Growing the Missouri Wine Industry
OUTdrive Episode 164 with Annette Alden Missouri has a rich history of winemaking and in fact has been credited with helping to save the French wine industry. Today, there are nearly 130 wineries, hundreds of grape growers and thousands of jobs in this growing industry, right here in our state. To help make it grow,…
Read MoreWhere Traditions Grow
OUTdrive Episode 163 with Kari Mergen Every year at this time, our advertising agency is busy putting the finishing touches on the marketing campaign for the Missouri State Fair, one of our oldest clients. We love the fair and all the traditions that make the fair what it is, which is what inspired the theme…
Read MoreRACE Model: The Key to New PR Success
In the world of public relations (PR), leveraging opportunities and developing a strategic plan is crucial for businesses to set themselves apart, enhance their reputation, and drive profitability. While PR can have different meanings for different companies, the key lies in adopting a strategic approach. The RACE model–Research, Action planning, Communication, and Evaluation–can help businesses…
Read MoreThe Story Tells Itself
OUTdrive Episode 162 with Aaron Oelger It’s almost a perfect scenario in marketing when you’re at a place where the story practically tells itself. Great brand with history and reputation. Great people with a real passion for what they do. Great products that you just can’t get enough of. Our guest today is proud to…
Read MoreCreate and Compete with Robotics
OUTdrive Episode 161 with Michael Wright There are a lot of cool things going on in our schools today that many people might be surprised to hear about, like robotics. Innovation is driving technology and our local high school is leading the way with a nationally recognized robotics program that gives students the opportunity to…
Read MoreSharing a Legacy
OUTdrive Episode 160 with Justin Hubbs It’s always interesting when business models change to meet our changing world. A great example is real estate where the online auction platform has transformed the industry. Listen in to my conversation with Justin Hubbs, a Real Estate District Manager with BigIron Realty. BigIron burst on the scene in…
Read MoreTechnology Drives Marketing
OUTdrive Episode 159 with Chris Young Technology is driving marketing today, just like it is in almost every industry. Over the last 30 years, our society has experienced a revolution in the way digital marketing has emerged and developed. Chris Young has lived it firsthand, as a computer salesman, a businessman, a digital director for…
Read MoreEmpowering Rural America
OUTdrive Episode 158 with Taylor Moreland You know, sometimes we get a bad rap out here in the country that we’re behind the curve in the use of technology and innovation, but honestly, nothing could be further from the truth. Our guest today is proof of that. Taylor Moreland is the founder and owner of…
Read MoreOngoing Success with the PR Cycle
In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, establishing and maintaining a strong public relations (PR) program is crucial for businesses to effectively communicate with their target audience. By implementing an ongoing PR cycle, you can ensure that your brand remains in the public eye, drives customer engagement and ultimately contributes to your company’s success. The key steps…
Read MoreHandling the grain that feeds the world
OUTdrive Episode 157 with Bub Caldwell Agriculture is the biggest industry in Missouri and its importance to feeding the world is enormous. In addition to growing crops for food and fiber, storage and distribution are vital tasks in the process. Our guest today has been producing for nearly 50 years grain bins that enable farmers…
Read MoreHottest Marketing Trends
OUTdrive Episode | Solocast Twice a year, our agency principals team up with other small agency owners around the country to catch up and help each other be better. We’ve been involved in a peer group for nearly 20 years and it’s one of the reasons we’ve been able to stay relevant and current with…
Read MoreMusic 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…
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