Pitcher This! Podcast: CPG Podcast with Darren Fox

Esther Weinberg is a business growth expert as well as the Founder and Chief Leadership Development Officer of The Ready Zone. She uses over 20 years of experience to assist leaders during periods of reorganization and rejuvenation with her consultancy. She has worked with international brands such as Disney, Microsoft, Sony, and more. She has written an ebook on her ideas titled, Better Leaders. Better People. Better Results., and is a frequent keynote speaker and podcast guest.

There have been many pushes in recent years for improving work environments. These trends have manifested in different ways, but all of them seek to relieve the monotony of the average office. Unfortunately, these ideas often fail to treat the underlying causes. 

Esther Weinberg has redirected her career toward helping people make these changes. She is the Founder and Chief Leadership Development Officer of The Ready Zone, where she challenges other leaders and executives to address the subtle issues in the workplace that inevitably lead to greater problems. Her advice has had a tremendous effect on her clients and now it may even help you.

In this episode of the Pitcher This! Podcast, Darren Fox discusses work environments with Esther Weinberg, the Founder and Chief Leadership Development Officer of The Ready Zone, and how they can be improved. The two go through the common pitfalls that many companies make, the importance of trust within organizations, and the growing emphasis on mental health. They also touch on how to maintain social relationships despite the difficulties of remote work. Stay tuned for more!

Liz Skalla has been with GIVN, a sustainable water company that focuses on human rights, for six years as a member of their Board of Advisors, Co-founder, and EVP. With a passion for building and mentoring companies, she has proven herself as a leader of brands. Liz has consulted for international brands such as Philips Healthcare, Guggenheim Aviation, and Tampax. Her first project, PiecesofThere, was acquired by HealthyCollegeSnacks in 2016, giving her experience that she now uses to mentor other brands. 

Building a sustainable and conscious business comes with its own advantages and challenges. For one, production costs are often higher so it’s difficult to rely on affordability. Instead, it becomes important to lean into the ideals behind the company and show off what sets the brand apart. 

Liz Skalla knows all about the struggles of building a brand, having started one herself and mentoring countless others. For over six years, she has helped GIVN weather several difficulties and still continue to grow into new fields. The experience has given her key insights into the industry that she’s keen to share with others.

Darren Fox takes some time to interview Liz Skalla, the EVP of GIVN, to talk about what it takes to grow a sustainable brand. They start with the company's story and how they found success early on. They then shift into the specific marketing strategies they used to survive their greatest trials. Outside of GIVN, they also discuss topics such as B Corporation certification, brand development, and how to reach an audience.

Steven Jack is the Director of Business Development and Strategy at BuildingPoint Midwest and Gulf Coast, a company that helps improve productivity for construction teams through advanced and intuitive technologies. 

Steven has over 20 years of experience in e-commerce media and content, including specializations in WordPress, Mailchimp, and SEO. He has also previously worked at Idea Marketing Group in publishing and editing, among other roles.

Social media has become an essential part of marketing, but which platform is best for your company?

Different businesses have found success on all of the major apps. Each one has a distinct demographic that can be reached with the right kind of content. For most B2B brands, LinkedIn marketing offers both professionalism and an audience that’s actively looking for the next big thing. BuildingPoint is a construction technology provider that has started to produce content primarily for LinkedIn with great results.

In this episode of Pitcher This!, Darren Fox talks with Steven Jack, the Director of Business Development and Strategy at BuildingPoint Midwest and Gulf Coast, to talk about marketing on LinkedIn. They discuss the key ways to build and maintain a social media presence along with which kind of content thrives on the site. Steven also touches on digital and print media and the significant differences between the two. 

Jason Kammes is the CEO of Brand Wings, a marketing automation platform that improves brand consistency and overall sales. He started the company to tangibly equip businesses with the tools they need for winning more deals and staying on brand.

Prior to Brand Wings, Jason spent approximately 20 years at the Fujifilm Graphic Systems Division, rising through the ranks until eventually becoming their Director of Product Management. He received his bachelor's degree in industrial technology and printing management from Illinois State University.

It can be incredibly rewarding to help other businesses achieve their goals. While some companies indirectly contribute toward this ideal, others have the pleasure of helping build fellow brands in a tangible way. But, it’s challenging to find corporations who are willing to lend a hand — so Jason Kammes started his own.

Brand Wings is a sales enablement platform that helps businesses grow through marketing automation. Jason and his partner have found success in their startup while helping clients find their version of success in sustainable ways. It’s taught Jason a variety of lessons in marketing, growth, and more.

Darren Fox interviews Jason Kammes, the CEO of Brand Wings, to discuss sales enablement and how to market your brand. On this episode of Pitcher This! Podcast, they talk about Jason’s own career and what led him to start the company. They also discuss the best marketing tactics for growing your business, the challenges presented by different industries, and finding inspiration through challenges. Stay tuned!

Jason Azevedo is the Chief Strategy Officer at the Manufacturing Revitalization Corporation of America (MRCA), which seeks to breathe new life into American manufacturing. He is also the CEO at Advoque, Instrument Graphics, and Mosaic. Jason is an expert in the field of business development, having worked on projects with global brands such as Costco, Disney, and Target, among many others.

As the decades have gone on, the once vibrant landscape of American manufacturing has slowly diminished. Many foreign countries offer cheaper production, making it increasingly difficult to choose domestic manufacturers. There are many who are still doing great work, and even more who just need a few changes to truly excel.

Jason Azevedo and his brother have felt compelled to be a part of the resurgence of American manufacturing. They both help run the Manufacturing Revitalization Corporation of America, or the MRCA. Together, they have been able to support and improve multiple plants so they can be more successful than ever. So how do they do it?

In this episode of the Pitcher This! Podcast, Darren Fox has a detailed conversation with Jason Azevedo, the CSO of the MRCA, to go over manufacturing in America and how they are revitalizing the industry. They talk about why Jason and his brother started the MRCA and the work they do in plants. They also discuss how they make their employees happy and ultimately help them be more productive.

Ian Garlic is the Founder of STORYCREWS.COM, the ultimate resource for video storytelling. Ian has built a career in multiple forms of media, including his online video marketing consultancy. He has worked with service-based clients, from lawyers to SaaS companies, to blend SEO with storytelling and engage new customers. 

He is also the CEO of authenticWEB, which works specifically with smaller businesses. He hosts The Garlic Marketing Show podcast, runs a blog, and speaks at events to help businesses gain more leads, better clients, and higher sales.

For digital marketing, it’s important to stay up-to-date with current trends and technology. While you don’t have to be the most innovative business, the expectations for online companies are quickly changing. Customers want to learn about your brand in the easiest, most direct format possible. And few formats are better for this than video.

Ian Garlic has built his career around using video to help businesses reach new audiences. It’s not only a marketing tool, but a way to tell your brand’s story and succinctly communicate what makes you different. Ian has honed this approach and has seen it work well for his clients. He brings SEO know-how, marketing expertise, and years of video production to the table. So how can he help you?

In this episode of the Pitcher This! Podcast, Darren Fox has a conversation with Ian Garlic, the Founder of STORYCREWS.COM and CEO of authenticWEB, to discuss video and how it can be used to tell your company’s story. They go through the potential video has to boost your business, how to use it well, and the logistics behind your video’s successful execution. They also talk about retargeting your audience and getting traction through consistency. Stay tuned to hear all of this and much more!

Andrew Morgans is the Owner of Marknology, a full-service agency and brand accelerator that has managed over 200 million in sales on Amazon. Within the crowded field of Amazon branding, Andrew has still found incredible success. He has personally worked with some leading international brands such as Adidas, Marvel, and Swiss. 

Andrew’s initial successes came from e-commerce management where he learned many of his skills. He even started his own brand, Landlocked Co Apparel, which is based in and meant for residents of Kansas City.

Amazon is not only a competitive marketplace but an ever-changing one as well. The techniques and recommendations that worked even two years ago may not be as efficient today. Not only that, but there is vast potential revenue from Amazon alone, making it an important aspect of many e-commerce businesses. To be getting the most of your brand, you can’t just sell on Amazon — you have to do it right. 

Andrew Morgans is an Amazon expert and the owner of Marknology, a full-service agency that specializes in that space. He has worked with popular brands such as Adidas and Marvel, having tangible results to show from his involvement. Amazon may be difficult, but it’s not an impossible marketplace. Now, Andrew’s here to show you how to adapt.

In this episode of the Pitcher This! Podcast, Darren Fox talks with Andrew Morgans of Marknology to learn about Amazon and the keys to selling well on the platform. First, the two chat about what a full-service Amazon agency even does and how they can be resourceful to e-commerce businesses. They then go on to discuss the importance of branding, why advice from your peers is so valuable, and which strategies work best for Amazon.

Elizabeth “Liz” Seelye is a brand innovator and the Founder of Starry-Eyed Strategy, a brand strategy consultancy that seeks to breathe innovation into businesses. She has worked with small brands including Orvis and Wholesome as well as larger brands such as Starbucks and Cinnabon. In addition, she is the Co-founder of Starryside Company, which offers natural drinks and snacks for kids.

As an avid traveler, Liz has visited 44 countries. Previously, she spent over 12 years as an Innovator and Managing Director at Sterling-Rice Group. In her spare time, she serves as a mentor and guest speaker for the next generation of brand and business leaders.

While there are several advantages to starting a small business in the modern age, there are just as many challenges. By their very definition, smaller brands have fewer resources and experience to use to their advantage. There is plenty of advice in the world on how to grow your small business, but few tips come from both expertise and firsthand knowledge.

Liz Seelye is the Founder of Starry-Eyed Strategy, a consultancy designed to help smaller brands find their niche. Meanwhile, she is also the Co-founder of a natural drink and snack company. Between both living the experience and working with other entrepreneurs, Liz has a firm grasp on what businesses need to succeed.

Darren Fox invites Liz Seelye, the Founder of Starry-Eyed Strategy, to talk about innovative branding and how small companies can stand out from the crowd. The two go over the full process of branding, along with expectations for pricing and turnaround times. They then discuss topics such as marketing techniques, finding your unique edge, and where to draw inspiration. Hear the rest on this episode of the Pitcher This! Podcast.

Dmitriy Pisarev is a serial entrepreneur, an expert in funnel design and conversion, and the Founder of Business JetPack. A B2B company, Business JetPack is a firm that offers marketing strategy and detailed analysis to create high-performing funnels. He also founded Conversion Whisperer in 2018, where he also optimized marketing strategies for industries including SaaS, legal marketing, and e-commerce.

Dmitriy has developed his knowledge over 20 years, having worked with businesses of all sizes. In addition to his own companies, he also served as the Senior Marketing Director at THMotorsports and a Business Growth Expert at ConversionCore.

Conversion optimization is the golden metric behind all good marketing. Why? Because it ensures ROI and increases interaction with your brand. There are a thousand different models, gurus, and books written on the topic, each promising the results you want. Many of these approaches are focused on the bottom line but are typically missing the greater picture.

For Dmitriy Pisarev and his team at Business JetPack, building the brand is just as important as the ROI. It’s a more patient and ultimately more rewarding method for marketing, making sure each dollar is working towards a greater goal. While not revolutionary, it is an effective and proven process to improve conversion rates. So what does it all look like in action?

In this episode of the Pitcher This! Podcast, Darren Fox sits down with Dmitriy Pisarev, the Founder of Business JetPack, to talk about conversion optimization and how to create high-performing funnels. They go through what your conversion rate actually means and why you need to focus on trust and branding as well as sales. They also go through the importance of landing pages, slowing down your campaign, and staying up to date in the marketing world. Stay tuned!

Steven Bork is an expert in marketing and the Principal at Nova B2B Marketing. The firm works in communications and marketing consultation, specializing in specific B2B sectors. Steven has over 40 years of experience, working for a host of different marketing companies including Mark Anderson Associates and White Horse Productions. Of all those years, Steven spent 20 of them as the President and Owner of Adventive Marketing, Inc., where he developed much of his experience in digital marketing. He also briefly taught at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in their Professional and Executive Development program.

Marketing is all about staying current and adapting to new challenges. While there are a few principles and ideas that are constant, most marketers have to be nimble and learn how to tweak their approach to stay effective. For marketers who have been in the industry for a long time, this means they’ve had to refine their process time and time again.

This is especially the case for Steven Bork, who has worked in some form of marketing for over 40 years. He’s transitioned into digital marketing, having a firm foundation in traditional branding as well as a fresh perspective on modern marketing. Now, he shares some of his processes with you.

Darren Fox hosts Steven Bork, the Principal at Nova B2B Marketing, to talk about digital marketing and the keys to branding your company. They go through the overall process, including how to get content out of your client and how to rebrand a business. They then dive into more detail on real-life examples of marketing and how Steven has worked in the past. Hear it all on this episode of the Pitcher This! Podcast.