Marketing Moves

On this episode of Marketing Moves, we sat down with Sean Cain, Senior Director at the Superlative Group, to discuss the evolving world of sponsorship marketing. Sean shares lessons from navigating long sales cycles and explains how sponsorships have shifted from logo placements to meaningful community partnerships. We explore how the Superlative Group blends local and global strategies, why munic...

On this episode of Mini Moves, we sat down to break down the ultimate Q4 playbook for brands preparing for the holiday rush. From analyzing last year’s performance to forecasting inventory and optimizing promotional calendars, timing is everything when it comes to Black Friday and beyond. We explore why 80% of your paid media budget should shift to retargeting, how SMS is outpacing email in engage...

In this episode of Marketing Moves, we sat down with Alex Gruskin, Chief Creative Officer of Cracked Racquets, to hear how a single tweet sparked his journey into building one of tennis media’s fastest-growing platforms. Alex shares how he and founder Dalton turned a three-hour phone call into a lasting partnership, how Cracked Racquets adapted and thrived during the pandemic, and what it means to...

In this episode of Marketing Moves, we sat down with Laura Gray, Director of Development, and Nick Lippert, Managing Director of the USS Cleveland Legacy Foundation, to talk about the city’s unique role in Navy history. Established in 2019, the foundation is preparing for the commissioning of the fourth USS Cleveland, a Littoral Combat Ship that represents both advanced naval innovation and Clevel...

In this episode of Marketing Moves, we break down the electrifying journey of Scott Colosimo, founder of LAND Moto. What started with BMX tricks evolved into a mission to reshape urban mobility - and LAND Moto is leading the charge. Scott shares how his experience in battery innovation and product development led to building a vertically integrated electric vehicle company rooted in Cleveland. Des...

On this special episode of Marketing Moves, we unpack how artificial intelligence is transforming the e-commerce landscape just in time for the holidays at our second annual Christmas in July event hosted at VividFront HQ in Cleveland. From hyper-personalized recommendations and dynamic pricing to chatbots that close sales in real time, AI is now embedded in every touchpoint of the customer journe...

In this episode of Marketing Moves, we sat down with Emily Pentecost, the creator behind @thingsivebeeneating, built a social media following of over 170,000 across Instagram and TikTok—all while working full-time in legal marketing. In this episode, she shares how a personal food journal evolved into a viral content platform, thanks to consistent visual style, genuine voice, and a Cleveland-first...

On this episode of Marketing Moves, we sat down with Manoj Jhaveri, Innovation Services Director at BRITE Energy Innovators. Manoj shares his journey from engineering and entrepreneurship to empowering over 130 clean energy startups across the Midwest. He breaks down how BRITE functions more like an energy-focused startup ecosystem than a traditional incubator, and how programs like their CXO Netw...

In this episode of Marketing Moves, we sat down with Max Pennington, CEO and Co-Founder of CLEANR. Max shares how an internship at P&G and an entrepreneurial drive from Case Western Reserve University sparked his mission to tackle microplastic pollution. With most microplastics coming straight from our washing machines, Max and his team developed a vortex-based filter that captures over 90% of mic...

In this episode of Marketing Moves, Sorosh Tavakoli shares how he went from tech entrepreneur to founder of Stockeld Dreamery, reimagining cheese with climate-friendly, legume-based creations. Inspired by Bay Area pioneers like Oatly and Beyond, Sorosh invested four years in R&D to craft fermented chickpea, lentil, and yellow pea cheeses that use 75% fewer resources than dairy—without compromising...

In this episode of Marketing Moves, Greg Harris, President and CEO of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, shares how Cleveland became the forever home of rock history—and why the museum continues to shape the culture today. With 31 years in the museum world and a record store legacy of his own, Greg breaks down how the Rock Hall drives a $240 million economic impact, connects with 1.5 million...

In this episode of Marketing Moves, we sit down with Megan Kim, Executive Director at COSE and Senior Vice President of Membership Development & Marketing at the Greater Cleveland Partnership, to explore her 20-year journey from event coordinator to strategic leader at the helm of Ohio’s largest small business support organization. Representing 11,000 of GCP’s 12,000 members, COSE provides advocac...

In this Mini Moves episode, we dive into the rising trend of influencer-led brand activations and how major names like Rare Beauty and Gymshark are redefining what successful events look like. Gone are the days of follower-count-first strategies—today, it's all about real connection, local relevance, and community-driven storytelling. From intimate micro-influencer gatherings to consumer-inclusive...

In this episode of Marketing Moves, we sat down with Aaron Hoffman, co-founder of DeliverThat, to explore how a college hustle evolved into a nationwide B2B catering delivery platform. From a viral tweet that jumpstarted their following to a strategic pivot during the pandemic, DeliverThat has grown to support over 35,000 drivers and partnerships with brands like Wegmans and Taco Cabana. Aaron unp...

In this episode of Marketing Moves, we sit down with Duane Mancini, CEO and co-founder of Project MedTech, to explore how his background in medicinal chemistry evolved into a mission-driven journey to support early-stage medtech startups. Duane shares how launching Project MedTech during the pandemic created an opportunity to provide consulting and capital support to healthcare innovators. The con...

In this episode of Marketing Moves, Matt Kaulig shares his journey from college athlete to executive chairman of Kaulig Companies Ltd., a growing enterprise spanning sports, media, and consumer products. He discusses founding LeafFilter Gutter Protection and how a bold, contrarian mindset helped him scale during the 2008 recession. Matt reflects on his leadership values—urgency, resilience, and a...

In this episode of Marketing Moves, we chatted with Charlie Anderson, the YouTube creator turned pizza maker behind Cleveland’s viral sensation, Good Pizza. Charlie shares how a pandemic-fueled passion for sourdough baking launched his online following—and ultimately, a brick-and-mortar restaurant serving up artisan New York-style pies. From mastering fermentation to crafting content that converts...

In this episode of Marketing Moves, we sat down with Montana Banner, Director of Project Management and Communications at Thrive Peer Recovery Services. Montana shares Thrive’s inspiring origin story and its mission to support individuals through all stages of recovery, from ER visits to incarceration. She discusses the power of lived experience in building trust, the importance of peer-led progra...

In this episode of Marketing Moves, entrepreneur and community builder Manny Larcher shares his journey from his roots in St. Lucia to launching colaeb, a platform helping businesses cut costs and boost efficiency through authentic networking and AI tools. He reflects on the contrast between communal and individualist cultures and how that shaped his approach to leadership, business, and meaningfu...

This episode of Marketing Moves features Jordan Bigelow and Julian Ayzman, co-founders of YaYa & Co, a sustainable home decor brand making waves with small-batch products and ethical sourcing. The duo shares how co-founder Candy launched YaYa & Co to disrupt fast furniture with community-driven craftsmanship and a mission rooted in social impact. The conversation covers how YaYa & Co markets to va...

In this episode of Marketing Moves, we are joined by Jackie Wachter, Co-Founder of luxury leather goods brand, FOUNT. In an energizing conversation with Madison Riddell, Jackie shares how a simple Christmas gift idea sparked an omnichannel business rooted in craftsmanship, sustainability, and community. From making each bag by hand alongside her business partner and husband, Phillip, to launching...

In this episode of Marketing Moves, Ali Bonar, co-founder and CEO of Oat Haus, shares how her personal recovery from an eating disorder led to the creation of Granola Butter, the first oat-based spread of its kind. She opens up about the challenges of launching a new product category, the power of organic influencer partnerships, and the strategic storytelling that helped Oat Haus land in major re...

In this special episode of Marketing Moves, we take you inside From Bans to Breakthroughs: The 2025 Social Media Situation, a live event hosted at VividFront. With social media platforms in flux, ad costs rising, and emerging players like Neptune and Lemon8 making waves, our expert panel explored the shifting digital landscape and how brands can stay ahead. From leveraging first-party data to opti...

Mugsy Bakes co-founders Devin Climer and Nina Lawless share their inspiring journey from healthcare to entrepreneurship, crafting gluten-free, dairy-free desserts that celebrate indulgence without guilt. They discuss building an authentic brand, standing out with innovative packaging, and fostering a loyal community in a competitive market. Balancing motherhood and business, they reveal their appr...

Entrepreneur and CMO Andy Tran takes us on a dynamic journey from launching an architecture firm in his early career to spearheading Arthur Street Ventures, a powerhouse in venture design and investment. He reveals the secrets to marketing in high-stakes industries like defense and wellness, emphasizing the power of authenticity, bold storytelling, and deep relationship-building. Andy also dives i...