The social media and marketing landscape is evolving rapidly, yet many brands still use generic marketing tactics like identifying their target customer using psychographic information. Staying ahead of the curve requires creativity, cultural competence, and an eye for trend-setting strategies. How can you build your brand and connect with your audience in innovative ways?

In the latest episode of Matters of Creative, join Bobbie Bailey as she welcomes Cassandra Le, the Founder and Brand Strategist at The Quirky Pineapple Studio, who discusses marketing through a lens of multicultural innovation. Cassandra talks about her favorite social media and AI platforms, the importance of nurturing creativity throughout the marketing process, and how she became a content creator.

As a Vietnamese-American immigrant and culturally competent marketer, Cassandra Le is passionate about transforming traditional marketing messages into cultural movements. This involves identifying and amplifying a brand’s mission, vision, voice, and personality across multiple platforms for maximum reach and impact. Each marketing campaign should align with your culture and values, allowing you to communicate cross-culturally with diverse audiences. Cassandra recommends leveraging platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok to build a global community.

Tune in now to uncover culturally competent marketing strategies.

Cassandra Le is the Founder and Brand Strategist at The Quirky Pineapple Studio, a creative marketing and media agency. As a brand and marketing consultant, she has worked with mission-driven brands and thought leaders to help them share their stories, connect with their communities, and drive brand awareness through culturally competent marketing. In 2019, Rising Tide Society and Honeybook named Cassandra as a top marketer driving community and innovation.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassandra-le/

https://thequirkypineapple.com/

User experience design is no longer exclusive to visual interactions. Apps and productivity tools have evolved to include voice and text features, accelerating innovation in a fast-paced digital environment. With the landscape saturated with shiny objects and trendy features, how can you balance innovation with user-friendly fundamentals?

Join Matt Hirsch in the latest episode of Matters of Creative as he hosts Anton Sten, the Head of Design at Summer Health, to talk about creating user-friendly and enjoyable user experiences amid innovation. Anton mentions the importance of a robust strategy in user experience design, AI’s role in improving UX designs, and the upcoming challenges designers will face in the evolving landscape.

According to Anton Sten, user experience strategies should involve the entire organization, with various departments collaborating to satisfy the end users, whether it’s consumers using an app or companies using tools internally. Anton believes app and product designs should be simple, intuitive, and even fun, advising designers to observe key features in their favorite daily tools to determine what makes them user-friendly. With innovation a priority in UX design, designers can add additional features to enhance productivity and functionality while remaining consistent with the original design.

Tune in now for lessons on creating an unbeatable UX strategy.

Anton Sten is the Head of Design at Summer Health, a telehealth platform that connects parents to pediatricians. As a writer and designer, he has over 25 years of experience designing websites, apps, and products for startups and large companies. Anton owned and managed a design consultancy for over 15 years.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/antonsten/

https://www.antonsten.com/

If your marketing campaigns aren’t sustainable long-term, you may be launching one-off promotions or limited-time-offer campaigns that don’t perform well over time. While these projects are effective during special events, like Black Friday or Cyber Monday campaigns, they don’t generate a steady flow of leads. How can you create and execute sustainable marketing systems for your business?

In this week’s episode of Matters of Creative, Matt Hirsch sits down with Jeff Sauer, the Founder of Data Driven U, to discuss how marketing systems can prepare businesses for the future. Jeff talks about the future of AI and its ramifications for marketing systems, his approach to organizing digital workflows, and how to balance marketing team tasks.

While custom marketing projects may seem effective, they’re more likely to fail since they’re one-time campaigns. Conversely, marketing systems offer predictable and measurable campaign results through repeatable, proven methods. Yet data-driven marketer Jeff Sauer says not to rely on standard operating procedures to develop and execute these systems. These processes are rarely updated, and marketing systems must evolve with current trends. Instead, he recommends creating templates and documents with universal marketing tactics. To ensure sustainability for each campaign, you should implement cross-channel strategies and consistent messaging.

Jeff Sauer is the Founder of Data Driven U, which provides online training programs for data-driven marketing. He is also the Co-founder of ProfitSchool, which helps small teams improve their offers, products, and systems through a proprietary framework. Jeff’s online training programs have helped over 50,000 students master PPC marketing, data analytics, and agency development. Having worked in digital marketing and web analytics since 2005, he became one of the first people to Beta test Google Analytics. As an Inc. 5000 Hall of Fame agency owner, Jeff grew his agency from six to seven figures before selling it.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffsauer/

https://datadrivenu.com/

AI is taking every industry by storm as businesses develop revolutionary ways to innovate and streamline the customer experience. Online-focused industries can leverage AI innovations to increase customer engagement. What strategies are these industries using to ensure virtual customer satisfaction?

In this episode of Matters of Creative, Matt Hirsch and Bobbie Bailey sit down with Natalie Bowman, the Managing Director of Product and Digital Experiences at Alaska Airlines, to discuss AI innovation in the airline industry. Natalie provides insights into AI’s potential to transform marketing and design, leveraging digital media to enhance the customer experience, and her role in driving digital innovation at Alaska Airlines.

The airline industry relies on digital sales and interactions to survive, so businesses must reach customers using methods unique to the online space. According to digital innovator Natalie Bowman, companies like Alaska Airlines are developing generative AI-powered search tools to recommend travel options for customers based on trip details and preferences. This allows customers to customize their trips and evaluate choices that align with their needs. Some airline companies also leverage electronic bag tags that utilize QR codes to scan customers’ luggage with each trip, eliminating the need for multiple physical tags. These innovations create efficiencies for the business and the consumer, increasing satisfaction rates and sales.

Listen today for more on how AI is revolutionizing the airline industry.

Natalie Bowman is the Managing Director of Product and Digital Experiences at Alaska Airlines, where she also served as the Managing Director of Marketing and Advertising. As a recognized brand, digital, and social marketing leader, she has experience leading major brand launches in fashion, tech, media, luxury retail, automotive, and travel. Natalie recently acquired the Oh Happy Day Party Shop, launching the DTC brand into Kohl’s, Nordstrom, and hundreds of global boutiques. She has been named an Ad Age Digital Trailblazer, a Rising Brand Star by BrandWeek, a MAKERS Women Awardee, and one of Brand Innovators’ top 100 Women to Watch.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliebowman/

https://www.alaskaair.com/

In recent decades, the advent of DTC and other instant online services have shifted consumer expectations, forcing brands to pivot to reimagine the user experience. Design thinking has emerged as a cornerstone for innovation and out-of-the-box value-creation methods. How can brands leverage this creative technique to enhance the customer experience?

In today’s episode of Matters of Creative, Matt Hirsch welcomes Kate Ramsey and Angela Sharer of Nordstrom to discuss UX design and research strategies. Together, they explain how UX design can adapt to incorporate new technology, the role of research in the Double Diamond framework, and how they collaborate on UX design projects together.

Design thinking requires a creative professional to evaluate, sketch, and communicate their ideas for catering to the end user. As master researchers and designers in this space, Kate Ramsey and Angela Sharer employ the Double Diamond framework to identify the customer problem and develop value-added solutions. This in-depth planning cycle involves leveraging divergent thinking to generate ideas, convergent thinking to narrow down the ideas, and lateral thinking to influence your perception of the consumer’s problem. Angela also implements observational research and data insights to refine the framework and identify a final solution.

Listen today for more ways you can use design thinking in your UX strategies.

Kate Ramsey is the Senior Principal of UX Design and Experience Strategy at Nordstrom, where she aligns teams to create cohesive and meaningful customer experiences across multiple channels. She has been with the company since 2011, holding roles including UX Design Manager and Principal UX Designer. Having studied fine art and graphic design, Kate transitioned into new media by teaching herself how to design digital interfaces for a CD company.

Angela Sharer is the Principal UX Researcher at Nordstrom, where she focuses on customer-facing experiences on the website and mobile app. As a user experience researcher, she has over 10 years of experience impacting consumer and B2B products and services. After obtaining a master’s degree in human-centered design and engineering, Angela manufactured Android smartphones, wearables, and virtual reality headsets at HTC.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-ramsey-she-her-016766/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelasharer/

https://www.nordstrom.com/

From the boom in AI-generated content to Google’s rapidly changing search algorithms, the SEO and SEM space is overburdened with fleeting trends that threaten to throw brands off track. How can you cut through the noise to establish a brand presence that truly resonates with your audience?

In the latest episode of Matters of Creative, join Matt Hirsch as he interviews Blake Denman, the Founder and President of RicketyRoo, about SEO and content trends impacting brands. Blake offers actionable insights for leveraging Google Business Profiles, improving website user experiences, and forging a powerful local brand identity.

When Blake Denman started his agency in 2009, SEO was still in its infancy. Since then, he has pivoted to align with relevant industry trends and customer demands. When improving your SEO for modern branding strategies, focus on establishing a basic presence by enhancing your Google Business Profile with a cover photo and basic company information. You can reference competitor profiles for inspiration on what you should include. Other fundamental strategies include optimizing your website for mobile devices, showcasing genuine customer reviews on your site, and engaging with your local community through events and sponsorships to establish organic backlinks.

For more SEO strategies that break through the noise, give this episode a listen today.

Blake Denman is the Founder and President of RicketyRoo, an internet marketing agency for small- to medium-sized businesses. With over 17 years of SEO experience, he specializes in inbound marketing, PPC advertising, and website design and development. Blake and his team speak at popular digital marketing conferences, including MozCon and LocalU, and contribute to recognized SEO publishing sites like Semrush and Search Engine Journal.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/blakedenman/

https://ricketyroo.com/

Social media content has evolved significantly from mere entertainment because users want authentic lifestyle content. Posting a few times a year on various social media platforms isn’t cutting it anymore, yet brands feel overwhelmed when creating a consistent content schedule. How can you generate compelling content that authentically reflects your brand and resonates with consumers?

In this week’s Matters of Creative episode, Jenny Ridenour chats with Kelsey Chance, the Founder of Good Chance Creative, about crafting engaging and authentic social media content. Kelsey delves into creating a resonant online brand image, how to showcase your products and services effectively, and AI’s dangers in content creation.

Master content creator Kelsey Chance believes that all creative content should incorporate a human touch. This often involves collaborating with professional photographers for on-location photo shoots and combining photography with social media strategies for authentic storytelling and product representation. You can also showcase behind-the-scenes photo shoot content for a genuine, lifestyle-centered social media strategy. Staying on top of the social media landscape by maintaining an active presence and leveraging social trends allows you to build lasting trust with your audience.

To get more inspiration for your next social media campaign, don’t miss this episode!

Kelsey Chance is the Founder of Good Chance Creative, and her journey began with her dog’s Instagram account going viral, sparking her passion for social media and photography. What started as a side hustle evolved into managing social media for Kroger and now has led to Good Chance Creative.

Good Chance Creative specializes in creating scroll-stopping, human-centric brand content for clients like Domaine Serene, Rustic Bakery, and Sinegal Estate. From photoshoots to influencer campaigns, Kelsey and her talented team excel at crafting compelling narratives that resonate in today’s digital landscape.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelsey-chance/

https://www.instagram.com/kelseychance/

https://www.goodchancecreative.com/

https://www.instagram.com/goodchancecreative

From consumer interactions to marketing ploys, the digital landscape is undergoing a metamorphosis. How does one navigate such a changing tide, especially when AI plays a pivotal role? What can businesses expect to encounter as this technology evolves? Could AI really change the face of modern advertising and purchasing?

Join Bobbie Bailey in this episode of Matters of Creative as she welcomes Debra Aho Williamson, Chief Analyst at Sonata Insights, who delves into the intricacies of digital disruptions and the rise of AI. Debra highlights the value of curiosity-driven analysis, a deep understanding of consumer behavior as a gateway to harnessing emerging trends, and the potential for new marketing strategies in the ever-evolving technology landscape.

Debra Aho Williamson, a seasoned analyst and trailblazer in digital marketing, shares her journey from a business journalist to becoming an industry leader in digital trends analysis. With her strategic mindset, she emphasizes the evolving patterns of consumer behavior influenced by AI and the impending changes it spells for marketers. She provides insights into the future of the marketing landscape, revealing the human and ethical considerations pivotal in adopting AI technologies. Debra's pragmatic approach toward future trends gives listeners a grounded perspective on how to harness AI intelligently in creative marketing.

Tune in for inspiration on transforming your market strategy through the power of AI.

Debra Aho Williamson is the Chief Analyst at Sonata Insights, an advisory service that provides custom research and education services to social media marketers, marketing agencies, digital publishers, AI startups, and the VC community. She provides cutting-edge, hype-free research to help businesses navigate the convergence of social media and AI. A dynamic analyst and market influencer recognized for her visionary contributions to the digital marketing landscape, Debra previously led social marketing at eMarketer for 17 years.

Recognized as one of the first analysts worldwide to pinpoint the social media trend, Debra has authored over 120 research reports, fostering the advertising industry's understanding and integration of platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Her insights have been featured in thousands of news articles and over 40 TV appearances, including NBC, BBC, Bloomberg, and CNBC.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/debrawilliamson

https://www.sonatainsights.com/