Radical Content

What happens when a brand actually knows who they are? In this episode of Radical Content, we break down how Patagonia turns purpose into powerful storytelling from high-end documentaries to everyday content that builds real loyalty. Plus, we spotlight bold moves from Heinz and Dove that prove emotional connection always wins.   If you're leading brand, content, or social and want to trade perform...

What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✔ Why most content teams burn out (and how to fix it) ✔ How content programming helps you scale without adding stress ✔ The best way to get buy-in from executives and stakeholders ✔ How to stop being seen as “just the social person” and start leading strategy   This is for anyone working in social media, content marketing, or brand leadership who’s tired of doing...

In this episode, I take you inside one of the biggest moments of my career: how I convinced leadership, built a team from scratch, and launched Universal’s first-ever social media engagement center for the opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ Diagon Alley. I share the strategies, challenges, and lessons from that experience. Its crazy how one big idea changed my career and helped prove...

It’s been two years since I walked away from corporate and built Maverick from the ground up — and in that time, one thing has become painfully clear: brands are still getting social media wrong. In this episode, I go off on why most corporate content strategies fail, what it really takes to earn trust and investment from leadership, and how social teams can stop being underestimated. I break down...

What do you get when a tourism board starts outperforming top-tier brands on social media? A masterclass in content strategy. In this episode of Radical Content, Eric breaks down how Visit Las Vegas is pulling off jaw-dropping numbers—over 100M views—without selling a product. From creator partnerships and rapid-fire content production to social-first campaigns that actually convert, we explore wh...

In this episode of Radical Content, I break down how Marriott’s bold content strategy completely changed the way I approached social media and brand building. I walk you through the exact moment I discovered their framework, how I reverse-engineered it, and what it took to pitch and build a real content studio inside Universal Parks & Resorts. If you're a social media or content leader trying to g...

We’re breaking down the Earning the Click framework — a real-world system for making sure your ideas, titles, thumbnails, and hooks actually get people to stop scrolling and pay attention. If you’re tired of watching great work die on the timeline, this one’s for you. Plus, we’re talking about what Nick DiGiovanni’s YouTube takeover teaches brands about building audience loyalty, why April Fools c...

I’m breaking down 7 short form video strategies that no one is really talking about—but every brand should be using. These are the moves we’re using inside Maverick to build real momentum, not just rack up views. From shifting out of “content for content’s sake” to building repeatable systems that actually grow brand equity, this is the kind of episode I wish I had when I was running social for ma...

I am getting real about what it means to stop playing small and finally go pro with content. This is going to be a raw confession about falling short of my own standards to the bold vision behind Maverick’s new media-first model, I am pulling back the curtain on the mindset, systems, and people it takes to build a true content engine inside your brand. You’ll hear: Why even seasoned pros can fall...

Chapters   00:00 Introduction to Steve Robinson and Chick-fil-A 03:01 The Secret Sauce of Chick-fil-A's Brand Building 05:48 Transitioning from Transactional to Relational Marketing 09:04 The Importance of a Long-Term Vision 12:03 Creating Emotional Connections with Customers 14:58 The Role of Leadership in Brand Consistency 17:58 Listening to Customers for Brand Success 21:04 Pillars of Brand Bui...

00:00 Introduction to Radical Content and Guests 03:10 Joey Thorsen's Journey from Sports to Theme Parks 06:50 Engagement and Audience-Centric Marketing Strategies 10:00 The Birth of Ozarkly: Filling the Marketing Gap 13:55 Creating Unique Content for Social Media 20:13 Building a Content Studio and Podcast 24:43 Success on TikTok: Engaging a New Audience 30:01 Advice for Aspiring Content Creators...

00:00 Introduction and Background 02:07 The Shift to Branded Storytelling 05:54 Challenges in Modern Marketing 09:57 Lessons from Journalism for Marketing 13:54 Corporate Communications and Storytelling 19:52 The Importance of New Media Mindset 24:12 Creative Excellence in Brand Storytelling 29:57 Behind the Apron: Employee Stories 34:14 Hope Builds: Community and Corporate Responsibility 40:06 Br...

00:00Introduction to Sarah Whittle and Her Journey 02:59The Challenges Brands Face in Content Creation 05:55Understanding the Disconnect Between Executives and Social Teams 09:01The Importance of Community Over Fandom 11:55The Role of Authenticity in Brand Storytelling 15:00Navigating Trends and Creativity in Social Media 18:02Content Strategy: Balancing Push and Pull 20:57The Power of Collaborati...

Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Roberto Mastrocola and Coca-Cola's Legacy 03:07 The Evolution of Social Media at Coca-Cola 06:13 Social at the Core: Strategies for Engagement 08:53 Challenges in Legacy Brands Embracing Social Media 11:55 The Importance of Storytelling in Brand Building 15:00 Coca-Cola's Content 2020 Initiative 17:57 Building an Enterprise-Level Social Media Team 21:08 The Share a C...

00:00 Introduction and Background of Scott Monte 07:47 The Power of Storytelling in Brand Building 11:20 Building Transparency and Collaboration at Ford Motor Company 18:26 The Importance of Listening and Engaging in a Two-Way Conversation 24:58 The Power of Creativity, Authenticity, and Empathy in Marketing 30:28 Navigating the Changing Landscape of Social Media 34:08 Building Relationships with...

In this episode of Radical Content, Eric Gray interviews Eric Stark, co-founder of Slate, about sports marketing and social media. They discuss the importance of engagement in storytelling, the competitive nature of sports social media, and the challenges and advantages of working in the sports industry. They also explore how brands can learn from sports franchises in terms of fan engagement and a...

00:00 Introduction and Background 06:17 Transitioning from Journalism to Brand Storytelling 09:33 Creating a Successful Content Hub: The Marriott Traveler Story 21:13 The Value of Authentic Storytelling in Brand Marketing 23:01 The Role of Leadership Support in Content Marketing 26:05 Tailoring Content for Different Platforms and Formats 31:04 Moving Beyond Campaigns: Building Long-Term Relationsh...

Social media is a non-negotiable for big brands, and it should be a core part of their marketing strategy. The current temperature of social media for brands is focused on organic and paid social, influencer strategies, and community management. The value of social media lies in its ability to provide real-time feedback and serve as a creative brief for content creation. Quantity matters for young...

00:00 Introduction and Background  01:43 Working with Nutter Butter and Sour Patch Kids  04:04 Using Social Media to Build a Rabid Fan Base  08:17 Challenges of Using Social Media for Brands  12:19 Connecting and Engaging with the Audience  16:19 The Creative Process and April Fool's Day Activation  23:22 The Importance of Ingenuity in Creativity  24:01 The Importance of Simplicity in Branding  24...

00:00 Introduction and Personal Connection 06:10 Background and Start in Marketing  23:59 Transition to Dude Perfect  29:43 Change in Priorities and Career Growth  31:06 Learning Marketing in the Dude Perfect Environment  33:14 Applying a Creator Mindset to Marketing  34:27 Marketing Differences Between Callaway and Dude Perfect  36:06 Analyzing Content and Marketing Differently  38:20 Promoting C...

00:00 Introduction and Background 03:16 Building the Content Engine at Cleveland Clinic 09:07 The Importance of Content Marketing in Healthcare 16:42 Sustained Success in Content Marketing 20:23 Content Marketing's Impact on Brand Awareness 24:44 The Creative Process in Content Marketing 27:37 Exciting Content Projects and AI Integration 30:07 Creating Tone and Personality in Healthcare Content 31...

Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 01:47 The Intersection of Digital and Content 03:13 The Power of Digital and Content 04:24 T-Mobile's Bold Branding 07:34 Content Collaboration with the Kardashians 09:06 The Role of Digital and Content in Brand Building 11:28 Challenges in Embracing Digital and Content 13:13 The Importance of Engagement in Marketing 15:05 B2B vs. B2C in Embracing New Mar...

In this episode of Radical Content, Heather Brinckerhoff, QVC's Head of Brand Social Media, chats with Eric Gray. They delve into QVC's brand evolution, with a focus on targeting the 50+ female audience. The discussion covers leveraging hosts as influencers, the art of storytelling in social and digital platforms, QVC's approach to TikTok and short-form content, and the intricacies of managing con...

In this episode of Radical Content, Eric Gray chats with Tim Clark, Senior Vice President and Chief Digital Officer for Nascar, and the head of Nascar Studios. Together they “get under the hood” of many exciting topics around how NASCAR (a mega sport, company, and studio) connects with audiences. They discuss how Nascar is creating original long-form content as well as leaning into TikTok and Yout...

In this entertaining episode of Radical Content, Eric Gray sits down with Chad Mitchell, the former Head of Digital Communications for Walmart and now the mastermind behind TD Bank's content and digital strategy. Together, they talk about a handful of interesting topics that any marketer or corporate communications pro needs to hear.   - Launching Walmart's First Blog - Creating a New Walmart Perc...