Pixel Retentive Podcast

Jason Swenk is a digital agency coach, mentor, advisor, and marketing expert. He built and sold an eight-figure agency and now helps others scale efficiently. To complement this, he hosts The Smart Agency Podcast and shares his advice through speaking engagements.

The first instinct of most agencies is to appeal to the largest audience possible. However, success more often arises when agencies cater to a specific niche. These loyal customers and clients are worth the search, offering long-term stability and consistent revenue. So, how do you discover your place in the market?

In this episode of the Pixel Retentive Podcast, Carl Cleanthes and Ross Ciuppa sit down with Jason Swenk to discuss finding a niche and how to market it effectively.

Raphael Paulin-Daigle is the CEO of SplitBase, a business helping fashion and lifestyle e-commerce companies sell more through its Testing Trifecta optimization program. They have worked with clients including L'Oréal, Kiehl's, BestSelf, Frank + Oak, and more. He has previously served as a digital marketing consultant and has founded several companies throughout his fruitful career.

Every online store or vendor wants to convert all their visitors, but the reality is often far from this. Getting the attention of a potential customer is only the first step. The tricky part is getting the follow-through, which, if achieved, could lead to earning a lifetime ambassador for your brand. So, what basic but essential elements should you know to attain better conversion?

In this episode of the Pixel Retentive Podcast, Carl Cleanthes and Ross Ciuppa are joined by Raphael Paulin-Daigle, the CEO of SplitBase, on the best practices for e-commerce businesses.

Duke Davis is a content creator and social media presence known for his One Shot Questers YouTube channel. The show focuses on Dungeons & Dragons, specializing in short campaigns and one-shot sessions. The show extends to TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitch.

In the present time, it's challenging to make yourself noticed on social media platforms like TikTok, Youtube, Instagram, or Twitch because there's a lot of competition, and the platforms' algorithms keep changing. In this episode of the Pixel Retentive Podcast, Carl Cleanthes and Ross Ciuppa talk with Duke Davis of One Shot Questers about the strategies and steps involved in creating and expanding a social media channel.

Linda Yuan is the Co-founder of Modd.io and has a history of various successful startups. Modd.io is a no-code multiplayer game maker that empowers creators to make their communities while working on a stealth startup. Before her work with budding companies, she worked in finance as an investment banker and a business development specialist.

Creators face inevitable challenges, turning simple goals into complex ones. A key solution is community—leaning on others for experience, tools, and proven methods to achieve success.

In this episode of the Pixel Retentive Podcast, Carl Cleanthes talks with Linda Yuan about creating a community for creators and the ideas behind Modd.io.

Lisa Larson-Kelley is the Founder and CEO of Quantious, a NY-based marketing agency that works with leading brands in the tech industry. With an impressive portfolio that includes collaborations with tech giants like Meta, Google, Adobe, and Microsoft, as well as nurturing startups with a video-centric focus, Lisa and her agency are at the forefront of exploring the latest trends in AI, VR, AR, and the ethical applications of technology.

Lisa has been a trailblazer for women in the industry for almost two decades. Her career has spanned everything from art director to management to tech consultant and more.

In a previous episode, Carl and Ross spoke with guest Rebecca Blake about the intersection of copyright and AI. However, many present concerns about the technology stem from its long-term dangers.

AI is a volatile and still underexplored subject. While science fiction and experts can theorize, many of us still do not know about the lasting effects of technology. Services such as ChatGPT and Claude are scratching the surface of potential use cases. Additionally, there are unforeseen issues that can also come to pass. So what should be known about this hot topic?

In this episode of the Pixel Retentive Podcast, Carl Cleanthes and Ross Ciuppa interview Lisa Larson-Kelley, the Founder and CEO of Quantious, to discuss the potential long-term benefits and concerns surrounding AI. They talk about present thoughts in the industry, the application of AI for education, and the essential role of human regulation. They also run through Lisa's knowledge of the space and her partnered organizations.

Jim Fielding is a Partner and President of the Co-Lab Group at Archer Gray, a modern media company creating quality content, building businesses, and reimagining brands. He has had a long and distinguished career in retail, product design, global supply chain, team development, and content creation. From top global retailers to senior leadership positions at esteemed organizations like Disney, DreamWorks, 20th Century Fox, Claire's, and the Gap, his journey is a testament to dedication and achievement. Jim recently wrote his first book, All Pride, No Ego, based on his experiences as a queer executive and his insights on leadership.

Growing as a leader means continuously drawing outside of yourself. Many executives have either slowed down or failed to capitalize on their potential by relying solely on themselves. The most innovative leaders can continuously learn throughout their lives and maintain their curiosity.

Jim Fielding has crafted his leadership style around this very principle. It involves more than just taking advice; it's about keeping your mind open, constantly growing, and expanding your frame of reference. He has written a book to distill some of his ideas, and now he shares those same thoughts with you.

In this episode of the Pixel Retentive Podcast, Carl Cleanthes and Ross Ciuppa interview Jim Fielding about his thoughts on lifelong learning and leadership. They discuss creativity, how to consume information, collaboration in the workplace, and improving your work environment. They also touch on the lessons from his book and the best advice he received throughout his career.

Tim Harris is the CEO of Paragon, an NFT experience platform and discovery engine working across a variety of digital media. He is also the Owner of AlleyCat Comics in Chicago, where they experiment with the retail comics space. As a pivotal member of the launch team for the iconic Pokemon Red and Blue, his influence on the gaming world is palpable. Beyond this, Tim serves as an expert and advisor for multiple companies, specializing in video games, marketing, and storytelling.

NFTs and Web3 continue to be a point of interest and mystery. For the outside observer, the functionality and value of these assets are still abstract. However, the potential is only growing for Web3, and with it comes a host of unique projects.

The Paragon platform makes the space more accessible than ever for prospective consumers. It is also launching its collections and a gamified experience that brings its community closer together. So how does it all work, and what does it offer?

In this episode of the Pixel Retentive Podcast, Carl Cleanthes and Ross Ciuppa talk with Tim Harris, the CEO of Paragon, to discuss the platform and its approach to NFTs. The three engage in a discussion about the state of the industry, the gamified elements of collecting, and how the collections work. They also touch on Tim's comic book store and his work in the games industry.

Justin Ahrens is the Co-founder, Partner, and Chief Brand Officer of Rule29 and the Marrow companies, a firm that works with clients ranging from nonprofits to Fortune 50 companies. The agency is also a Certified B Corporation and has helped over 20,000 people access water through the Wheels4Water project.

Justin is an international public speaker at prominent events such as the AIGA Design Conference, Creative Mornings, Design Thinkers, Adobe Max, and HOW Live. Additionally, he has authored various LinkedIn learning courses and is an adjunct design instructor at Notre Dame and Kent State University.

Every creative agency or creative professional sets out with lofty ideals. It's often their spark and passion that initially draws them to the field. The issue, however, is when pure creativity is no longer enough to be successful. A host of crucial skills and values are also necessary. Is it possible to focus on these without sacrificing the creativity that started it all?

For Rule29, creativity has underpinned all of their other best qualities. Justin Ahrens founded the successful agency to help others and preserve quality. These ideals are continually modeled at their firm, and now you can learn how they maintain that brand.

In this episode of the Pixel Retentive Podcast, Carl Cleanthes and Ross Ciuppa interview Justin Ahrens, the Chief Brand Officer at Rule29, to discuss the role of creativity in the business world. They talk about philanthropy, what is currently happening in the media industry, and taking care of your employees. The three also talk about maintaining passion and quality while running a business.

Adam Martin is a digital media, film, and TV producer with 20 years of experience. He is the Founder of Macroverse, an avant-garde web3 studio that has recently unveiled its comic reader app, a testament to Adam's forward-looking approach to shaping the future of storytelling.

Adam has worked on countless media projects, writing, directing, and producing them. Before his current venture, he contributed his expertise to The Ascension Series, a captivating narrative featured on the Yarn app—a text-based storytelling platform.

Storytelling is such a broad and elusive concept that it can be hard to identify in day-to-day life. Despite this, storytelling is fundamental to all communication. When creating media or advertisements, clear and effective stories are a must. The process is often subtle and requires a substantial amount of nuance to work. So how do you harness the emotional potential of stories?

As the Founder of Macroverse, Adam Martin brings a wealth of knowledge about the art of storytelling in both traditional and contemporary contexts. He emphasizes that storytelling isn't confined to bedtime tales or novels; it shapes our perceptions, influences our decisions, and defines our connection with the world.

In this episode of the Pixel Retentive Podcast, Carl Cleanthes and Ross Ciuppa are joined by Adam Martin, the Founder of Macroverse, to discuss the power of storytelling. They discuss the potential of stories and the elements that make narratives compelling. The trio also touch on the tools and techniques that play a pivotal role in storytelling.

Gage Mitchell is the Founder, CEO, and Creative Director of Modern Species, a strategic branding and design agency that works with sustainable product companies. He is also the Founder & Host of Evolve CPG, an online community and podcast for purpose-driven leaders.

Gage's expertise extends beyond the realms of design and community building. He is a co-author of "Path to Impact," a groundbreaking impact design methodology by AIGA that shapes how design drives lasting change. Across multiple projects and companies, he focuses on amplifying sustainable brands, better products, and passionate leaders.

Have you ever found yourself pausing, deep in thought, pondering the qualities that make a truly exceptional leader? What sets apart those remarkable individuals who inspire and guide others toward greatness?

Leadership is not only an essential function in any business; it is also highly sought after by many. However, those who have stepped up know the difficulties of being a leader. Responsibility, diplomacy, and bravery are skills that need to be developed. While there is no shortage of advice on how to be a great leader, there is less talk about the art of leadership. Now you can learn from three leaders in both the artistic and commercial industries.

In this episode of the Pixel Retentive Podcast, Carl Cleanthes and Ross Ciuppa sit down with Gage Mitchell, the Founder and Creative Director of Modern Species, to discuss the art of leadership. They break down what defines a leader, the overlooked aspects of leadership, and how they tackle thought leadership. They also touch on running a podcast and how to find success in the medium.