In this episode, Mike Kepka sits down with Andrew Swanson —founder of Forerunner, a boutique video agency based near Nashville— to unpack how purpose-driven video strategy is redefining what it means to get results. From building video funnels that track conversions to proving ROI for nonprofits and beyond, Andrew shares how his creative-meets-analytical mindset helped one client boost landing page engagement by 70% and unlock real-time data on what actually works. They also swap stories about their creative roots, why storytelling still matters more than ever, and how to combine emotion with metrics to create content that’s not just pretty—but profitable.

🔗 Connect with Mike:

🌎 kepkahouse.com

💼 linkedin.com/in/mike-kepka-91721751

📸 instagram.com/kepka

🔗 Connect with Andrew Swanson:

🌎 forerunner.tv

💼 www.linkedin.com/in/andrewforerunner/

✉️ [email protected]

💬 What’s your biggest challenge in video marketing? Drop a comment below!

📢 Don't forget to FOLLOW & SHARE to stay updated on future episodes of The Curious Creative!

In this episode, Mike sits down with Daniel Cohen and Michael Arking — the innovative duo behind Social Motion— to reveal how blending authentic storytelling with data-driven tactics transforms video content into measurable results. They share their insights on merging creativity with strategy, video strategies that drive engagement and sales & behind-the-scenes secrets to turning every frame into a revenue-driving asset – join the conversation and elevate your brand!

🔗 Connect with Mike:

🌎 kepkahouse.com

💼 linkedin.com/in/mike-kepka-91721751

📸 instagram.com/kepka

🔗 Connect with Daniel Cohen:

🌎 socialmotionfilms.com

💼 linkedin.com/in/daniel-cohen-86b09b118/

📸 instagram.com/socialmotionfilms/

🔗 Connect with Michael Arking:

🌎 socialmotionfilms.com

💼 linkedin.com/in/michaelarking/

📸 instagram.com/socialmotionfilms/

💬 What’s your biggest challenge in video marketing? Drop a comment below!

📢 Don't forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the NOTIFICATION BELL to stay updated on future episodes of The Curious Creative!

#TheCuriousCreative

#MikeKepka

#Socialmotionfilms

#MichaelArking

#DanielCohen

#VideoMarketing

#ContentMarketing

#Storytelling

In this episode Mike sits down with Matt Gustaferro, the creative force behind Hugo Creative, a DC-based video production company. Mike shares his fascinating journey from his years at The San Francisco Chronicle, where he documented the lives of eccentric characters, to his pivot into video production and strategy. He discusses the challenges of finding real, untold stories and how that experience shaped his approach to marketing content today.

💡 Key Takeaways from This Episode:

🔹 The art of making video content that actually drives results

🔹 Why authenticity is more than just a buzzword in creative marketing

🔹 Matt’s journey from photojournalism to leading a top video agency

🔹 How to blend emotion with data for truly impactful content

🔹 The importance of distribution & strategy—because great videos need the right audience.

🔗 Connect with Mike

🌎 kepkahouse.com

💼 linkedin.com/in/mike-kepka-91721751

📸 instagram.com/kepka

🔗 Connect with Matt:

🌎 hugo-creative.com

💼 linkedin.com/in/matt-guastaferro/

📸 instagram.com/hugo_creative

💬 What’s your biggest challenge in video marketing? Drop a comment below!

📢 Don't forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the NOTIFICATION BELL to stay updated on future episodes of The Curious Creative!

#TheCuriousCreative

#PositiveMischief

#MattGustaferro

#MikeKepka

#VideoMarketing

#DigitalMarketing

#ContentMarketing

#Storytelling

#CreativeProcess

In this episode of The Curious Creative, host Mike Kepka sits down with Brooks Patton, founder of Mother Wit, a creative video and strategy company based in Anchorage, Alaska. Brooks has built a reputation for disrupting traditional marketing strategies, particularly in military and government contracting, where innovation is often overlooked.

Brooks shares his game-changing approach to video marketing, including his work with military simulation company Plexus, where he helped reshape their messaging to compete with government-funded alternatives. His results-driven strategies focus on using emotional storytelling, awareness-based content, and engaging video experiences to drive real action—proving that marketing in these industries doesn’t have to be boring, outdated, or ineffective.

🔹 Key Takeaways from This Episode:

Innovating Military & Government Marketing – Why storytelling and emotional engagement matter in an industry known for jargon-heavy content.

From Awareness to Action – How Brooks crafts video campaigns that make high-level decision-makers pay attention and take action.

Measuring Success in a Data-Limited Industry – The challenges of tracking ROI in live environments and conferences vs. digital analytics.

The Power of Branding & Positioning – How Brooks is evolving his business by launching Contested High Ground, a niche agency dedicated to military and aerospace marketing.

Why AI Won’t Replace Creativity – Brooks’ thoughts on why AI tools are just that—tools—and why human experience, intuition, and storytelling will always set creative professionals apart.

Whether you're a marketing professional, military contractor, creative entrepreneur, or just someone fascinated by the evolution of digital storytelling, this episode delivers valuable insights on how to think bigger, bolder, and smarter in the ever-changing world of marketing.

🎧 Tune in now to learn how video strategy is transforming industries beyond entertainment!

#TheCuriousCreative #BrooksPatton #MilitaryMarketing #GovernmentContracting #VideoStrategy #DigitalStorytelling #ContentMarketing #MikeKepka #CreativeProcess #MarketingInnovation

In this episode of The Curious Creative, host Mike Kepka engages with Joe Wolfe, Head of Paid Social at Optidge, a leading digital marketing agency specializing in performance-driven campaigns. Joe shares his expertise in crafting impactful paid social strategies for high-profile clients, including the Telly Awards and luxury brands like Degs & Sal.

Joe takes us through:

The essentials of paid social media campaigns, from pre-launch strategy to ongoing optimization.

How to balance creative development with data-driven decision-making to maximize ROI.

The importance of authenticity in marketing and why relatable, user-generated content can outperform high-budget productions.

His journey working with notable brands and scaling their success through innovative marketing strategies.

🔹 Key Takeaways:

Authenticity Wins: Joe emphasizes how genuine storytelling connects with audiences and drives measurable results.

Simplify for Success: Learn why starting with a few well-crafted assets often outperforms launching with dozens of variations.

Test, Refine, Repeat: Discover how analyzing metrics and iterating creative strategies can optimize campaign performance.

DIY for Impact: Joe shares why rolling up your sleeves and creating content yourself can inspire clients and jumpstart success.

Whether you're a marketing professional or a creative looking to sharpen your digital strategies, this episode is packed with practical advice and inspiration.

#TheCuriousCreative #JoeWolfe #DigitalMarketing #SocialMediaStrategy #PaidSocial #VideoMarketing #MikeKepka #MarketingTips #Storytelling #CreativeProcess #Podcast #Optidge

In this episode of The Curious Creative, host Mike Kepka sits down with Ben Marcheski, a seasoned video marketing professional whose career spans major media networks like National Geographic, PBS, and Discovery. Now the Creative Director at FedWriters, Ben shares his fascinating journey from producing high-energy TV promos to developing results-driven video strategies for government agencies.

Ben discusses his early days in media, reflecting on the evolution from traditional Nielsen-based metrics to today’s multi-platform digital tracking. Moving into the government sector, he explains the complexities of promoting agency initiatives with limited budgets and without traditional user data. Despite these challenges, Ben’s expertise has helped agencies educate the public on key initiatives and drive measurable engagement.

🔹 Key Highlights:

The Shift to Digital: Ben details his transition from traditional TV promos to digital video strategies, navigating the shift from single-channel to multi-channel marketing.

Government Campaign Challenges: Learn about the unique hurdles of government marketing, where data collection is limited, yet success depends on impactful messaging.

Crafting Effective PSA Campaigns: Ben explores the importance of PSAs and how clear, strategic content can elevate public awareness and prompt action.

Leveraging Metrics and Results: Discover how Ben’s team utilizes available metrics and analytics to refine campaigns, maximizing reach and engagement with minimal resources.

Advice for Creatives: Ben encourages aspiring marketers to stay current with the latest technology and focus on strategic, results-driven content that resonates across multiple channels.

Whether you’re a video marketer, a public sector professional, or simply curious about the impact of video in today’s digital landscape, this episode provides actionable insights into creating video that informs, engages, and delivers real value.

#TheCuriousCreative #BenMarcheski #VideoMarketing #MikeKepka #GovernmentCampaigns #PublicAwareness #DigitalStrategy #CreativeProcess #FedWriters #ResultsDriven

In this episode of The Curious Creative, host Mike Kepka sits down with video marketing expert Bob Kelly, founder of CFG Creative. Bob shares his fascinating journey from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood TV, where he worked on iconic shows like Soul Train and Jeopardy!, to the corporate world of video production.

Bob takes us through his early career in Los Angeles, detailing how he moved from production assistant to joining the Directors Guild, only to be disrupted by the 1989 writers' strike, which eventually led him to pivot toward corporate video production. From managing live events to large-scale LED projects, Bob explains how his extensive background in television set the foundation for his success in corporate video marketing.

🔹 Key Highlights:

Hollywood Beginnings: Bob recounts his early days in the entertainment industry, working behind the scenes on major shows and even at the 1985 Oscars.

Transition to Corporate: After the writers' strike and an earthquake hit LA, Bob made the leap to Orlando and eventually settled back in Cincinnati, where he shifted to corporate video production and live events.

Building Trust and Relationships: Bob emphasizes the importance of building strong, long-term relationships with clients. He discusses how his team not only produces high-quality video but also integrates event production for a seamless experience.

Results-Driven Video Strategy: The conversation dives into the future of video marketing, focusing on measurable results rather than just aesthetics. Bob shares how tracking and optimizing video performance can lead to better client outcomes, helping companies reduce sales cycles and enter new markets.

Game-Changing Metrics: Bob explains how new tools allow his team to quantify the effectiveness of video strategies, offering clients clear data on which types of content generate the best results.

Advice for Creatives: As a final takeaway, Bob advises aspiring creatives to focus not just on beautiful imagery or storytelling, but on delivering measurable results for their clients.

Whether you're a seasoned filmmaker, marketing professional, or just interested in the evolution of video production, this episode offers deep insights into the industry’s past and future. Tune in to learn how to create video content that not only looks great but also drives real business results.

#TheCuriousCreative #BobKelly #VideoMarketing #Hollywood #CorporateVideo #MikeKepka #CFGCreative #ResultsDriven #Storytelling #CreativeProcess #BusinessStrategy #Podcast

Join us this week on *The Curious Creative* as host Mike Kepka sits down with the brilliant minds behind Team Bubbly, Frank Siringo and Andres Rojas.

This dynamic duo has been creating magic for over 12 years from their Manhattan-based full-service production agency, working with top brands like Nike, Amazon, Guinness, PayPal, and Levi's.

In this engaging episode, they share their journey, insights on teamwork, and how they've made their mark in the creative industry.

🔹 Key Highlights:

- The Origins of Team Bubbly: Frank and Andres share their unique story of how a chance meeting at a bar led to a successful partnership and the birth of Team Bubbly.

- Creative Process and Challenges: Dive into the stories behind their iconic projects and how they handle creative adversity.

- Communicating Vision and Building Relationships: Learn about the importance of authentic connections and how liking the people you work with can drive success.

- Success Stories and Iconic Collaborations: Discover the behind-the-scenes of working with brands like Saucony and how they brought Cookie Monster into the world of Lactaid.

- The Art of Storytelling in Advertising: Insights into their Levi's campaign that aimed to evoke nostalgia and connection.

- Tips for Aspiring Creatives: Get valuable advice for up-and-coming filmmakers and creators on navigating the industry.

Whether you're an aspiring filmmaker, a seasoned creative, or just someone who loves hearing about behind-the-scenes stories from the advertising world, this episode is packed with valuable insights and inspirational anecdotes. Don't miss out on how Team Bubbly stays ahead in the ever-evolving advertising landscape.

Join Mike Kepka as he interviews Avner Engel about his new venture, Specialty Vision. Learn how Avner uses daily marketing videos to help specialty eye care doctors grow their practices. With years of expertise, Avner shares his innovative strategies and success stories from doctors who have transformed their business through video marketing.

Don't miss out on these valuable insights!

#EyeCare #VideoStrategy #HealthcareMarketing

Welcome, fellow creatives, to another inspiring episode of "The Curious Creative" hosted by Mike Kepka of Kepka House. Today, Mike is joined by David Belkin, the founder of Grid Avec, Denver's newest and fastest growing community solar company. With more than seven years of experience in marketing solar projects, David brings a wealth of knowledge and a unique perspective to the podcast.

In this episode, David shares his unconventional journey from being a Michelin star chef to becoming a community solar expert. He delves into his passion for renewable energy, recounting how he transitioned from culinary arts to energy brokerage, and eventually to community solar. David also discusses the importance of face-to-face interactions in the field, revealing that he's knocked on over 10,000 doors to promote solar projects.

Listeners will gain insights into the challenges and rewards of door-to-door sales, as David highlights the significance of mindset, consistency, and professionalism. He emphasizes the value of personal connections and shares anecdotes from his experiences, including how improv and sketch comedy have enhanced his sales techniques.

David and Mike also explore the role of video marketing in supporting "boots on the ground" sales efforts. They discuss how creative and entertaining content can break through the noise and effectively communicate the benefits of community solar.

Tune in to hear David's tips for aspiring sales professionals and entrepreneurs, as well as his thoughts on the future of renewable energy. Whether you're a marketing enthusiast, a renewable energy advocate, or simply curious about creative strategies, this episode has something for everyone.

Join us for an engaging conversation filled with practical advice, inspiring stories, and a touch of humor. Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn from one of the industry's most dedicated and innovative leaders.

Feel free to tune into "The Curious Creative" with Mike Kepka and be inspired by the journey and insights of David Belkin, a true community solar fanatic.