Content Amplified

Are you tired of "feature dumping" on prospects only to see their eyes glaze over? In this episode of Content Amplified, Ben Ard sits down with Kelsey Smith , Director of Digital Marketing at FranConnect , to discuss why your marketing should stop leading with the product—and start leading with the customer. Kelsey shares his strategic pivot from traditional product-led pitches to authen...

In this episode we interview Matthew Scales , Seafood Marketing Director at the Maryland Department of Agriculture , about how he uses creative campaigns to get people to eat invasive blue catfish.  What you'll learn in this episode: How a state agency turned a serious environmental problem into a memorable content story anchored in a blue catfish eating competition at the Maryland State Fair...

In this episode we interview Matt Dornfeld , Global AI Go-To-Market Lead at Commerce , about using workflow automation and large language models to personalize webinars from registration to recap. He and host Ben Ard walk through the exact systems he uses to turn a “standard” webinar into a tailored experience that actually drives action.  What you'll learn in this episode: How to build dynam...

In this episode we interview Rosemary Ajuka-LeCroy , about how marketers can use AI to cut through content overwhelm instead of adding to it.  What you'll learn in this episode: How to shift AI from content factory to research assistant so you actually understand your customers instead of guessing Why overwhelm is the default state for modern buyers and how to create content that feels like a...

In this episode we interview Laliv Hadar , SVP of Marketing at Invision Communications , an experiential marketing agency, about how brands can use live experiences to build real human connection in B2B.  What you'll learn in this episode: How experiential shifted from “nice to have” booths and dinners to a core channel in the B2B marketing mix Ways to use content before, during, and after ev...

In this episode we interview Crystalee Beck , founder of Comma Copywriters, a content marketing agency, and a long-time champion of words that connect. She shares how her team blends AI tools with human creativity while protecting what makes a brand’s voice worth reading. What you'll learn in this episode: Why Crystalee believes every piece of content still needs a human touch before it goes...

In this episode we interview Sarah Renner , VP of Marketing Strategy and Analytics at MarketBridge, a go-to-market growth firm. She shares two decades of experience helping brands shift from shallow lead gen to trust-building content that actually wins deals. What you'll learn in this episode: Why prospects no longer trust forms, blast emails, and banner ads—and what that distrust reveals abo...

In this episode we interview Paramita Bhattacharya , a full stack marketing leader with 25 years in technology, spanning Fortune 500 giants and high growth startups across brand, product marketing, demand generation, and go to market.  What you'll learn in this episode: Why AI has shifted content discovery from search rankings to credibility and citations across analysts, PR, and trusted chan...

In this episode we interview Rachel Grace , journalist turned marketer and founder of Gallant Creative. She shares how brands can win by being more human, not more polished. What you'll learn in this episode: Why low fidelity content often outperforms high production campaigns. How Gen Z’s craving for authenticity is reshaping brand storytelling. How to use simplicity and honesty as growth to...

In this episode we interview Amanda Lucidi . She brings a journalist’s clarity to content systems that grow without burning teams out. What you'll learn in this episode: How to anchor strategy to clear goals, not vibes. How to map approvals, owners, and handoffs so the work flows, not stalls. How to pick starting channels by audience reality, not wishful thinking. How to size the data you nee...

In this episode we interview Kim Kanary . What you'll learn in this episode: How to reframe content from cost center to growth engine by tying it to pipeline influence, deal velocity, and win rate. A simple measurement start: pick two or three outcome metrics that your execs care about, then build up. When to use media mix modeling versus multi touch attribution, and why using both sharpens d...

In this episode we interview Taylor Whetstone , a marketing operations leader at Augury. She shares a clear, operator’s view on building content that serves real people, not abstract segments. What you'll learn in this episode: How to set goals that name the persona and shape the asset, the CTA, and the follow-up. Practical ways to segment by function and seniority so engineers and executives...

In this episode we interview Ravi Pimplaskar , a marketing leader and storyteller with over 20 years of experience in ad tech. Ravi blends performance storytelling with campaign strategy, showing how emotion and structure can transform even the most technical B2B content into something people actually feel. What you'll learn in this episode: The six-word storytelling method that sharpens ever...

In this episode we interview Knyckolas Sutherland , a B2B content strategist and creative marketer who blends behavioral economics with storytelling to make even the most technical topics human. What you'll learn in this episode: How timing transforms impact: why 10 minutes can matter more than a week. The art of “terminally online” — staying current without burning out. How to define creativ...

In this episode we interview Eric Hultgren , Director of Brand Strategy at Advance Local and lifelong storyteller. Eric shares his concept of weaponized curiosity —a mindset that transforms ordinary observations into powerful stories, sharper marketing, and deeper human connections. What you'll learn in this episode: What “weaponized curiosity” really means—and how to use it to see wonder whe...

In this episode we interview Ricky Baizas , marketing leader, storyteller, and former actor turned creative strategist. He reveals how storytelling, discipline, and craft converge to create marketing that actually moves people. What you'll learn in this episode: Why great storytellers start as super-consumers—reading, watching, and absorbing human patterns. How writing by hand on a 3×5 card c...

In this episode we interview Kara Smith Brown , CEO of Lead Coverage, a go-to-market consultancy serving freight and supply chain leaders. She explains how to build a repeatable revenue engine by prioritizing the right buyers at the right moment.  What you'll learn in this episode: Why you should stop paying for “records” and commodity content—and invest in strategy and distribution instead....

In this episode we interview Zach Presswood , Director of Advertiser Success at AdMarketplace, the largest vendor in the native search space. Zach shares how his team balances the precision of AI with the irreplaceable nuance of human creativity—an honest look at how marketers can draw the line without losing authenticity. What you'll learn in this episode: How to decide where AI belongs—and...

In this episode we interview Katrine Rasmussen , a B2B marketer at fashion-tech company Pixelz. She shares a practical playbook for reaching enterprise buyers on LinkedIn with precision and credibility. What you'll learn in this episode: How to build ABM audiences on LinkedIn by combining target companies with exact job titles and locations—then keep them tight around the 300-person minimum f...

In this episode we interview Molly Evola , Senior Content Marketing Manager at Customer.io. She shares a practical, system-first approach to turning everyday work into clear, consistent content.  What you'll learn in this episode: How to unify product, marketing, sales, and lifecycle voices into one brand story—and keep it human to human.  A simple hub-and-spoke plan: publish a guide, then re...

In this episode we interview David Beach , actor and host of Awesome News Daily. He shares how stagecraft, warmth, and simple habits fuel authentic engagement without paid ads. What you'll learn in this episode: How to spark organic growth by “busking” online: show up, create curiosity, invite people in. Ways to turn Facebook into a campfire: post short, uplifting stories and reply with genui...

In this episode we interview Masha Tarasyuk , Director of Product Marketing at Codecademy, a leading platform helping people learn technical skills and thrive in their careers. What you'll learn in this episode: How to define and maintain a clear, authentic brand voice in the era of generative AI Why jargon-free messaging builds trust—and how to achieve it Tactics for amplifying internal voic...

In this episode we interview Lauren Sawyer , Head of US Events at Duel Tech. What you'll learn in this episode: Why small, intentional events can have massive marketing impact How to identify and activate your most passionate customers Tactical ways to turn real customer stories into your most effective marketing tool How Lauren’s team avoids cold calls and spammy outreach while growing their...

In this episode we interview Vikram Maram , who leads product and growth at SMARTe , a sales intelligence platform.  What you'll learn in this episode: How to turn feature lists into outcome statements customers remember. A simple rule to eliminate fluffy copy your competitors could reuse. Ways to cut website word count while sharpening your message. How to mine Slack communities for real buy...

In this episode we interview Evan Read , Head of Marketing at Quipli , a vertical SaaS platform built for independent equipment rental businesses across the U.S. and Canada. What you'll learn in this episode: How to productize your content using AI tools like Replit and v0 Why templates and interactive tools outperform traditional blog posts in the age of AI search The strategy behind buildin...