Ever feel like your creative strategy is just guessing and hoping?In this episode of #MarketingMindset, Sarah Levinger, founder of Tether Insights, and I reveal how we blend macro-trend analysis with micro-level customer data to craft creative strategies that actually move the needle.From real-time social listening to competitor research, we walk through a live audit—showing you how to identify hidden opportunities and transform them into tangible results.Featuring: How to merge brand & performance goals for maximum impact Building a quarterly plan around seasonality, holidays, and your buyers’ changing needs Why “one-size-fits-all” creative is dead—and how to segment effectively The power of emotional and psychographic data in modern marketingWhether you’re a brand or an agency, this deep-dive will help you uncover the real reasons your customers convert—and keep them coming back.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/

How do you stand out when every SaaS feature can be copied in months—if not weeks? Join us as we chat with Melissa Rosenthal, founder of Outlever and former Chief Creative Officer at ClickUp, on whybrand is the true competitive moat for today’s software companies. From blending brand and performance marketing to leveraging content as the ultimate pipeline builder, Melissa shows us how the old playbook is dead—and how to thrive in 2025 and beyond.Featuring: Melissa Rosenthal, Founder of Outlever (BuzzFeed & Cheddar alum)Topics Covered:Why product parity means brand is more crucial than everHow to incorporate brand into every piece of your marketingOutbound vs. content: Who wins in the AI era?The new golden rules for building trust, credibility, and authorityDon’t miss this deep dive into the bold moves your SaaS brand needs to break through the noise.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/⁠

In this episode of Marketing Mindset, your host Colby Flood chats with Chris from The Fresh Chile Co. about the organic tactics that fueled a 30,000-member Facebook community and skyrocketed brand loyalty. If you’re looking to blend paid and organic marketing with a personal touch, this episode is for you.Tune in to hear:How to leverage founder-led storytelling to forge genuine connectionsThe role of consistent publishing in building an engaged audienceWhy a dedicated Facebook group can supercharge organic growthActionable tips for turning user-generated content into repeat salesThe “secret sauce” behind The Fresh Chile Co.’s successFollow 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/⁠

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 UGCWhy direct response is losing its edgeGen Z’s surprising influence on soft-sell strategiesThe creative strategist crisis in marketingDon’t miss this bold look at what’s next in the marketing world.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/⁠

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/