The Spark Podcast: Nashville

In this episode of The Spark, host Mark Scrivner sits down with Mariko Hickerson, CEO of Huckleberry Branding, to explore her journey from journalism to entrepreneurship and how storytelling became the foundation of her agency's approach to branding and search marketing. Mariko shares how her early newsroom experience shaped her perspective on clarity, fairness, and extracting meaningful narratives—skills that now drive her SEO and brand strategy work.

The conversation dives into the realities of running a modern agency: narrowing service offerings, building trust with referral partners, navigating SEO myths, and adapting to emerging technologies like AI and large language models without losing sight of fundamentals. Mariko also offers practical advice for small businesses with limited budgets and reflects on the mindset shifts required to lead a sustainable, people-centered company.

Episode Highlights

• 01:27 – Mariko's path from journalism to marketing and entrepreneurship

• 10:54 – Why storytelling is a competitive advantage in SEO

• 18:24 – How AI and LLMs are influencing modern search strategies

• 21:18 – The Tennessee Whiskey Trail project and earning "street cred"

• 28:17 – What to prioritize when you have little to no marketing budget

• 31:00 – Trust as the foundation of great referral partnerships

Learn More & Connect Show Notes + Resources: https://creativeassembly.agency/ca-podcast/ Connect With Mariko Hickerson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marikohickerson/ | https://www.huckleberrybranding.com/ Connect with Mark Scrivner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner | https://snapshotinteractive.com Our Sponsor - Snapshot: https://snapshotinteractive.com

In this episode of The Spark, Mark Scrivner sits down with Vincent Phamvan, Founder of Vyten and a three-time CMO, to unpack how mobile apps and AI are reshaping what's possible for small and mid-sized businesses. Vincent shares his journey from enterprise tech and healthcare into building tools that level the playing field for founders, agencies, and service-based businesses.

Together, they explore why mobile-first experiences matter more than ever, how AI-driven automation can dramatically improve client onboarding and support, and what businesses need to rethink about owning their audience, data, and customer experience in an AI-powered world.

Episode Highlights:

• 01:17 – Vincent's background in enterprise tech and early AI adoption

• 03:23 – Why large companies gain unfair advantages—and how tech can close the gap

• 09:01 – Why mobile apps and push notifications outperform email

• 12:47 – How Vyten builds and launches mobile apps in one week

• 17:01 – Using AI to automate workflows without sacrificing quality

• 26:28 – The mobile app features that actually move business KPIs

• 35:11 – Why first-party data is the foundation of AI strategy

Learn More & Connect

Show Notes + Resources: https://creativeassembly.agency/ca-podcast/

Connect With Vincent Phamvan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincentpv | https://vyten.com

Vyten One: https://www.vyten.ai/

Connect with Mark Scrivner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner | https://snapshotinteractive.com

Our Sponsor - Snapshot: https://snapshotinteractive.com

In this episode, JJ Rosen shares the unexpected journey that led him from a psychology major to founding Atiba, one of Nashville's most enduring technology companies. His story highlights the power of curiosity, adaptability, and empathy—qualities that shaped both the company's culture and its long-term success.

JJ explains how Atiba grew from a one-person operation to a 100-person organization, why "half geek, half human" became a defining philosophy, and how AI is reshaping the future of software development. Through practical insights and memorable stories, he reveals what it truly takes to build a business that lasts.

Key Moments

• 00:00 — How AI is reducing project costs and increasing scalability.
• 01:17 — Creative Assembly's mission and the spark behind the show's purpose.
• 03:00 — JJ's early beginnings and the accidental path into software and IT consulting.
• 13:31 — The origin of Atiba's "half geek, half human" philosophy and why it matters.
• 24:00 — JJ's transition from hands-on coding to leadership and strategy.
• 33:50 — How AI is reshaping development roles, business value, and team structure.
• 46:28 — JJ's reflection on burnout, fulfillment, and blending work with life.

Learn More & Connect

Show Notes + Resources: https://creativeassembly.agency/ca-podcast/ Connect With JJ Rosen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/atibasoftware/ | https://www.atiba.com Connect with Mark Scrivner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner | https://snapshotinteractive.com Our Sponsor - Snapshot: https://snapshotinteractive.com

In this episode of The Spark, Eric Jackson—founder and CEO of Element 47—shares the journey that shaped his philosophy on leadership, culture, and service. From early lessons in print and web development to building a modern branding and marketing agency, Eric breaks down why self-awareness, communication, and clarity remain the core of every strong creative partnership.

Across the conversation, he and host Mark Scrivner dig into Nashville's evolving creative landscape, the rise of AI as a strategic partner, and the importance of collaboration across agencies rather than competition. Eric also explores his personal mission, "to connect and grow people," and how this purpose continues to guide his work, mentorship, and contributions to Nashville's entrepreneurial community.

• 00:00 – The question that reshaped Eric's purpose and leadership framework

• 01:03 – Eric joins The Spark and reflects on his podcasting experience

• 07:02 – Leaving film production behind and transitioning into web development

• 10:16 – Early days of website development and the "Wild West" internet era

• 15:04 – Discovering purpose, building culture, and creating Next Mile Network

• 27:00 – How AI shapes creative work and why human discernment still matters

• 44:16 – The biggest misconception about the agency business

Show Notes + Resources: https://creativeassembly.agency/ca-podcast/ Connect With Eric Jackson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericpauljackson/ | https://element47.co Connect with Mark Scrivner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner | https://snapshotinteractive.com Our Sponsor - Snapshot: https://snapshotinteractive.com

In this episode of The Spark, Mark Scrivner sits down with Brandon Edwards—CEO of Unlock Health and former head of Revive Health—to explore what it takes to build and sustain excellence in healthcare marketing. Brandon shares how early lessons in leadership, the challenges of selling a successful agency, and the pursuit of authenticity continue to shape his vision for Unlock Health.

Listeners will gain insights into how leaders can evolve through change, create cultures that last, and use emerging tools like AI with integrity and purpose. Brandon's practical reflections offer a masterclass in clarity, self-awareness, and long-term thinking for anyone building teams or businesses in fast-changing industries.

Episode Highlights: 00:01 – From politics to healthcare: Brandon's early journey 06:45 – Building Revive Health and knowing when to sell 19:12 – Learning leadership from the hard places 25:10 – Founding Unlock Health and spotting market gaps 33:30 – Authentic healthcare marketing in the post-truth era 35:15 – Redefining workflows through AI integration 46:10 – Assembling smarter teams and leading with humility 52:20 – Advice for founders: surround yourself with the right people

Learn More & Connect Show Notes + Resources: https://creativeassembly.agency/ca-podcast/ Connect With Brandon Edwards: https://www.linkedin.com/in/be615/ | https://unlockhealth.com Connect with Mark Scrivner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner | https://snapshotinteractive.com Our Sponsor - Snapshot: https://snapshotinteractive.com

In this episode of The Spark, Mark Scrivner sits down with Dale Addy—veteran designer, agency founder, and Belmont University professor—to talk about creativity, collaboration, and the bridge between professional design practice and education. Dale shares insights from three decades of creative leadership, reflecting on lessons learned at global agencies, the founding of DNA Creative with his wife April, and his transition into teaching.

Listeners will discover how Dale helps young designers balance craft and concept, navigate client relationships, and approach creative work with humility and purpose. From original thinking and black-and-white presentations to teaching design students the value of research and empathy, this conversation highlights what it truly means to design for others—and not just yourself.

Episode Highlights:

• 00:02 — How Dale found his path from art to design and business

• 05:33 — Starting DNA Creative and lessons in small-agency collaboration

• 10:11 — Why originality matters: using your brain before Google

• 11:33 — Teaching design clients with black-and-white first principles

• 21:19 — How Dale found purpose in teaching the next generation

• 26:37 — Designing for your client's client: empathy and research

• 34:14 — The real feedback students need from creative mentors

• 39:09 — Why creative leaders must give back to the next generation

Learn More & Connect Show Notes + Resources: https://creativeassembly.agency/ca-podcast/ Connect With Dale Addy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dale-addy-a8652a5/ | https://belmont.edu Connect with Mark Scrivner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner | https://snapshotinteractive.com Our Sponsor - Snapshot: https://snapshotinteractive.com

In this episode of The Spark, hosts welcome Nashville power duo Liza and Jay Graves, the husband-and-wife team behind StyleBlueprint and Blueprint Inc.. From a small blog launched during the 2009 recession to a thriving digital media company with millions of readers, Liza shares how a simple mission to "keep Nashville, Nashville" turned into a platform that celebrates local businesses and regional storytelling.

Together, Liza and Jay explore how to scale with purpose, balance marriage and leadership, and uphold editorial integrity in the AI era. They discuss their evolution from StyleBlueprint to Blueprint Inc., the power of community-driven marketing, and why staying rooted in local values can build national impact.

Episode Highlights:

• 02:03 – How StyleBlueprint started with zero subscribers and a mission to support local businesses.

• 07:42 – Jay's journey from data management in sports to joining Liza at StyleBlueprint.

• 13:34 – How curated "Top Lists" became a breakthrough for small-business clients.

• 17:31 – Navigating business and marriage: boundaries, trust, and shared decision-making.

• 25:43 – From StyleBlueprint to Blueprint Inc.—clarifying brand structure and growth strategy.

• 34:04 – Upholding human creativity and editorial integrity in the age of AI.

• 54:02 – Liza's vision for 100 women-led markets under the StyleBlueprint brand.

Learn More & Connect Show Notes + Resources: https://creativeassembly.agency/ca-podcast/

Connect With Liza Graves: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizagraves | https://styleblueprint.com

Connect with Jay Graves: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gravesjay/ | https://blueprint.inc

Connect With Mark Scrivner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner | https://snapshotinteractive.com

Our Sponsor - Snapshot: https://snapshotinteractive.com

In this inspiring episode of The Spark, host Mark Scrivner sits down with Falon Veit, Founder and CEO of EES Agency—a global experiential marketing and event production powerhouse. Falon shares her incredible journey from volunteering at CMA Fanfare to leading one of the industry's most respected firms, built entirely from grit, faith, and vision.

They dive deep into her philosophy of "leading with love," how she navigated entrepreneurship without outside funding, and what it takes to sustain mental strength and team culture in one of the most demanding industries. Falon also opens up about personal loss, resilience, and her mission to lift others as she climbs. This episode is a masterclass in leadership, humanity, and building a life that means something.

Episode Highlights

• 00:01: Falon's start in experiential marketing and her 26-year creative journey

• 03:58: Taking the leap to launch EES Agency—without investors

• 08:43: Finding mental strength through the toughest early years

• 14:49: How COVID reshaped her leadership and team resilience

• 17:04: Leading with vulnerability and grace through personal loss

• 23:18: "Events as Business Strategy"—EES's transformative approach

• 35:02: What "leading with love" really means inside her company

• 55:21: The Viviendo Foundation and Falon's legacy of lifting others

Learn More & Connect Show Notes + Resources: https://creativeassembly.agency/ca-podcast/ Connect With Falon Veit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/falonveit | https://www.eesagency.com Connect with Mark Scrivner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner | https://snapshotinteractive.com Our Sponsor - Snapshot: https://snapshotinteractive.com

#TheSparkPodcast #Marketing #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #ExperientialMarketing #WomenInBusiness #CreativeCommunity

From global chemical corporations to Nashville's fastest-growing boutique agency, Paul Oakley has shaped how industries communicate, lead, and give back. In this episode, Paul—founder and CEO of Tiny Mighty Communications—shares his unexpected path from Dow Chemical and Bridgestone to launching his own firm focused on industrial B2B brands. He unpacks what "Tiny Mighty" really means, why experience matters more than headcount, and how measuring impact instead of activity redefines agency value.

Paul also opens up about mentorship, media responsibility, and why he's investing in the next generation's "right to speak." This is a deep dive into leadership, purpose, and the evolving role of PR in a data-driven, AI-aware world.

Timestamps: 00:49 — Paul Oakley's journey from Dow and Bridgestone to launching Tiny Mighty Communications 02:08 — How early lessons shaped his leadership philosophy and global mindset 09:30 — The leap from corporate life to entrepreneurship in 2019 12:21 — Building a senior-led agency model for industrial brands 16:45 — Why "Tiny Mighty" means delivering big thinking with small teams 23:07 — Measuring impact, not activity—how data drives modern communications 28:07 — Why free press and media integrity still matter in business 34:25 — Philanthropy, purpose, and the "Right to Speak" initiative 51:47 — "Your Rolodex is your net worth"—Paul's timeless advice for entrepreneurs

Learn More & Connect Show Notes + Resources: https://creativeassembly.agency/ca-podcast/ Connect With Paul Oakley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pauloakleytmc/ | https://tinymightyco.com Connect with Mark Scrivner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner | https://snapshotinteractive.com Our Sponsor - Snapshot: https://snapshotinteractive.com

Organizations we support for a free press:

• Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
• Poynter Institute

Paul's current favorite podcast (besides The Spark):

• Mixed Signals from Semafor Media (https://www.semafor.com/hub/mixed-signals-media-podcast)

Katie Peninger, VP of Account Service & Business Growth at Lewis Communications and VP of Membership Engagement for AMA Nashville, joins The Spark to share her journey from designer to agency leader. She reflects on bold marketing choices, mentoring, Nashville's creative evolution, and why intentionality and relationships are at the heart of strong client partnerships. Katie also highlights the power of networking, her community involvement, and how technology like AI is shaping the industry.

Timestamps:

• 02:00 – From graphic design to account leadership

• 09:16 – Insights from the Kentucky Bourbon Trail campaign

• 12:16 – What "bold marketing decisions" really mean

• 18:15 – Advice for young professionals entering agencies

• 24:29 – The importance of communication over Slack/email

• 32:01 – Nashville's growing creative community

• 37:17 – Exploring AI's impact on marketing

What You'll Learn:

• How Katie transitioned from designer to agency leader

• The meaning of bold marketing decisions behind the scenes

• Why strong client partnerships depend on trust and communication

• How Nashville's creative community continues to evolve

• Why networking creates lasting opportunities

• How AI is reshaping the future of agencies

Subscribe to The Spark and never miss an episode featuring Nashville's most inspiring creative leaders.

Learn More & Connect:

• Creative Assembly: https://creativeassemblynashville.com

• Connect with Katie Peninger: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiepeninger/

• Connect with Mark Scrivner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner

• Thanks to our Sponsor - Snapshot: https://snapshotinteractive.com

#TheSparkPodcast #NashvilleMarketing #AgencyLeadership #NashvilleCreatives #CreativeAssembly #Snapshot