In Clear Focus: Values-Driven Marketing with Thom Mozloom
In Clear Focus
IN CLEAR FOCUS: Thom Mozloom of discusses why brands like Bud Light and Cracker Barrel face backlash. He argues their marketers don't understand, or even like, their core audience. Thom explains how to navigate controversy with honesty and why values-driven marketing, not just purpose-led, is key to building loyalty. He also shares fresh research on news consumption and why he believes attention spans haven't shrunk but tolerance for bad content has.
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In Clear Focus: Tech-Enabled Hospitality with Jessica Gillingham
In Clear Focus
IN CLEAR FOCUS: Jessica Gillingham, author of "," explores how tech is reshaping hospitality marketing and the guest journey. She discusses the challenge of marketing to digital natives who expect a seamless journey from search to booking. Jessica explains how data silos and reliance on OTAs prevent true personalization and building direct guest relationships. Learn how marketers can create loyalty beyond points and shift from per-night transactions to customer LTV.
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In Clear Focus: The Science of Brand Associations with Ulli Appelbaum
In Clear Focus
IN CLEAR FOCUS: For our 300th episode, strategist Ulli Appelbaum, author of "," reveals why brand associations are the operating system of marketing. He explains how brands exist as memory networks, and why their strength predicts 80% of future purchases. Ulli also discusses his evidence-based framework, grounded in neuroscience, for building stronger associations that drive growth and command premium prices. Hear why advertising should reinforce brand memory through associations.
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In Clear Focus: Rocket Fuel for Startups with Amanda Patterson
In Clear Focus
IN CLEAR FOCUS: Guest Amanda Patterson, founder of , discusses the rise of fractional CMOs and shares practical tips on developing effective marketing for startups and scaleups. Drawing from her experience scaling MINDBODY from $30M to $200M, Amanda details a data-driven "bottoms-up" plan for efficient growth. She explains why "brand builds demand," the underrated power of customer journey mapping, and how to de-risk marketing spend for quick wins in a high-stakes environment.
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In Clear Focus: Brand Authenticity in the Age of AI with Nick Usborne
In Clear Focus
IN CLEAR FOCUS: Veteran copywriter Nick Usborne explains how to combat "brand drift" with a story-first, AI-powered content strategy. Nick introduces his framework, arguing that a brand's unique story is its only defensible moat against the "sameness trap." He reveals why marketers must lead with story when prompting AI. Learn how to use structured prompts to scale content while preserving the human touch and authentic brand communication that builds lasting trust.
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In Clear Focus: Hispanic Heritage Month
In Clear Focus
IN CLEAR FOCUS: To mark Hispanic Heritage Month, strategists and join host Karen Jimenez to explore how brands can authentically connect with Hispanic consumers. They discuss why cultural context matters more than literal translation, the importance of diverse teams, and how consumer immersions uncover deep insights. Learn why "multicultural is mainstream" and how to move beyond superficial tactics to build genuine relationships with this influential audience.
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In Clear Focus: Marketing Effectiveness with Sorin Patilinet
In Clear Focus
IN CLEAR FOCUS: Sorin Patilinet of PepsiCo and author of "" shares his scientific approach to brand growth. Sorin explains why marketers must look beyond just advertising to all levers of effectiveness, from pricing to packaging. He introduces his Engineering Marketing Framework, discusses why brands grow through penetration, not loyalty, and explores the balance between creativity and analytics. Hear Sorin's evidence-based principles for creating sustainable brand growth.
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In Clear Focus: Creating Branded Podcasts with Jen Moss
In Clear Focus
IN CLEAR FOCUS: Jen Moss of explains how brands can create podcasts audiences love. Jen reveals why most branded podcasts fail—they're boring and too promotional—and shares her "JAR" (Job, Audience, Result) system for success. Using case studies from clients like Amazon, she details how to offer true value instead of a sales pitch. Learn how to choose between audio and video, engage specific audiences, and achieve measurable business results through strategic storytelling.
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In Clear Focus: Flow States and Hollywood Productivity Techniques with Steven Puri
In Clear Focus
IN CLEAR FOCUS: Hollywood executive turned tech CEO Steven Puri of shares his playbook for leading remote creative teams. Drawing lessons from producing special effects for blockbuster films like Independence Day, Steven reveals the science behind "flow states" and how to create conditions for deep, meaningful work. He discusses overcoming procrastination, the creative power of working on "the other thing," and why leaders must protect uninterrupted time for their teams to thrive.
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In Clear Focus: Content Strategy and Execution with Kristen Sweeney
In Clear Focus
IN CLEAR FOCUS: Kristen Sweeney, founder of B2B content agency , joins us to explore common content strategy challenges and how brands can overcome internal roadblocks. She shares how to identify and empower internal subject matter experts, extract authentic thought leadership, and repurpose content effectively. Kristen also offers practical insights for marketing teams seeking to scale their content efforts without compromising quality.
info_outlineIN CLEAR FOCUS: Jay Mandel, founder of the Marketing Accountability Council, makes a return appearance to address the erosion of consumer trust in today's marketing landscape. Jay explains why the traditional playbook is dead, sharing outdated tactics for the "marketing graveyard." He discusses strategic restraint, using examples from Nike and Lush, and warns of the "Great Attention Heist" in the AI era. Learn how accountability, transparency, and value can build sincere, lasting brands.