The role of creative strategists is evolving faster than the industry can handle, and Sarah Levinger breaks it all down in this eye-opening discussion. From UGC fatigue to the death of hard-sell marketing, we uncover the shifts redefining ad strategy in 2025. Are colleges falling behind? Is Gen Z rewriting the rules of consumer psychology? Tune in to discover how these trends will shape the future of marketing. Featuring: Sarah Levinger, host of "Brain Driven Brands" Topics Covered: The rise and fall of UGC Why direct response is losing its edge Gen Z’s surprising influence on soft-sell strategies The creative strategist crisis in marketing Don’t miss this bold look at what’s next in the marketing world.

In this episode of Marketing Mindset, Colby chats with UGC creator Kelly Jensen to explore the dynamics between agencies, brands, and creators. They share their thoughts on the briefing process, usage rights, and best practices for content creation.  Colby gives insights into the challenges of creating effective briefs that give direction without stifling the creator’s voice. Kelly shares how too much detail can make content feel overly rehearsed, while no guidance can leave creators guessing about brand expectations. They give tips on achieving the right balance and ensuring content feels more organic for both the brand and the creator. Tune in to learn more about the rapidly evolving UGC landscape, shaped by new FTC rules, technological advancements, and AI. This episode is essential listening for both UGC agency leaders and content creators alike! Follow Colby on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colby-flood/⁠ Follow Colby on Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/Colby__Flood⁠ Visit our Agency website: ⁠www.brighterclick.com⁠ Learn more about our creative strategy software: ⁠https://www.dataally.ai/

In this episode of Marketing Mindset, Colby interviews Michael Epstein from Postpilot, diving into the resurgence and strategic role of direct mail in the digital marketing landscape. Michael, a seasoned e-commerce entrepreneur, explains how direct mail offers a distinct advantage, especially as digital ad platforms become more competitive and costly.  Tune in to learn about Postpilot’s evolution from a retention-focused tool to a comprehensive prospecting solution. Michael shares how, by leveraging Acquisition AI, Postpilot can identify lookalike audiences and enable brands to send targeted mailers to new potential customers.  Colby and Michael also discuss how direct mail campaigns can be customized and automated, share tips on creative best practices for direct mail, and discuss how brands can strengthen an omnichannel strategy by reaching a broader range of customers and reducing reliance on digital channels. Follow Colby on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/colby-flood/⁠ Follow Colby on Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/Colby__Flood⁠ Visit our Agency website: ⁠www.brighterclick.com⁠ Learn more about our creative strategy software: ⁠https://www.dataally.ai/

This week on Marketing Mindset, Colby interviews Chris Suglia, an agency owner specializing in white-label paid media services, to discuss a holistic approach to creating and optimizing digital ads. They discuss essential creative tracking metrics, such as hook rate and hold rate, that are valuable for understanding the subtler aspects of audience engagement, particularly for ads that aim to boost brand recognition rather than drive direct conversions. Tune in to hear them share tips about client reporting, including the importance of transparency and customization, and learn how Chris tailors reports and communication based on each client’s knowledge and interest, providing detailed dashboards and monthly performance summaries for more sophisticated clients while simplifying metrics for less experienced business owners.  You’ll also learn how they educate clients on the role of macroeconomic factors, social platform algorithms, and other external elements that may impact ad performance. Follow Colby on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/colby-flood/⁠ Follow Colby on Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/Colby__Flood⁠ Visit our Agency website: ⁠www.brighterclick.com⁠ Learn more about our creative strategy software:⁠ https://www.dataally.ai/

Join e-commerce veteran Jordan West as he delves into the explosive world of TikTok Shops. He highlights how TikTok is revolutionizing social commerce, emphasizing the importance of authentic connections. Jordan shares strategies for brands to successfully launch their shops, including the value of influencer partnerships and phased approaches. He also addresses common hesitations, offering practical steps and insights into leveraging data for growth. Get ready to uncover how TikTok can become a game-changer for your digital sales!

In this episode of Marketing Mindset, Colby Flood talks to Henrik Johansson, an entrepreneur who scaled Boundless to $100 million in revenue.  Henrik shares his expertise on customer segmentation strategies, highlighting the importance of understanding why customers buy, not just what you’re selling. He delves into the evolution of targeting as businesses grow, offering insights on the distinction between customer segments and buyer personas. Henrik emphasizes the value of being the best in the world at serving specific market niches and shares lessons on balancing profitability and expansion. They also explore how AI is reshaping industries, offering practical insights on growth strategies, customer targeting, and adapting to the future of work through technology. Follow Colby on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colby-flood/ ⁠Follow Colby on Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/Colby__Flood⁠ Visit our Agency website: ⁠www.brighterclick.com⁠ Learn more about our creative strategy software: https://www.dataally.ai/

In this episode of The Marketing Mindset Podcast, Colby and Charlie explore the intricacies of creative testing and performance analysis in digital advertising. They share their mythos of systematic naming conventions, which Charlie champions as essential for any agency looking to save time and improve performance. Plus, they share their thoughts on understanding ad performance metrics, not just focusing on top performers but also finding potential in medium performers through iteration. They introduce the concept of treating an ad creative as a funnel, where each stage—from initial impressions to the final conversion—should be analyzed to identify bottlenecks. Charlie suggests that focusing on these specific metrics allows for targeted improvements, which can significantly boost overall campaign performance. Tune in to hear their thoughts on how creative strategies can impact average order value (AOV) and why certain messaging approaches can subtly influence consumer behavior to increase spending. Follow Colby on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colby-flood/Follow Colby on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Colby__FloodVisit our Agency website: www.brighterclick.comLearn more about our creative strategy software: https://www.dataally.ai/

This week on The Marketing Mindset Podcast, Colby and Charlie focus on the important phase of ad creative testing within the broader context of media buying. They share their thoughts on campaign structuring, including offering various approaches to setting up tests and discussing the merits of using separate campaigns for testing versus integrating them into evergreen campaigns. Throughout the episode, you’ll get tips on understanding the relationship between different metrics when evaluating cr...

In this episode of Marketing Mindset, Colby and Charlie continue their exploration of the creative strategy process, this time focusing on the crucial stages of internal QC and client handoff. Based on their years of experience delivering creative to clients, they discuss the importance of a well-structured QC checklist that addresses design quality and strategic alignment with the client's brand guidelines. Charlie introduces the idea of a two-stage QC process, where designers focus on ...

In this episode of Marketing Mindset, Colby and Charlie continue their creative strategy series by focusing on the process of handing off creative briefs to designers. They explore the importance of communication, particularly when working with new designers, and Charlie shares her experience in developing a shared language with designers and copywriters. Throughout the episode, they give tips on creating a briefing structure that works for your team, discuss why it’s so important to hav...