
 https://www.womeninsupplychainforum.com

📢 Follow Marina Mayer on LinkedIn:
 https://www.linkedin.com/in/marinamayer/

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that matter in freight and logistics marketing.

#SupplyChain #WomenInSupplyChain #LogisticsLeadership #FreightMarketing #AIInLogistics #Mentorship #WorkforceDevelopment #Unshittification #Intentionality #FreightMarketingGurus

Send us a text

Tune into this episode of Fr8 Marketing Gurus, where we sit down with Chelsey Reynolds, the visionary Founder of Growth Department, renowned for her insight into shaping successful growth trajectories. Known for engineering two successful exits, Chelsey is here to demystify the strategies and shifts poised to redefine markets in 2025 and beyond.

Explore pivotal growth strategies for 2026 and how they can be adapted to your business. Learn from Chelsey's wealth of experience interviewing leaders with successful exits, and discover whether those lessons still hold true today. We also delve into the transformative role of AI in modern marketing, providing actionable insights for logistics professionals.

With a strong focus on practical strategy and execution, Chelsey provides indispensable advice for companies aiming to reach their next stage of growth and build better businesses.

🔗 Connect with Chelsey Reynolds on LinkedIn: Chelsey Reynolds LinkedIn

🌐 Visit the Growth Department: growthdepartment.com

👉 Subscribe, like, and hit the bell to ensure you don't miss insights from leading minds in logistics marketing!

Keywords: growth strategies 2026, marketing shifts 2025, AI in marketing, business growth, logistics

#GrowthStrategies #LogisticsMarketing #BusinessGrowth #AIinMarketing #NextGenMarketing

Send us a text

In this episode of FR8 Marketing Gurus, Jennie Malafarina sits down with Sandy Cahill of Cahill Consulting for a no-BS conversation about what’s actually working in trucking and logistics marketing today.

🎯 Topics we cover:

• Why content still reigns—and how to do it right
• The role of thought leadership and executive branding on LinkedIn
• Demand generation tips from 15+ years at DAT
• Why events are changing—and how to adapt
• What intentionality in marketing really looks like
• Sales and marketing alignment (and where it breaks down)
• How to stand out in a sea of “great service” claims
• Rethinking strategy for 2026 and beyond

🚛 Whether you’re a freight tech founder, a logistics marketer, or scaling a brokerage, this episode is packed with insight, candor, and real-life lessons.

🗣️ Let’s stop hoping and start marketing with purpose.

👉 Connect with Sandy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandycahill

 👉 Contact Jennie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniemalafarina

🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more real marketing talk in freight and logistics.

#TruckingMarketing #LogisticsMarketing #FreightTech #B2BMarketing #ContentMarketing #SalesEnablement #ThoughtLeadership #FreightMarketingGurus

Send us a text

What happens when two top minds in logistics marketing stop pretending to compete and start collaborating?

In this episode of FR8 Marketing Gurus, Jennie Malafarina sits down with Kara Smith Brown, CEO of LeadCoverage, to talk shop on what’s actually working in B2B freight marketing—and what’s holding teams back.

🚛 Topics covered:

Why Kara says contacts and content have lost value—and what matters more now

The explosion of marketing tech (and how to avoid “tech inflation”)

Why 75% of the tools companies are buying already exist in HubSpot

How AI and data strategy are transforming freight marketing

The truth about gated content, signal half-lives, and intent vs. impact

Why most companies don’t have a marketing problem—they have a measurement problem

How LeadCoverage built the first go-to-market benchmark for the logistics industry

What volume, velocity, and value really mean in a freight funnel

🎯 Whether you’re running marketing for a freight tech startup or scaling an enterprise brokerage, this is a must-watch on how to measure what matters and build pipeline that performs.

📘 Grab Kara’s book The Revenue Engine
💬 Connect with Kara: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karasmithbrown/

💬 Connect with Jennie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniemalafarina/

#FreightMarketing #LogisticsMarketing #TruckingTech #FreightTech #B2BMarketing #RevenueMarketing #HubSpot #MarketingStrategy #LeadGeneration #MarketingLeadership

Send us a text

In this episode of FR8 Marketing Gurus, Jennie Malafarina sits down with Michelle LeBlanc, Founder of Drop & Hook, to talk about how freight marketing is evolving in 2025 — and where it’s heading next.

They dive into what’s working in logistics marketing, how social media is transforming B2B visibility, and how AI is changing the game for marketers, content creators, and brands across transportation and supply chain.

Michelle shares lessons from leading one of the top marketing agencies in logistics, including:

• How to balance authenticity with automation in marketing
• Why storytelling matters more than ever in B2B
• What social platforms actually move the needle for freight brands
• How to align social, PR, and paid strategies for real ROI
• Why internal storytelling is the most overlooked marketing tactic
• Tools and tech stacks that make logistics marketing work smarter, not harder

From AI hype to human connection, this episode breaks down what’s real, what’s noise, and how to plan for 2026 with strategy, not guesswork.

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro: Meet Michelle LeBlanc, Drop & Hook
04:30 How Michelle found her way into logistics marketing
07:00 What’s working (and not working) in freight marketing right now
09:30 Industry trends: mergers, investment slowdowns, and market evolution
13:30 The mindset shift from driver recruiting to B2B strategy
16:00 Why companies that plan long-term win
17:30 The rise of AI and how it’s changing marketing
21:00 How AI can empower — not replace — critical thinking
24:00 Social media trends: where B2B brands should focus in 2025
27:30 The role of TikTok and short-form video for logistics brands
33:00 LinkedIn best practices: employee vs. company posts
39:00 How to empower employees to be brand advocates
41:00 Favorite marketing tools: HubSpot, Sprout Social, and CapCut
46:30 Data, analytics, and tagging to improve social strategy
47:40 Michelle’s secret sauce: storytelling inside your company
49:30 How to connect with Michelle + Drop & Hook

Send us a text

In this episode of FR8 Marketing Gurus, Jennie Malafarina sits down with Michael Jenkins, General Manager at Wheelhouse Logistics, to talk about the real side of building a business in today’s logistics market — from startup challenges to personal branding, authentic relationships, and leading with transparency.

Michael shares how he transitioned from 23 years in software to freight brokerage, what it takes to build trust in a volatile market, and why authenticity and process—not perfection—fuel growth.

You’ll hear:

• How relationships drive revenue in logistics and beyond
• Why authenticity wins over automation
• Lessons from building a startup brokerage in a market downturn
• How Wheelhouse supports freight agents like true partners
• Why handwritten notes, small gestures, and real connection still matter
• The power of personal branding and showing up as a thought leader

This conversation is packed with insights for logistics professionals, brokers, and anyone building a business that lasts.

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro: Free Marketing Gurus + Wheelhouse Logistics
02:00 From software to freight — Michael’s career pivot
05:30 The value of relationships in logistics
08:00 Integration, efficiency, and building a scalable operation
12:00 Go-to-market strategy: balancing old-school and modern tactics
15:30 Building brand awareness through authenticity
18:00 Supporting freight agents and fostering collaboration
22:00 Lessons learned from a tough freight market
28:00 The future of freight: optimism, correction, and opportunity
41:00 Success advice: authenticity + process
45:00 The power of personal gestures (pumpkins and handwritten notes!)
50:00 The human side of logistics and connection
53:00 Closing thoughts + gratitude

Send us a text

Search isn’t dead—it’s multiplying.
 Google, Bing, ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity… your buyers are searching everywhere, and the old SEO playbook doesn’t cut it anymore.

In this episode, Jennie Malafarina from Virago Marketing sits down with Wesley Gehman of Web Studios to unpack how AI is reshaping search and what smart marketers are doing to stay visible.

We dig into:

• What actually still works in SEO (and what’s changed)
• How to build an AI SEO Strategy that ranks and gets cited by AI systems
• Why authorship and structure matter more than ever
• The tools, schema, and content formats that help both humans and AI find you
• How B2B brands can align SEO, AIO, and PPC to generate qualified leads

If you want your content to show up wherever your buyers are asking questions, this conversation is your roadmap.

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro: Why SEO looks different in the age of AI
02:10 The new reality of multi-platform search
05:30 What stays the same: E-E-A-T, technical SEO, and authority
09:00 How AI assistants pull and cite brand content
12:45 The rise of author-led SEO and expert-driven content
17:20 AIO (AI Optimization): how it complements SEO
21:30 How to make your brand visible across AI search platforms
26:10 Real-world examples from B2B and logistics brands
29:00 Takeaways: How to future-proof your SEO strategy

Send us a text

In this deeply personal episode of FR8 Marketing Gurus, host Jennie Malafarina sits down with Nick Klingensmith from Stride Motivation for an unfiltered conversation about overcoming obstacles, finding purpose, and building mental resilience in both personal and professional life.
What You'll Learn:

How to reframe challenges as opportunities for growth and storytelling
The difference between burnout and losing focus on what matters most
Why vulnerability can be a superpower in building authentic connections
How to establish non-negotiable priorities that support everything else
Practical strategies for managing overwhelm when "everything feels important"

The importance of disconnecting from noise you can't control

Key Takeaways:
✅ Your "why" must be bigger than your "why nots" to overcome daily resistance
✅ Gratitude and negative feelings cannot exist in the same moment
✅ Focus on who you want to become, not just what you want to do
✅ True priorities don't compete - they support each other in hierarchy
✅ Purpose evolves throughout life phases and doesn't have to be permanent
✅ Self-care isn't selfish when it enables you to serve others better

About the Guests:
Nick Klingensmith is a motivational speaker and endurance athlete who has overcome significant health challenges including diabetes and multiple herniated discs. His purpose is "to overcome every obstacle and inspire others that they can too." He shares his journey through ultra-marathons, Ironman competitions, and Spartan races while maintaining sobriety and building a speaking business.

Send us a text

In this episode of FR8 Marketing Gurus, host Jennie Malafarina sits down with Mike Marut, Marketing Manager at Revenova, to explore how his background as a TV reporter is revolutionizing marketing in the logistics industry.

What You'll Learn:

How storytelling techniques from journalism translate to freight tech marketing
Why focusing on people over product specs builds stronger customer relationships
Creative content strategies that stand out in a crowded TMS market
The power of authentic, long-term relationship building vs. transactional sales approaches
How Revenova leverages their Salesforce-built TMS platform for competitive advantage

Key Takeaways:
✅ Don't be afraid to try new marketing approaches and fail fast
✅ Build trust through transparency - show everything except your code
✅ Focus on connecting rather than selling in every interaction
✅ Leverage your team's industry experience as authentic storytelling content
✅ Create consistent, creative content that showcases company personality

About the Guests:
Mike Marut spent over 6 years as a multimedia journalist covering everything from manufacturing to local community stories before transitioning to freight tech marketing at Revenova, the largest TMS provider built on Salesforce.
Jennie Malafarina hosts Freight Tech Marketing Gurus and is a seasoned marketing professional in the logistics space.

Send us a text

Join host Jennie Malafarina as she sits down with Aaron Hatfield, Director of Sales at Arvist AI, for an insightful discussion about AI's practical applications in warehousing operations, the current state of freight, and why relationships still trump technology.

In this episode, you'll discover:

👁️ Computer Vision in Action - How AI cameras are revolutionizing warehouse safety and quality control

📈 Real ROI Results - Why one client reduced their QA team from 3 people to 1 while increasing efficiency

🏭 Overlay Technology - How Arvist integrates with existing warehouse systems without massive overhauls

⚡ Anti-Snake Oil Approach - How to spot legitimate AI solutions vs. false promises in the market

🌎 State of Freight Analysis - Impact of tariffs, nearshoring, and the rise of returns logistics

🤝 Human + AI Partnership - Why good technology allows humans to focus on inherently human tasks

🔄 Returns Revolution - The growing opportunity in reverse logistics and upcycling operations

About Aaron Hatfield: Director of Sales at Arvist AI with 15+ years in supply chain operations. Previously ran "That Supply Chain Guy" consulting practice, helping companies navigate technology adoption in logistics. Expert in technical sales and warehouse operations.

Key Insights:

• AI should solve specific needs, not just be a "cool toy"
• The warehouse floor needs incremental change management, not sudden disruption
• Complex systems (like starling flocks) mirror how AI networks function
• American warehousing may see a surge due to tariff-driven nearshoring
• Relationships create 25-year customers; transactions create 5-year customers

Aaron's Secret Sauce: "Good technology fundamentally allows humans to focus on inherently human things. I have no desire to be mediocre - I'm going to give it all I got while I'm here."

Book Recommendation: "The Flight of Starlings" by Giorgio Parisi - Understanding complex systems and AI networks

Connect with Aaron: LinkedIn: Aaron Hatfield Website: arvist.ai X/Twitter: @thatsupplychainguy

Connect with Jennie: More episodes of Freight Marketing Gurus on all podcast platforms

#AI #ComputerVision #WarehouseOperations #FreightTech #SupplyChain #ArvistAI #TechnicalSales #QualityControl #SafetyTech

From embarrassing massage moments to AI revelations - this episode covers the human side of high-tech solutions!