The Unexpected Path to VP of Marketing: A Conversation with Russell Reams

Join us for a captivating conversation with Russell Reams, Vice President of Marketing and Client Services at Calligraphy. Russell shares his unique journey from early roles at Nabisco and UPS to leading marketing strategy, emphasizing that "marketing is the thread of everything I do".12

Russell dives deep into his lifelong passion for curiosity, learning, and the intersection of psychology and data science. Discover how his extensive academic background—including a doctorate in marketing and data science—fuels his data-driven approach to marketing strategy, which he simplifies as: "Follow the data".34567

Learn about:
How Russell uses data and insights to help customers strategically grow and "future-proof" their business (by understanding the operating environment and innovation).

His experience launching the U.S.-based healthcare segment at UPS, operating under the tagline, "It's a patient, not a package".
Why human psychology adapts to technology but remains a reliable constant for marketers.

Russell's perspective on the massive investment in AI and its current and future impact on the job market, data analytics, and the marketing industry.
The surprisingly "low-tech" strategy (thought leadership and public speaking) that is currently driving the most success for Calligraphy.
Russell’s advice for staying "future-proof" through lifelong learning, sharpening soft skills, and building a strong network.

Don't miss Russell's thoughts on the power of curiosity, the value of being the least smart person in the room, and his take on the future of business in the age of accelerating technology.
Chapters

Learn more about Keaton Olson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keatonolson/
Learn more about Russell Reams: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russellreams/

0:00 Future-Proofing Your Business

0:47 The Career Thread: From Nabisco and UPS to Calligraphy

1:29 Curiosity, Psychology, and Marketing

1:55 Working at UPS: Patients, Not Packages

3:20 Why Russell Pursued Academic Degrees

6:48 The Lifelong Learning Mindset

8:01 The "Smartest Person in the Room" Adage

10:07 Psychology in the Age of Accelerating Technology

13:49 AI in the Classroom and the Psychology of Efficiency

16:02 Efficiency and Strategy at Calligraphy

19:37 Oil Painting and Professional Juggling

21:56 Favorite B2B Marketing Strategy: Follow the Data

23:48 Outcome-Driven Nonprofits

27:48 Where AI is Headed and the Problem of "Work Slop"

33:07 Leveraging AI Safely for a Competitive Advantage

37:48 The Best Strategy Working Now: Low-Tech Thought Leadership

41:58 How to Personally Stay Future-Proof