Episode 257: Making Product Launches Work at Scale with Michael Dodsworth

In this episode of the Product Thinking Podcast, Melissa Perri is joined by Michael Dodsworth, the founder and CEO of Fanfare. Michael shares his insights on the importance of storytelling in product management and how it can drive product success.

He discusses his transition from engineering roles to leading innovative product launches that create immersive experiences and captivate audiences. Through his experiences, Michael emphasizes the significance of aligning strategic goals with customer engagement to elevate product performance.

Tune in to explore how Michael's approach to storytelling and strategic alignment can transform your product launches into unforgettable experiences.

You'll hear us talk about:

• 07:36 - The Power of Storytelling in Product Management

Michael Dodsworth explains the essential components of storytelling for product managers. He highlights the importance of simplifying stories to resonate with audiences and making them personal to leave a lasting impression.

• 23:39 - Turning Product Launches into Immersive Experiences

Melissa and Michael discuss how brands can create engaging and immersive experiences during product launches. Michael shares strategies to avoid negative aspects of product drops and ensure a memorable customer journey.

• 29:28 - Applying Launch Lessons to Software Products

Melissa asks Michael about translating product launch principles to software companies. Michael emphasizes the necessity of educating customers and having a clear narrative to drive the success of product launches in the tech industry. Episode Resources:

Episode resources:

Michael on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-dodsworth/

Fanfare: https://fanfare.io/

Check the localization report: https://lokalise.com/library/data-reports/localization-revenue-report-2025/

Check our courses: https://productinstitute.com/