047: Building Cannabis Brands that Connect with Music Fans with Kieve Huffman
The Green Repeal - A Guide to Cannabis Marketing & Advertising
Release Date: 03/29/2022
The Green Repeal - A Guide to Cannabis Marketing & Advertising
There’s a cannabinoid revolution happening right now, and more people are reaping the rewards and health benefits of technology, innovation, and science. And we’re thrilled to be joined by a true pioneer in the cannabis industry, Roy Lipski. Roy is the founder of Bud Love, a “cocktail mixer” designed to complement cannabis experiences. He’s led growing technology companies based on cutting-edge science for more than 20 years. These include Creo, a biotechnology company that produces novel cannabinoids using, believe it or not, fermentation. In this episode, you’ll learn why Roy is...
info_outlineThe Green Repeal - A Guide to Cannabis Marketing & Advertising
What does it really mean to be a social equity business? How can operators in the cannabis space provide access and opportunities to people affected negatively by the war on drugs and give back to their communities in ways that make a real difference? To answer these questions, we’re talking to Tamika Samson and Beth Waterfall. Tamika is the CEO of KushKart, Beth is the CEO of Beth Waterfall Creative, and the Chief Marketing Officer at KushKart. Tamika is one of Beth’s clients, and her company is the first majority women-owned social equity cannabis delivery business in Massachusetts. Beth...
info_outlineThe Green Repeal - A Guide to Cannabis Marketing & Advertising
There’s a greater appetite for cannabis events than ever before–and today’s guest is doing some amazing stuff to create safe, fun, and upscale opportunities and experiences for people who want to partake! We’re talking to Mark Rafailovich. Mark is the founder and owner of Spleaf, which he launched by selling homemade THC brownies when he was a freshman at Brooklyn College, before turning it into a full-fledged business. These days, Mark is all-in on gourmet edibles and creating special experiences. He’s bringing people together so they can enjoy great products like his in...
info_outlineThe Green Repeal - A Guide to Cannabis Marketing & Advertising
Running a successful event of any kind isn’t easy. And running a successful event in the cannabis space isn’t any easier. But that’s exactly what Marc Shepard is doing, and he’s helping local communities and industries to thrive and grow. Marc is the founder of NECANN–the world’s largest B2B cannabis convention–as well as a member of the MassCann/NORML and Mass Grower Advocacy Council. Over the course of 20 years, he’s produced and executed cannabis events all over New England, advocated tirelessly for cannabis legalization across a ton of outlets, and is a massive Silver Age...
info_outlineThe Green Repeal - A Guide to Cannabis Marketing & Advertising
While some cultivators might focus on yield or volume, Malek’s Premium Cannabis is all about passion over profit with a flavor-first approach. And joining us today to explain why is Malek’s CMO and Head of Marketing Katherine Wolf. Katherine is a self-confessed branding nerd and a published writer with a passion for helping cannabis companies grow and thrive. She advocates for women in cannabis leadership and safe access to cannabis education and products. She has been published in media outlets such as the Northwest Leaf, MJ Brand Insights, and Skunk Magazine. In our conversation,...
info_outlineThe Green Repeal - A Guide to Cannabis Marketing & Advertising
If you’ve been following the podcast for a while, you’ve undoubtedly heard us ask our guests: “When do you think we’ll see full federal legalization?” We’ve gotten all kinds of answers, but most of us are making educated guesses at best. To get more of an insider’s perspective, we’re thrilled to be talking to Jarrod Loadholt. He’s a partner at Ice Miller LLP’s cannabis group, where he specializes in cannabis law. Previously, he was the head of Credit Karma’s Washington D.C. office, and before that, he co-founded a full-service public affairs firm with a focus on...
info_outlineThe Green Repeal - A Guide to Cannabis Marketing & Advertising
Every brand has a story, but few have a combination of family recipe, story, and legacy quite like Dr. Norm’s. Dr. Norm was a real person–a well respected M.D. His wife, Audrey, was a professional pharmacist and beloved baker. Their children started a traditional cookie company to honor their mother, and it’s since become one of California’s best selling cannabis cookie and brownie brands. Today’s guest is none other than one of Dr. Norm’s son and a co-founder of the company, Jeff Koz. We met at MJ Unpacked, and we’re thrilled to have him on the podcast to share the story of his...
info_outlineThe Green Repeal - A Guide to Cannabis Marketing & Advertising
We’ve spoken to many entrepreneurs and business leaders in the cannabis industry, and we’ve noticed one overarching theme: everyone is very new and still figuring it out as they go. Even in the most mature markets, things are constantly changing, and new categories are emerging all the time. Today’s guest, Bohb Blair, is relatively new to the industry but has a proven knack for reinvention. He’s the Chief Marketing Officer at Jones Soda–one of the very first craft soda brands to make a splash over two decades ago. These days, Jones is making a name for themselves with Mary Jones...
info_outlineThe Green Repeal - A Guide to Cannabis Marketing & Advertising
With so many new markets coming online in the next few years, there are more people than ever before looking for help with permitting, licensing, and everything else that comes with launching a business in a highly regulated industry. When they need that help, they turn to people like today’s guest, Dr. Sherry Boodram. She’s the CEO and co-founder of CannDelta–a regulatory and scientific consulting company that helps clients navigate both the cannabis and psychedelic industries. Dr. Boodram and her team provide regulatory compliance advice to operate in the legal Canadian markets, and...
info_outlineThe Green Repeal - A Guide to Cannabis Marketing & Advertising
With New York coming online as a major player in our industry, things are changing fast. New players are looking to enter the field at a rapid pace, and the decisions we make along the way could easily have lasting repercussions for operators and consumers nationwide. But as this industry grows, how do we make it the best it can be? Today, we’re talking to Lulu Tsui. She’s the Co-Founder and Chief Experience Officer at On The Revel, a company working to create curated educational and networking experiences for people breaking into the legal cannabis industry. At her company’s Revelry...
info_outlineThere’s always been a connection between cannabis and music, but how do legal cannabis brands authentically connect with music lovers?
To answer that question, we’re talking to Kieve Huffman. Kieve is the founder and CEO of Engager Brands–a portfolio of cannabis lifestyle brands focused on reaching under-marketed music audiences.
He builds authentic awareness for brands like Heavy Grass and Neon Roots by meeting people at concerts and music festivals. Before launching Engager, Kieve worked with some of the world’s biggest brands, including Apple. Microsoft, MTV, Warner, Universal, and Sony.
Today, Kieve joins the podcast to talk about how he jumped from the worlds of music and entertainment into cannabis branding, what he’s doing to connect with influencers and reach audiences beyond reggae and jam bands, and his vision for a world in which cannabis consumption can happen safely and legally at shows.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- How “stoner dude culture” and terrible branding inspired Kieve to launch a more mainstream cannabis media company.
- The unique challenges of running national marketing campaigns for cannabis and CBD products–and the difference between promoting brand awareness instead of products.
- The elements that make for a successful brand activation.
- Why on-premise cannabis sales and consumption at music events is Kieve’s “holy grail”–and what some people are doing to make this a reality right now.
- Why Kieve thinks we’re still at least one presidency away from full legalization.
Show Notes
For complete show notes, including transcripts, takeaways, and links to all the resources mentioned, visit SoHoExp.com/47
To learn more about the podcast and get access to all episodes, visit: SoHoExp.com/GreenRepeal