Ahead of the Game

In this episode - our 100th! - host Will Francis⁠⁠⁠⁠ chats with ⁠Brian Finnerty, the CMO of educational software company D2L. They look at Brian's long career in educational technology where he sees the learner as always taking the central role, especially in the age of AI. He explains how he manages their global marketing strategies, and offers insights into the ideal relationship between marketing and sales, as well as tips for anyone considering working in marketing. "Marketing is a great profession. It's plugged into the heartbeat of a company and its growth and its commercial viability. --------- To listen to more great conversations with professionals in digital marketing subscribe to Ahead of the Game on ⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and the video version on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠. And visit the Digital Marketing Institute for thousands of educational resources. You'll find ebooks, toolkits, podcasts, webinars, blogs, guides, and more! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join as a member for free today⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you enjoyed this episode please leave a review so others can find us! If you have other feedback for or would like to be a guest on the show, ⁠⁠email the podcast team⁠⁠!

How does the current job market look for digital marketing professionals? How is AI impacting the jobs scene? In this episode, Will Francis⁠⁠ interviews Terry Payne, Global Managing Director at Aspire Recruitment and learns about: the demand for digital marketing skills in high-growth markets, cultural differences in hiring practices, the shift towards hybrid work models, and the importance of demonstrating AI skills on CVs. They also touch on the significance of company culture, the average tenure in marketing roles (now 1.5 years!), key skills and roles for 2025, and the findings from Aspire's salary survey across the UK, US, MENA and APAC, available on the DMI website. "We've seen a 221 % increase in marketing professionals now listing AI on their CV. Upskill yourself now... get ahead of the curve." Terry's top 3 tips for jobseekers: Showcasing your tangible results Have realistic expectations Keep upskilling Resources mentioned: 2024 Salary Guides for Digital Marketers --------- The Ahead of the Game podcast is brought to you by the Digital Marketing Institute and is available on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠, ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠all other podcast platforms. And if you enjoyed this episode please leave a review so others can find us! If you have other feedback for or would like to be a guest on the show, ⁠email the podcast team⁠!

Brendan Almack and Cathal Melinn discuss the evolving landscape of PPC advertising, exploring the impact of AI, the importance of tailored landing pages, e-commerce strategies, and essential tips for PPC beginners. They emphasize adapting strategies and correct conversion tracking for campaign success.

Serial entrepreneur and digital marketing advisor Maeve Kneafsey shares insights on crafting a strategic marketing plan for new businesses, including audience research, customer journey mapping, and testing tactics before scaling. She also discusses getting stakeholder buy-in and essential skills for marketers.

Luan Wise, a social media consultant, shares insights on optimizing LinkedIn routines - engaging with posts, leveraging company pages for advocacy, and personal branding. Discusses AI tools, engagement strategies, and evolving company pages. Emphasizes consistency, visibility, and setting engagement rate benchmarks tailored to goals.

Travel the world in this week's episode! Host Will Francis⁠ peeks into the digital nomad life, chatting with Chris Cerra and Michelle Coulson. Chris founded the platform RemoteBase⁠ for finding remote accommodation and Michelle built HR platform Remote Rebellion out of frustration with companies calling people back to the office. They have tips for newbies, choosing the right destinations, essential gear, and the challenges and rewards of remote work. We also get some insights from Chris on his remarkably successful email newsletter and MIchelle's approach to LinkedIn. BONUS - Download our Free Guide with 10 Top Tips for Digital Nomads! ----------⁠ The Ahead of the Game podcast is brought to you by the Digital Marketing Institute and is available on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠our website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and as a video podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. A ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠transcript of this episode⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is available on the DMI website, where you'll also find all our other episodes on our extensive digital marketing library of ebooks, toolkits, podcasts, webinars, blogs, and more! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join for free today⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you enjoyed this episode please leave a review so others can find us! Want to let us know other topics you'd like to hear us cover, or want to be a guest on the show? Just drop us a line at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@digitalmarketinginstitute.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Luke O'Leary, VP at Neil Patel Digital, discusses the evolving state of AI search with a focus on good UX, optimization, audience understanding, solid content, and testing. Topics include the changing role of SEO, Google and Reddit partnership, TikTok as a search platform, and preparing for AI in search. Luke shares insights on his career transition from California to London and differences in marketing approaches between the US and the UK.

Guest Roy Sexton, head of marketing at Clark Hill, discusses marketing as a force for good, B2B and B2C marketing overlap, personal branding, LGBTQ+ advocacy, using storytelling in marketing, and authenticity in marketing efforts. Tips for marketers at any career stage are shared, along with insights on managing teams, embracing personal growth, and navigating a marketing career with kindness.

Marketing expert Rand Fishkin discusses the state of marketing in 2024, the creation of SparkToro, personal branding issues, and the balance between human and AI in marketing. Learn what 10-year-old Rand wanted to be when he grew up and how human empathy is crucial in content creation and marketing strategies.

AI is now an integral part of copywriting. But how do we consider the line between craft and automation, between efficiency and creativity? How do we balance the human touch? In this episode, DMI podcast producer and today's host, Emma Prunty, is joined by marketing strategist Julie Atherton, and veteran copywriter and AI educator Kerry Harrison. Some of the key points in an insightful, wide-ranging conversation: Which AI tools work best for copywriters How to ensure the 'human' remains part of the strategic and creative process, such as through Kerry's concept of an 'AI sandwich' Ethics in the application and development of AI Transparency between clients and copywriters about AI use and implementing AI policies Gender bias in AI models and what we can do about it... ...the ongoing importance of encouraging girls and women in tech Listen to the end to hear Julie and Kerry's top takeaway tips for copywriters! Contact info: Julie's website Small Wonder Kerry's website and her newsletter, Minds and Machines --------------- The Ahead of the Game podcast is brought to you by the Digital Marketing Institute and is available on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠our website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. A ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠transcript of this episode⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is available on the DMI website, where you'll also find all our other episodes on our extensive digital marketing library of ebooks, toolkits, podcasts, webinars, blogs, and more! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join for free today⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you enjoyed this episode please leave a review so others can find us! Want to let us know other topics you'd like to hear us cover, or want to be a guest on the show? Just drop us a line at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@digitalmarketinginstitute.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.