Opportunities of the Fall Season
Connecting with Rural Audiences OUTdrive Episode 22 It’s fall and it’s a great time of year out here in rural America. The temperature is starting to cool off at night yet the days are still warm and sunny. The evenings are perfect for bonfires, cornhole games and sweatshirts. To many, the fall season is a…
Read MoreCrisis Communications & Audience Segmentation
The Process of Strategy, Messaging & Creative OUTdrive Episode 21 with Mark Thomas In this episode of OUTdrive, Cliff visits with Mark Thomas, Director of Marketing and Communications for Area Cooperative Educational Services (ACES) in North Haven, Connecticut. An accomplished marketing professional with a proven track record, Mark is passionate about crisis communications, staying on…
Read MoreCreating the Best Customer Experience
Helping Others, Meeting Customer Needs and Adapting to Changes OUTdrive Episode 20 with Matt Boatright In this episode of OUTdrive, Cliff visits with Matt Boatright, an experienced financial advisor who serves as Sedalia/Pettis County Market President for Wood & Huston Bank. Matt’s dedication to serving customers compliments his strong work ethic and focus on personal…
Read MoreTried and True Messaging Strategies
In marketing, many things change but some remain the same. As new trends emerge, brands must remember the power of proven messaging strategies that provide results. Whether it is radio, video or a news release, brands have the opportunity to incorporate messaging strategies that have been used for decades to provide powerful results. Capitalize on…
Read MoreThe Power of Voice in Rural America
Reaching Audiences Through Radio OUTdrive Episode 19 with Tom Brand In this episode of OUTdrive, Cliff visits with Tom Brand, Executive Director for the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB). A lifelong lover of the rural American way of life and passionate about agriculture, Tom provides value to NAFB member stations and guides farm broadcasters…
Read MoreThe Spirit of Connection
Communication and Relationships in Rural America OUTdrive Episode 18 with Christine Tew In this episode of OUTdrive, Cliff visits with Christine Tew, an experienced public relations expert currently serving as Director of Communications and Public Relations for the Missouri Soybean Association. Christine’s resume is impressive, and her personal dedication to the ag industry and helping…
Read MorePlanning for Business Success in Rural America
Integrating Core Values and New Technologies for Growth OUTdrive Episode 17 with the Wilson Toellner CPA Team In this episode of OUTdrive, Cliff visits with Ron Toellner, Alaina Gump and Adam Wolfe, partners of Wilson-Toellner CPA. Together, they lead a team of more than 40 individuals to provide traditional CPA firm services, as well as…
Read MoreBuilding a Strong Marketing Mix
Meeting Your Audience Where They Are OUTdrive Episode 16 with Dan Cassidy In this episode of OUTdrive, Cliff visits with Dan Cassidy, Chief Administrative Officer of the Missouri Farm Bureau Federation and Affiliated Companies. A passionate advocate for U.S. agricultural policy, Dan understands the importance of building a strong marketing mix, meeting your audience where…
Read MoreStaying on Top of Digital Marketing Trends
Recently, members of the Callis team attended an AMI (Agency Management Institute) Digital Summit. AMI is a management consulting firm that specializes in helping marketing agencies like us take their performance to the next level and keep improving. The Digital Summit is an interactive workshop where digital teams from agencies working across the country come…
Read MoreDigital Marketing in Rural America
Emerging Marketing Technologies OUTdrive Episode 15 with Kyle Meek In this episode of OUTdrive, Cliff visits with Kyle Meek, Digital Marketing Manager at Callis. Cliff and Kyle discuss emerging technologies and digital marketing methods including social media, SEO, data and automation and the future of Artificial Intelligence (AI). They also dive into the importance of…
Read MoreBuilding a Team for Success
Strategic Planning Through Scenario Planning OUTdrive Episode 14 with Lori Wightman In this episode of OUTdrive, Cliff visits with Lori Wightman, CEO of Bothwell Regional Health Center. A passionate leader and experienced healthcare provider, Lori understands the importance of hiring great people to build a strong team and the importance of strategic planning to achieve…
Read MoreRural American Core Values
Understanding Your Community OUTdrive Episode 13 with Dr. Joanna Anderson In this episode of OUTdrive, Cliff visits with Dr. Joanna Anderson, President of State Fair Community College (SFCC). A passionate educator and lover of the rural American lifestyle, Dr. Anderson leads students and faculty to success in 14 counties in central Missouri. Read more for…
Read MoreThe Cycle of Service
Positioning Your Brand to be Top-of-Mind OUTdrive Episode 12 with Kyle Herrick In this episode of OUTdrive, Cliff visits with Kyle Herrick, president of Bryant Motors, an auto dealer in Sedalia, Missouri. A successful businessman and involved community member, Kyle is dedicated to serving customers with a positive attitude and attention to detail. Keep reading…
Read MoreCommunicating Your Value Proposition
The Importance of Reducing Risk and Building Relationships OUTdrive Episode 11 with Jessica Craig In this episode of OUTdrive, Cliff visits with Jessica Craig, Executive Director of Economic Development Sedalia-Pettis County. An involved community member and lover of the rural American way of life, Jessica leads the charge in creating new wealth in the community.…
Read MoreIdentifying and Serving a Niche
The Power of Content Marketing and What’s Next with AI, Artificial Intelligence OUTdrive Episode 10 with Drew McLellan In this episode of OUTdrive, Cliff visits with Drew McLellan, owner of Agency Management Institute (AMI) and McLellan Marketing Group (MMG). A friend and agency peer, Drew serves more than 250 small to midsize agencies, helping them…
Read MoreMobile Website VS. Mobile App: Which is Better?
In a busy world, it is more important than ever to meet people where they are. With over 275 million smartphone users in the U.S. alone1, this means meeting your audience through a strong mobile presence. Whether it is through a website or mobile app, an optimized digital presence is the core of a strategic…
Read MoreStaying the Course
Forward Progress Through Challenging Times OUTdrive Episode 9 Today is the primary election day throughout America. As we jump into our topic of Staying the Course, I want to encourage you to get out and vote. It’s our constitutional right and responsibility as citizens of the United States of America and our country needs your…
Read MoreCreative Differentiation in Rural America
Digital Streaming TV and the Power of Video OUTdrive Episode 8 with Steve Ahrens In this episode of OUTdrive, Cliff has the opportunity to visit with Steve Ahrens, president and CEO of the Missouri Propane Gas Association (MPGA) and the Executive Director of the Missouri Propane Education and Research Council (MOPERC). As a client and…
Read MoreEngaging Rural America with the Unexpected
The Importance of Communications and Personal Connections OUTdrive Episode 7 with Roy Huntington One of the key components of a successful business is relationships with customers and exceptional service to those customers. However, many companies struggle to find the best strategies to build relationships and develop brand loyalty with their customer base. New strategies continue…
Read MoreUtilizing Local SEO to Grow Your Business
In the age of technology, search engines are one of the most effective ways for consumers to find your business. Whether they are searching for a local restaurant for dinner or information about a new product, about 81% of people search online for a product or service1. As a company, it is important to invest…
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