Rural Marketing
Marketing Trust in Missouri Hospitals
OUTdrive Episode 255 with Farrah Fite Farrah Fite of the Missouri Hospital Association (MHA) joins Cliff to discuss the challenges and opportunities in communicating health care issues across rural Missouri. From open enrollment to Medicaid funding cuts, Farrah explains how MHA helps hospitals navigate a complex landscape while building trust with patients, providers and policymakers.…
Read MorePublic Health Messaging That Works
OUTdrive Episode 254 with Lisa Cox and Sami Jo Freeman How do you communicate complex public health messages across a state with diverse communities? In this episode, Cliff visits with Lisa Cox and Sami Jo Freeman from the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services to explore their approach to connecting with Missourians through effective…
Read MoreEngage Audiences In Public Spaces with Digital Out of Home (DOOH) Advertising
From high-traffic digital billboards in urban areas to waiting room screens in clinics, Digital Out of Home (DOOH) advertising is empowering businesses to reach people with timely, relevant messaging beyond the confines of their personal spaces and devices. To understand DOOH, it helps to start with Out of Home (OOH) advertising, the traditional placements like…
Read MoreWhat Rural Brands Can Learn from Cracker Barrel’s Branding Backlash
Cracker Barrel’s recent logo controversy is a textbook example of what happens when a brand changes direction without fully considering the customer base it was built on. The restaurant chain introduced a minimalist logo that removed its long-standing “Old Timer” character (also known as “Uncle Herschel”), along with a plan to modernize its famously cluttered,…
Read MoreStep On In to the Best of the Fair
OUTdrive Episode 253 | Solocast Step on in and celebrate the spirit of the Missouri State Fair! In this Best of the Fair episode of OUTdrive, Cliff Callis shares highlights from six memorable interviews that show how this beloved event blends agriculture, tourism, entertainment and community. Whether you come for the livestock shows, the food…
Read MoreWhy Rural Businesses Shouldn’t Skip on Short-Form Video
Short-form video is the star of social media. Whether you’re scrolling through Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Pinterest, Snapchat or even LinkedIn, chances are you’re seeing vertical videos that are quick, engaging and hard to ignore. These videos have transformed how people consume content online, and they offer a major opportunity for rural businesses looking to…
Read MoreHow Rural Brands Can Win With Micro-Influencers
Micro-influencers are transforming marketing strategies for brands of all sizes, and rural businesses are in a strong position to benefit. With their ability to build trust and spark engagement, these smaller-scale social media creators are helping brands reach specific audiences in creative, affordable and authentic ways. If your brand wants to grow awareness, build loyalty…
Read MoreCould Your Customer Service Be the Secret to Better Marketing?
What if your most powerful marketing strategy isn’t an ad, but a satisfied customer? In rural communities especially, word-of-mouth can carry more weight than a billboard or website. How your business treats people can have a bigger impact than how you promote it. Word-of-Mouth Still Drives Business in Rural America When neighbors talk, businesses can…
Read MoreCustom Content, Real Results
OUTdrive Episode 252 with Jessica Embree Print isn’t dead, and Jessica Embree proves it. Hear how Tulip Media Group blends traditional and modern marketing to create high-impact campaigns. With insights on answer engine optimization, content strategy and the timeless power of storytelling, this episode offers inspiration for marketers at every level.
Read MoreMarketing Insights from the Heartland
OUTdrive Episode 251 with Amy Roraback How do you market business-to-business (B2B) in rural America? Join Cliff in this OUTdrive episode as he sits down with Amy Roraback, marketing lead at KMW Loaders, a Kansas-based equipment company. They explore the day-to-day of rural B2B marketing, including the tools and strategies Amy uses to support sales…
Read MoreCelebrating 250 OUTdrive Episodes: Stories, Successes and the Road Ahead
OUTdrive Episode 250 | SOLOCAST In this special 250th episode of OUTdrive, host Cliff Callis takes the mic solo to reflect on five years of podcasting and the many guests who have helped shape the show. From business owners and marketers to rodeo announcers and rural leaders, Cliff revisits some of the most memorable conversations,…
Read MoreThe Power of Voice in Rural Communities
OUTdrive Episode 249 with Melanie Rice In this episode of OUTdrive, Cliff Callis visits with Melanie Rice, National Account Executive for Learfield News & Ag and President of the National Agri-Marketing Association. Growing up on a Missouri farm and now raising her family in rural Iowa, Melanie shares how her agricultural roots shaped her career…
Read MoreInside Alaska’s Health Care Frontier
OUTdrive Episode 248 with Bruce Richards OUTdrive host Cliff Callis sits down with Bruce Richards, External Affairs Director for Central Peninsula Hospital, to talk about delivering health care in rural Alaska. From his start in the family paving business to navigating politics and now leading key legislative efforts in the health care space, Bruce’s story…
Read MoreEconomic Growth from the Ground Up
OUTdrive Episode 246 with Ben Vickers Discover how the Springfield, Missouri, region is building momentum in rural economic development with guest Ben Vickers, Manager of Business Development for the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. Ben and Cliff discuss the area’s strengths in manufacturing, food processing, workforce and quality of life, as well as how strategic…
Read MoreRiding the Road to Resilience
OUTdrive Episode 245 with Steven Brunner In this episode of OUTdrive, Cliff visits with Steven Brunner, founder of King of the Mountain Sports Marketing. With nearly four decades of experience, Steven shares stories from the global stage of sports promotion—from the Olympics to the Great Wall of China. He also reflects on what it takes…
Read MoreLeather, Legacy and Life Lessons
OUTdrive Episode 244 with Tucker Hancock Meet Tucker Hancock, the driving force behind Fern Thatcher, a leather goods company rooted in tradition and built on family values. In this episode, Tucker shares his journey from military service to entrepreneurship, crafting high-quality leather products while balancing family life and business growth. Tune in to hear his…
Read MoreBuilding Relationships in Rural Marketing
OUTdrive Episode 243 with Julianna Sonnik In this episode of OUTdrive, Cliff Callis sits down with Julianna Sonnik, an account executive at Callis, to discuss the importance of building strong relationships in rural marketing. Julianna shares her journey from growing up in Sedalia to pursuing her MBA while working in marketing. She also discusses her…
Read MoreSmall Towns, Big Banking Ideas
OUTdrive Episode 242 with Jonathan Fish Rural America’s banking needs are changing, and BTC Bank is leading the charge with innovative ideas and a community-first mindset. Cliff Callis welcomes Jonathan Fish to OUTdrive to discuss how BTC Bank is revolutionizing rural banking with mobile branches, youth-focused programs and a dedication to local investment.
Read MoreWhere the Countryside Meets Compassion
OUTdrive Episode 241 with Susie Arbo Mental health care can be hard to find in rural communities, but one Missouri-based practice is changing that. Country Crossroads Counseling blends traditional therapy with unique, nature-based approaches to help children, teens and adults navigate life’s challenges. In this episode, founder Susie Arbo shares how she built a thriving…
Read MoreConnecting People through Storytelling
OUTdrive Episode 239 with Kat Lucchesi Storytelling is at the heart of marketing and communications, whether in business, sports marketing or education. In this episode, we chat with Kat Lucchesi, a professor at the University of Missouri School of Journalism, about her experiences in collegiate athletics, digital media and teaching the next generation of communicators.…
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