In this special episode of The brndBrief Podcast, we bring together insights from our guests this second season discussing how AI is transforming their businesses and industries. Leaders from venture studios, e-commerce, healthcare, events, marketing, and media share practical applications of AI tools in their daily operations, from coding assistance to creative auditing to patient data analysis. 

The conversation tackles widespread concerns about job displacement, with guests arguing that AI should free employees to think strategically rather than simply reduce headcount. A recurring theme across all segments is the "business to human" principle — that despite AI's power, authentic human connection and oversight remain critical differentiators.

Key points include:

📌 Venture studios are building leaner, AI-enabled companies that reach profitability faster with less capital, requiring $100-200M exits instead of billion-dollar valuations as development costs drop and teams stay smaller.

📌 AI tools work best as accelerators for people with existing expertise — developers code faster, marketers analyze performance data more deeply, and professionals break through creative blocks, but the human provides direction and quality control.

📌 Companies should avoid reflexive cost-cutting when AI increases productivity. The goal is giving teams capacity to think, strategize, and pursue higher-value work instead of rushing through research and reports without time to analyze them.

📌 The "business to human" (B2H) approach will separate winners from the pack as AI adoption spreads. When generic AI tools produce similar outputs everywhere, companies that prioritize authentic human connection and customized experiences will stand out.

------------------------

🎙️SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST ON APPLE PODCAST

If you enjoyed the episode, don't forget to subscribe, and leave a review. Thanks!

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-brndbrief-podcast/id1724388941 

------------------------

Guest Information

Melinda Joseph, VP of Marketing & Communications at InVitro Capital

https://www.linkedin.com/in/melindajoseph/ 

https://invitrocapital.com/ 

Gabrielle Richards, Brand Director at Trafilea/Shapermint

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriellerichards/ 

www.trafilea.com 

Amberly Dressler, VP of Corporate Marketing at isolved

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amberlydressler/ 

https://www.isolvedhcm.com/ 

 Michele Hart, Director of Marketing and Communications at BostonSight

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelespilberghart/ 

https://www.bostonsight.org

Monica Jackson, Chief Experience Curator at Prissi Productions, LLC

https://www.linkedin.com/in/monica-jackson-brandmarketer/ 

www.prissi-productions.com  

In this episode of The brndBrief Podcast, newest guest Megan Bell, Creator & Host of InsHER Podcast, discusses how she built an engaged community around her podcast through organic social media growth, personal branding, and authentic storytelling rather than paid advertising or corporate positioning. Megan also explains how her background in sensitive consumer markets like natural foods and fertility wellness shaped her empathetic approach to B2B insurance marketing.

Key points include:

📌 Megan maintains her podcast presence through her personal LinkedIn rather than creating a company page, finding that personal accounts generate higher engagement and allow for more authentic connections with her audience.

📌 Her background in consumer goods and natural products, particularly in sensitive areas like fertility wellness and food allergies, provided valuable empathy and humanization skills that differentiate her B2B insurance marketing approach.

📌 Committing to weekly episodes from the start created accountability and audience expectations, while collaborating with industry partners on topics like ageism and neurodiversity expanded reach and provided diverse perspectives.

📌 Bell uses AI primarily for overcoming creative blocks and improving efficiency, specifically mentioning Zoom's AI summary feature for interview notes and AI assistance for refining messaging, while avoiding AI for fact-checking due to reliability concerns.

------------------------

🎙️SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST ON APPLE PODCAST

If you enjoyed the episode, don't forget to subscribe, and leave a review. Thanks!

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-brndbrief-podcast/id1724388941 

------------------------

Guest Information

insherpodcast.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-bell

In this episode of The brndBrief Podcast, newest guest Cindy Deekitwong, Vice President of Head of Innovation & Marketing at Aperia Corporation, explores her "Business to Human" approach to B2B marketing, the importance of voice of customer research across global markets, and how consultancies measure success through client business growth. Cindy discusses upcoming packaging industry trends including increased localization due to policy changes and Aperia's development of a new platform connecting customer insights directly to product development.

Key points include:

📌 Moving beyond traditional B2B and B2C categories, Cindy advocates for "B2H" marketing that recognizes all business interactions ultimately happen between people, requiring authentic human connection rather than purely AI-generated content.

📌 Understanding customers requires continuous research across generational and cultural differences, as buying behaviors shift from older generations who relied on handshake deals to newer generations with different expectations and values.

📌 For consultancies, the primary ROI metric should focus on helping clients grow their business through increased sales, improved profit margins, cost savings, and operational improvements rather than traditional marketing vanity metrics.

📌 Political and economic changes are driving packaging companies toward more localized operations within regions and countries, creating increased demand for contract packaging services and supply chain restructuring support.

------------------------

🎙️SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST ON APPLE PODCAST

If you enjoyed the episode, don't forget to subscribe, and leave a review. Thanks!

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-brndbrief-podcast/id1724388941 

------------------------

Guest Information

https://www.aperiacorporation.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindy-deekitwong/

In this episode of The brndBrief Podcast, guest Elizabeth Hague, Director of Executive Marketing and Insights at Indeed, highlights the current challenges facing brand marketers during economic uncertainty, including frequent layoffs and the pressure to "do more with less" while maintaining authentic customer experiences. 

The conversation explores how AI is reshaping both the hiring process and job seeking experience, creating a "black hole" effect where thousands of AI-generated applications flood popular job postings.

Key points include:

📌 Brand, creative, and organic marketing roles are typically the first eliminated during layoffs, despite marketing driving revenue, while companies shift to agencies that are "easier to fire".

📌Job seekers are competing against thousands of AI-generated applications on popular job postings, making the process feel demoralizing and creating a "black hole" effect for legitimate candidates.

📌 Moving from mass marketing to one-to-one executive engagement demands deep persona research, custom experiences, and leveraging internal C-suites to connect with external executives at their level.

📌 Indeed is integrating Glassdoor more deeply into their operations, focusing on work wellbeing programs that measure employer brand sentiment, and positioning themselves as a comprehensive talent acquisition platform beyond traditional job boards.

------------------------

🎙️SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST ON APPLE PODCAST

If you enjoyed the episode, don't forget to subscribe, and leave a review. Thanks!

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-brndbrief-podcast/id1724388941 

------------------------

In this episode of The brndBrief Podcast, guest Roy Sexton, Chief Marketing Officer at Vedder Price discusses the unique challenges of marketing in the legal industry, where attorneys are trained to be autonomous and competitive, and how the profession has evolved since marketing was once forbidden for law firms. This conversation explores how leaning into specialization rather than trying to be all things to all people is the key in marketing today.

Key points include:

📌 Roy's approach to new roles involves walking around, meeting people, understanding their pain points, and looking for patterns before implementing any major initiatives — a strategy that builds trust and identifies real problems to solve.

📌 Rather than trying to be everything to everyone, law firms should focus on their distinctive expertise areas and create compelling, specific content that positions them as authorities in their niche practices.

📌 Use AI tools to polish, refine, and enhance content rather than having them do the work entirely, treating AI as a collaborative partner that allows teams to "level up" and think strategically rather than just execute tasks.

📌 Drawing from Walt Disney's philosophy of putting a sidewalk where people naturally walk rather than building fences, successful marketing means removing barriers and making it easier for prospects to engage with your content and expertise.

------------------------

🎙️SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST ON APPLE PODCAST

If you enjoyed the episode, don't forget to subscribe, and leave a review. Thanks!

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-brndbrief-podcast/id1724388941 

------------------------

Guest Information

https://www.vedderprice.com/

https://linktr.ee/roysexton

In this episode of The brndBrief Podcast, Rose Crichton-White joins us to discuss her work as Director of Marketing, Development and Special Events at Brooklyn Conservatory of Music. The 127-year-old nonprofit community music school serves over 80 sites across NYC, offering both paid music classes and free resources to underserved communities. Rose oversees the external affairs that keep this organization connected to its diverse audience, from young children learning violin to seniors returning to piano.

The conversation covers how storytelling drives fundraising success, strategies for authentic engagement across age groups, and the organization's measured approach to adopting AI tools for workflow improvement.

Key points include:

📌 Brooklyn Conservatory uses its 125-year history and community impact stories to show donors they're more than just a music school - they provide free and low-cost resources to schools and community organizations using revenue from paid classes.

📌 Success comes from listening to community keywords, observing local trends, and using data to inform messaging while staying true to core mission and avoiding platforms where your audience isn't active.

📌 Nonprofits are slowly adopting AI tools like ChatGPT for grant writing, brainstorming, and workflow management - but the core focus remains on people over technology to maintain authentic community connections.

📌 Present measurable outcomes alongside compelling stories that demonstrate both current impact and future potential, using tools like mid-year impact reports with focused case studies to show donors the full picture of your organization's effectiveness.

------------------------

🎙️SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST ON APPLE PODCAST

If you enjoyed the episode, don't forget to subscribe, and leave a review. Thanks!

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-brndbrief-podcast/id1724388941 

------------------------

Guest Information

Bkcm.org

@brooklynconservatory

In this episode of The brndBrief Podcast, newest guest Robert Hanna, Director of National Sales & Marketing at Cohn & Dussi, LLC, a specialized Boston-based litigation firm focusing on creditors' rights, commercial litigation, and financial services law, discuss regulatory changes in the debt collection industry, the practical limitations of AI in legal work, and proven marketing strategies for reaching ideal clients in the B2B space. 

Key points include:

📌 The firm's CLUES (Client Update and Entry System) platform addresses the two biggest client complaints about law firms - poor communication and billing disputes - by providing 24/7 real-time case status updates across all jurisdictions.

📌 Target industry-specific conferences and associations where your ideal clients gather, rather than broad marketing approaches. 

📌 While AI can provide a starting point for articles and white papers, it requires extensive fact-checking and customization. 

📌 Rather than focusing solely on revenue volume, successful business development is measured by profitable business relationships, tracking which conferences and associations produce quality clients, and eliminating non-productive marketing investments after 3-4 years of testing.

------------------------

🎙️SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST ON APPLE PODCAST

If you enjoyed the episode, don't forget to subscribe, and leave a review. Thanks!

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-brndbrief-podcast/id1724388941 

------------------------

Guest Information

www.cohnanddussi.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rjhanna/

In this episode of The brndBrief Podcast, newest guest Monica Jackson, Chief Experience Curator at Prissi Productions, LLC, how the company evolved from social event planning to creating brand activations and corporate social responsibility initiatives. The discussion covers practical strategies for measuring event ROI, balancing technology with human connection, and building sustainable practices into corporate events.

Key points include:

📌 Monica discusses how  Prissi Productions, LLC pivoted from social event planning to brand activations and immersive experiences, driven by changes in the Atlanta film industry and market demand for more engaging corporate events.

📌Audiences now expect more than basic networking or conference formats, seeking meaningful connections and experiences that balance technology with human-centric elements.

📌 Monica explains her approach to programming events that consider introverts, extroverts, and neurodivergent attendees, emphasizing the importance of creating belonging for all personality types within large gatherings.

📌 CSR initiatives are becoming integrated with experiential marketing, including sustainable event practices, community partnerships, and using local talent to support regional economies.

------------------------

🎙️SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST ON APPLE PODCAST

If you enjoyed the episode, don't forget to subscribe, and leave a review. Thanks!

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-brndbrief-podcast/id1724388941 

------------------------

Guest Information

www.prissi-productions.com 

@prissi_productions

In this episode, Michele Hart, Director of Marketing and Communications at BostonSight, shares how she built a marketing function from the ground up for a unique nonprofit healthcare organization that operates both clinical services and commercial product lines. Michele discusses the strategic challenge of managing brand identity across multiple business verticals while serving diverse audiences including patients, medical practitioners, and donors.

The conversation covers innovative campaign strategies, measurement approaches for specialized industries, and the importance of regularly reassessing organizational mission and vision.

Key points include:

📌 BostonSight provided educational value to doctors during COVID without selling, which paid off when they launched new products and exceeded sales goals in 2021.

📌 Nonprofits should reassess their mission and vision every five years using frameworks like Harvard's corporate brand identity matrix to ensure multiple business areas support rather than compete with each other.

📌 A simple drawing by their Chief Medical Officer to explain scleral lenses to his children became a plush mascot, children's book, and highly successful donor campaign that highlighted their work with pediatric patients as young as 18 months.

📌 Using Harvard's corporate brand identity matrix, they distinguished their nonprofit PROSE treatment for severe cases from their commercial scleral lens products while ensuring both sides support the overall mission.

📌 Healthcare marketers should learn to say no and concentrate on fewer channels where their audience actually engages, such as Facebook groups and Reddit for patient education, rather than spreading thin across every social platform

------------------------

🎙️SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST ON APPLE PODCAST

If you enjoyed the episode, don't forget to subscribe, and leave a review. Thanks!

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-brndbrief-podcast/id1724388941 

------------------------

Guest Information

https://www.bostonsight.org 

https://www.instagram.com/bostonsight 

https://www.facebook.com/bostonsight 

https://www.youtube.com/@bostonsight

https://www.linkedin.com/company/bostonsight/ 

In this episode of The brndBrief Podcast, guest Amberly Dressler, VP of Corporate Marketing at isolved, shares how isolved developed their "People Heroes" brand positioning to elevate HR, payroll, and benefits professionals who were often seen as compliance-focused rather than strategic contributors. 

Amberly provides key insights on their customer storytelling approach, which analysts have called ‘the kings of customer storytelling’ and how they've evolved their events strategy based on direct customer feedback. 

Key points include:

📌 isolved created the "People Heroes" positioning during the pandemic to address the loneliness and negative perception HR professionals faced, elevating their role as strategic contributors rather than just compliance enforcers.

📌 The company produces customer documentaries, fictional/nonfictional books, and on-site storytelling that showcases smaller companies with compelling stories, differentiating iSolved through authentic customer narratives.

📌 isolved adapts their event strategy based on direct customer feedback, splitting customer and partner conferences when attendees said content wasn't relevant to both audiences, and continuously adjusting between regional conferences and smaller city roadshows based on what customers request.

📌 Using ABM tools and dashboards, the marketing team tracks how specific content pieces influence deals, monitoring buyer journeys to see which reports or content assets serve as catalysts for demo requests, with some enterprise accounts showing 20-30 people engaging with content before requesting demos.

------------------------

🎙️SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST ON APPLE PODCAST

If you enjoyed the episode, don't forget to subscribe, and leave a review. Thanks!

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-brndbrief-podcast/id1724388941 

------------------------

Guest Information

https://www.isolvedhcm.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/isolved/