Bad marketing can have some adverse effects, like a bad haircut!

This month I am plugging Ranken Jordan Pediatric Hospital. To donate, please visit https://rankenjordanfoundation.org/donate/

The Marketing Gateway is a weekly podcast hosted by Sean in St. Louis (Sean J. Jordan, President of https://www.researchplan.com/) and featuring guests from the St. Louis area and beyond.

Every week, Sean shares insights about the world of marketing and speaks to people who are working in various marketing roles – creative agencies, brand managers, MarCom professionals, PR pros, business owners, academics, entrepreneurs, researchers and more!

The goal of The Marketing Gateway is simple – we want to build a connection between all of our marketing mentors in the Midwest and learn from one another! And the best way to learn is to listen.

And the next best way is to share!

For more episodes: http://themarketinggateway.com/

Copyright 2025, The Research & Planning Group, Inc.

I'm sure you've heard plenty of people argue against AI, but what about an argument for it?

Today we are talking to Holly Smith!

About Holly:

Holly L. Smith, MBA Holly L. Smith is a freelance marketing and communications consultant with more than 25 years of experience leading strategy, storytelling, and brand growth across higher education and healthcare. Her career reflects a rare blend of creative vision, analytical rigor, and a deep commitment to mission-driven work. Holly began her academic journey in athletic training at Indiana University before earning a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Southern Indiana and an MBA from the University of Evansville. Her professional experience spans both in-house leadership and agency environments, giving her a well-rounded perspective on marketing strategy, operations, and execution. Throughout her career, Holly has held senior marketing roles at respected organizations including Cincinnati Children’s, St. Elizabeth Healthcare, Ascension St. Vincent, Heritage Federal Credit Union, and the University of Evansville. She also spent several years at Ten Adams, a boutique agency specializing in healthcare marketing and strategy, before serving as Director of Marketing, Strategic Planning, and Printing Services at St. Mary’s Health System. Most recently, she served as Senior Director of Marketing and Communications at the University of Evansville, where she led institutional branding, communications, and enrollment support initiatives. Currently, Holly owns and operates Hollylocks Marketing, where she provides strategic marketing and communications consulting to mission-driven organizations. In addition to her professional roles, Holly has been an adjunct professor of marketing at the University of Evansville since 2016, sharing her real-world expertise with emerging professionals. Holly is equally known for her deep community involvement and nonprofit leadership. She has served on numerous boards, including as Marketing Chair and Board Member for A Network of Evansville Women (ANEW); in advisory, grants, and leadership roles with the Women’s Fund of Vanderburgh County. Across every role, Holly is known for her strategic insight, collaborative leadership style, and passion for using marketing as a force for connection, growth, and community impact.

Contact Holly: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollylocks/

[email protected]

To invite someone on the show contact us on LinkedIn!

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

The Marketing Gateway is a weekly podcast hosted by Sean in St. Louis (Sean J. Jordan, President of https://www.researchplan.com/) and featuring guests from the St. Louis area and beyond.

Every week, Sean shares insights about the world of marketing and speaks to people who are working in various marketing roles – creative agencies, brand managers, MarCom professionals, PR pros, business owners, academics, entrepreneurs, researchers and more!

The goal of The Marketing Gateway is simple – we want to build a connection between all of our marketing mentors in the Midwest and learn from one another! And the best way to learn is to listen.

And the next best way is to share!

For more episodes: http://themarketinggateway.com/

Copyright 2025, The Research & Planning Group, Inc.

How can milkshakes be a marketing tool? Let's talk about it in today's episode!

This month I am plugging Ranken Jordan Pediatric Hospital. To donate, please visit https://rankenjordanfoundation.org/donate/

SOURCES

https://online.hbs.edu/blog/post/3-keys-to-understanding-jobs-to-be-done

https://online.hbs.edu/blog/post/jobs-to-be-done-examples

The Marketing Gateway is a weekly podcast hosted by Sean in St. Louis (Sean J. Jordan, President of https://www.researchplan.com/) and featuring guests from the St. Louis area and beyond.

Every week, Sean shares insights about the world of marketing and speaks to people who are working in various marketing roles – creative agencies, brand managers, MarCom professionals, PR pros, business owners, academics, entrepreneurs, researchers and more!

The goal of The Marketing Gateway is simple – we want to build a connection between all of our marketing mentors in the Midwest and learn from one another! And the best way to learn is to listen.

And the next best way is to share!

For more episodes: http://themarketinggateway.com/

Copyright 2025, The Research & Planning Group, Inc.

Today we are talking with Betty Mertens! From building a mutual understanding for a team, to having personal insight to the work she does, this is a truly insightful interview!

About Betty:

Betty is the Director of Client Success at UPBrand, where she works with leadership teams and brands that find themselves on the edge of the unknown. Known for her relentlessly positive outlook and calm presence in complexity, Betty helps align teams, sharpen stories, and build brands that connect more meaningfully with the people they serve. Outside of her work at UPBrand, Betty is the Founder and President of Ella’s Umbrella, a nonprofit dedicated to keeping kids’ hearts beating, and the author of multiple books on grief and resilience. A personal trainer, passionate gardener, and advocate for living fully in every season of life, she brings the same intention and heart to her personal life that she brings to her professional work. Betty lives in St. Peters with her husband Kyle and their two children, Ryder and Layne, and honors the legacy of her daughter Ella through her writing and nonprofit work.

Contact Betty: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bettymertens/

Betty's Plugs:

https://upbrand.com/

https://www.ellasumbrella.org/

The Marketing Gateway is a weekly podcast hosted by Sean in St. Louis (Sean J. Jordan, President of https://www.researchplan.com/) and featuring guests from the St. Louis area and beyond.

Every week, Sean shares insights about the world of marketing and speaks to people who are working in various marketing roles – creative agencies, brand managers, MarCom professionals, PR pros, business owners, academics, entrepreneurs, researchers and more!

The goal of The Marketing Gateway is simple – we want to build a connection between all of our marketing mentors in the Midwest and learn from one another! And the best way to learn is to listen.

And the next best way is to share!

For more episodes: http://themarketinggateway.com/

Copyright 2025, The Research & Planning Group, Inc.

Small business makes the world go around!

SOURCES:

https://www.uschamber.com/small-business/small-business-data-center

https://advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Frequently-Asked-Questions-About-Small-Business_2024-508.pdf

https://www.bain.com/insights/goodbye-clicks-hello-ai-zero-click-search-redefines-marketing/

https://www.ama.org/marketing-news/the-ultimate-guide-to-advertising-types-strategies-and-best-practices-for-2025/

This month I am plugging Ranken Jordan Pediatric Hospital. To donate, please visit https://rankenjordanfoundation.org/donate/

The Marketing Gateway is a weekly podcast hosted by Sean in St. Louis (Sean J. Jordan, President of https://www.researchplan.com/) and featuring guests from the St. Louis area and beyond.

Every week, Sean shares insights about the world of marketing and speaks to people who are working in various marketing roles – creative agencies, brand managers, MarCom professionals, PR pros, business owners, academics, entrepreneurs, researchers and more!

The goal of The Marketing Gateway is simple – we want to build a connection between all of our marketing mentors in the Midwest and learn from one another! And the best way to learn is to listen.

And the next best way is to share!

For more episodes: http://themarketinggateway.com/

Copyright 2025, The Research & Planning Group, Inc.

Today's episode has some really great insight into marketing and content!

We're talking to Cody Goodrich!

About Cody:

Cody Goodrich is a marketing and digital strategy leader with more than 10 years of experience driving brand growth through creative strategy and high-impact campaigns. Known for blending big-picture vision with hands-on execution, Cody has led teams through complex challenges and built brand initiatives that deliver measurable business results. Grounded in a leadership style centered on empathy, clarity, and collaboration, Cody brings practical insight and creative energy to topics spanning brand strategy, campaign development, and modern marketing leadership. His work focuses on helping teams simplify complexity, build scalable marketing systems, and create work that is both strategic and human.

Cody's plug/Contact Cody: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cody-goodrich-mba/

The Marketing Gateway is a weekly podcast hosted by Sean in St. Louis (Sean J. Jordan, President of https://www.researchplan.com/) and featuring guests from the St. Louis area and beyond.

Every week, Sean shares insights about the world of marketing and speaks to people who are working in various marketing roles – creative agencies, brand managers, MarCom professionals, PR pros, business owners, academics, entrepreneurs, researchers and more!

The goal of The Marketing Gateway is simple – we want to build a connection between all of our marketing mentors in the Midwest and learn from one another! And the best way to learn is to listen.

And the next best way is to share!

For more episodes: http://themarketinggateway.com/

Copyright 2025, The Research & Planning Group, Inc.

Have you ever thought about what goes into writing a great survey? Well here are some tips for you!

This month I am plugging Ranken Jordan Pediatric Hospital. To donate, please visit https://rankenjordanfoundation.org/donate/

The Marketing Gateway is a weekly podcast hosted by Sean in St. Louis (Sean J. Jordan, President of https://www.researchplan.com/) and featuring guests from the St. Louis area and beyond.

Every week, Sean shares insights about the world of marketing and speaks to people who are working in various marketing roles – creative agencies, brand managers, MarCom professionals, PR pros, business owners, academics, entrepreneurs, researchers and more!

The goal of The Marketing Gateway is simple – we want to build a connection between all of our marketing mentors in the Midwest and learn from one another! And the best way to learn is to listen.

And the next best way is to share!

For more episodes: http://themarketinggateway.com/

Copyright 2025, The Research & Planning Group, Inc.

Let's dive in to ABM, a recommendation for a marketing AI tool, and more in today's interview!

Today we are talking to Brianna Miller!

About Brianna:

Brianna is a results-driven digital marketing leader with over 15 years of experience, passionate about building data-informed strategies that align marketing efforts with real business growth. Specializing in B2B, healthcare, and SaaS sectors, she thrives on simplifying the complexities of marketing to help teams create powerful, aligned, and effective campaigns. Brianna’s expertise lies in developing scalable marketing engines, with a focus on account-based marketing (ABM), sales and marketing alignment, and leveraging technology to drive measurable success. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Brianna is dedicated to advancing the industry and mentoring the next generation of marketing leaders. She serves as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, where she teaches Marketing Strategy and inspires future marketers. Her commitment to innovation is further demonstrated through her role as a 3Sixty Insights Global Executive Advisory Council member, her contributions to Martech.org, and her active participation on several boards, including the UMSL College of Business Marketing Advisory Board and the MarTech Conference programming committee. Brianna has shared actionable insights at over 20 industry events and has been featured on numerous popular marketing podcasts. As a speaker, she is known for making complex concepts approachable and equipping audiences with strategies they can apply immediately, covering topics from ABM trends to practical AI applications.

Contact Brianna: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannamill3r/

Brianna's plug: https://www.ama.org/

The Marketing Gateway is a weekly podcast hosted by Sean in St. Louis (Sean J. Jordan, President of https://www.researchplan.com/) and featuring guests from the St. Louis area and beyond.

Every week, Sean shares insights about the world of marketing and speaks to people who are working in various marketing roles – creative agencies, brand managers, MarCom professionals, PR pros, business owners, academics, entrepreneurs, researchers and more!

The goal of The Marketing Gateway is simple – we want to build a connection between all of our marketing mentors in the Midwest and learn from one another! And the best way to learn is to listen.

And the next best way is to share!

For more episodes: http://themarketinggateway.com/

Copyright 2025, The Research & Planning Group, Inc.

Can the third time really be a charm for Eddie Bauer? I sure hope so!

This month I am plugging Ranken Jordan Pediatric Hospital. To donate, please visit https://rankenjordanfoundation.org/donate/

SOURCE: https://www.eddiebauer.com/blogs/blog/the-first-patent-a-shuttlecock

https://www.eddiebauer.com/blogs/blog/hypothermia-the-origin-of-the-skyliner-down-jacket

https://www.fastcompany.com/91129776/what-really-killed-red-lobster-bankruptcy-private-equity

https://www.nydailynews.com/2026/02/02/eddie-bauer-closing-stores-north-america-bankruptcy/

https://www.businessinsider.com/eddie-bauer-stores-risk-closures-operator-nears-bankruptcy-2026-2

Picture sources:

https://mallofamerica.com/directory/eddie-bauer

https://www.sprezza.xyz/p/menswear-is-repurposed-military-wear

https://digitalcollections.lib.washington.edu/digital/collection/imlsmohai/id/15649/

https://www.eddiebauer.com/

The Marketing Gateway is a weekly podcast hosted by Sean in St. Louis (Sean J. Jordan, President of https://www.researchplan.com/) and featuring guests from the St. Louis area and beyond.

Every week, Sean shares insights about the world of marketing and speaks to people who are working in various marketing roles – creative agencies, brand managers, MarCom professionals, PR pros, business owners, academics, entrepreneurs, researchers and more!

The goal of The Marketing Gateway is simple – we want to build a connection between all of our marketing mentors in the Midwest and learn from one another! And the best way to learn is to listen.

And the next best way is to share!

For more episodes: http://themarketinggateway.com/

Copyright 2025, The Research & Planning Group, Inc.

If you have ever wondered how software development relates to sketch comedy, how to keep people looking for information in the age of zero-click searches, or how a few simple questions can build a lot of trust, this is the interview for you!

Today, we have Dan Gower, VP of Marketing at Sketch Development!

About the founder of Sketch: https://appdevelopermagazine.com/from-snl-to-software/

The blog post Dan mentioned: https://www.sketchdev.io/blog/build-ai-agents-without-coding

Dan's plug: https://www.sketchdev.io/

Contact Dan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gowerdan/

About Dan:

Dan is the VP of marketing at Sketch Development Services, a software consultancy based in Webster Groves, MO. His meandering career previously included roles in account management, five years of self-employment as a marketing and sales consultant, and a stint as an IT business analyst. Now he's working to get the word out about Sketch, which has used lessons from sketch comedy troupes to become a top US-based software firm serving some of the world's largest organizations.

The Marketing Gateway is a weekly podcast hosted by Sean in St. Louis (Sean J. Jordan, President of https://www.researchplan.com/) and featuring guests from the St. Louis area and beyond.

Every week, Sean shares insights about the world of marketing and speaks to people who are working in various marketing roles – creative agencies, brand managers, MarCom professionals, PR pros, business owners, academics, entrepreneurs, researchers and more!

The goal of The Marketing Gateway is simple – we want to build a connection between all of our marketing mentors in the Midwest and learn from one another! And the best way to learn is to listen.

And the next best way is to share!

For more episodes: http://themarketinggateway.com/

Copyright 2025, The Research & Planning Group, Inc.