Practical Pivots
Steve Pockross
Practical Pivots is the go-to source for startup leaders and investors asking, “What do we do next?”. Each episode, we talk with a wide array of experts to guide companies to disrupt the undisruptable, turn setbacks into scale-ups, and transform plateaus into pivots.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 18, 2020 • 43min
Changing Algorithms and Changing Company Culture with Agency Owner Kelli Kelley
When it comes to brand building, we have to be patient. When it comes to inclusion and diversity in business, we need change now. Hear Kelli speak to both and learn how her agency navigates the ever-changing world of digital for her clients.
Nov 11, 2020 • 43min
A Theory of Storytelling and a History of Agency.com with Storyvine’s Kyle Shannon
Society is in a storytelling renaissance. Learn why and hear how Kyle is democratizing one particular medium. He also talks entrepreneurship, warns against a major marketing mistake, and serenades us all with his guitar.
Nov 4, 2020 • 40min
Marketing for $10 Million, Alex: Hennessey’s Scott Shrum on Using Content to Dominate Legal SEO
Hear from a recent Jeopardy! champ on the most efficient way to buzz in, life lessons learned from improv, and exactly how much content a leading digital agency is creating for its clients.
Oct 28, 2020 • 44min
The Limits of Digital and the First Aid Kit of the Future with Ogilvy’s Ritesh Patel
Learn why Ritesh is so optimistic about the future of healthcare and hear what most people get wrong about digital. He and Steve also discuss what they want to be when they grow up.
Oct 21, 2020 • 40min
Rand Fishkin on the Evolution of SEO, Audience Intelligence, and Perfect Carbonara
#032: Steve and Rand talk startup myths, problematic duopolies, and Rebel Alliances. Rand also shares the people and brands he’s most excited about right now, and rants about the atrocity of putting cream in carbonara.
Oct 14, 2020 • 37min
Air Fryers and Genie Bras: Direct-to-Consumer Marketing & Creating #1 Products with Matt Fisher
#031: Hear the story behind your favorite “As Seen on TV” products and learn marketing lessons that apply to infomercials and digital alike. Matt also shares his journey from Netscape engineer to COO at one of the biggest direct-to-consumer names in the world.
Oct 7, 2020 • 31min
International Agency Trends, Podcasting Tips and Power Lifting with Growit Group’s Clodagh Higgins
#030: Clodagh and Steve talk about global trends in marketing and Clodagh’s latest upskill. They also get meta with the dos and don’ts of successful podcasting: Don’t underestimate the power of consistency, and do interview your father.
Sep 30, 2020 • 45min
Remixing Content, Influencing Culture, and Competitive Dodgeball with Foundation CEO Ross Simmonds
#029: Ross Simmonds shares how writing about dirt can be exciting and why marketers struggle with content promotion. He and Steve also talk portfolio theory, dodgeball, and obscure history—and Ross tells how Madden got him into marketing.
Sep 23, 2020 • 36min
The History of Agencies, Authority Marketing, and Overused Words with AMI’s Drew McLellan
#028: Steve and Drew cover why agencies are responsible for soap operas, how to establish authority as an agency, and what a cornerstone content strategy looks like. Drew also lets us know it's time to stop saying "unprecedented."
Sep 16, 2020 • 41min
Influencer Marketing and the Transformation of Advertising with Influence.co’s Niel Robertson
#027: Learn how a 19th century management consultant was way ahead of his time and hear what's next for the gig economy. Niel and Steve also discuss the fundamental shift happening in marketing right now and the single smartest question you can ask someone.
