Marketing Mindset Podcast

Creative has never been easier to produce, and that’s exactly why so much of it stops working.   In this episode, we sit down with Harry to unpack what’s really happening inside modern ad accounts and agencies. From the rise of creative volume and AI-driven workflows to why copying competitors now leads to “good enough” results, we explore what actually differentiates brands and agencies today. We...

What does it actually take to build, and exit, a successful agency?   In this episode, Colby sits down with David Rodnitzky, founder of 3Q Digital, to unpack 25 years of agency growth, hard lessons, and hard-earned perspective. From building a $100M+ agency through multiple acquisitions to navigating private equity, AI disruption, and the realities of scaling service businesses, David shares what...

Most agencies treat client work like a machine… and their own marketing like an afterthought. In this episode, Phil Kiel breaks down why that mindset slows growth, and what actually happens when you flip the switch and start treating agency marketing like reps in the gym. From publishing imperfect lead magnets, to building a creative production line that doesn’t bottleneck, to navigating the balan...

Most brands don’t fail because they picked the wrong agency, they fail because they didn’t know when it was time to move on. In this episode, Colby Flood talks with Behdad Jamshidi, founder of CJAM Marketing Connector, about what happens when your business outgrows its agency, and how to recognize the signs before performance stalls. They unpack: 💡 The 5 levels of marketing partnerships (and how...

Acquisition gets all the attention. Retention pays the bills. In this episode of Marketing Mindset , Jordan Narducci and Sebastian Williams unpack how DTC brands can move from chasing new customers to building loyalty that lasts. We dive into: 🧩 Why most “rebuild reminder” emails actually remind customers to cancel 💡 How stacking discounts the right way can lift LTV fast 📦 Why quarterly subscri...

What happens when you stop treating organic and paid as separate games, and start viewing marketing as one connected system? In this episode of Marketing Mindset , I sit down with Miruna Dragomir , CMO at Planable , to talk about the evolving role of organic social and why it’s the foundation for smarter, more effective paid strategies. Miruna shares how marketers can go beyond vanity metrics, use...

How do you build and scale an agency that stands out in a sea of 90,000 competitors? In this episode of Marketing Mindset Podcast, I sit down with Erik Huberman, Founder & CEO of Hawke Media, to talk about what it takes to grow a truly sustainable agency. From bootstrapping Hawke into a 250-person team to managing $3B in marketing spend, Erik shares the mindset, mistakes, and strategies that f...

In this episode of Marketing Mindset , Mike Koziol is back to break down the path from $50K to $100K MRR, and how agencies can optimize for long-term sustainability instead of burnout.   We talk about: Why optimization is the theme of scaling past $50K MRR How to upgrade your team without bloating headcount Avoiding the churn-and-burn trap by focusing on retention and delivery The biggest mindset...

What does it really take to scale an agency to $100K months without burning out? In this episode of Marketing Mindset , I sit down with Mike Koziol, lawyer-turned-agency-owner-turned-consultant, who has helped countless service businesses navigate the messy middle of growth. We break down the milestones that matter most, and the traps that stall agencies before they ever reach scale.   Why what wo...

What is a brand, really? Peter Wilken, former agency exec at Ogilvy, BBDO, and Leo Burnett joins the show to dismantle one of the biggest misconceptions in marketing: that branding is just visuals. He shares how great brands are built through emotional differentiation, internal culture, and strategic alignment - not just pretty logos and color palettes. We also talk about: The difference between b...

Brand building isn’t just about flashy campaigns, it’s about tying every effort back to revenue.   In this episode of Marketing Mindset, I sit down with Katie Cabanas, a consultant who’s helped major organizations (including some names you’ll instantly recognize) craft brands that customers trust and remember. Katie breaks down how to build a brand that actually moves the bottom line, whether you’...

How do you future-proof your creative career when AI is disrupting everything?   In this episode of Marketing Mindset, I sit down with Farooq Umer, Brighter Click’s very own lead designer turned creative strategist, to break down his journey from executional design work to owning performance strategy. We talk about: Why most designers never see the data, and how that’s holding them back The skills...

Reddit is one of the internet’s most honest platforms, and also one of the most misunderstood by marketers. In this episode of Marketing Mindset, I sit down with Anthony Gonzales, longtime moderator of Reddit’s r/Entrepreneur (4.3M+ members), to explore what actually works when engaging Reddit communities. We discuss: - Why Reddit isn’t just another social platform, and why treating it like one ba...

How do top-performing agencies actually approach creative testing? In this episode of Marketing Mindset , I’m joined by Anze Markovic—founder of Unlock Performance and a seasoned creative strategist who’s worked on campaigns spending well into the 7 figures.   How to prioritize messaging angles based on impact and audience size Why iterating on “medium performers” can drive more efficient wins How...

How do you scale a brand without losing what made it work in the first place? In this episode of Marketing Mindset , we’re joined by Sean Christman, VP of Ops at Cuts Clothing, a brand that’s not just riding the DTC wave but defining how to build for the long game.     The 3-part framework Cuts uses to plan product and marketing: Same-to-Same, New-to-Same, and New-to-New Why creative, not product,...

In this episode of Marketing Mindset , I’m joined by Rahul, Head of Paid Marketing at a performance agency managing 7–9 figure brands.   Why hook rate and CTR don’t always predict performance His exact reporting structure for tracking new customer growth A scrappy influencer hack that landed his brand in front of A-list celebrities How to iterate creative the right way (hint: it’s not headline swa...

In today's rapidly evolving advertising landscape, the line between media buying and creative strategy is blurring—and agencies that adapt are thriving. On this episode of Marketing Mindset Podcast, Justin and Andrew Buckley from ATTN Agency unpack the critical shift from traditional media buying to data-driven creative strategy.   Why successful creative strategists must master both analytics...

How do you carve out your own space in a saturated wellness market? In this episode of #MarketingMindset, we're joined by Karina, a seasoned media buyer working with Bees & Trees—a premium Manuka honey brand from New Zealand. We dive deep into how to differentiate your product by leaning into authenticity and consumer trust. Discover the strategic power of blending holistic education with...

What if focusing less on revenue and more on authentic relationships actually drove better business results? In this episode of #MarketingMindset, Mack Garrison, co-founder of Dash Studio, shares how genuine community building transformed his animation and motion design business. Mack reveals striking data that 84% of their projects came from personal connections and recommendations, including the...

Ever wonder why some products instantly make you say, “I need that!” while others leave you indifferent? In this episode of #MarketingMindset, Laurier Mandin, author of I Need That , joins us to uncover the psychology behind creating irresistible products. From understanding the critical difference between consumer wants and genuine needs, to leveraging these insights, we'll explore how to cra...

Ever feel like your creative strategy is just guessing and hoping? In this episode of #MarketingMindset, Sarah Levinger, founder of Tether Insights, and I reveal how we blend macro-trend analysis with micro-level customer data to craft creative strategies that actually move the needle. From real-time social listening to competitor research, we walk through a live audit—showing you how to identify...

How do you stand out when every SaaS feature can be copied in months—if not weeks? Join us as we chat with Melissa Rosenthal, founder of Outlever and former Chief Creative Officer at ClickUp, on why brand is the true competitive moat for today’s software companies. From blending brand and performance marketing to leveraging content as the ultimate pipeline builder, Melissa shows us how the old pla...

In this episode of Marketing Mindset , your host Colby Flood chats with Chris from The Fresh Chile Co. about the organic tactics that fueled a 30,000-member Facebook community and skyrocketed brand loyalty. If you’re looking to blend paid and organic marketing with a personal touch, this episode is for you. Tune in to hear: How to leverage founder-led storytelling to forge genuine connections The...

The role of creative strategists is evolving faster than the industry can handle, and Sarah Levinger breaks it all down in this eye-opening discussion. From UGC fatigue to the death of hard-sell marketing, we uncover the shifts redefining ad strategy in 2025. Are colleges falling behind? Is Gen Z rewriting the rules of consumer psychology? Tune in to discover how these trends will shape the future...

In this episode of Marketing Mindset, Colby chats with UGC creator Kelly Jensen to explore the dynamics between agencies, brands, and creators. They share their thoughts on the briefing process, usage rights, and best practices for content creation.  Colby gives insights into the challenges of creating effective briefs that give direction without stifling the creator’s voice. Kelly shares how too...