The Marketing RV Podcast with Ranalli and Volpe

030 – 3 Management Tips from Moshulu GM Michelle Delp

SYNOPSIS

Nightlife helps steer The Moshulu's popularity thanks to Kevin Friel, Director of Special Events and Nightlife for Fearless Restaurants. In this episode of Marketing RV, Ranalli & Volpe discussed some of the themed events hosted by the Moshulu. It's the second of a two-part interview with Moshulu General Manager Michelle Delp where we learn about the Cannabis party and the Emo Sad & Boujee concert. What? You have to listen.

In addition, we not only learn Michelle's full name, but she also shares her Fearless journey, unwittingly providing a behind-the-scenes peak into the restaurant business and three management tips:

• Show appreciation to your staff and they will be happy and productive.
• Adapt readily to new technology for efficiency. It will also keep you relevant.
• Be proactive. Fearless Restaurants has as standard policy "table confirmation," which basically means that within a short amount of time after being served, a manager has to confirm customer satisfaction. That way, any discrepancies can be rectified on the spot.

As you'll hear in this interview, Michelle's management style is conducive to a positive workplace. How else would she be able to get as many as nine or ten employees to come into work on a moment's notice when a last-minute party pops up?

This broadcast was recorded on The Deck, the wheelhouse and upper most deck of the Moshulu at Philadelphia's historic Penn's Landing. Partnering is a surefire way to promote your brand, which is why we take Marketing RV on the road and talk business with interesting guests. If your business would like to sponsor and host Marketing RV, contact us here.

Help resolve a Marketing RV issue by responding to this question on our Facebook page: Who wears the bowtie better, Gene Volpe or Opus?

HIGHLIGHTS

03:30 The Cannabis party is on Deck

04:15 Sad and Boujee

06:04 Lorraine's approach to Marketing

07:46 How Moshulu promotes its events

09:00 The uh-oh moment

12:23 Michelle capitalizes on staff using their cell phones

15:00 A Walkie Talkie app

15:50 POS defined

22:34 Michelle's menu picks

029 – Moshulu, Part I: Marketing History with Michelle Delp

SYNOPSIS

The Moshulu was the ship shown bringing Vito Andolini (Corleone) to New York in Godfather part 2, but it was actually not a passenger vessel. The 115-year-old four-masted sailboat was used to transport and store coal, other cargo, and mostly grains at some point during its life. Before being towed to the U.S. in 1970, the Moshulu played a role in both World Wars and had multiple owners in multiple countries. It's not clear whether the ship was purchased directly from the Finnish government by American Specialty Restaurant Corporation or if Walt Disney Company made the purchase that brought the ship to the states. Regardless, extremely interesting tidbits of history are revealed in this episode of Marketing RV with Ranalli & Volpe.

In the first of a two-part interview, Moshulu General Manager Michelle Delp gives a virtual tour of this humongous ship that holds up to 2,000 people on multiple decks in bars, dining rooms, and on dance floors. Fearless Restaurants bought the ship docked at Philadelphia's historic Penn's Landing in 1993 and has enjoyed much success with waterfront dining. Michelle began her career as a Fearless Restaurants server and ascended to her current position. She shares some insider information about how Fearless leverages the ship's popularity and intrigue to market the restaurant. She also explains how the Fearless Restaurants name relates to the ship.

This broadcast was recorded on The Deck, the wheelhouse and upper most deck of the Moshulu. Partnering is a surefire way to promote your brand, which is why we take Marketing RV on the road and talk business with interesting guests. If your business would like to sponsor and host Marketing RV, contact us here.

HIGHLIGHTS

04:11 Virtual tour of the Moshulu

08:30 History of the Moshulu

11:10 How Fearless Restaurants got its name

13:30 The haunts—Moshulu has its share of ghost stories

17:15 Seasons expand and business grows

19:50 Banquet business

22:00 Themed dinners: Gatsby, Disco, Marti Gras, etc.

22:30 The Big Gay Boat Party

028 – Fr. Smith's Camino de Santiago Memoirs

SYNOPSIS

As difficult as it may be to write and then publish a book, marketing it is the most challenging phase of the process. This episode of Marketing RV with Ranalli & Volpe is the second of a two-part interview with Fr. Richard Smith, who is rapidly becoming a Camino de Santiago aficionado. Fr. Smith is in the process of obtaining a publisher for A Long Walk with God (working title), the book that resulted from reflections of his first Camino pilgrimage.

In this episode, Gene and Lorraine provide suggestions for marketing the book. Having a marketing plan or at least a sketch in place appeals to prospective publishers. They want to know the author is a partner in the process and that there is a market for said book. A quick search unveiled an upcoming promotional opportunity that could have local and broad reach if Fr. Smith can get an invitation. Villanova University is hosting a TEDx event in early 2020. Gene tweeted the contact during the show, thus testing Twitter. She replied within 24 hours. It works!

For Fr. Smith's sake, Marketing RV is the point of initial contact for anyone listening to this podcast that might like to publish his book or schedule him for a speaking engagement.

This episode of Marketing RV was broadcast at The Coffee Station in Morton, Pa. Partnering is a surefire way to promote your brand, which is why we take Marketing RV on the road and talk business with interesting guests. If your business would like to sponsor and host Marketing RV, contact us here.

HIGHLIGHTS

00:20 Gene's position on his high school football team.

01:44 Literal fog along the Camino

03:57 The purpose of A Long Walk with God and how it came about.

07:18 Leveraging your network for marketing

10:00 Marketing via TEDx

12:15 The great awakening

15:20 Tools Fr. Smith plans to use to promote his book

17:17 Gene tests Twitter with Villanova tweet about TEDx

18:40 Some background about The Coffee Station

20:36 Lorraine asks Fr. Smith how to market faith.

23:24 The priest scandal

27:51 Marketing advice from Gene

027 – Fr. Smith's Camino de Santiago Pilgrimage

SYNOPSIS

Marketing RV with Ranalli & Volpe pulled up to The Coffee Station in Morton, Pa. to chat with Fr. Richard Smith of Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish and author of the soon-to-be released book A Long Walk with God (working title). Fr. Smith did not set out to write a book when he embarked on the journey millions of others had taken over the thousand year history of the Camino de Santiago. Rather, the book resulted from copious written reflection of his experience.

The Camino de Santiago is a pilgrimage through Northwest Spain, with about a dozen trails beginning at points from various European countries, including Spain. Fr. Smith describes it as a well-kept jewel of the faith. While most embark on the journey for spiritual reasons, some go to sightsee. Fr. Smith said it is hard to walk the Camino and not have some sort of spiritual experience.

Both in the podcast and in his book, Fr. Smith shares stories about some of the people he met on his journey. Regardless pilgrims' backgrounds, camaraderie abounds naturally on the trail and bonds are formed. He remains in contact with many of the pilgrims he met from around the world.

As per usual, Lorraine and Gene take the conversation off the rails here and there, discussing everything from sibling pecking order to exorcisms. Ya just gotta listen and enjoy it!

This is a great show for anyone interested in publishing a book, as Fr. Smith is in the middle of that process. Find out the most difficult part of the book publishing process and solutions to meet those challenges in this and the next episode of Markting RV (Episode 028), when the conversation with Fr. Smith continues.

Partnering is a surefire way to promote your brand, which is why we take Marketing RV on the road and talk business with interesting guests. If your business would like to sponsor and host Marketing RV, contact us here.

Shout out to Chico's Vibe for the music bed!

HIGHLIGHTS

01:30 Gene reviews Casino.

03:00 Is Gene a candidate for exorcism?

04:40 Marketing RV disclaimer

09:22 The toughest part about being a book author

10:34 The Camino de Santiago Pilgrimage

12:18 When in Rome…

15:15 The pilgrim mass

16:10 Gene comes up with a business idea for the Camino.

21:00 The tourist angle of the Camino de Santiago

22:00 How to pack for the trek

23:23 Fr. Smith explains how his book came about.

26:21 Three items Fr. Smith carried along the Camino and what he left at Cruz de ferro.

29:00 Lorraine forgets Gene's name.

026 – Metadata Marketing

SYNOPSIS

Where do you draw the line between marketing and eavesdropping, or is there a line to be drawn? The collection of metadata and how it affects anyone using any sort of web-related technology is the main topic of discussion in this episode of Marketing RV with Ranalli & Volpe. Marketing RV's second video podcast picks up where Episode 025, Promotional Potpourri, fell short. That is, a detailed discussion about the Netflix's The Great Hack.

It all begins with the HBO documentary Citizenfour about NSA whistleblower Ed Snowden, who unveiled how much data the government was keeping on us. Gene says Citizenfour is the precursor to The Great Hack, the documentary about the Facebook/Cambridge Analytica Scandal. Lorraine is skeptical about all of it, but Gene insists that she'll be convinced after watching that these movies are accurate depictions. Ironically, The Great Hack ends with the question, "Are you a persuadable?"

In the end, we all have to make our own determination about any news we consume. Gene and Lorraine agree that it is okay to disagree, and they encourage it but are clearly fans of empathy and non-judgment, which seem to be lost in a lot of dialog these days.

As for data collection, it's a marketer's dream, making the task of messaging easier. If you like privacy, however, you'd better read the fine print before clicking "OK" online.

Check out Episode 3 of the podcast Ask us Anything, where Gene trashes Lorraine. Also, come out to the Moshulu on Penn's Landing in Philadelphia Tuesday, August 27 to be part of the the Marketing RV podcast. Lorraine and Gene have again been invited by Fearless Restaurants to podcast during happy hour, 4:00 p.m.

Partnering is a surefire way to promote your brand, which is why we take Marketing RV on the road and talk business with interesting guests. If your business would like to sponsor and host Marketing RV, contact us here. Shout out to Chico's Vibe for the music bed!

HIGHLIGHTS

08:57 When are kids old enough to have phones and social media?

09:25 Metadata in phone photos

11:11 Patterns that parents can recognize regarding children's tech use.

12:00 Ed Snowden and the Citizenfour documentary

16:53 Why social media sites changed their privacy policies

18:40 The Facebook/Cambridge Analytica scandal

19:56 Gene's attempt to stay out of politics

22:53 The Persuadables

26:35 Are you woke?

30:48 Media-created self-fulfilling prophecies

38:40 Understand how much data you give away and how it affects marketing toward you.

40:00 Lorraine's attempt to be Cousin It (ya gotta see the video)

025 – Promotional Potpourri: A Ranalli & Volpe Video Podcast

SYNOPSIS

In a stream of consciousness the conversation between Ranalli & Volpe in this episode bounces from Delco's beloved drive-through dairy shop and The Great Hack to Matty Roberts and selling T-shirts to Area 51 stormers. Add a little pot, politics, and non-profit and voila, and you'll get a potpourri of marketing ideas for your 30-minute investment.

First, the mess. This show starts out like a modern-day version of the Stooges or a Ranalli & Volpe interpretation of Abbott & Costello. If nothing else, Marketing RV's first foray into remote video podcasting is entertaining. As conversations among Italians go, the hosts never thoroughly discuss The Great Hack but get caught up in Storm Area 51, which is slated for September 20. Details about the Internet phenomenon can be found in Episode 143 of the Confessionals podcast features Matty Roberts.

Given their respective summer vacations in the South of Jersey, Lorraine and Gene turn the conversation 180 degrees to discuss marketing along the beach, particularly with the Fudgy Wudgy Man, airplane banner ads, and boat billboards that are difficult to read. If you can help Marketing RV make a connection with a leader in the flying banner ads business, the hosts would love to interview that person.

Marketing RV will podcast live August 27 when it returns to Fearless Restaurants to broadcast from the Moshulu on Penn's Landing in Philadelphia. Get there at 4:00 p.m. to watch and perhaps be a part of the show. By then, Gene may reveal his plans for launching the Fire41 Fund, a non-profit he is establishing, in honor of his parents, to provide financial assistance to families that have lost their main income earner to an untimely death. The charity concept is similar to Friends for Friends, which formed in Delaware County in the '90s.

Partnering is a surefire way to promote your brand, which is why we take Marketing RV on the road and talk business with interesting guests. If your business would like to sponsor and host Marketing RV, contact us here. Shout out to Chico's Vibe for the music bed!

HIGHLIGHTS

01:30 Swiss Farms explained

05:00 Can weed reduce the tax burden on Americans?

06:50 The Great Hack

13:00 The great ask, MarketingRV is looking for a host for 9/20

13:43 Delco crack, an offensive term?

14:47 Different ways to market the fudgy wudgy man on Jersey beaches

18:50 Banner ads on the beach

20:00 Successful marketing is about impressions

21:08 Consistency is a basic lesson in marketing

22:25 Gene unveils his new non-profit venture

24:20 Fire41 Fund's first big event

28:10 Friends for Friends

024-Marty McDonald: Navigating the Digital Landscape

SYNOPSIS

From bionic goat missile launchers and Area 51 to Orwellian TVs that watch us, Marketing RV with Ranalli and Volpe dives deeper into the conversation about conspiracies and the marketing lessons to be learned from them. Episode 024 is the second part of our interview with Marty McDonald of Bad Rhino, Inc.

Marty, an electronic marketing expert, explains the risks and rewards associated with technology that is not only at our fingers, but also collects data from our fingerprints, face, eyes, travel patterns, etc. There is so much to be learned about the impact of data on our daily activity, and vice versa, yet this podcast only scratches the surface.

This episode begins with Marty's take on data collection and the government's Utah collection center once known as Desert Wind. Ironically a lot of online references to the facility under that name appear to have been scrubbed since Lorraine first discovered it circa 2012. Hmmm.

All roads lead to marketing, always. Knowing the digital landscape will help you navigate marketing better.

We wrapped up the episode asking Marty about the direction he and Rich are taking Bad Rhino Inc. and his personal career aspirations as an entrepreneur. Marty shared the sage advice he was given by seasoned entrepreneurs. He asked, "How do you turn this off?" and the reply he got was simply, "You don't. You just slow down a bit."

We recorded over scrumptious salads from Split Rail Tavern in West Chester, PA. Partnering is a surefire way to promote your brand, which is why we take Marketing RV on the road and talk business with interesting guests. If your business would like to sponsor and host Marketing RV, contact us here. Shout out to Chico's Vibe for the music bed!

HIGHLIGHTS

01:25 Is the government listening?

01:50 Is the TV you're watching watching you? The Vizio lawsuit.

04:15 The Face App, where's the data going?

06:01 Privacy vs. convenience, how the hackers get your info.

10:46 The upside of information transparency.

12:48 The upside of government mandated blood tests on newborns

13:47 Could weird science be the catalyst behind political motivation?

17:01 Bionic goat missile launchers

17:48 Conspiracy theories teach a marketing lesson

18:21 Capitalizing on social media systems

21:36 Can we really select our privacy online?

24:13 If thumbprint technology goes awry

29:15 Marty explains his marketing approach

33:36 What's next for Marty

023 - Marty McDonald—an Area 51 Marketing Lesson

SYNOPSIS

There's a huge marketing lesson to be learned from the online activity surrounding Area 51. Marty McDonald of Bad Rhino laid out the specifics in this episode of Marketing RV with Ranalli and Volpe. As we discussed the founding and ten-year success of Bad Rhino, one of the country's leading electronic marketing firms, Marty revealed insights into effective social media marketing.

Unless you're willing to post with an intention to trigger a response, Marty said your social media efforts are wasted. Engagement comes from being provocative. That does not mean you have to be negative, and you may not want to get political. Marty advised staying away from politics.

Gene took the conversation in a totally different direction when he inquired about one of Marty's Area 51 posts. The discussion begins at about 18 minutes into the show and includes references to a recent Joe Rogan podcast and Bob Lazar's Netflix documentary. While Lorraine got schooled on conspiracy theories surrounding the infamous air force base, Marty made valid marketing analogies that anyone can apply to their online efforts.

The conversation with Marty was fascinating and will be continued in episode 024. The cliffhanger question teasing the next episode has to do with conspiracies relating to government data mining and what was once called Desert Wind.

Episodes 023 and 024 were recorded at Split Rail Tavern in West Chester, PA, second home of Marty McDonald.

Partnering is a surefire way to promote your brand, which is why Lorraine and Gene take Marketing RV on the road and talk business with interesting guests. If your business would like to sponsor and host Marketing RV, contact us here. Shout out to Chico's Vibe for the music bed!

HIGHLIGHTS

3:20 Recommendation for ideal podcast length

7:00 Bad Rhino—social media experts from the beginning!

10:10 What makes a great business partnership

11:24 The story behind Bad Rhino

12:05 The 30 second pitch

14:10 The exit plan

18:27 Gene takes the podcast into Area 51

19:18 Gene labels Marty a rabble rouser

20:00 Marty explains Area 51

21:17 Human experimentation and conspiracy theory

23:37 Storming Area 51 would be an exercise in natural selection

25:07 The Marketing lesson built into Area 51

27:01 The conspiracy theory cliffhanger—is the government collecting massive amounts of data on citizens via our online activity?

022 – The Cyclical Nature of Marketing

SYNOPSIS

Part II of Marketing RV with Ranalli and Volpe with special guest Larry Cetlin of Cetlin Design Group, focuses on the cyclical nature of marketing. By trade, Larry is an artist. In a matter of minutes, Larry can translate your concepts into a freehand sketch. Given the digital landscape, he has adapted his raw talent to various new media over the years.

Larry's perspective is invaluable because he has seen it all over the years. In fact, he said that direct mail is making a comeback simply because it is once again novel to receive advertisements via USPS. He affirms the often-arrived-at conclusion that relationship building is of utmost importance. To the surprise and delight of Gene Volpe, Larry prefers building relationships over food.

WARNING: Do not listen to this episode on an empty stomach unless you are looking for restaurant recommendations. This episode begins and ends with a lot of food talk.

In addition to getting to know prospects and clients, another benefit to building relationships over lunch is the likelihood that a favorable decision will be made on a full belly, according to Larry.

Tapping into his unrivaled experience, Gene asked Larry to share his top three pieces of marketing advice. When analyzing a new client's marketing, Larry always takes into consideration the following:

• The quality of the organization's website and brand integration across all marketing collateral
• The quality and relevance of the organization's brand identity as it relates to the target audience—logos, style guide, communication channels, etc.
• He evaluates sales to determine how results relate to the business as a whole. Are the right people in the right places to achieve goals?

Despite the ability to develop or purchase marketing collateral on the cheap, unique brand identity is imperative to standing out in this age of communication overload. That means, you have to be creative with your brand, which means you must hire a professional. Most product developers and service providers are good at what they do, and they'd be well served to hire a professional to handle their marketing.

"If you think it's expensive to hire a professional, wait until you hire an amateur."

The Bonus Track

Okay, it's not really a track, but toward the end of the show, Gene explained why uploading to YouTube alone is not enough. This is why Gene is the Digital Architect. One of the services at which GVI Media excels is placing video on multiple sites to optimize organic views and publicity. You can do this yourself, but without the right tools, it will eat up precious time that could be better spent generating revenue. Hire the pros to do this for you.

Bringing the episode full circle, Gene recommended that Larry revive his food blog, Lunch with Larry, and go full Dave Portnoy with it.

Partnering is a surefire way to promote your brand, which is why Lorraine and Gene take Marketing RV on the road and talk business with interesting guests. If your business would like to sponsor and host Marketing RV, contact us here. Shout out to Chico's Vibe for the music bed!

HIGHLIGHTS

01:44 The info on the back of Larry's card

02:24 Eat around the DelVal with Larry

05:56 The Lunch with Larry blog

06:53 Gene's hesitant question

10:09 Get to know Google ad words and retargeting

15:28 Clarification about who is breathing

15:54 Direct mail comeback

18:00 Responsive websites

23:30 The importance of having an online presence

25:45 Larry's top three pieces of free client advice

27:18 Biggest challenge in the graphic world today

29:02 Why uploading to YouTube alone is not enough

31:20 Gene recommends that Larry go Dave Portnoy with his food blog

021 - Integrated Marketing with Cetlin Design

SYNOPSIS

With so many channels of communication at our fingertips, literally, it is imperative to remember that Integrated Marketing is and always has been a key to success and sustainability. Marketing RV with Ranalli and Volpe dropped by the studio of Cetlin Design Group, where creativity abounds, and chatted with Founder Larry Cetlin.

Has electronic communication merely changed the art of design or has the art been compromised permanently?

"In our world, people still need professional graphics for printed sales material, signs, digital ads, etc.," said Larry. "…and it has to be integrated."

Among the many marketing tips this seasoned pro imparted was the necessity for consistency. With so many organizations and sole proprietors making social media a part of their overall marketing strategy, it is just as important as ever to ensure your brand's image is consistent. Inconsistency creates confusion and, as Gene so clearly explained, once you create confusion in a confusion-ridden world, you lose business.

Is the business world operating in a state of mediocrity?

Unfortunately, even large organizations will sacrifice professionally designed unique graphics, photos, and text for mass produced, inexpensive content. Gene and Larry agreed that marketing pendulum has swung in the direction of analytics, or measurable results. Lorraine questioned whether ROI would be greater with high quality consistent branding. How sad it is to think that with all the technology available to procure high-quality output at a rapid pace, many are satisfied with their amateur persona.

Community Relations and Longevity

Support for your community is yet another channel for impact. Gene began the show by expressing his gratitude to Larry for Cetlin Design Group's commitment to the Newtown Square Petticoat League, a girls' softball organization where the two have coached. This is yet another in the lengthy list of coincidences for Marketing RV; it is not the reason Larry appeared on the podcast.

Sponsoring a local team or event is practicing responsible stewardship. The byproduct is publicity. While not always measurable, such PR is memorable—a notion supported by several stories told in this show.

Partnering is a surefire way to promote your brand, which is why Lorraine and Gene take Marketing RV on the road and talk business with interesting guests. If your business would like to sponsor and host Marketing RV, contact us here.

Shout out to Chico's Vibe for the music bed!

HIGHLIGHTS

03:40 Dry July

03:51 Gene drops it!

05:27 Gratitude marketing

09:30 Supporting the community is good PR.

13:40 Recognizing people from Social Media

17:00 Why integrated marketing matters

18:00 Click through rates

21:13 Starting with the end goal in mind

24:30 Is hand-drawing a lost art?