Response Drivers

Scott Empringham is the Owner and CEO of Empringham Media Group, a marketing agency that uses AI-powered strategies in digital marketing, social media, content, and coaching to help businesses grow. For over 21 years, he has worked with Fortune 50 companies to improve customer acquisition and retention through innovative campaigns. He once scaled the agency to over $10 million in revenue, then lost much of it, and rebuilt it in under three months using social media, AI tools, and relentless focus. Scott is a member of the Entrepreneurs' Organization in Orange County and is known for his keynote speaking, training programs, and hands-on marketing coaching.

When life and business come crashing down, how do you find the strength to start over and build something even bigger? What steps can transform a crushing setback into a launchpad for unprecedented growth? And how can the latest marketing technology turn that vision into reality?

According to Scott Empringham, a recognized authority on AI-powered marketing, the key is to take full ownership and act boldly even when nothing feels certain. He highlights how embracing imperfect action, narrowing his target audience, and delivering massive value helped him rebuild momentum after losing everything. By pairing his 10-step Elite Marketing Method with AI, he dramatically reduced costs, accelerated execution, and empowered businesses to create their own marketing success.

In this episode of Response Drivers, host Rick Rappe sits down with Scott Empringham, Owner and CEO of Empringham Media Group, to discuss using AI to 100X your leads and sales after losing it all. They explore how taking imperfect action fuels rapid recovery, why niching down and lead magnets drive growth, and how AI tools empower small teams to replace big agencies. Scott also shares the personal changes and lessons that reshaped his life and business.

Rob Levin is the Fractional Head of Growth and Chief Marketing Officer at Chief Growth Advisor, a consultancy that delivers data‑driven growth marketing strategies tailored to SaaS and subscription businesses. He brings over 20 years of experience working with brands such as WWE, Priceline, Nickelodeon, GE, and Viacom, where he led efforts that doubled WrestleMania subscribers and boosted conversions by up to 64%. Rob's ROI‑focused approach emphasizes strategic planning, execution, and scalable frameworks that deliver real, measurable results.

Every company wants explosive growth, but most leaders struggle to move beyond scattered tactics and quick fixes. Without a clear strategy, marketing efforts often fall flat or fail to scale. So how do you design a strategy that not only works but doubles growth?

According to Rob Levin, a seasoned growth strategist, the key lies in combining resilience with a structured, data-driven framework. He highlights that strong growth starts with defining core values, identifying the right KPIs, and prioritizing initiatives that truly move the needle. Rob explains that this method has helped clients unlock millions of dollars in incremental revenue within months, proving that clarity and discipline can transform marketing outcomes.

In this episode of Response Drivers, host Rick Rappe sits down with Rob Levin, Fractional Head of Growth and Chief Marketing Officer at Chief Growth Advisor, to discuss how to create a marketing strategy that doubles growth. They explore why retention begins with onboarding, how to prioritize projects using a SaaS-focused framework, and the role of nurture marketing in scaling effectively. Rob also shares the book that shaped his approach to growth strategy.

Melissa Martin is the Founder and Brand Revenue Strategist at Blackwood Impact Group, a boutique consulting firm that helps small and midsize businesses break through profit plateaus by aligning their sales, marketing, and operations for predictable revenue growth. She launched the firm in 2018 after seeing firsthand how companies of any size struggle with misaligned teams, inefficient processes, and stalled growth. With deep experience across marketing and sales in diverse sectors, Melissa specializes in building integrative strategies and guiding implementation to ensure lasting results.

Most businesses want to grow, but many end up stuck in cycles of inconsistent revenue and scattered marketing efforts. They rush into ads, social media, or new websites without fixing the gaps in their foundation. So what does it really take to build a system that produces steady, predictable growth?

According to Melissa Martin, a revenue growth strategist, the key is aligning strategy, systems, and execution before scaling. She emphasizes that businesses often confuse activity with strategy, jumping into tactics without clear messaging, positioning, or a sales funnel that works. By introducing her Predictable Revenue Engine framework, she explains how setting goals, building infrastructure, and refining processes lead to consistent outcomes. Her insights show that when companies focus on the right order of growth, they save money, avoid chaos, and create sustainable success.

In this episode of Response Drivers, host Rick Rappe sits down with Melissa Martin, Founder and Brand Revenue Strategist at Blackwood Impact Group, to discuss building a predictable revenue engine. They explore why strong foundations matter more than flashy tactics, how to avoid common marketing mistakes, and what data to track for better outcomes. Melissa also shares why businesses must embrace AI while staying rooted in authentic human connection.

Renae Scott is the Founder of Bee Collaborative, a fractional CMO consultancy that helps small- to mid‑sized retail and consumer-facing businesses grow through strategic, smart marketing leadership. She launched the company in 2022 after more than two decades of marketing leadership at national brands, including 16 years at Victoria's Secret. Renae brings clarity and focus to marketing by working closely with business leaders to set clear priorities, build aligned strategies, and drive measurable growth.

The retail marketing world is evolving at lightning speed. With customers demanding more relevant experiences and businesses juggling multiple channels, the challenge is clear: How do brands stand out and truly connect in a noisy market? Is personalization powered by AI the key to creating deeper customer relationships?

According to Renae Scott, a seasoned marketing leader, personalization goes far beyond simply adding a customer's name to an email. It requires leveraging data, AI, and martech tools to deliver tailored experiences across every touchpoint. She highlights the importance of using both print and digital together, emphasizing that no single channel works in isolation. By combining disciplined testing, clean data, and predictive modeling, brands can scale smarter and more profitably.

In this episode of the Response Drivers podcast, host Rick Rappe sits down with Renae Scott, Founder of Bee Collaborative, to discuss the future of retail marketing through AI-driven personalization. She shares how testing and data unlock growth, why a balanced mix of print and digital drives stronger results, and what KPIs truly measure success. Renae also talks about the role of retesting strategies as businesses and customer behavior evolve.

Stacey Force is a Fractional CMO at The Marketing Blender, a firm that provides executive marketing leadership and strategy to help B2B organizations build systems for predictable, sustainable growth. She brings over 20 years of experience in crafting impactful and innovative marketing strategies across the B2B landscape. Stacey also co-founded and serves as Chief Commercial Officer at Geminon, a platform that transforms employee contributions into verified, transferable micro‑credentials through AI‑assisted peer recognition. Throughout her career, she has driven growth initiatives for marquee brands including Korn Ferry, Honeywell, NEC, Philips, and Verizon.

How will AI and soft skills shape the future of work and marketing? As technology rapidly changes how we connect, sell, and collaborate, businesses face a choice: adapt and thrive or fall behind. Which strategies will truly help organizations stand out in a crowded market while empowering their people to succeed?

According to Stacey Force, a seasoned marketing leader and innovation strategist, success in this evolving landscape depends on blending AI's power with essential human capabilities. She highlights the need to reframe AI as "collective intelligence" — a tool to enhance creativity, personalization, and differentiation rather than replace people. This approach not only sharpens marketing strategies but also drives more engaged, high-performing teams. Stacey explains how AI-assisted micro-credentials can validate soft skills, like communication and collaboration, helping leaders build smarter, project-based teams. She also emphasizes the importance of data-driven scorecards and customer personas to create targeted, resonant messaging.

In this episode of Response Drivers, host Rick Rappe sits down with Stacey Force, Fractional CMO at The Marketing Blender, to discuss how AI and soft skills are reshaping marketing and the future of work. They explore rethinking AI as collective intelligence, using micro-credentials to build stronger teams, and leveraging data to refine marketing strategies. Stacey also shares advice for marketers on staying adaptable in a changing landscape.

Brian Kurtz is the Founder and CEO of Titans Marketing, which helps businesses master direct response marketing by combining timeless principles with modern tactics. He spent 34 years at Boardroom Inc., helping grow its revenue to over $150 million. At Titans, he runs mastermind groups, consults, and educates marketers with his book Overdeliver. Brian is known for his expertise in list-building, copywriting, and relationship-driven marketing.

Some marketing trends come and go, but others seem to outlast every platform shift and media evolution. What makes certain strategies and frameworks timeless, and how do today's best marketers still use them to win in a digital world?

According to Brian Kurtz, a veteran of over four decades in direct response marketing, timeless principles succeed because they're rooted in unchanging human behavior. He highlights that fundamentals like list segmentation, copy discipline, and offer clarity all apply whether you're sending mail or launching a digital funnel. These practices have stood the test of time because they focus on connection and measurable response, not just flashy tactics. Brian explains that while technology changes the tools, it never replaces the need for strategic thinking, rigorous testing, and customer-focused messaging.

In this episode of the Response Drivers podcast, host Rick Rappe sits down with Brian Kurtz, Founder and CEO of Titans Marketing, to talk about why classic direct marketing still drives results online. They break down Brian's 41-39-20 rule, the importance of lifetime value, and why "don't test whispers" should guide your creative. Brian also gives advice on turning proven principles into scalable, modern strategies.

Candace Chapman is the Fractional CMO at Pairaphrase, an AI-powered, cloud‑based translation management platform that helps businesses translate documents securely, fast, and efficiently. She excels in B2B marketing leadership, with expertise in demand generation, go‑to‑market planning, and team building for fast‑growing startups. In her role, Candace authors key company updates and thought leadership, including announcements about integrating new translation engines like DeepL into Pairaphrase's platform.

Many marketers feel the pressure to deliver big results with small budgets. How can you create high-impact campaigns, scale efficiently, and still stay ahead in today's rapidly evolving marketing landscape?

According to Candace Chapman, a growth-focused B2B marketing leader, success begins with embracing resourcefulness and data-driven testing. She highlights the power of scrappy strategies that leverage AI tools and fractional teams to do more with less. By focusing on customer insights, zero-click marketing, and smart experimentation, marketers can amplify results without overspending. Her approach blends creativity with discipline, proving that lean budgets can drive measurable growth when paired with smart positioning and the right digital tools.

In this episode of the Response Drivers podcast, host Rick Rappe sits down with Candace Chapman, Fractional CMO at Pairaphrase, to discuss building impactful marketing strategies on lean budgets. Listeners will learn how to leverage AI for faster execution, use customer feedback to refine messaging, and embrace data-driven testing to maximize ROI. Candace also shares why zero-click marketing and the jobs-to-be-done framework are key to future-proofing B2B growth.

Jonathan Lo is Fractional CMO at Salt Foundry, a Utah-based strategic marketing firm that provides part-time chief marketing leadership and custom strategies for e-commerce and consumer brands. He has over 15 years of experience leading digital marketing efforts at startups and multi‑billion‑dollar companies, managing more than $50 million in annual ad spend across millions of products. At Salt Foundry, Jonathan partners with leadership teams to define KPIs, lead internal teams, and execute high-impact campaigns with measurable results.

The world of marketing is moving faster than ever, with AI tools promising to revolutionize strategy, execution, and content creation. But as automation ramps up, many marketers wonder: how do we keep our campaigns effective without losing the human spark that connects with real people? Can we truly blend tech and empathy for scalable success?

According to Jonathan Lo, a seasoned marketing strategist and AI product leader, marketers can readily harness AI to enhance, not replace, their creative and strategic abilities. He highlights that the right AI tools can help teams move faster and more effectively by getting them 80% of the way toward a strong strategy or deliverable — the real power comes from the human insight applied in that final 20%. He also emphasizes the role of authenticity and trust in a post-AI world, where founders and influencers are often more persuasive than polished ads.

In this episode of the Response Drivers podcast, host Rick Rappe sits down with Jonathan Lo, Fractional CMO at Salt Foundry, to discuss how AI tools can support smarter, more human-centered marketing. They explore the balance between automation and creativity, how empathy drives performance, and why strategy frameworks matter. Jonathan also shares how brands can stay trustworthy and effective in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Francine Feder is the Fractional Chief Marketing Officer at OK4WD, a premier off‑road and overland vehicle outfitter founded in 1979 that builds custom trucks and serves as North America's exclusive distributor for several international brands. She brings over two decades of award‑winning strategic marketing experience, including leadership roles at Foot Locker, where she drove creative campaigns, digital transformation, and brand equity growth. In her fractional CMO capacity at OK4WD, Francine provides high-level strategic guidance, digital strategy, and brand development without the commitment of a full-time executive.

Staying relevant in marketing today requires more than simply keeping up with trends. With digital platforms multiplying and consumer expectations shifting constantly, marketers must be both strategic and adaptable. So, how can professionals leverage big-brand experience while successfully navigating fast-moving niche markets?

According to Francine Feder, a veteran marketing leader with decades of experience building iconic campaigns, the key lies in balancing long-term brand thinking with agile execution. She underscores the value of data-driven insights as a roadmap and stresses that creativity is what helps messages break through the noise. Blending enterprise strategy with nimble tactics enables marketers to evolve with their audiences while staying grounded in what works. Francine also emphasizes the importance of understanding the entire customer journey and shaping marketing around it, not just the last-click moment. Her cross-industry experience reinforces how foundational principles can flex across company sizes and sectors.

In this episode of the Response Drivers podcast, host Rick Rappe sits down with Francine Feder, Fractional Chief Marketing Officer at OK4WD, to talk about bridging enterprise-level strategy with niche execution. They discuss aligning brand and performance marketing, building marketing structure in a fast-scaling business, and how to speak to niche audiences without alienating loyalists. Francine also shares how to stay creatively sharp in a data-dominated world.

Perryn Olson is a Principal at AltCMO, a firm providing fractional CMO services and marketing strategy tailored to construction and construction technology companies. With nearly two decades of experience in the industry, he specializes in aligning marketing with business development, recruiting, and company culture. Perryn holds certifications from SMPS and the Construction Marketing Association and is a recognized thought leader in construction marketing. He authored The Construction Executive's Guide to Brand Marketing and frequently speaks at industry events.

Branding isn't just about a logo or a slick website — it's about making people feel something. In construction, that feeling can be the difference between winning a project or losing a job candidate. So how can firms build a brand that attracts both top-tier clients and loyal employees?

According to Perryn Olson, a veteran construction marketing strategist and author, it all starts with strong positioning that reflects a company's values and culture. He highlights how many construction firms overlook branding's role in recruiting, even though labor shortages continue to impact the industry. The best brands act like magnets, drawing in the right clients and talent while repelling poor fits. This clarity strengthens business development, builds alignment across teams, and avoids costly mismatches. Perryn also emphasizes the importance of aligning internal values with external messaging to build long-term trust and retention.

In this episode of the Response Drivers podcast, host Rick Rappe sits down with Perryn Olson, Principal at AltCMO, to discuss how construction firms can leverage branding to attract better clients and talent. They talk about overcoming the low-bid mindset, using ideal client profiles for growth, and how to stand out with B2B direct mail. Perryn also shares his insights on aligning marketing with internal operations to drive smarter strategy.