

Marketing Happy Hour
Marketing Happy Hour
Keeping up with marketing trends and leveling up your career doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Don’t go at it alone. Marketing Happy Hour was created to help you navigate the corporate marketing world, launch your own business, and stay sane while advancing in your career. Join host Cassie Tucker each week as she dives into real conversations with industry guests, covering everything from marketing strategies to career growth and leadership insights—all served with a mix of inspiration and support to keep you thriving.
Learn more: https://www.marketinghappyhr.com/
Learn more: https://www.marketinghappyhr.com/
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 3, 2025 • 36min
Dig Inn’s Recipe for Community, Loyalty, and Storytelling | Jessica Serrano, CMO
Ally and I continue our POSSIBLE 2025 conference series by sitting down with Jessica Serrano, Chief Marketing Officer of Dig Inn. Jessica shares the unique challenges that come with localized marketing, strategies for building a strong loyalty program and tips for aspiring CMOs. Dig Inn is a fast casual, scratch food restaurant concept with locations from New York, NY to Washington D.C. Key Takeaways:// Use social media channels to tell behind-the-curtain stories and share unique experiences alongside your brand.// Local marketing requires research of the target community – observe the community through intensive good neighbor tactics. The community will dictate how the brand will show up and where.// Brand loyalty programs should deepen the relationship you have with your consumers, not just providing periodic discounts. Take your loyalty programming from transactional to relationship-driven.// Once you deepen the relationship with the consumer, you can provide other ways to reward them for their loyalty like early access programming, surprise and delight moments and more. // New ideas and innovation can come from listening directly to your consumers' wants and needs. Connect with Jessica: LinkedInFollow along with Dig Inn: Website / InstagramConnect with Ally: LinkedIn / Instagram____Say hi! DM me on Instagram and let us know what content you want to hear on the show - I can't wait to hear from you! Please also consider rating the show and leaving a review, as that helps us tremendously as we move forward in this Marketing Happy Hour journey and create more content for all of you. Join our FREE Open Jobs group on LinkedIn: Join nowGet the latest from MHH, straight to your inbox: Join our email list!Follow MHH on Social: Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok | Facebook

Jun 26, 2025 • 26min
Career Strategy: Relationships as a Vehicle for Success | Stephanie Lawrence of Nextdoor
The POSSIBLE 2025 conference series continues with Stephanie Lawrence-Shartrand from Nextdoor. With over 20 years of experience in digital media, strategy, and customer success, Stephanie is a passionate leader and advocate for the power of online communities and social networks. Stephanie joins Ally and I to share her strategies for building strong, lasting professional relationships, including how she’s created her own personal Board of Advisors. Key Takeaways:// Build your own personal Board of Advisors. Made up of your best friends, past coworkers and mentors – these are the people you gut check career moves with, ask for help navigating difficult situations and help elevate your skill set.// Relationships require persistence and thriving in the uncomfortable. If you only reach out when you want something, people remember that. People will remember how you made them feel.// Don’t undersell the value of in person connection and conversation opportunities – whether it be a 5 minute check-in or 30 minute coffee chat.// Professional confidence comes from believing in yourself and channeling your insecurities into opportunities for growth. Connect with Stephanie: LinkedInFollow along with Nextdoor: Website / InstagramConnect with Ally: LinkedIn / Instagram____Say hi! DM me on Instagram and let us know what content you want to hear on the show - I can't wait to hear from you! Please also consider rating the show and leaving a review, as that helps us tremendously as we move forward in this Marketing Happy Hour journey and create more content for all of you. Join our FREE Open Jobs group on LinkedIn: Join nowGet the latest from MHH, straight to your inbox: Join our email list!

Jun 19, 2025 • 34min
What Gen-Z Considers Entertainment (+ The Formula for Engaging, Short-Form Content) | Michael Vito Valentino of NowThis
I sat down with co-host Ally Golden and Michael Vito Valentino, Editor in Chief at NowThis for Episode 2 of the POSSIBLE 2025 conference series. Gen Z is redefining what “entertainment” means in the 21st century. We discuss the serialized content approach Michael and his team are taking at NowThis and how it’s paving the way for brand loyalty with Gen-Z females. Additionally, we explore the evolving role of brand integrations in a crowded landscape and how brands can authentically embed themselves into cultural conversations.Key Takeaways:// Niche is the new mainstream. There’s heavy competition in the attention economy and your brand can stand out by identifying niches. Once you have fans, community and trust - you can convert short-term audiences to long-term fans. // Short-form, repeatable formats with full story arcs is what Gen-Z is craving out of their content. Audiences want consistency and to know what to expect.// Gen-Z doesn’t hate advertisements. They hate crappy advertisements. Content needs to be as authentic and real as possible by speaking their language and giving them what they want.// Manufacturing virality is difficult to promise as a part of any campaign. Virality comes from taste, knowing what your audience wants and a consistent approach to authenticity. Learn more about NowThis: Instagram | TikTokConnect with Michael: LinkedIn | InstagramConnect with Ally: LinkedIn | Instagram____Say hi! DM me on Instagram and let us know what content you want to hear on the show - I can't wait to hear from you! Please also consider rating the show and leaving a review, as that helps us tremendously as we move forward in this Marketing Happy Hour journey and create more content for all of you. Join our FREE Open Jobs group on LinkedIn: Join nowGet the latest from MHH, straight to your inbox: Join our email list!Follow MHH on Social: Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok | Facebook

Jun 17, 2025 • 28min
Top 3 Marketing Trends to Watch in Late 2025
I’m joined by my friend and fellow marketer Ally Golden for Episode 1 of our POSSIBLE 2025 conference series. The POSSIBLE conference brings together key decision-makers and rising marketers through 3 days of learning and networking. Ally and I were lucky to attend several interactive sessions and masterclass conversations that fostered meaningful connections among industry leaders and innovators. In this first episode of the series, we discuss our experience at POSSIBLE 2025, along with our three strategies to watch moving into the second half of this year. Key Takeaways:// Serial content is the new brand loyalty. Consumers crave consistency. Brands should be thinking like creators or showrunners.// Creators are the new media channels. “In today’s marketing landscape, creator partnerships aren’t an add-on—they’re the channel. Especially when they’re authentic fans of the product.”// AI influencers are on the rise - but humans still matter, for now. It’s likely we’ll have trouble identifying the difference within the next 18 months.// Unlock the many to many model with creative. “Creativity is the superpower that cuts through. Creativity makes the conversion happen.” // Get behind the content that works and get out of the content that doesn’t. Focusing on differentiating through awareness, engagement and demand to help create desire at scale.Connect with Ally: LinkedIn | Instagram____Say hi! DM me on Instagram and let us know what content you want to hear on the show - I can't wait to hear from you! Please also consider rating the show and leaving a review, as that helps us tremendously as we move forward in this Marketing Happy Hour journey and create more content for all of you. Join our FREE Open Jobs group on LinkedIn: Join nowGet the latest from MHH, straight to your inbox: Join our email list!Follow MHH on Social: Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok | Facebook

Jun 12, 2025 • 41min
How to Build Insights-Driven Marketing Campaigns | Nataly Kelly of Zappi
What makes a great campaign truly effective? And how do you scale brand success globally without losing authenticity? In this episode, I sit down with Nataly Kelly, Chief Marketing Officer at Zappi, to unpack the new rules of marketing in a world powered by connected insights, AI, and always-on consumer data. Nataly shares highlights from Zappi’s State of Creative Effectiveness report, the inside story behind her upcoming book Brand Global, Adapt Local, and how marketers can thrive by leaning into curiosity, clarity, and continuous feedback. We also touch on the emotional side of career pivots and why finding the right next step is more about mission than job titles. Key Takeaways:// Connected insights aren’t just a buzzword — they’re a system for improving creative, product, and brand performance with real-time consumer input.// AI is not replacing marketers—it’s enhancing our ability to make smarter, faster, insight-driven decisions.// If you’re out of work, you’re not alone — Nataly shares a powerful framework for finding clarity in the in-between.The State of Creative Effectiveness Report: HERELearn more about Zappi: Website | NewsletterConnect with Nataly: LinkedIn | Brand Global, Adapt Local (Book) | Find Meaningful Work (Guide)____Say hi! DM me on Instagram and let us know what content you want to hear on the show - I can't wait to hear from you! Please also consider rating the show and leaving a review, as that helps us tremendously as we move forward in this Marketing Happy Hour journey and create more content for all of you. Join our FREE Open Jobs group on LinkedIn: Join nowGet the latest from MHH, straight to your inbox: Join our email list!Follow MHH on Social: Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok | Facebook

Jun 10, 2025 • 27min
Breaking Into Entrepreneurship: Tips for Young Founders
Bonus: If you’ve ever dreamed of turning a personal story into a product — this episode is for you. I’m joined by Kristan Kelly, CEO and founder of Shade Rayz Sunscreen: a mission-driven brand born from her journey as a breast cancer survivor and Latina entrepreneur. In this mentorship-focused conversation, Kristan shares the real story of building her company from the ground up, how she tapped into her local community for early support, the marketing strategies that have worked, and the mindset shifts that help first-time founders succeed. Key Takeaways:// How to turn a personal journey into a product and brand with purpose// The early decisions that shaped Shade Rayz Sunscreen’s success// How Kristan approached building brand identity and messaging (luxury + water safety + everyday use)// The power of leveraging your school and local community for support and connections// Tips for how to make the ask when building your network// Encouragement for women and young entrepreneurs breaking into wellness and consumer productsLearn more about Shade Rayz: Website | Instagram____Say hi! DM me on Instagram and let us know what content you want to hear on the show - I can't wait to hear from you! Please also consider rating the show and leaving a review, as that helps us tremendously as we move forward in this Marketing Happy Hour journey and create more content for all of you. Join our FREE Open Jobs group on LinkedIn: Join nowGet the latest from MHH, straight to your inbox: Join our email list!Follow MHH on Social: Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok | Facebook

Jun 5, 2025 • 33min
Social Media Strategy Check-in: Navigating Trends and More! | Holley Long of The Bump
How do you create content for an audience you're not part of—but still connect on a deep, emotional level? That’s the magic Holley Long brings to the table. As a Social Media Specialist for The Bump (part of The Knot Worldwide), Holley leads with curiosity, storytelling, and strategy. In this episode, we talk about what it takes to market life’s biggest milestones—from weddings to new parenthood—while building trust and brand loyalty beyond the moment. She also shares what’s working across Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest right now, how to stay relevant without chasing every trend, and the relationship between social and search. Key Takeaways:// A behind-the-scenes look at The Bump’s content strategy and how they balance emotion, utility, and trend// Holley’s approach to stepping into new audiences with empathy and research (especially when she’s not the target demo)// Why evergreen content still matters—and how to pair it with timely trends// What’s performing best across Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest in 2025// How social strategy can complement search behavior and drive traffic beyond the algorithmConnect with Holley: LinkedIn____Say hi! DM me on Instagram and let us know what content you want to hear on the show - I can't wait to hear from you! Please also consider rating the show and leaving a review, as that helps us tremendously as we move forward in this Marketing Happy Hour journey and create more content for all of you. Join our FREE Open Jobs group on LinkedIn: Join nowGet the latest from MHH, straight to your inbox: Join our email list!Follow MHH on Social: Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok | Facebook

May 29, 2025 • 31min
The 2-Step System That Will Streamline Your Content Planning
Creating great content isn’t about waiting for inspiration — it’s about building a system that works. In this episode, I’m joined by my friends and fellow marketers Ally Golden and Rob Skinner to unpack their biggest takeaways from the Digital Summit, including a content framework by Melanie Deziel. We explore how Focus + Format can transform your content strategy and offer real-world examples of how to turn strategy into scroll-stopping storytelling. Key Takeaways:// Great content doesn’t happen by accident — it’s built through a clear system.// The Focus + Format framework helps you consistently generate content ideas by pairing what you want to say with how you’ll say it.// Emotional storytelling and humor significantly boost engagement — even in B2B marketing.// "Heartstrings loosen purse strings" — tapping into emotional storytelling can increase brand engagement by 40%.Connect with Ally: LinkedIn | InstagramConnect with Rob: LinkedIn | Tik TokDownload the Content Planning System from Melanie Deziel: Download NowAttend Digital Summit Near You: Conference Website____Say hi! DM me on Instagram and let us know what content you want to hear on the show - I can't wait to hear from you! Please also consider rating the show and leaving a review, as that helps us tremendously as we move forward in this Marketing Happy Hour journey and create more content for all of you. Join our FREE Open Jobs group on LinkedIn: Join nowGet the latest from MHH, straight to your inbox: Join our email list!Follow MHH on Social: Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok | Facebook

May 22, 2025 • 32min
The Brand-Creator Relationship Playbook | Lauren Giovannetti of Stan
In this episode, I dive into the real evolution of the creator economy with Lauren Giovannetti, Creator Marketing Manager at Stan and expert on monetization strategy. Lauren has spent years helping creators turn their audiences into sustainable businesses—and guiding brands on how to partner with them in more strategic, scalable ways. We break down creator storefronts, email list power, and what brands are getting right (and wrong) in today’s landscape.Key Takeaways:// Why forward-thinking brands see creators as full-scale businesses, not influencers// What signals to look for when vetting creators for partnerships// How creators with strong email lists offer unique value to brands// One simple way creators can become more valuable brand partnersConnect with Lauren: LinkedIn____Say hi! DM me on Instagram and let us know what content you want to hear on the show - I can't wait to hear from you! Please also consider rating the show and leaving a review, as that helps us tremendously as we move forward in this Marketing Happy Hour journey and create more content for all of you. Join our FREE Open Jobs group on LinkedIn: Join nowGet the latest from MHH, straight to your inbox: Join our email list!Follow MHH on Social: Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok | Facebook

May 20, 2025 • 30min
Where your Podcast Fits in Your Marketing Strategy | Kylee Chandler, Podcast Strategist
Is your podcast pulling its weight in your overall marketing strategy? In this episode, I sit down with podcast growth strategist Kylee Chandler, who’s helped industry giants like Amy Porterfield and Cathy Heller scale their shows into million-download machines. We talk about how to position your podcast as a key part of your brand's marketing ecosystem, the power of quizzes for list-building, and the often-overlooked episode strategies that turn passive listeners into super fans. Key Takeaways:// Why treating your podcast like a business asset (not just a passion project) is the key to long-term growth.// The one thing every podcaster should be doing to consistently grow their audience.// How to position your podcast at the top of your funnel—and use it to drive real conversions.// Simple titling and description tips that can boost your discoverability.// Why quizzes are a wildly effective tool for growing your email list—and how podcasters can use them.// Kylee’s advice for corporate marketers who want to go out on their own.Connect with Kylee: LinkedInListen to Kylee's Podcast: My Episode Here!____Say hi! DM me on Instagram and let us know what content you want to hear on the show - I can't wait to hear from you! Please also consider rating the show and leaving a review, as that helps us tremendously as we move forward in this Marketing Happy Hour journey and create more content for all of you. Join our FREE Open Jobs group on LinkedIn: Join nowGet the latest from MHH, straight to your inbox: Join our email list!Follow MHH on Social: Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok | Facebook


