Welcome to episode #984 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast.
Steve Pratt knows how to earn attention - and not in the algorithm-chasing, trend-hopping way most marketers talk about it. As the co-founder of Pacific Content (the first agency dedicated to branded podcasts), Steve helped pioneer a model for long-form brand storytelling that respected the audience as much as it served the client. Before podcasting was a thing brands took seriously, Steve was guiding companies like Slack, Facebook, Shopify, BMW, Adobe, and Charles Schwabinto a new kind of media - one built on trust, consistency, and real creative value. That experience forms the foundation of his new book, Earn It - Unconventional Strategies For Brave Marketers. In this conversation, he unpacks why so many marketers are stuck in short-term thinking, how performance marketing is cannibalizing brand, and what it really takes to build content worth someone’s time. There’s insight here on the difference between being loud and being relevant, on why the future belongs to brave brands with a point of view, and how AI may flood the market with content - but only humans can still make something remarkable. Steve’s career started in TV production, moved through digital innovation at CBC, and has now landed at the intersection of creativity, business strategy, and media design with his newest venture, The Creativity Business. His message is simple: the only brands that win long-term are the ones willing to put in the work, respect the audience, and be consistently great over time. For anyone wrestling with content strategy, podcasting, or how to think like a media company - this one’s a masterclass. Enjoy the conversation...
Chapters:
(00:00) - The Journey of Podcasting. (02:58) - Consistency vs. Relevance in Content Creation. (06:05) - The Landscape of Media Companies vs. Individual Creators. (08:58) - Audience Development in the Digital Age. (11:49) - The Nature of Podcasts vs. Video Content. (15:09) - The Evolution of Podcasting and Video Strategies. (17:49) - The Role of Sensationalism in Media. (20:52) - Quality vs. Mediocrity in Content Creation. (33:37) - The Challenge of Earning Success. (34:44) - The Longevity of Podcasting and Audience Engagement. (39:01) - Niche Marketing and Brand Media Companies. (42:59) - The Pressure of Performance Marketing. (50:00) - The Role of AI in Content Creation. (01:03:16) - Red Bull: A Case Study in Media Innovation.
