This 2024 blog post reviews advancements in Large Language Models (LLMs). Key themes include the breaking of the GPT-4 barrier, with multiple organizations surpassing its capabilities; significant improvements in model efficiency and price reductions, making LLMs more accessible; the rise of multimodal models incorporating vision, audio, and even live video; and the emergence of inference-scaling "reasoning" models. The author also discusses challenges like the prevalence of "slop" (unwanted, unreviewed AI-generated content), the difficulty of using LLMs effectively, and the uneven distribution of LLM knowledge. The overall purpose is to summarize the year's progress in the field, highlighting both achievements and remaining obstacles.

In this episode, Paris sits down with Anne Clara Laugesen,, the CMO and Head of ESG at Stella Energy and Viggo. Anne shares how Viggo disrupted the traditional Danish taxi market with its all-EV fleet. And how the strategic rebranding to Stella Energy set the stage to cater to international markets and industry competitors.

Tune in to hear the challenges of launching a sustainable ride-hailing service, how to market to B2C and B2B audiences, and why Stella Energy's fast-charging network is vital for the future of mobility.

Key Highlights:

00:00 Introduction 

00:22 Anne Clara's Background and Passion for Mobility

01:00 The Evolution of Viggo: From Startup to Success

02:05 Challenges and Innovations in EV Ride-Hailing

04:04 Rebranding to Stella: Strategy and Impact

15:00 Marketing Strategies for Viggo and Stella

31:23 Future of EVs

36:33 Conclusion.

Resources:

1. Viggo- https://www.viggo.com/

2.Stella Energy -https://www.stellaenergy.io/

3. Anne Clara Laugesen- https://www.linkedin.com/in/anneclara/

4. Paris Childress- https://www.linkedin.com/in/parischildress/

In this episode, Guus Goorts, education marketing expert and author of Genuinely Helpful: A Practical Guide to Effective University Websites, joins Paris to share insights on enhancing digital marketing for higher education.
They discuss optimizing university websites, leveraging AI, and creating authentic student experiences that resonate with them. The conversation also dives into using data and analytics to refine enrollment strategies, avoiding common digital outreach pitfalls, and adapting to the challenges of a digital-first world. Paris reflects on the opportunities for higher education to stay competitive, highlighting why Guus’ strategies are essential for institutions looking to thrive.

Key Talk Points
00:00 -Introduction
02:40- The Role of University Websites
04:32- Google’s E-E-A-T Principles in Education Marketing
09:55 -Balancing Social Media and Websites
14:59- Common Website Mistakes in Higher Education
25:18-AI and the Future of Higher Education Marketing
30:00-User-Generated Content: A Game-Changer
35:00 -Future Trends in Education Marketing
38:53 -Balancing AI and Human Connection
40:00 -Resources.

Resources Mentioned:
1.Genuinely Helpful: A Practical Guide to Effective University Websites by Guus Goorts – Free Copy here: https://guusgoorts.com/book/genuinely-helpful/
2. NHL Stenden University – A case study in dynamic, student-focused digital marketing: https://www.nhlstenden.com/en

Subscribe to Paris Talks Marketing for more insights on education marketing, digital strategies, and the future of student recruitment.

In this episode, Paris hosts Martijn van de Veen, Chief Business Development Officer at ICEF, for a discussion about the digital transformation reshaping education marketing. They discuss how the pandemic drove education institutions to adopt virtual recruitment tools, hybrid learning models, and digital marketing strategies, highlighting the benefits and challenges of these innovations.

Top Discussion Points

1. Pandemic-Driven Shifts in Education Marketing.

2. Role of Aggregators and Digital Platforms in Recruitment.

3. Balancing Automation with Human Connection in Education.

4. AI-Powered Tools in Education Marketing.

5. ICEF Events.

Listen to the full episode for a closer look at how education marketing is evolving through digital innovation, and how to retain the human element that makes high-impact decisions feel right.

Links and Resources:

1.  Martijn van de  Veen : https://www.linkedin.com/in/martijnvandeveen/
2.   Paris Childress: https://www.linkedin.com/in/parischildress/
3.  Register for ICEF Events : https://www.icef.com/events/

In this episode Paris hosts  Curphy Smith, the  Business Development Manager at Century Solutions Group. Curphy has a rich background in managed services and understands  the evolving cyber threat landscape.

In this conversation, Curphy  provides listeners with a roadmap to safeguard businesses. He also shows how to utilize cybersecurity as a catalyst for brand  growth. Tune in to know how to enhance your brand’s resilience against cyber threats while driving growth.

00:00 Introduction 
02:13 -AI in Cybersecurity and Marketing 
07:12- Lead Generation Strategies 
13:11- How Fear Influences Cybersecurity Sales 
18:22- AI-Driven Cybersecurity Solutions 
21:10- The Human Element in Cybersecurity 
26:11- Marketing Hooks and Conversion Funnels 
38:01 -The Role of Social Engineering Training
39:21 -Balancing AI and Genuine Content (39:21)
48:00 -Conclusion

Connect with Us:
1. Curphy Smith
2. Paris Childress

In this episode  Paris is joined by Jeff Umbro, CEO of The Podglomerate, to dive deep into the world of podcasting.
Podcasting has become a powerful medium for brands, thought leaders, and content creators to engage with their audience, but it's not without its challenges. Paris and Jeff explore key strategies for podcast production, marketing, and monetization.
Jeff shares insights on leveraging podcast advertising platforms like AdvertiseCast, Gumball, and Spotify Ad Analytics to grow your podcast and measure ad performance. They also discuss innovative podcast formats and the value of appearing as a guest on other shows.  But as Jeff Umbro puts it, it’s not a one-size-fits-all strategy. The key is to approach podcasting with clear goals, be willing to experiment with formats and marketing strategies, and consistently measure success. Tune in to learn how to use podcasting to enhance brand awareness and drive business growth.

00:00 Introduction
00:30 About The Podglomerate
04:05 Why Start a Podcast?
10:37 Effective Podcast Advertising
22:17 Podcast Measurement and Analytics
26:48 Innovative Podcast Formats
32:45 Jeff's Favorite Podcasts

Connect with Us:
1. Jeff Umbro
2. Paris Childress

In this episode of Paris Talks Marketing, Paris speaks with Sean Malarkey, Co-founder and Chief Growth Officer of Repurpose.io, about how content creators can save time and simplify content sharing through effective repurposing. Discover how Repurpose.io allows you to transform a single piece of content from TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and other platforms into unlimited, platform-optimized content that reaches audiences across YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat, LinkedIn, and more.

Sean also shares key strategies for optimizing conversion rates and reducing churn, and discusses the importance of automating your content distribution with a single click—eliminating the need for manual sharing. Tune in to learn how to quickly build your omnipresence, automate your marketing efforts, and grow your audience across all channels.

00:00 Introduction to Paris Talks Marketing
00:28 Understanding Repurpose: A Game-Changer for Content Creators
04:11 The Shift in Social Media Content Strategy
15:11 AI's Role in Modern Business Practices
20:42 Conversion Rate Optimization Success Story
26:37 Conversion Rate Optimization Strategies
32:13 Reducing Churn with Strategic Friction
37:50 The Psychology of Customer Retention
45:13 The Power of Content Repurposing

Resources and Links
1. Check out Repurpose.io
2. Connect with Sean Malarkey
3. Connect with Paris Childress
4. Check out our episode featuring Adam Robinson: RetentionB2B Episode

In this episode of Paris Talks Marketing, David Arnoux, Co-Founder and CEO of Growth Tribe, shares his insights on modern marketing challenges, the role of AI in business, and principles of  long-term relationship building with customers.
 With over 37,000 alumni and 1,000 companies trained, Growth Tribe is at the forefront of  helping organizations develop vital skills, such as project management and data visualization, to inspire their teams and close the digital skills gap. As a learning partner, they co-create blended programs that foster the behavioral and cultural changes they need to perform in a digital world.  Tune in as David and Paris discuss the evolution of organic reach, customer retention strategies, and the future of marketing in an AI-driven world.

Key Topics Discussed:
00:00:00 Introduction
00:00:52 The Challenges in Organic Reach and Founder-led Marketing.
00: 11:31  Leveraging Generative AI in Marketing
00:21:34 Antifragile Organizations and Leadership in a Changing World
00:28:58 Long-Term Relationship Building in the Digital Age
00:32:07 The Role of AI in Marketing and Customer Understanding
00:37:01 The Fundamentals of Customer Psychology
00:41:52  The Future of AI Use Cases

In this episode Paris speaks with Ben Catley Richardson, the founder of Accountability Viking. Ben shares his journey of becoming the Accountability Viking as a response to being ignored during his self-employment years in marketing and branding. He discusses the importance of standing out, the application of accountability to inspire and meet expectations, the challenges of procrastination, and highlights the vital role of systemization in agencies for scalability and efficiency. He also emphasizes the significant impact of a good client onboarding process. Tune in to hear him introduce the five gates of growth as a comprehensive approach to personal and professional development.

00:00 Introduction 

00:25 Ben's Journey to Becoming the Accountability Viking

05:16 The Concept of Accountability

07:42 Procrastination and Overcoming It

15:47 Systemization and Productization in Agencies

23:45 Effective Onboarding Processes

30:57 Staffing and Hiring in the Age of AI

35:51 The Five Gates of Growth

46:13 Conclusion 

Connect with Us:

Paris Childress

Ben Catley Richardson

 In this episode, Paris interviews Garrett Caudle, CEO of Influent, an executive social agency, to discuss  the untapped potential of LinkedIn for B2B marketing. The episode discusses common misconceptions about LinkedIn, the importance of quality over quantity, and strategies for building a successful marketing presence. Paris and Garret also explore the evolving landscape of social media marketing, highlighting the shift from company-centric to people-centric approaches, the impact of founder-led marketing, and effective audience engagement tactics. 

Tune in to gather practical advice on maximizing LinkedIn's potential for your personal or business brand.