General
Music to Marketing. Naturally.
OUTdrive Episode 155 with John Smiddy I always love talking shop with other agency owners. In this intriguing episode, I interview John Smiddy, founder, president and chief strategist at LeadPlan Marketing in Michigan. He’s also the author of the book Stop Guessing Start Marketing and the host of The Marketing Fundamentals Podcast. John got his…
Read MoreSharing the Rural America Story
OUTdrive Episode 154 with Robert Harrington We believe we’ve got it pretty good out here in rural America, where we enjoy a high quality of life, with plenty of great opportunities and a safe environment in which to live, work and play. It may be the world’s best kept secret. Our guest today is a…
Read MoreThree Reasons Why People Buy
Consumer behavior, once thought of as whimsical, has developed into a science. Sure, consumers can be fickle, but understanding the basic motivations behind purchasing decisions can play a huge role in your company’s success. 1. Want To Be Well Liked/Need To Impress An overwhelming majority of consumers want to be well-liked or at least feel…
Read MoreComing Full Circle
OUTdrive Episode 153 with Jim Marino It’s always amazing how one experience in life prepares you for the ones that follow. That’s the way it’s supposed to be, right? Our podcast guest, Jim Marino, got his start during college working for a construction, development and marketing conglomerate in Missouri. From there, he took his sales,…
Read MoreTargeting the Upscale Lifestyle
OUTdrive Episode 152 with Dave Leathers Most people today recognize that digital media has revolutionized modern marketing plans. Yet, nothing replaces the look and feel of a high-end magazine. Every day, millions of people throughout rural America and the world consume content found in magazines, and then they pass them along. Today’s guest has built…
Read MoreThriving for Generations
OUTdrive Episode 151 with R.J. Lindstrom Very few family businesses survive past a third generation and a fourth is a rarity. Zephyr Manufacturing is one of those elite companies that has not only survived but thrived for nearly 100 years. Our guest today is R.J. Lindstrom, who is the current president, owner and great-grandson of…
Read MoreBuilding a New Brand
OUTdrive episode 150 with Marissa Ivie Organizations, businesses and people change. Consequently, brands need to change to reflect a renewed mission, vision or purpose. Recently, Callis helped Center for Human Services rebrand with a new visual identity, new messaging and imagery, a new website and a comprehensive marketing communications program. Center for Human Services is…
Read MoreIs it Time for a Checkup?
Collect the Data Every good company seems to want more. More customers, more good reviews, more efficiency and more revenue come to mind. But in order to get more, you must first prepare for more. Recently, Callis conducted a thorough self-evaluation. A survey was sent to senior leaders and to all departments. They were asked…
Read MoreThe First Touch is Marketing
OUTdrive Episode 149 with Taylor Howard Some people just know from a young age what they want to do when they grow up. For Taylor Howard, it was marketing. Early on, she was interested in why advertisers said and showed what they did and that curiosity has carried over into her career in the B2B…
Read MoreA Lifelong Passion for Learning
OUTdrive Episode 148 with Steve Moore There are literally thousands of opportunities in today’s world to find a career that fits well with your interests and strengths. Our guest today was fortunate to find one right out of college that fit so well, he stayed for a 30 year career. Steve Moore is a chemical…
Read MoreYear-Round at the Missouri State Fair
OUTdrive Episode 147 with Steven Sims The Missouri State Fairgrounds is known primarily for the State Fair which is held every year around the middle of August. What you may not know though is there are events there year-round. From rodeos, quinceañeras and weddings, to picnics, concerts, camping, and livestock shows, the Missouri State Fairgrounds…
Read MoreExciting Opportunities for a Clean Future
OUTdrive Episode 146 with Tucker Perkins The propane industry is changing, and innovation and new technologies are driving this misunderstood clean energy to the top of the energy charts. In this fascinating episode, Cliff visits with Tucker Perkins, the President and CEO of PERC, the Propane Education and Research Council. Learn how the industry has…
Read MoreMaking People Happy
OUTdrive Episode 145 with Katie Imler Ice Cream Factory owners Katie and Shannon Imler love to make people happy, and they do it with ice cream. What started out as a scoop shop in Eldon serving the ice cream they make by hand has turned into a bustling operation selling 30-plus flavors in over 2,000…
Read MoreBusiness and Marketing Go Hand in Hand
Many may view business and marketing as separate endeavors, but at the end of the day, the two go hand in hand. Marketing and business complement each other as naturally as ice cream and good times – more on that later. The same can be said for sales and marketing, but they too both benefit…
Read MorePublic Relations Strategy
OUTdrive Episode 142 with Tricia Hansen-Horn At some point, every organization will need public relations support. This can come in several different forms, like reputation management, public affairs, or crisis communications, which is why it’s important to take an integrated marketing approach, combining advertising and strategic communications efforts. For nearly 25 years, Dr. Tricia Hansen-Horn…
Read MoreOur Favorite Super Bowl Ads in 2023
Super Bowl Sunday can be considered the mecca of entertainment. From the big game and halftime show to the parties and commercials, it really has something for everyone. And, 2023 did not disappoint. For the first time in years, both the game and the commercials had us glued to the TV from kick-off to the…
Read MoreTalking the Big Game
OUTdrive Episode 140 with Ivy Reynolds It’s almost that time of year again. When friends and family gather together around the TV to watch commercials, and maybe catch some football in between. That’s right – it’s time for the Super Bowl. In this episode, Ivy Reynolds returns to OUTdrive to talk all things advertising during…
Read MoreTrade Shows: Past, Present, and Future
OUTdrive Episode 139 | SOLOCAST There is no better place to connect with a number and variety of customers and potential customers than at a trade show. It gives you the opportunity to launch new products or services in a venue where you can draw extra excitement from people interested in your industry. Today’s episode…
Read MoreCombining Vision and Opportunity
OUTdrive Episode 138 with Gary McMullin In the midst of an increasingly digital world, the demand for blue-collar jobs and industry workers is still prevalent, and maybe even amplified. But even in trades like welding, construction, and manufacturing, customer service and satisfaction drive future business and opportunities. Today’s story is proof that with a vision…
Read MoreCream of the Crop
OUTdrive Episode 137 with Michael Hemme A key component of marketing and sales rests in the people behind the product or service. As a marketing agency based in rural America, we love a good story, especially if it has local roots and ties to agriculture. Today’s episode has all three components. I sat down with…
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