EmpowerU Podcast – “When Marketing Crosses the Lines… Featuring Blake Kennedy”

Host: Weston Hendrix and Luke Domingue
Guest: Blake Kennedy (Kennedy Ventures)
Release Date: October 26, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode explores the evolving landscape of livestock marketing, spotlighting digital transformation, AI integration, and the nuanced line between effective promotion and ethical boundaries. Guest Blake Kennedy, founder of Kennedy Ventures and a pivotal figure in online livestock marketing, shares his journey, insights into technological adoption, and candid thoughts on industry integrity. Through real-life stories and personal perspectives, the conversation dives deep into both the triumphs and the challenges in livestock marketing today.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Blake Kennedy’s Background & Industry Roots

• Blake grew up in livestock, crediting his early involvement to his parents, both active in FFA and livestock showing ([02:51]).
• He shares the story behind the family pig sale, "Perfect Timing Pig Sale," emphasizing early exposure to responsibility, record keeping, and leadership through FFA ([02:51]-[09:54]).
• Kennedy’s unique path included a stint as a college golfer, but his passion led him back into livestock marketing and eventually to the founding of Kennedy Ventures.
• Major milestone: Winning the National Star in Agribusiness at the 2019 National FFA Convention – a testament to his achievements in blending traditional agriculture with new-age marketing ([09:54]).

2. Learning from Industry Leaders (Christy Collins & CCI Live)

• Kennedy credits Christy Collins and his experiences with CCI Live as foundational, teaching him to “cross every t and dot every i” and work to the highest possible standard ([10:28], [12:46]).
  • Quote: “If you're going to do it, you gotta do it the right way and you need to make sure that you cross every t and dot every i.” – Blake ([10:28])
• Emphasized the value of having leadership that intimately understands the livestock industry, ensuring solutions are industry-specific ([12:46]).

3. Explosive Growth of Online Livestock Auctions

• Dramatic shift in the industry—what began as 8 online sales has become hundreds, with some sales reaching over $500,000 for a single animal ([14:48]–[17:04]).

• The online auction atmosphere: Described the intensity and pressure behind the scenes when massive bids pour in.

  • Sweaty palms, heightened stakes, and the constant drive to ensure technical perfection for buyer and seller trust ([17:04]).
  • Quote: “When Kevin Wentz said, ‘I think it’s time to take off our jackets,’ and we were $230,000 on Wild Time, … I was sweating so bad I couldn’t hardly get my hand out of the sleeve.” ([17:04])

• The shift from in-crowd energy to a tech-driven quiet, with everyone glued to screens and waiting for the next virtual bid—a new normal for the industry ([19:32]-[22:43]).

4. Information Overload & Changing Buyer Behavior

• Buyers and sellers today benefit from an unprecedented volume of data—pictures, videos, pedigrees, and catalog details are all expected, reducing the need for direct calls or personal outreach.
• Kennedy notes both positive and negative aspects—efficiency, but potentially less personal interaction ([22:43]).

5. Embracing and Evolving with Technology: AI in Livestock Marketing

• Kennedy Ventures uses AI extensively for graphics, social media posts, and even catalog creation ([33:18]).

  • Quote: “We generated 500 graphics in 38 seconds.” – Blake ([37:53])

• AI automates much of the process but can’t replace the human touch—creativity and nuance still matter.

  • Quote: “AI will never replace the graphic designers. … It’s never going to have the touch, the tweak, the human design portion of it.” ([37:07])

• Discussed experimental initiatives, such as building an entirely AI-generated sale catalog.

• Practical tip: Use AI as a tool for ideas and efficiency, but don’t let it run the show—human judgment remains critical ([40:26]).

• Far-reaching theoretical: The concept of AI as a virtual auctioneer is still far off ([41:15]), but the industry is watching tech’s advance.

6. Confronting Marketing Ethics: Manipulation of Photos & Data

• The title subject—where does marketing cross the line? Kennedy’s viral Facebook post called out unethical manipulation of livestock photos and genetics data ([58:12]).

  • He draws the line between minor edits (removing a fly) and altering an animal’s physical appearance.
  • Quote: “When it comes to actually changing what the animal looks like … at some point … the biggest flaw across the board is honesty.” ([58:12], [62:53])

• The ripple effect: Misrepresentation harms buyers, especially youth with limited budgets, and ultimately erodes trust in the industry.

  • Memorable Moment: The ethics debate sparked by this post led to impassioned messages both for and against Blake’s stance, highlighting deep industry divisions ([58:12]-[63:18]).

7. Challenges & Continuous Improvement

• Blake admits the hardest part for his business has been self-marketing—the classic case of the cobbler’s children having no shoes ([42:13]). Lesson: Even the best marketers struggle to market themselves.
• Commitment to continual improvement: Always striving to do better for clients; regularly evaluating hardware, software, and outreach.
  • Quote: “Every day I think it’s my goal to think about what can we do better for our customers?” ([53:48])
• Not every new tool is a fix—focus is on refining what works, not chasing every trend ([53:48]–[57:08]).

8. The Human Side of the Business

• The toll of travel and long auction hours is real, but personal motivation stems from genuine passion, client success, and love for the industry ([65:36]).
  • Quote: “If that’s not a high you don’t enjoy, you don’t need to be involved in it… you gotta want it and you gotta want it for your customer too.” ([65:36])
• Final message: Kennedy’s drive comes from competing with himself every day, striving to be better than the day before ([69:09]).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “If you're going to do it, you gotta do it the right way & you need to cross every t and dot every i.” – Blake Kennedy on learning from Christy Collins ([10:28])
• “You know, Christy Collins…has always been willing and able to change anything to make sure it actually works at the highest level for anyone.” ([12:46])
• On online bidding stakes: “We're talking a half a million dollars, you know, in trust right there of bidding in terms of service.” ([14:48])
• Technology in action: “We generated 500 graphics in 38 seconds.” ([37:53])
• AI vs. Human Touch: “AI will never replace the graphic designers ... never going to have the touch, the tweak, the human design.” ([37:07])
• On honesty: “The biggest flaw across the board is honesty. ... At some point, we just need to be better people.” ([58:12], [62:53])
• Industry Rationale: “If a kid gets online … and that picture is edited, you know, and manipulated … they bid … and get [an animal], and that animal is not what it is, and they get it home. Yes, the breeder sold a $750 animal, but when that kid is not successful— they’re done and they're not coming back.” ([58:12])
• Staying motivated: “The pride that you have in helping them be successful, like I said earlier, if that's not a high that you don't enjoy, then you don't need to be involved in it.” ([65:36])
• Personal ethos: “My sole goal every day is to be better than the person I was yesterday.” ([69:09])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Introduction & Blake’s Early Years: 00:01–09:54
• Mentorship & Building Online Sales (CCI): 09:54–14:15
• Big Money Sales & Auction Pressure: 14:16–19:21
• The Shift to Online-First, Info-Rich Sales: 19:21–22:43
• AI in Marketing / New Tech Rollout: 32:22–41:19
• Photo Manipulation, Ethics & Industry Honesty: 58:12–64:12
• Sustaining Energy & Passion in the Industry: 65:36–68:52
• Personal Motivation & Closing Thoughts: 69:09–71:55

Conclusion

This episode powerfully delivers both technical and ethical perspectives on livestock marketing. Blake Kennedy’s frankness about industry innovation, his use of cutting-edge AI, and his firm stand on honesty in marketing offer valuable lessons for anyone in agri-business. The conversation bridges old-school livestock values with new-school digital ingenuity, reminding listeners that—amidst all the change—integrity, passion, and a willingness to adapt are essential.

For more insights or to reach Blake Kennedy, visit Kennedy Ventures or connect via social media. As always, find EmpowerU online for future episodes and industry intel.