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Super Bowl 2025 Highlights
OUTdrive Episode 237 with Megan Hartman and Josie Gregory The Super Bowl isn’t just about football—it’s also the biggest night in advertising. In this episode of OUTdrive, Cliff Callis sits down with agency president Megan Hartman and account executive Josie Gregory to break down the game’s most memorable ads. From the ones that scored big…
Read MoreOur Top Super Bowl 2025 Ads
Super Bowl LIX was not the ending Chiefs Kingdom had hoped for. After years of magical Mahomes moments and back-to-back Super Bowl victories, this one hurt. The game didn’t go our way, and the post-game sting still lingers. But if there’s one thing about the Super Bowl—win or lose—it’s always more than just a game.…
Read MoreHow Strategy, Ethics and AI Are Shaping Modern Marketing
OUTdrive Episode 236 with Korena Keys Marketing is constantly evolving, and staying ahead requires strategy, innovation and a strong ethical foundation. In this episode, Korena Keys of KeyMedia Solutions shares her insights on digital marketing, AI and the importance of responsible advertising. From starting a business at her kitchen table to leading a successful agency,…
Read MoreImproving Child Care Access in Missouri
OUTdrive Episode 235 with Robin Phillips Missouri’s child care crisis affects more than just parents—it impacts businesses, workforce retention and local economies. In this episode, Robin Phillips, CEO of Child Care Aware of Missouri, talks about the challenges of child care accessibility and affordability in rural communities. She shares how her organization is helping families…
Read MoreBuilding the Voice of Agriculture
OUTdrive Episode 234 with Sara Wyant Discover how AgriPulse grew to become agriculture’s leading voice for legislative and regulatory news. In this episode of OUTdrive, founder Sara Wyant shares her journey from growing up on a farm in Iowa to building a trusted media brand covering food, agriculture and rural issues. Sara reflects on how…
Read MoreTalking Sports and Community
OUTdrive Episode 233 with Kim Anderson Sports bring people together, especially in rural America. In this episode, Cliff and Kim Anderson, former college basketball coach turned broadcaster, dive into how sports unite communities, inspire passion and shape identities. Tune in as they discuss everything from Chiefs football to high school basketball, and how broadcasting keeps…
Read MoreHow Strategy and Insight Drive Successful Marketing Campaigns
A strong marketing strategy is essential to achieving success, but what exactly makes a strategy effective? The answer lies in insight—a deep understanding of competitive landscapes, brand strengths and audience behaviors. This framework allows us to craft innovative, results-driven marketing campaigns. The Role of Strategy and Insight in Marketing Success At Callis, strategy is at…
Read MoreTop Podcasts of 2024
OUTdrive Episode 232 | SOLOCAST Join us as we take a ride through some of OUTdrive’s most popular episodes from 2024. Host Cliff Callis reflects on insightful conversations with marketing professionals and community leaders, discussing everything from Super Bowl ad strategies to rural banking and state fairs. Whether it’s connecting national brands to local markets,…
Read MoreDriving Success Through Marketing Innovation: A Legacy of Creative Progress
In the fast-paced and ever-evolving world of business, innovation is the cornerstone of sustained success. It is not just about staying ahead; it is about adapting, growing and thriving in the face of new challenges and opportunities. For nearly 40 years, Callis has embodied this spirit of innovation, charting a path that has not only…
Read MoreA Legacy of Quality
OUTdrive Episode 231 with Glenn Danuser Explore the story behind Danuser Machine Company, a fourth-generation family business built on quality and customer care. Glenn Danuser reveals the company’s approach to innovation, service and sustaining a legacy that began back in 1910. Tune in to learn how Danuser navigates the challenges of modern manufacturing and marketing…
Read MoreConnecting Communities Through Rural Health Care
OUTdrive Episode 230 with Abbe Ream Rural health care faces unique challenges, from smaller populations to overcoming misconceptions about care quality. Learn how creative strategies, innovative programs and grassroots community engagement are helping rural hospitals deliver quality care and build strong connections. Abbe Ream, Director of Marketing at Harrison County Community Hospital in northwest Missouri,…
Read MoreConnecting National Brands with Local Markets
OUTdrive Episode 229 with Liza Buchanan Liza Buchanan, Vice President of Marketing at Sunstate Equipment, shares her journey and insights as she markets the national construction equipment rental company in a highly competitive environment. With a dynamic background spanning corporate marketing, nonprofit work and running her own advertising agency, Liza brings a wealth of experience…
Read MoreHow AI is Shaping the Future of Marketing
OUTdrive Episode 228 with Kyle Meek Artificial Intelligence offers powerful ways for marketers to streamline tasks and personalize customer experiences and balancing innovation with responsible use is essential for building trust. Callis’s Digital Services Director Kyle Meek explores these opportunities, discussing how AI is transforming marketing and business for rural American markets. Sharing insights from…
Read MoreSharing Stories, Growing Trust
OUTdrive Episode 227 with Danny Vowell Marketing pro Danny Vowell, the marketing manager at Best Way AG, brings a rich blend of experience in journalism, photojournalism and business communications to his role. Raised in a rural setting with deep family roots in farming, Danny has a personal understanding of the agricultural community’s values and challenges.…
Read MoreHow to Combine Direct Mail and Digital Advertising to Reach Rural Audiences Effectively
For businesses aiming to connect with rural audiences, standing out means integrating the reliable impact of direct mail with the precision of digital marketing. By combining these methods, you can reach your audience across channels with consistent messaging—maximizing engagement and driving results. Here’s a look at how integrating direct mail with digital targeting using tools…
Read MoreThe Law and the Land
OUTdrive Episode 226 with Chris Spangler Attorney Chris Spangler could have built a law practice anywhere, but he chose to establish his career in the heart of rural America. A Missouri native and graduate of the University of Missouri, Chris returned to central Missouri after attending law school in Kansas City. Today, he co-leads the…
Read MoreThe Human Side of Health Care Marketing
OUTdrive Episode 225 with April DeGraff April DeGraff, a seasoned marketing professional, has over 15 years of experience, with a decade dedicated to health care marketing. Growing up in rural Missouri and earning a degree from Missouri Valley College, April has a unique understanding of both rural communities and the health care landscape. She has…
Read MoreWinning Strategies for Authentic Connections
OUTdrive Episode 224 with Shannon McCarthy Reaching rural audiences requires a tailored approach. Dr. Shannon McCarthy, Associate Professor of Marketing at the University of Central Missouri, brings us a unique perspective, having lived on both coasts and in the Midwest. She highlights that while there are differences between urban and rural America, people’s core desires…
Read MoreImplementing AI in Your Business: A Roadmap for Success
Integrating AI into your business is not just a technological change—it’s a cultural shift. Below is a practical roadmap for businesses to successfully implement AI. This starts with the understanding that AI adoption is a long-term process that requires buy-in from leadership and a commitment to experimentation. Creating an AI Council Establishing an AI council…
Read MoreAI’s Impact on Business and Marketing
AI is already having a profound impact on how businesses operate and its influence will only grow. At MAICON, the focus was on how AI will transform everything from marketing strategies to organizational structures and the consensus was clear: AI is reshaping business at every level. Key Impacts of AI “We have the opportunity (and…
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