AI for Solopreneurs: The AI Hat Podcast

What if everything you thought you knew about technology adoption in marketing was wrong? Imagine a world where C-suite executives are more comfortable with AI than digital natives. Well, according to groundbreaking new research from Lightricks and the American Marketing Association, that world is already here.For decades, we've operated under the assumption that new technology adoption flows from the bottom up. Young professionals, fresh out of college, bring new tools and techniques to their organizations. But AI is completely flipping this script, creating an unprecedented divide in marketing teams that threatens both innovation and career growth.The numbers are startling: while 61% of executives use AI weekly, only 42% of entry-level marketers do the same. Even more concerning? 65% of executives have received formal AI training, compared to just 34% of early-career marketers. This isn't just a gap – it's a canyon that's growing wider every day.Today, we're joined by Corbett Drummey, a pioneer in the creator economy and AI space. As part of Lightricks, which recently partnered with the American Marketing Association on this groundbreaking research, Corbett brings unique insights into this shifting landscape. His experience leading Popular Pays through its successful acquisition by Lightricks, and his current work developing AI tools for brand safety, puts him at the intersection of marketing leadership and technological innovation.AI in Marketing: Unpacked host Mike Allton asked Corbett Drummey about:✨ Reversed Adoption Pattern: Traditional bottom-up technology adoption is being replaced by executive-led AI integration.✨ Training Determines Success: The growing training gap between leadership and staff is becoming a critical career factor.✨ Bridge The Divide: Organizations must actively work to democratize AI access and training across all levels.Learn more about Corbett DrummeyConnect with Corbett Drummey on LinkedIn Resources & Brands mentioned in this episode Download The Full Report: https://www.lightricks.com/ama-survey AI Training available for employees Lightricks American Marketing Association Mastering AI Prompting: Advanced Techniques for Success with Ashley Gross Revolutionizing Visual Content: Generative AI in Action with Corbett Drummey AI as Your Co-Host: Unleashing NotebookLM’s Potential in Content Marketing AI Marketing Primer: A Comprehensive Guide for Marketers Explore past episodes of the AI in Marketing: Unpacked podcast SHOW TRANSCRIPT & NOTES: https://www.thesocialmediahat.com/blog/the-surprising-truth-about-ai-adoption-in-marketing-teams/Start your AI journey with the AI Marketing Primer.Brought to you by The Social Media Hat - When One More Hat Is One Too Many. Interesting in sponsoring an episode? Learn more here.Powered by Magai - why choose one AI tool when you can have them all? And Descript, the magic wand for podcasters.Produced and Hosted by Mike Allton, AI Consultant at The Social Media Hat, where he's tirelessly helping businesses and marketers get ahead of the AI Revolution and apply advanced technologies to their roles. He's spent over a decade in digital marketing, bringing an unparalleled level of experience and excitement to the fore, whether he's delivering a presentation or leading a workshop. If you’re interested in helping marketers with AI in an upcoming episode, reach out to Mike.Powered by the Marketing Podcast Network.Music by Tokay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cathy McPhillips, Chief Growth Officer at the Marketing AI Institute, shares her expertise on harnessing AI for marketing success. She discusses how AI enhances targeting and personalization, transforming traditional marketing methods into precise, data-driven strategies. Cathy highlights real-world applications, including case studies from notable brands like Coca-Cola. Additionally, she explores the challenges marketers face in implementing AI and emphasizes the importance of human oversight in leveraging these powerful tools to drive scalable growth.

Imagine stepping out of a Fortune 500 boardroom after 16 years, only to find yourself on the cutting edge of AI marketing and innovation. Sounds like a plot twist in a tech thriller, right? Well, for our guest today, it's not fiction – it's her extraordinary career path.In today's fast-paced marketing world, staying ahead often means embracing the unknown. But what happens when that unknown is as vast and complex as artificial intelligence? Many marketers find themselves at a crossroads, wondering how to bridge the gap between traditional strategies and this brave new world of AI.This is where our guest's journey becomes not just inspiring, but invaluable. Today, we have the privilege of speaking with Lauren Schiavone, a visionary leader who's made the leap from corporate titan to AI trailblazer.Lauren isn't just any former executive. With nearly two decades of consumer insights, brand, and sales leadership experience at Procter & Gamble, she's been the driving force behind some of the most recognizable brands in your home. Her work at P&G was consistently recognized as best-in-class, and she was even selected as one of Progressive Grocer Industry's Best and Brightest Under 40.But Lauren's story doesn't end in the corporate world. In a bold move, she stepped away from her prestigious role to dive headfirst into the world of AI. Now, as a consultant and thought leader, Lauren is on a mission to demystify AI for business leaders, particularly in the realms of consumer goods, brand innovation, and retail.What makes Lauren's perspective so unique is her ability to translate complex AI concepts into practical strategies that non-technical leaders can actually use. She's not just talking about AI – she's showing businesses how to enhance decision-making, drive innovation, and deliver business growth in tangible ways.AI in Marketing: Unpacked host Mike Allton asked Lauren Schiavone about:✨ Corporate Wisdom in AI: Understand how traditional business acumen enhances AI implementation in marketing.✨ Practical AI Integration: Learn strategies for incorporating AI into existing marketing processes and teams.✨ Future-Ready Marketing: Discover how to prepare marketing strategies for an AI-driven future while leveraging current strengths.Learn more about Lauren SchiavoneConnect with Lauren Schiavone on LinkedIn Resources & Brands mentioned in this episode Wonder Consulting Procter & Gamble (P&G) The AI Revolution is Here: What Every Marketer Needs to Know Finding Your Voice with AI – How to Craft a Brand Voice That Resonates Paving the Way: Strategies for Integrating AI in Marketing with Chris Penn The Artificial Intelligence Show Rufus Generative AI and Demographics: Trends for Marketers to Watch with Michael Nevski Liza Adams Paul Roetzer Ann Handley The H.U.M.A.N. AI Integration Framework: Bridging the Gap Between Technology and People AI Marketing Primer: A Comprehensive Guide for Marketers Explore past episodes of the AI in Marketing: Unpacked podcast SHOW TRANSCRIPT & NOTES: https://www.thesocialmediahat.com/blog/from-boardroom-to-bot-room-a-leaders-journey-into-ai-marketing/Start your AI journey with the AI Marketing Primer.Brought to you by The Social Media Hat - When One More Hat Is One Too Many. Interesting in sponsoring an episode? Learn more here.Powered by the Marketing Podcast Network.Music by Tokay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Product Marketing Managers, let's face it: you're juggling a million tasks, from crafting compelling narratives to deciphering market trends, all while trying to stay ahead in an ever-evolving digital landscape. It's like trying to solve a Rubik's Cube while riding a unicycle - challenging, to say the least. But what if there was a way to not just keep up, but to leap ahead? Enter the game-changing world of AI, a tool that's revolutionizing the PMM playbook faster than you can say "go-to-market strategy."From ideation to copywriting, from research to those daily tasks that seem to multiply endlessly, AI is transforming how PMMs work. But how exactly are savvy professionals leveraging this technology to supercharge their efforts? That's exactly what we're about to unpack. To guide us through this AI-powered marketing revolution, we have a true expert in the field joining us today.I'm thrilled to welcome Gabe Wahhab to our show. Gabe is a growth-minded entrepreneur turned intrapreneur, with an impressive background in product marketing. He's worked with industry giants like HubSpot, where he played a key role in developing and implementing AI-driven marketing strategies. Gabe's unique blend of technical expertise and marketing acumen makes him the perfect guide to help us navigate the AI revolution in product marketing.AI in Marketing: Unpacked host Mike Allton asked Gabe Wahhab about:✨ AI-Powered Efficiency: Artificial Intelligence significantly boosts PMM productivity by automating routine tasks and streamlining complex processes.✨ Enhanced Creativity: AI tools augment human creativity in ideation and content creation, leading to more innovative marketing strategies.✨ Data-Driven Insights: AI enables PMMs to gather and analyze vast amounts of data quickly, informing more strategic decision-making.Learn more about Gabe WahhabConnect with Gabe Wahhab on LinkedIn Resources & Brands mentioned in this episode GabeWahhab.com HubSpot Agorapulse Finding Your Voice with AI – How to Craft a Brand Voice That Resonates with Mike Allton Custom GPTs for Marketers: Work Smarter, Not Harder with Mike Allton Gong Zoom 1Up How to Create 26 Pieces Of Content From A Facebook Live Content Remix Ruheene Jaura HeyLevi Product Marketing Alliance AI as Your Co-Host: Unleashing NotebookLM’s Potential in Content Marketing with Mike Allton Christopher Penn AI Use Cases for Ideal Customer Profiles AI Consulting AI Bootcamp AI Marketing Primer: A Comprehensive Guide for Marketers Explore past episodes of the AI in Marketing: Unpacked podcast SHOW TRANSCRIPT & NOTES: https://www.thesocialmediahat.com/blog/elevating-product-marketing-the-game-changing-role-of-ai/Start your AI journey with the AI Marketing Primer.Brought to you by The Social Media Hat - When One More Hat Is One Too Many. Interesting in sponsoring an episode? Learn more here.Powered by Magai - why choose one AI tool when you can have them all? And Descript, the magic wand for podcasters.Produced and Hosted by Mike Allton, AI Consultant at The Social Media Hat, where he's tirelessly helping businesses and marketers get ahead of the AI Revolution and apply advanced technologies to their roles. He's spent over a decade in digital marketing, bringing an unparalleled level of experience and excitement to the fore, whether he's delivering a presentation or leading a workshop. If you’re interested in helping marketers with AI in an upcoming episode, reach out to Mike.Powered by the Marketing Podcast Network.Music by Tokay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever read a piece of content from a brand—maybe a blog, a social post, or even an email—and thought, “This just doesn’t sound right?” Maybe it felt robotic, overly generic, or like it could’ve been written by anyone. Here’s the reality: with the rise of AI tools in content creation, this is happening more often than ever. And it’s not just small businesses struggling to get it right—it’s big brands too. The problem? They haven’t defined their voice, and they’re expecting AI to read their minds.When your content doesn’t sound like you, it confuses your audience. It erodes trust and makes it harder to build lasting connections. And when AI gets it wrong—whether that’s a dry, lifeless tone or something wildly inconsistent—it doesn’t just fall flat. It can actively damage your brand. Think about it: every piece of content your audience sees shapes how they perceive you. If you don’t have a clear, consistent voice, you risk blending into the noise—or worse, alienating the people you’re trying to reach.But here’s the good news: with the right approach, you can create a voice that’s unmistakably yours, and—here’s the exciting part—you can teach AI to scale it. Today, we’re going to dive into why your brand voice matters, how to define it in collaboration with AI, and how to create custom instructions so that every blog, social post, and email feels authentically you. I’ll even share my own experience building a Custom GPT to reflect my voice and style, so you can see exactly how it’s done.AI in Marketing: Unpacked host Mike Allton talked about:✨ Why Your Brand Voice is Essential: Listeners will learn why a consistent and well-defined brand voice is critical for building trust, standing out, and ensuring that their audience connects with their content—whether it’s created by them or an AI.✨ How to Define and Document Your Unique Voice: Listeners will get actionable insights into defining their brand’s tone, language, and style, including tips on identifying key traits and avoiding common pitfalls. Plus, they’ll discover how to translate that voice into clear guidelines that can be used across all their content.✨ How to Collaborate with AI to Scale Your Voice: Listeners will walk away with practical steps for teaching AI tools like ChatGPT or Magai to reflect their unique voice. They’ll learn how to create custom instructions, refine AI outputs, and use these tools to save time while maintaining authenticity.Learn more about Mike AlltonConnect with Mike Allton on LinkedIn Resources & Brands mentioned in this episode Custom GPTs for Marketers: Work Smarter, Not Harder AI Consulting AI Bootcamp AI Marketing Primer: A Comprehensive Guide for Marketers Explore past episodes of the AI in Marketing: Unpacked podcast SHOW TRANSCRIPT & NOTES: https://www.thesocialmediahat.com/blog/finding-your-voice-with-ai-how-to-craft-a-brand-voice-that-resonates/Start your AI journey with the AI Marketing Primer.Brought to you by The Social Media Hat - When One More Hat Is One Too Many. Interesting in sponsoring an episode? Learn more here.Powered by Magai - why choose one AI tool when you can have them all? And Descript, the magic wand for podcasters.Produced and Hosted by Mike Allton, AI Consultant at The Social Media Hat, where he's tirelessly helping businesses and marketers get ahead of the AI Revolution and apply advanced technologies to their roles. He's spent over a decade in digital marketing, bringing an unparalleled level of experience and excitement to the fore, whether he's delivering a presentation or leading a workshop. If you’re interested in helping marketers with AI in an upcoming episode, reach out to Mike.Powered by the Marketing Podcast Network.Music by Tokay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David Armano, a strategic leader known for his insights in Forbes and Harvard Business Review, dives into the practical realities of AI in marketing. He sheds light on the 'GSD Era,' emphasizing the need for strategic implementation over chasing hype. The discussion covers the shift from traditional methods to AI-driven strategies and how collaboration among marketing leaders can lead to measurable results. David also addresses data security, ethical considerations, and the essential balance between AI innovation and the human touch in enhancing user experiences.

Have you ever wondered if your marketing strategies are crossing an invisible ethical line? In today's AI-driven world, the temptation to push boundaries for results is stronger than ever. But what if embracing ethics could actually supercharge your marketing efforts?Marketers everywhere are grappling with a critical challenge: how to harness the immense power of AI without compromising their brand's integrity or consumer trust. The risks are real – from privacy breaches to unintended bias – and the consequences can be severe.But here's the exciting twist: responsible AI isn't just about avoiding pitfalls. It's a gateway to unprecedented innovation and deeper customer connections. Today, we're joined by an expert who's cracked the code on blending cutting-edge AI with rock-solid ethics.Ladies and gentlemen, I'm thrilled to introduce Sarah Lloyd Favaro, a true pioneer in the realm of responsible AI innovation. With a rich background spanning technology consulting, data science, and enterprise content management, Sarah has been at the forefront of AI integration across various industries. Formerly with Verizon, her work with global giants and her passion for AI literacy have positioned her as a thought leader in responsible AI implementation.AI in Marketing: Unpacked host Mike Allton asked Sarah Lloyd Favaro about:✨ Ethics Drives Innovation: Responsible AI isn't a constraint; it's a catalyst for creative, effective marketing solutions.✨ Transparency Builds Trust: Open communication about AI use strengthens customer relationships and brand loyalty.✨ Continuous Learning is Key: Staying informed about AI ethics ensures marketers can adapt to evolving standards and technologies.Learn more about Sarah Lloyd Favaro Connect with Sarah Lloyd Favaro on LinkedIn Connect with Sarah Lloyd Favaro on X Resources & Brands mentioned in this episode Learn Bold - Global Responsible AI Learning & Development - Future of Work Microsoft’s Pillars of Responsible AI Miri Rodriguez Mastering AI: The Future of Data-Driven Personalization in Marketing with Zontee Hou “LinkedIn started harvesting people's posts for training AI without asking for opt-in” EU Artificial Intelligence Act NLP Custom GPTs for Marketers: Work Smarter, Not Harder  AI Marketing Primer: A Comprehensive Guide for Marketers Explore past episodes of the AI in Marketing: Unpacked podcast SHOW TRANSCRIPT & NOTES: https://www.thesocialmediahat.com/blog/responsible-ai-marketing-where-innovation-meets-integrity/Start your AI journey with the AI Marketing Primer.Brought to you by The Social Media Hat - When One More Hat Is One Too Many. Interesting in sponsoring an episode? Learn more here.Powered by Magai - why choose one AI tool when you can have them all? And Descript, the magic wand for podcasters.Produced and Hosted by Mike Allton, AI Consultant at The Social Media Hat, where he's tirelessly helping businesses and marketers get ahead of the AI Revolution and apply advanced technologies to their roles. He's spent over a decade in digital marketing, bringing an unparalleled level of experience and excitement to the fore, whether he's delivering a presentation or leading a workshop. If you’re interested in helping marketers with AI in an upcoming episode, reach out to Mike.Powered by the Marketing Podcast Network.Music by Tokay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matthew Spiller, known as Vibeproxies954 in the Magic: The Gathering community, shares his insights on using AI to supercharge content creation and business processes. He discusses developing targeted AI personas for effective messaging that resonates with fans. The conversation also covers cost-effective design strategies for collectible tokens and how AI can streamline social media management, enhancing audience engagement. Matthew’s journey showcases the transformative power of AI in niche marketing, offering actionable tips for creators and small businesses alike.

Niki Dunagin, a creative entrepreneur and the brains behind The CEO of Chatbots, reveals how solo entrepreneurs can harness AI as their virtual marketing team. She discusses transforming marketing strategies overnight, with AI handling everything from copywriting to social media calendars. Niki emphasizes the importance of customizing AI tools to fit personal branding and shares insights on overcoming emotional hurdles in the fast-evolving AI landscape. Her valuable tips empower entrepreneurs to achieve efficiency while maintaining authenticity in their marketing efforts.

In this discussion, Andrew Davis, a marketing expert with clients like Kraft and Walmart, unveils the potential of AI twins in marketing. He explains how digital doppelgängers can amplify creativity while preserving individual brand voice. Key strategies for gaining a competitive edge through AI are shared, highlighting the importance of future-proof human skills. As the marketing landscape evolves, Davis emphasizes the need for marketers to adapt and embrace AI as a collaborator rather than a replacement.