OUTdrive

The propane industry is changing and innovation and new technologies are driving this misunderstood clean energy to the top of the energy charts. In this fascinating episode, Cliff visits with Tucker Perkins, the President and CEO of PERC, the Propane Education and Research Council. Learn how the industry has evolved and how PERC is helping to educate the people of rural America through a podcast, social media and digital marketing.

Tune in to hear Tucker Perkins discuss how the propane industry has changed over the years and the exciting opportunities ahead for a cleaner future.

What you'll learn:

• Tucker Perkins' knowledge of the propane industry and passion for educating rural America about propane

• The importance of helping people understand why propane is a clean energy

• How the propane industry has changed over the years and the science behind it

• The perception of propane among the masses versus people who actively use propane in their daily lives

• The future of autogas and the opportunity it can provide for the transportation market

• Learn how PERC is engaging digitally with their audience to share educational messages about propane

• How propane is used today and how it can play a big role in a cleaner, environmental future

Ice Cream Factory owners Katie and Shannon Imler love to make people happy, and they do it with ice cream. What started out as a scoop shop in Eldon serving the ice cream they make by hand has turned into a bustling operation selling 30-plus flavors in over 2,000 retail stores in the central United States. You can still enjoy Imler's ice cream in the scoop shops but you can also now find it in grocery stores, coffee shops, bakeries and more. Today, we are pleased to welcome Katie Imler, co-owner and marketing manager for Ice Cream Factory.

Tune in and hear Katie Imler's story about how she and her husband conceived the idea of opening the ice cream shop, their marketing strategy, what flavors they offer, and how they continue to grow and expand their business.

What you'll learn:

• Katie Imler's background and education

• The process of how Katie and her husband got started in the ice cream making business

• Katie's role in Ice Cream Factory, obstacles she has faced while starting a new business, where the business is located, and what they are doing to expand

• The main markets Katie's business reaches and where their products are sold

• How the marketing strategy has changed and what marketing efforts they are implementing that have been successful

• How the Bicentennial flavor was created and how they partnered with the governor to create a personalized ice cream flavor for him

• How reels and video have made a big impact for the Ice Cream Factory's social media

• What the Ice Cream Factory brand stands for and the memories the Imlers want their customers to make with their flavors they offer

It's no surprise that technology continues to keep evolving. Streaming companies like DirectTV Stream, YouTube TV, Hulu Plus Live TV, Sling TV, FuboTV, and Philo just to name a few, are fighting for consumers' dollars. Many consumers compare several streaming services and then make the ultimate choice to decide which one they are going to use. Streaming services and devices that allow streaming have a big impact on today's broadcasting industry. It's important for broadcasters to know which streaming services their audiences are using and what devices they are streaming on so they know what devices and platforms to be utilizing to reach their audience. Today's guest Josh Tomlinson brings insight from PBS affiliate KMOS-TV out of Warrensburg which primarily focuses on serving folks across the state of Missouri.

Tune into part 2 of a 2-part series and listen to Josh Tomlinson discuss the effects of streaming TV, the impact of the pandemic, and how KMOS-TV is educating the next generation of broadcasters.

What you'll learn:

• Learn how streaming services have developed, and how it has had an effect on broadcasting television

• Josh shares why it is essential to be seen on multiple platforms and how KMOS-TV negotiates agreements to have KMOS-TV's content on multiple platforms

• How KMOS-TV markets to its viewers and how they ensure its viewers are growing over time

• Learn about KMOS-TV's fastest-growing demographic and how they track their demographic data

• The importance of curating content to make it useful and engaging to KMOS-TV viewers

• The relationship between KMOS-TV and UCM, and how they are educating the next generation of broadcasters

• How the pandemic impacted the broadcasting industry and how KMOS-TV was able to adapt during the pandemic

• Where broadcast tv is headed and what changes will be made to the broadcasting industry in the next few years

Many businesses look for creative ways to inform, educate, and entertain their audience. Nowadays it can be hard to capture attention or know what forms of media will reach your target audience in rural America. While there are countless new media options to choose from, getting back into broadcast TV may be the right move for your business. Today's guest, Josh Tomlinson, brings insight from PBS affiliate KMOS-TV out of Warrensburg which primarily focuses on serving folks across the state of Missouri.

Tune into part 1 of a 2-part series and listen to Josh Tomlinson discuss the impact broadcasting has in today's world, from over-the-top streaming to cable, and how Missourians can support their local PBS affiliate stations.

What you'll learn:

• Josh's background, education, and life growing up in Marceline, the home of Walt Disney

• Josh's freelancing opportunities after college and his knowledge of information technology and the videography industry

• How Josh worked his way up to being the Manager and Director of Broadcasting Services at KMOS

• How video has blown up in the last few years and the power that video has in the world today

• Josh's passion for his position and what roles & duties he carries at KMOS

• Josh educates us on KMOS's city of license, broadcasting tower, and location

• The geographic area KMOS specifically serves and how that makes KMOS unique

• How streaming services have been a game changer for the broadcasting industry

At some point, every organization will need public relations support. This can come in several different forms, like reputation management, public affairs, or crisis communications, which is why it's important to take an integrated marketing approach, combining advertising and strategic communications efforts. For nearly 25 years, Dr. Tricia Hansen-Horn has taught this idea to students at the University of Central Missouri as a program coordinator and professor of Public Relations.

Tune into this episode to hear Tricia's approach to strategy, social media, and crisis communications and learn more about the innovative Public Relations and Strategic Communications program at UCM.

What you'll learn:

• Tricia's background and passion for teaching in the Midwest at the University of Central Missouri (UCM)

• Details on the student-led public relations firm at UCM and the curriculum of the PR and Strategic Communications program

• The digitalization of education and the changes she has seen in her nearly 25 years in the university setting

• The idea of "integrated marketing" and what it really means in a technology-driven world

• Tricia's approach of teaching PR strategy to college students and those new to the marketing industry

• The ways Tricia keeps up with emerging technologies, such as integrating AI in the classroom, and some of the trends Tricia is seeing in the industry

• Tricia's strategy behind crisis management and handling communications in high-pressure situations

• Tricia's involvement and details behind the 2016 Greater Kansas City Public Relations Team of the Year Award

Terms like sales and marketing often get thrown around interchangeably but are also two departments that sometimes compete with each other for resources within a business. We think it's not only possible but vital for these teams to be on the same page. Today's guest, Don Schlesselman, knows that better than most. His expertise and leadership in both areas allow Angler's Port Marine to reap the benefits of a synergistic sales and marketing program, year after year, even with all the challenges that marketers face in today's world.

Tune into this episode to find out why combining sales and marketing efforts can help reel in more business and convert customers.

What you'll learn:

• Don's background and his career journey to Angler's Port Marine

• An overview of Angler's Port Marine, from the services they offer to how they approach their business and customers

• What marketing pieces Don is using to generate new leads and the importance of the Missouri State Fair for Angler's Port Marine

• The benefits of companies combining sales and marketing efforts

• New features and technology a buyer might find on a boat today

• Changes Don has seen in consumer preferences and behavior in recent years

• Don's passion for sponsoring children in Africa and details on his own foundation, ZZ Pendana

It's almost that time of year again, when friends and family gather together around the TV to watch commercials, and maybe catch some football in between. That's right - it's time for the Super Bowl. In this episode, Ivy Reynolds returns to OUTdrive to talk all things advertising during the "Big Game," from the average cost of a 30-second commercial spot to the top-rated ads of all time.

Lace up your cleats and catch this Hail Mary of an episode full of fun facts and stats on America's favorite live-TV event of the year.

What you'll learn:

• Super Bowl game and marketing trivia
• Cliff and Ivy's thoughts behind the cultural phenomenon of Super Bowl commercials
• The strategy behind releasing ads on YouTube before the Super Bowl Sunday
• A breakdown of the Top 10 Super Bowl commercials of all time
• The effectiveness of Super Bowl commercials today
• Draft picks of Cliff and Ivy's Super Bowl favorites - food, commercials, halftime shows and top game moments
• A review of the early-released ads for Super Bowl LVII

There is no better place to connect with a number and variety of customers and potential customers than at a trade show. It gives you the opportunity to launch new products or services in a venue where you can draw extra excitement from people interested in your industry. Today's episode comes to you fresh off the flight back from Las Vegas for my trip to SHOT Show 2023. My key takeaway this year? Trade shows are back - and in a big way.

Tune into this mini-episode for an update on the outdoor shooting sports industry, key takeaways from SHOT Show, and how you can incorporate trade shows back into your marketing mix.

What you'll learn:

• An overview of SHOT Show and Cliff's 25+ year history of attending the show
• A climate overview of the outdoor shooting sports industry
• Why businesses should consider adding trade shows back into their marketing mix
• Cliff's personal highlights and marketing insights from the 2023 show
• Notable and creative trade show booth ideas from SHOT Show this year
• Cliff's thoughts on the show as a whole and what its success means for Callis

In the midst of an increasingly digital world, the demand for blue-collar jobs and industry workers is still prevalent, and maybe even amplified. But even in trades like welding, construction, and manufacturing, customer service and satisfaction drive future business and opportunities. Today's story is proof that with a vision and customer-forward mentality, you can start, manage, and grow a nationally recognized business right here in rural America. In this episode, Gary McMullin joins the podcast to talk about his entrepreneurial journey in the welding and construction industry over the last 50 years.

Tune in this week to hear what Gary has to say about business longevity, customer relations, and adapting to new marketing strategies.

What you'll learn:

• Gary's background and journey to the welding industry

• A brief history of W & M, from where it started to where it is now

• What Gary believes it takes to run a successful business today and key takeaways about dealing with customers
• Highlights from a few of the projects that stand out in Gary's career
• Why Gary chose to maintain his headquarters in rural America despite doing business across the country
• How Gary markets W & M and how they live out their brand story
• Gary's passion for farming, hunting and golfing

A key component of marketing and sales rests in the people behind the product or service. As a marketing agency based in rural America, we love a good story, especially if it has local roots and ties to agriculture. Today's episode has all three components. I sat down with Michael Hemme to talk about his family's business, Hemme Brothers Farmstead Creamery.

Tune into this episode to learn how the Hemme Brothers create a product and operate a business "that's better from the beginning."

What you'll learn:

• Michael's background growing up on a dairy farm and how they transitioned into the creamery business
• How the Hemme Brothers' operation and responsibilities are broken down among the family members
• Why the Hemme family decided to go with a vertically integrated approach to their business, controlling the product from crop to curd
• What makes Hemme Brothers cheese unique from other products and producers
• The ways they distribute their products and where consumers can find their cheeses
• Some of the ways they take their product to market and share the Hemme Brothers story
• What Michael loves about rural America and living in the country
• Michael's advice for how people can support farmers and people in agriculture