How Michael Increased the Closing Rate
World of Marketing
I don’t know how long I’ve known Michael, but every time we talk, he challenges the way I think about growth. In this episode of Tom's World of Marketing, Michael and I sit down as he shares how he’s helped a law firm go from a 50% close rate to 84% in just 90 days. His message is simple: You don't always need more leads. Sometimes you need a better process. We talked about sales, leadership, scaling a firm, and why the best business owners learn to stop doing everything themselves. If you're looking for practical growth advice, this is an episode worth witnessing.
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Jeremy Alters Was a Top Lawyer… Then Blew It All Up and Built This Instead
World of Marketing
“The legal funding industry has been predatory for decades.” So what happens when someone from inside the system decides to fix it? On this episode of The World of Marketing, Tom Foster sits down with Jeremy Alters, former top trial lawyer turned founder of Claim Angel. He’s on a mission to bring transparency to a broken industry. The problem: A $5,000 advance turning into $30,000 owed The solution: A marketplace model that forces competition, lowers rates, and protects clients The result: Faster access to funding (sometimes in minutes) Transparent pricing (no more “wild west”...
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Dirk Derrick - One Room Practice to a 35 Attorney Powerhouse
World of Marketing
“For 30 years… I was guessing what a case was worth.” That’s how Dirk Derrick describes his experience before he had data. On this episode of The World of Marketing, Tom Foster sits down with Dirk Derrick, founder of Derrick Law Firm - who went from a one room practice to a 35 attorney powerhouse. But the real story? How he flipped the legal system on its head. After decades of relying on “what insurance companies might pay”, Dirk built something radically different: Real jury focus groups 26,000+ jurors worth of data AI-powered case analysis Predictable outcomes (instead...
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What if the secret to better marketing… was hidden in your brain chemistry?
World of Marketing
In the latest episode of Tom’s World of Marketing, I sat down with Dawn Apuan, founder of Copy Queens, who went from ministry work and nonprofit leadership to becoming a powerhouse copywriter helping businesses generate sales—sometimes within 24 hours. Her journey started with one powerful moment. After being told she had to put her daughter in daycare and questioning her future, Dawn made a decision: “I will figure this out.” That decision led her into digital marketing… and eventually to mastering the psychology behind persuasive copy. Insights she shared: Great marketing...
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Pain Comes From a Nerve
World of Marketing
And for thousands of patients, that simple truth changes everything. On this episode of Tom’s World of Marketing, Tom Foster sits down with Dr. Eric Williams, a board-certified plastic & reconstructive surgeon specializing in peripheral nerve surgery—one of the most complex and misunderstood areas of medicine. Dr. Williams shares powerful stories of patients who spent years—sometimes decades—living with chronic pain, told repeatedly that “nothing could be done”… until the right specialist looked at the problem through a different lens. In one case, a patient suffered 30...
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Marketing, Law & Trust with Peter Hoppenfeld
World of Marketing
What happens when a top-tier attorney thinks like a marketer? On the latest episode of Tom’s World of Marketing, I sat down with Peter Hoppenfeld — the “marketer who happens to be a lawyer” behind some of the biggest names in direct response and info marketing. Peter has spent 40+ years helping entrepreneurs, health professionals, and thought leaders grow without crossing legal lines — and in this conversation, he breaks down what actually works. In this episode, we cover: Why strategy comes before lawyering How compliance can be a competitive advantage The #1 mistake...
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Streaming TV. AI. Attribution that actually makes sense.
World of Marketing
In the latest episode of The World of Marketing, Tom Foster sits down with Eiman Bassam, Founder & CEO of ESB Advertising, to break down how streaming TV advertising has evolved—and why lawyers and doctors can no longer afford to treat TV as a “branding-only” channel. This conversation challenges one of the biggest assumptions in marketing: that TV can’t be measured. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why programmatic streaming TV is now more measurable than traditional broadcast How ESB’s AI platform, MACData, tracks performance down to the household level What actually...
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AI, Law Firms & Transformational Wealth with Dave Frees
World of Marketing
In this powerful episode of The World of Marketing, host Tom Foster sits down with attorney, speaker, and Business Black Ops founder Dave Frees—a nationally recognized expert on implementing AI within real law practices. Dave isn’t theorizing about the future. He’s using AI every single day to create what he calls transformational wealth, reclaim hundreds of hours, and build systems that make small-firm lawyers more profitable, more efficient, and more competitive. Highlights from this episode: Why most lawyers are years behind on AI and what the top 5% are doing differently How AI...
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The World of Marketing ft. Paul Greene
World of Marketing
What happens when an Olympic athlete’s entire career is on the line? They call Paul Greene one of the world’s leading international sports lawyers. Paul has represented elite athletes from 50+ countries, argued cases before the Court of Arbitration for Sport, taught law internationally, and built a global practice rooted in trust, expertise, and integrity. In this episode, we talk about: Why trust matters more than being the loudest voice How to build a global practice in a specialized field The importance of content-driven marketing over quick fixes Why human connection still...
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Vance Morris, “The Disney Guy”!
World of Marketing
From creating Disney’s iconic Chef Mickey’s to transforming customer experiences for NASA and even the Executive Office of the President, Vance Morris knows what it takes to build magic into every moment. In this episode, Vance joins Tom Foster to share: How a near-bankruptcy became the turning point for building lasting business success What Disney taught him about creating unforgettable customer experiences Why “response-required” marketing beats flashy advertising every time And how small businesses can “Disneyfy” their own operations for world-class service If...
info_outlineThis week, after a long voyage away from Earth, I’m thrilled to welcome a legend in the direct response marketing world: Brian Kurtz.
Brian has spent over four decades shaping the landscape of direct response marketing. As the former EVP of Boardroom Inc., he helped send more than 1.3 billion pieces of direct mail, driving massive business growth and industry innovation.
Today, through Titans Marketing, Brian continues to mentor marketers, lead mastermind groups, and promote ethical, relationship-driven marketing that stands the test of time. I’ve even recently joined his Titans Mastermind, which is composed of some of the brightest minds in marketing.
In this episode, we dive into:
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The timeless principles of direct response marketing
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How building deep relationships drives long-term success
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What separates great implementers from dreamers
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Balancing results-driven marketing with ethics and trust
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The future of marketing — what’s exciting, and what’s concerning
Tune in for a masterclass in marketing wisdom from one of the best in the business.