What's it like being in marketing and talking to scientists?

Find out today in part 2 of my interview with Ed Lahue!

Ed's plug: https://sbdc.missouri.edu/

Ed Lahue, MBA is an Innovation Consultant in St. Louis. Ed helps technology start-ups and established businesses expand their innovation efforts through supporting various universities and SBDC centers. He counsels and teaches new business modeling, market research and other startup curriculum.

With 40 years of experience, Ed has an extensive background in innovation, strategic marketing and branding. His industry experience includes consumer products, healthcare and various industrial sectors. He is a retired innovation & technology counselor with the University of Missouri Extension/Missouri SBDC and holds an MBA in Marketing and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration/Marketing from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville.

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

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: https://www.themarketinggateway.com

Copyright 2025, The Research & Planning Group, Inc.

Have you ever wondered how emotions shape group discussions?

Today we are diving into the unpredictable world of focus groups and how a professional moderator can guide the conversation!

Don't underestimate the power of skilled moderation, it's the key to unlocking genuine insights!

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

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: https://www.themarketinggateway.com

Copyright 2025, The Research & Planning Group, Inc.

Think a high NPS equals success? Think again!

In this episode, we discuss the pitfalls of relying on NPS as a measure of customer loyalty.

Key Insight: Context matters! Customers have different reasons for their recommendations.

SOURCES:
The One Number You Need to Grow
https://nashc.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/the-one-number-you-need-to-know.pdf

Decomposing Brand Loyalty: An Examination of Loyalty Subcomponents, Product Price Range, Consumer Personality, and Willingness to Pay
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/15/2/189

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

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: https://www.themarketinggateway.com

Copyright 2025, The Research & Planning Group, Inc.

Today we are diving in the the incredible history of friend and fellow marketing mentor, Ed Lahue!

This is part 1 of 2. Tune in for part 2 on Tuesday, December 16th!

Ed Lahue, MBA is an Innovation Consultant in St. Louis. Ed helps technology start-ups

and established businesses expand their innovation efforts through supporting various

universities and SBDC centers. He counsels and teaches new business modeling, market

research and other startup curriculum.

With 40 years of experience, Ed has an extensive background in innovation, strategic

marketing and branding. His industry experience includes consumer products, healthcare

and various industrial sectors. He is a retired innovation & technology counselor with the

University of Missouri Extension/Missouri SBDC and holds an MBA in Marketing and a

Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration/Marketing from Southern Illinois

University in Edwardsville.

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

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: https://www.themarketinggateway.com

Copyright 2025, The Research & Planning Group, Inc.

Ever lost a customer over just a few cents?

Listen to my story from my McDonald's days and learn how small mistakes can lead to big consequences in customer relationships.

It’s a wake-up call for all businesses to prioritize customer satisfaction!

What’s the craziest reason you’ve heard for someone leaving a brand?

SOURCES:

https://hbr.org/2014/10/the-value-of-keeping-the-right-customers

https://www.vox.com/the-goods/22870250/nft-beanie-baby-price-guide-bubble-princess-value

https://www.npr.org/2024/03/10/1236458377/charity-roundup-donations-stores-fundraising

Attributions:

Tetiana Horielova for the McDonalds coffee picture

Kenny Eliason for the picture of money

Belle Collective for the couple holding hands picture

Vitaly Gariev for the coffee serving picture

Kelly Sikkema for the broken heart picture

Swello for the person on the phone picture

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

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: https://www.themarketinggateway.com

Copyright 2025, The Research & Planning Group, Inc.

Think customer service is just about making the sale? Think again!

In this episode, we discuss a pivotal moment in my career that taught me how crucial service is for success.

Picture sources (In order of appearance):

Miniseries at https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/anonymous-person-paying-with-their-cell-phone-gm1447777322-485498281

Porta from https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/multi-ethnic-group-of-people-having-group-therapy-session-gm1372536439-441614679

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2021-01-28/gamestop-gme-squeeze-should-i-invest-and-buy-shares-of-the-hot-stock

Springtime78 at https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/kleptomania-gm537906532-95583437

Rob Steinberg at https://paletteswap.site/different-colors/unsupervised-preteen-hogging-gamestop-demo-unit-a-force-not-to-be-reckoned-with/

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/veterans-find-work-hiring-our-heroes-job-fairs-flna572988

Matic Grmek at https://www.istockphoto.com/video/picking-out-favorite-games-gm1464696547-497312751

If your picture was used and you don’t see credit, please let us know so we can add you to our list!

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

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: https://www.themarketinggateway.com

Copyright 2025, The Research & Planning Group, Inc.

Remember Flo from Progressive? She’s not just a face; she’s a marketing genius!

In our latest podcast, we explore how mascots like Flo and the Aflac Duck have skyrocketed brand awareness and success. They’re fun, memorable, and can capture your audience's attention like nothing else!

Who do you think is the most effective mascot?

SOURCES:

Mascots by Jeff Marzick

https://www.theculturecrush.com/feature/mascots

Handsome Dan: A 130-year-old legacy

https://news.yale.edu/2019/07/03/handsome-dan-130-year-old-legacy

How A Little Girl Grew Up To Be An Icon

https://www.mortonsalt.com/heritage-era/how-a-little-girl-grew-up-to-be-an-icon/

Gorton’s: Our story is forever tied to the sea

https://www.gortons.com/our-story/

The pure and honest Quaker Oats guy: a biography

https://triviahappy.com/articles/the-pure-and-honest-quaker-oats-guy-a-biography

How a park bench meeting led to Aflac’s $200 million mascot idea

https://fortune.com/2025/12/01/aflac-park-bench-meeting-led-to-200-million-mascot-idea/

Tom & Eric 911 on the creation of the Aflac Duck

https://www.tomanderic911.com/new-page

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jmC8Uy_Q3s

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

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: https://www.themarketinggateway.com

Copyright 2025, The Research & Planning Group, Inc.

Console wars: a battle of brands and strategies!

The secret?

Knowing your customer better than your competitor! Sega’s victory against Nintendo shows the power of understanding your audience!

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

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: https://www.themarketinggateway.com

Copyright 2025, The Research & Planning Group, Inc.

Planning is everything!

In this episode, we uncover how the G-STIC framework helps marketers avoid pitfalls by clearly defining goals, strategies, and tactics.

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

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: https://www.themarketinggateway.com

Copyright 2025, The Research & Planning Group, Inc.

Ever thought about how brands shape your identity?

We’re uncovering how brands influence our identities in our latest episode. From the cool guy with a Mustang to the geek with a Prius, our choices define us! 

ARTICLE

https://www.scribd.com/document/734592400/schouten-mcalexander-1995

BAUM

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Baum_(surgeon)

ATTRIBUTION

Leather jacket photo by Adrian Ordonez on Unsplash

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

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: https://www.themarketinggateway.com

Copyright 2025, The Research & Planning Group, Inc.