The Mid-Marketers: Extu’s Podcast

In this episode of The Mid-Marketers Podcast, host Adam Dilbeck sits down with Extu’s Director of Travel, Deven Crane, to unpack why incentive travel continues to be one of the most powerful drivers of loyalty, performance, and long-term relationships. With more than 25 years in the incentive travel industry, Deven shares what actually makes these programs work, from President's Club trips to full...

In this episode of The Mid-Marketers, Adam Dilbeck sits down with Ken Szpindor, Art Director and longtime creative leader, to unpack what good design actually means for modern B2B marketers. Ken shares his journey from aspiring illustrator to art director, including lessons learned at art school, in trade show design, and across brand, UX, and event experiences. Along the way, the conversation div...

Is your channel incentive program draining your budget or driving real growth? In this episode of The Mid-Marketers, Extu CMO Nichole Gunn and Marketing Manager Adam Dilbeck sit down with Extu’s VP of Sales, Scott Fristachi, to break down the surprisingly simple math behind self-funding channel reward programs. Scott shares real-world strategies for designing incentive programs that pay for themse...

In this episode of The Mid-Marketers, Nichole Gunn and Adam Dilbeck sit down with Julian Jordan - entrepreneur, cybersecurity expert, healthcare IT consultant, and overall rockstar - to talk about the unseen threats facing medical practices today. From ransomware attacks to data breaches, the risks are real and growing. Julian shares insider knowledge on how healthcare providers can protect their...

Is it a recession? A great reset? Or just another market cycle? Either way, mid-market businesses have decisions to make. In this episode, Adam Dobrik and Nichole Gunn break down how to use incentives, marketing investments, and customer loyalty to not just survive tough times—but come out stronger. They share lessons learned from past downturns, including the 2008 financial crisis and 2020 pandem...

In this episode of The Mid-Marketers Podcast, Extu CIO Kelly Held dives into the world of SOC-2 compliance. What is it? Why does it matter? And how can it benefit your business? Kelly explains the five trust principles, the difference between SOC-2 Type 1 and Type 2, and the steps businesses need to take to achieve certification. SOC-2 compliance isn’t just about checking a box—it’s about protecti...

Get ready to rev up your knowledge with this latest episode of The Mid-Marketers Podcast! We’re thrilled to welcome Lori Page, Senior Manager at Rinnai, as she dives deep into the evolving landscape of the trades and the impact of loyalty and channel marketing on growth. Join Extu’s own CMO Nichole Gunn and Client Accounts Manager Keenan Meadows as they explore industry shifts, the growing talent...

In this episode of Extu's The Mid-Marketers, Nichole Gunn, Adam Dilbeck, and special guest Savannah Bobo uncover the fascinating psychology behind what drives people to engage with incentives. They dive into how tapping into core motivators—like achievement, competition, and recognition—can elevate channel partner loyalty and boost sales performance. The team breaks down the science of reward stru...

In this episode of Extu's The Mid-Marketers, we explore how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming channel marketing. From automation to predictive analytics, AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini are revolutionizing how brands engage their partners. We’ll also share how Extu is already leveraging AI to enhance our marketing strategies, offering insights into the benefits and challenges of this t...

In this bonus episode of Extu's Mid-Marketers, Adam Dilbeck sits down with Keenan Meadows, a tactical program expert and director of client accounts, to dive deep into the world of gamification. Discover how gamification can transform your loyalty programs, boost engagement, and drive real results. Learn about best practices, case studies, and actionable tips to implement gamification in your B2B...

In this episode of The Mid-Marketers Podcast, we dive deep into the world of gamification. We'll explore how to transform mundane tasks into engaging experiences that drive results. From understanding the basics to crafting effective strategies, we'll uncover the secrets to successful gamification programs. Join us as we discuss real-world examples, share valuable insights,and provide actionable t...

The Mid-Marketers roar to life! Extu's brand new podcast kicks off with Chief Marketing Officer Nichole Gunn and paid & social media specialist Adam Dilbeck. Join them as they unpack their B2B marketing journeys, tackle the challenges you face as a mid-sized business, and share their passion for helping you conquer the ever-changing marketing landscape. Buckle up and get ready to Rev Up Your B...