Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur | Start and Grow Your Own Business 1114: Secrets from the TV industry that can unlock MARKETING SUCCESS for your biz w/ Mike Guerrieri
In today’s episode, we’re diving deep into marketing strategy, brand positioning, and the mindset required to win—whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or a growing business. Mike Guerrieri, President and CMO of Vanbrey Media, shares his broadcast TV industry insights and how he helps small businesses—the “Davids”—compete against corporate giants—the “Goliaths.”
Mike’s journey from NBC executive to marketing agency founder is packed with lessons on building trust, crafting strategic marketing campaigns, and using data without getting lost in the numbers. If you’ve ever struggled with getting your business noticed in a crowded market, this episode is a must-listen.
💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR Business
✅ How to think like a TV executive when marketing your brand
✅ Why most entrepreneurs fail at marketing (and how to avoid their mistakes)
✅ The "marketing mindset map"—do you see marketing as an expense or an investment?
✅ Why being polarizing in marketing isn't necessary to stand out
✅ How to leverage AI for efficiency without losing authenticity
✅ Why customer experience is your biggest competitive advantage
✅ How small businesses can advertise on TV at the same cost as social media campaigns
📝 About Mike Guerrieri
Mike Guerrieri is President & CMO of Vanbrey Media based in the Miami-Ft. Lauderdale area. Mike came up in broadcast television where he worked for over 25 years in creative services and programming, mostly for NBC stations. He worked in markets including Hartford, Detroit, Jacksonville, Houston and Miami. Mike spent the last 17 years of his television career in executive management, overseeing all aspects of creative and marketing for his respective stations. He also served 5 years as the Chairman of the NBC Station Marketing Council, a position charged with ensuring strategic marketing priorities were aligned between the network and more than 230 local stations across the country. Mike is a seven-time regional EMMY winner as a writer, producer and director. On January 1, 2020, he decided it was time for a new adventure and launched his agency. Today, Vanbrey Media is a full-service marketing agency serving both B2B and B2C clients from coast-to-coast. Their focus is on helping "The Davids of the world compete with the Goliaths", but as Mike will tell us that can be a tricky task.
🎯 Mike’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs
💡 “Be willing to pivot. It’s not a straight line, it’s a curvy road.”
🔑 Key Takeaways from Mike’s Advice:
✔ Know what you're good at—and don’t be afraid to ask for help in areas you’re not
✔ Success takes time. Patience and persistence will outlast quick fixes
✔ Your first business idea isn’t your final destination—be flexible in adapting to market changes
💡 Actionable Takeaways
✅ Map out your "marketing mindset"—are you investing for long-term growth or just chasing quick wins?
✅ Don’t rely on one marketing channel—build a diversified strategy like a stock portfolio
✅ Use AI to enhance your marketing but never replace human connection
✅ Think about your marketing like a TV network—how can you grab attention in a crowded space?
✅ Focus on building brand trust first—revenue will follow
🔗 Links & Resources