Color Bar

 In this episode of Color Bar, hosts Betsy Davis and Kim Opdyke sit down with Andy Fetherman, President & CEO of Müller Martini North America, for one of the most energizing — and unexpectedly moving — conversations.  Andy has spent over 35 years in the print industry, starting as a press-side technician (yes, he fell for the "box of halftone dots" trick too) and working his way to l...

In this episode of Color Bar, we sit down with Harrison Bailey, founder of Smart Elephant, to discuss how AI, automation, and next-generation talent are reshaping the print and marketing industries. Broadcasting from Vietnam while traveling across Asia, Harrison shares how businesses around the world are facing many of the same challenges — and opportunities — when it comes to adopting AI. From wo...

In this episode of Color Bar , we’re joined by AJ Layo of Sylvamo for a conversation that redefines what’s possible in direct mail when the entire ecosystem works together. From paper mills to printers, technology partners to USPS, AJ shares how true collaboration is transforming direct mail into a smarter, more measurable, and more impactful channel. We dive into Sylvamo’s investment in innovatio...

This episode of Color Bar is about more than personalization—it’s about pressure, pivots, and what it really takes to evolve. Our guest, Rich Askam, a pioneer in print personalization joins us. Rich and his team were the force behind Coca-Cola’s “Share a Coke” campaign, where they hand-produced 1.6 million personalized bottles in just three months.  But behind that success is a story many in the p...

What if we’ve been measuring success all wrong? In this episode of Color Bar , we sit down with Allie Watt to explore how the next generation of talent is redefining what it means to succeed—and what that means for leaders across industries. Allie offers a candid, grounded perspective shaped by real experience: this generation isn’t less committed—they’re committed differently. They’re not driven...

 What makes a brand activation actually work? In this episode of Color Bar , Denise Costello joins Betsy & Kim to discuss the shift from one-time campaigns to connected brand experiences that drive memory, engagement, and long-term impact. They cover experiential marketing, pop-ups, influencer strategies, execution pitfalls, and why the best brand moments start with a clear intention. 

In this episode of Color Bar , hosts Betsy Davis and Kim Opdyke welcome Chris Minn, CEO of Digital Ink , joining us live from the UAE, for a global perspective on where the print industry is headed—and why it’s time to retire the phrase “web-to-print.” Chris challenges legacy thinking and makes the case that print’s future isn’t about storefronts or ordering portals—it’s about workflow, automation...

In this episode of Color Bar , we’re joined by Dave Rosendahl of MindFire to explore the future of direct mail—and how AI is helping it finally find its voice . Betsy Davis, Kim Opdyke and Dave Rosendahl dig into how data, automation, and AI-powered experiences are transforming direct mail from a static channel into an interactive, measurable, and deeply personal marketing engine. The group announ...

In this episode of Color Bar , Betsy & Kim sit down with Satyne Doner, Senior Editor of Women in Restaurant Leadership (WiRL), to explore how community, mentorship, and authenticity are reshaping leadership in the restaurant industry. The conversation dives into the mission behind WiRL, what makes the upcoming WiRL Summit different from traditional industry events, and why creating space for r...

In Part Two of our conversation with Francis McMahon, we explore the future of leadership, culture, and creativity in print. Francis shares why the next generation of talent wants harmony — to be seen as humans, not just employees — and why health, wellness, and burnout can no longer be treated as weaknesses. We discuss building culture from a place of caring, surrounding yourself with smart peopl...

To open Color Bar in 2026, we welcome a true architect of modern print culture — Francis McMahon.  Across a remarkable career at Kodak, HP, Canon, and now Tecnau, Francis didn’t just help advance print technology — he helped build the communities that power our industry. From the creation of DSCOOP and thINK to the Digital Advisory Councils at HP and Canon, Francis opened doors that brought leader...

The future of print isn’t just about technology — it’s about people. In this Color Bar conversation, Betsy Davis sits down with Peter van Teeseling of Dscoop to explore one of the most critical topics facing our industry today: how we attract, retain, engage, and inspire the next generation of talent . Together, they reflect on early career uncertainty, the power of mentorship, and the responsibil...

🎙 This episode flips the script. In this special Color Bar crossover, Betsy Davis steps to the other side of the mic as she’s interviewed by industry icon Deborah Corn for a candid, wide-ranging conversation on the power of personalization, print, and brand experience. Betsy shares how Sandy Alexander helps some of the world’s most iconic retail, dining, entertainment, and lifestyle brands bring m...

In this episode of Color Bar, Betsy and Kim sit down with the incomparable Melissa Clayton, founder and CEO of Tiny Tags—the beloved personalized jewelry brand worn by moms, icons, and everyday heroes. Melissa opens up about her path from CPA and stay-at-home mom to visionary entrepreneur, sharing the real, behind-the-scenes story of what it takes to build a brand with heart. From bootstrapping an...

🎙️ In this episode of Color Bar, Betsy and Kim sit down with the radiant Stephanie Glaser — Chief Sales Officer at MGM Resorts — for a conversation that’s equal parts inspiring and real. With nearly three decades in hospitality, Stephanie opens up about her journey of leadership, personal branding, and well-being — and how MGM is redefining workplace culture with its innovative sabbatical program,...

In this episode of Color Bar , hosts Betsy Davis and Kim Opdyke dive into the evolution of direct mail with two industry powerhouses — Chris Lien , EVP of Postal Affairs at BCC Software , and David Rosendahl , Co-Founder and President of MindFire Inc. Together, they unpack how technology, automation, and real-time tracking are turning traditional mail into a smart, data-driven powerhouse that mark...

In this episode of "Color Bar," Betsy & Kim welcome Mel Bishop, Director of In-Store Marketing for Pet Supermarket. Mel shares insights on the unique, emotional nature of pet retail, emphasizing the importance of customer experience, innovative in-store events, and personalized service. The discussion covers holiday planning, the evolving use of technology like QR codes, and the powe...

In this episode of Color Bar , we welcome back Kat Tushim, Executive Creative Director, for a conversation all about “Looking Left”—taking unexpected, fresh approaches to marketing challenges. Kat takes us inside bold campaigns for 360 Chicago, Kum & Go, BF Goodrich, and more, sharing how “looking left” fuels creativity, disrupts the ordinary, and unlocks cross-industry inspiration. From immer...

In this episode, hosts Betsy Davis and Kim Opdyke sit down with Wendy Moodie , co-founder of one of today’s most innovative event production companies. Wendy pulls back the curtain on her journey designing immersive, can’t-miss brand experiences across entertainment, retail, travel, and beyond. The conversation dives into: How experiential marketing has evolved from flashy activations to authentic...

Helen Smith, Head of Marketing at Precision Proco, joins Color Bar to talk about relaunching their podcast Great Minds Print Alike—and why sometimes the bravest move is simply to Stop Overthinking and Take Action! Check out the podcast here: Great Minds Print Alike   We dig into the impact of AI on business and marketing strategies—how we can still show up authentically, while weaving AI into the...

Cure our busy brains and bring hope back into our businesses! In this episode of Color Bar , we sit down with Dr. Romie Mushtaq , neurologist, mindfulness expert, author of The Busy Brain Cure , and Chief Wellness Officer of Great Wolf Lodge Resorts. Together, we explore: What it really means to be a Chief Wellness Officer and why more companies should consider this transformative role. How to beg...

 On this episode of Color Bar, we sit down with Kecia Hielscher, CEO of Formulary 55, to talk about the leap from the corporate world to becoming your own boss—and how staying true to your intentions of freedom and flexibility can lead to remarkable success. Inspired by the “green lights” philosophy from Matthew McConaughey’s book, Kecia shares how she built and scaled her luxury bath and body bra...

In this inspiring episode of Color Bar , we sit down with Lorrie King and Celeste Lee, the visionary co-founders of Caire Beauty —a science-forward skincare brand created specifically for women aged 40 to 65. We unpack their journey from startup to standout, exploring everything from the intentionality behind the brand name ("I care") to the challenges and triumphs of launching a brand i...

In this episode of Color Bar , we're joined by Carolyn Walker, CEO of Response Marketing, and Irma Sandoval, Head of Channel Marketing at Logitech, for a conversation that’s all about the retail glow-up . The duo takes us behind the scenes of a transformational moment with Best Buy, where a decade-long evolution in category management led to a powerful in-store reinvention. Irma shares Logite...

In this episode, we’re diving into the restaurant industry’s ultimate goal: getting butts in seats—and keeping them coming back. Joining us is Carolyn Walker, CEO of Response and a progressive force in marketing, known for pushing boundaries and reimagining the guest experience. We explore what it takes to create a truly memorable dining experience—from the menu and the music to the bathroom and t...