Podcast
TMI with Kevin Ryan
Hosted by Kevin Ryan · EN
Join digital marketing expert Kevin M. Ryan as he tackles the most complex issues of the day. He'll get to the bottom of it with help from other marketing digital experts, celebrity guests, and the voices in his own head.
You loved reading his stuff in AdAge, iMedia, Marketing Land, Media Post and the odd placement in places like Forbes and for some reason Popular Mechanics.
You remembered him from that time he spoke at that conference and thought, "Did he just say that?" Now, embrace him in his own forum, TMI with Kevin Ryan.
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
How To Be the Jenny To the Industry's Forrest Gump with Zach Rodgers
Oct 30, 202200:35:34Tap to summarizeKevin has a fun chat with Zach Rodgers, Editor-in-Chief and Co-Founder of Marketecture Media, a new media venture that helps people navigate the world of marketing technology. Zach also ran AdExchanger's editorial operations and supported programming strategy for the company's Programmatic IO and Industry Preview Events. Zach and Kevin discuss editorial independence, how Marketecture can help assist vendor conversations, and how Marketecture's products and offerings can help both ad tech and marketing executives. Takeaways: [3:31] Zach believes in editorial independence and that there are still many strong journalists out there. [10:50] How can AdvertisingWeek get better? [13:32] What exactly is an oligarchy? [14:32] As the economy turns down, unfortunately, the people that get fired first are often the ones with the creative and inventive thinker-type titles. [20:35] Okay, what does it mean to be the Jenny to the industry's Forrest Gump? [22:43] Zach talks about Marketecture and how it cuts through the BS while providing people a platform to be curious and have genuine interactions. Marketecture can also help take the hocus pocus and hand waving away from the process, and help people understand the complex world of technology to make better vendor decisions. [23:49] Zach breaks down the Marketecture pricing and the overall subscription model. [28:48] What's the plan for the future of the business? Quotes: "There are still strong journalists out there." — 4:33 Zach "Long live editorial independence. I believe it will continue." — 10:38 Zach Mentioned in This Episode: Marketecture Zach Rodgers Star Wars: Be More Boba Fett: Always Get the Job Done, by Joseph Jay Franco
Transcribe →The Hypocrisy of Woke Capitalism with Jennifer Sey
Oct 17, 202201:00:30Tap to summarizeJennifer Sey is an author, business executive, and retired artistic gymnast. She's also known in the marketing world for spending a great deal of time with Levi Strauss, as she managed all aspects of the brand as brand president, including product. Jennifer and Kevin talk about the hypocrisy of woke capitalism, and why brands should focus on having open and transparent conversations with their audience, or just decide to make it more about the product and less about taking a stand on an issue they might not be ready to fully back up. Jennifer and Kevin discuss a few examples of brand campaigns that have gone wrong, and the consequences that often come with trying to use social justice in your marketing. Takeaways: [4:10] Jennifer was at Levi's for close to 23 years and moved beyond marketing to end her time there as brand president. She was outspoken about school closures and restrictions on kids during the pandemic, and discusses being asked to leave and her thoughts about the situation. [10:11] In a tweet celebrating Women's Day, Levi Strauss turned off the comments once they faced backlash. Jennifer and Kevin discuss alternative measures that could have been taken, and how it demonstrated just a tiny ripple in the wave of the many brands that are hypocritical in their woke capitalism. [11:09] If Jennifer was to lead a marketing division or company again, she would make sure that everything they said and did was true, and that they walked the talk, even if it was a decision that came with some risk. [12:18] There is often a huge difference between what brands say, and what they actually do. [14:14] You can actually build greater loyalty and a true connection with your audience when they feel like it's a two-way relationship and that you are open to listening. When a brand turns off comments, this sends a message that they don't want to have the conversation. [18:12] Jennifer discusses how we can assign weight to some of the feedback you get, at what point does it lose value, and when should we just decide to not engage? [27:38] In the same way that consumers can intend to purchase a product but not buy it, they can also say they won't buy it and do the opposite. [30:00] Nike got themselves into hot water when they posted about woman-related holidays, and some major incidents came out that showed they may not have supported women the way they postured to do. [33:00] A lot of the time, the pressure at a brand is internal and CEOs can be intimated by younger employees pushing. [42:15] What brands like Abercrombie and Victoria's Secret did wrong to alienate certain consumers from the beginning. [44:19] One of the problems with guru-led management can be how it's used selectively. [49:02] Consumers are not stupid, and they can pick up when there's a gap between what companies put forward and how they act. [55:18] The blowback that Pepsi got because of a poorly done ad campaign suggests and illustrates that there are limits to what people will tolerate in terms of borrowing themes and imagery from social justice to sell products. Quotes: "If I were to lead either a marketing division or company again, I would make sure that everything we said and did was true and that we walked the walk, even if it was a decision that came with some risk. I would also probably focus mostly on the product." — Jennifer [11:09] "You can't just ignore what you've been for decades. You've got to find a truth in it that can be made relevant today." — Jennifer [45:19] "At the end of the day, you've got to market yourselves authentically." [46:33] Mentioned in This Episode: Jennifer Sey: "DiGiorno Used a Hashtag About Domestic Violence to Sell Pizza" Sey Everything "Oh the Ratio!" White Hot: The Rise and Fall of Abercrombie and Fitch "God May Forgive: But Google Never Forgets"
Transcribe →Dirty, Dangerous, and a Little Dull: Chris Cunningham of C2V
Aug 8, 202200:31:38Tap to summarizeKevin welcomes Chris Cunningham, a true living legend in the digital space and a 20-year media and tech veteran who is a serial entrepreneur turned early-stage venture capitalist. Chris recently launched a $10 million early-stage venture to fund the C2V brand. He talks about how they select the brands in their portfolios. The guys give their real thoughts for better or worse on the Bay Area, comparing Shrek to Silicon Valley, and a few examples of the old economy legacy industries that are ripe for disruption. It's a down-and-dirty discussion about disrupting the industries that may or may not be ready. Takeaways: [4:02] Chris discusses C2V and how they invest in verticals that have had stagnant productivity but are products and services we touch and utilize every day of our lives. [6:57] What do Silicon Valley and Shrek have in common? [7:24] San Francisco is oversaturated and overpriced, and deals are overvalued. [10:00] It's not just about the talent, but looking at the problems that are being solved and how they are going about solving those issues. [14:08] Is it really mature to be investing in Web3 and NFTs? [15:40] Chris talks about the process of finding companies to run. [18:40] How has remote work and going virtual shifted things? [19:31] Chris discusses deal flow and more on how they select the companies. [24:01] Your deck is your best friend, and will then be the next step to possibly get you a 30-minute Zoom or phone call. Quotes: [5:56] "It's dirty, dull, and dangerous because these verticals are extremely boring, very sleepy, not that sexy. And that's why we like them." — Chris [7:24] "Listen. We don't hate on the Bay Area or San Francisco, but here's the truth. It's oversaturated. It's overpriced. Deals are overvalued. Founder expectations are absurd." — Chris [24:10] "It's not a shark tank model. It couldn't be the furthest thing." — Chris [24:14] "The deck unlocks a 30-minute zoom." — Chris Mentioned in This Episode: Chris Cunningham — C2 Ventures
Transcribe →The Future of Online Gaming, The Metaverse, and Google's Collusion with Mike Shields
Apr 7, 202200:50:54Tap to summarizeKevin first gives his take on the slap heard across the world and then welcomes guest Mike Shields, Founder of Shields Strategic Consulting, host of Next in Marketing Podcast, and former writer and editor at Business Insider, Digiday, Adweek, and Wall Street Journal. They discuss how the world of online gaming is changing our society, a few important questions to ask as we possibly head into the Metaverse, and how to get to the point where we don't have a detachment from reality while consuming these things. They also discuss collusion in our browsers, how we protect where our first-party data really goes, and their predictions for Facebook investing heavily in Meta, while ignoring a traditional ad model. Takeaways: [:44] Will Smith slapping Chris Rock was not okay, and thank goodness it wasn't Martin Lawrence! [5:52] How has online gaming changed? [8:08] Is there real money in the Metaverse? [9:45] Mike thinks the internet is getting better but is not sure if there will be a full VR replacement. [11:33] Mike gives his thoughts on the possibility that there will be multiple rooms in the Metaverse. [18:18] While we are in the initial phases of Metaverse with gaming, how do we get it to come together and make it more real? [30:36] Because Google is getting a ton of heat from regulators, they're going to get rid of the cookie, which affects 1,000s of companies and millions of websites. [32:08] There are so many efforts to try and figure out what we do about targeting the open web and how to replace the cookie, but the money is going to the guys who have first-party data. [37:08] Mike speaks to the allegations of Google manipulating markets. [45:02] Is there a lack of diversity in thought now on social media? If so, what can we do about it? Quotes: "They know how to mine people's data and how to ratchet up anger and emotions to keep you around." — Kevin "It's interesting to me that as a tool for engaging with people, we eliminate all forms of constructive notes on our engagement." — Kevin "There are so many efforts to try and figure out what we do about targeting the open web and how to replace the cookie, but the money is going to the guys who have first-party data." — Mike "It doesn't make any sense from an ad serving perspective to serve 10 million ads once when you can serve one ad 10 million times." — Kevin "I think the virtual goods thing will be big, but I don't know if it's going to be for everyone." — Mike Mentioned in This Episode: Mike Shields: Twitter | LinkedIn | Substack Google May or May Not Have Screwed the Entire Internet Microsoft Activision Blizzard Cocaine and Waffles
Transcribe →Focus on the Value You Create, Not on Yourself with Mark Naples
Feb 13, 202200:59:38Tap to summarizeMark Naples is the founder of WIT Strategy and has led strategic efforts on behalf of more than 450 companies, complete company re-positioning campaigns, and dozens of corporate and product launches. He joins the show today to talk about keeping your ego checked, why "bro culture" holds back brands, the importance of setting ground rules and keeping your principles honed, and building trust and true rapport with the media. Kevin also shares the wonderful yet horrible experiences he had while running for office! Takeaways: [9:44] Mark and Kevin talk about a few intense interactions with nameless figureheads about wanting to be on the cover of a magazine, when the focus should first be adding value and establishing trust with the media. [11:41] Sir John Durham had what Mark calls an "intellectual curiosity that was insatiable, and an emotional connection and empathy that was insatiable." [14:40] Mark discusses working independently and getting to choose who he works with, and who he chooses not to work with. [16:12] Kevin ran for office? He discusses both horrible and wonderful, and wonderfully horrible experiences. Why did Facebook shut down his account during the most crucial week? [19:41] Does Mark just walk away from the conversation where someone can't put their ego down, or does he keep a positive perspective? [21:21] What are some symptoms of "bro culture," and how does it hold companies and brands back? [28:36] Your job is to help the reporter get smart about what it is you are offering, and help them understand it better. That is how you're going to really succeed. [35:32] How important is it when you're getting information to be able to pair that up with somebody? How much information do you share with that reporter about the type of interaction that they're likely to have? [41:37] Mark mentions two great young journalists, Michael Learmonth and Emily Steele, who are now these hyper-respected people, and which one of them he's afraid of. [48:25] What are some of the best practices in building trust with reporters? [49:01] Where is it going? Is it going to get any better? Quotes: "To be authoritative, you have to have the respect of your peers and you have to be positioned well in the media." — Mark "I tell them that you really need to focus on the value you create, not on yourself." — Mark "Help the reporter get smart and help them understand better what problem you're solving. That's how you're going to really succeed." — Mark Mentioned in This Episode: Sir John Durham Tribute links to John Durham - Kevin will add Mark Naples WIT Strategy Kate Kaye Explains WTF is Going on With Google The Social Network
Transcribe →Kate Kaye Explains WTF is Going On With Google and Their Privacy Budget
Oct 5, 202100:52:16Tap to summarizeKate Kaye is an award-winning tech journalist who has published work in many places including MIT Technology Review and NPR. Kate covered the data industry for Ad Age and digital political campaigns for ClickZ. She joins Kevin this week to talk about Google's Privacy Budget, the Privacy Sandbox Initiative, and how we get people to care about the disruption that is taking place. She explains the different ways industry groups are both hurting and helping their constituents, and how she feels the future of data tracking and privacy will go. Finally, Kate and Kevin discuss the need for more journalists to step and question the narrative so every day people are better equipped and more informed. Takeaways: [6:09] Kate and Kevin talk about why trade journalism is often disparaged by their industries. Do we need more journalists pushing back, or do we expect this to happen because the publication exists on ad dollars that help prop up the industry itself? [8:06] Where is the intersection of advertising meeting liability? [9:26] Kate talks about her piece for Digiday entitled "WTF is Google's Privacy Budget?" It explores what a privacy budget is, how a privacy budget works, and what problems could arise. [11:49] The industry is moving away from the old way of tracking people, but what new ways are on the horizon that we have to pay attention to? [14:15] Google has proposed the Privacy Budget as part of its Privacy Sandbox initiative. What does that mean? And, does Google really care what happens out of its environment? [17:47] How will this affect the everyday person? [18:38] Data is defining everything and determining who makes the money and who doesn't. — Kevin [25:02] Kate shares her method of writing articles that can help both those hired to understand and wade through these complex privacy issues, and also the everyday common person who just wants to understand from an angle of their safety and privacy. [30:50] Evil becomes an unintended consequence of power. [33:52] What constitutes a privacy infringement, and are there groups looking out for our interests inside the Privacy Budget? [38:34] Google has been reliant on tracking people, so what does Kate think this disruption will be, both short and long term? [40:32] Are industry trade organizations really helping and bringing a needed solution? [47:08] How do we get people to pay attention to what is happening with privacy protection and data collections? The movement in privacy that will steer legislators will put more restrictions on data collection and minimization. How will the conversation in business and marketing be shifting about it? Quotes: "Data is defining everything and determining who makes the money and who doesn't." — Kevin "Evil becomes an unintended consequence of power." — Kevin Mentioned in This Episode: WTF is Google's Privacy Sandbox? WTF is Google's Privacy Budget? ClickZ Ad Age ANA Past Episodes of TMI @KateKayeReports
Transcribe →Radical Transparency with Jonathan Elist of Penuma
Aug 19, 202100:41:15Tap to summarizeThis week, Kevin welcomes Jonathan Elist, CEO of Penuma, an amazing solution for men that is not your traditional product. Jonathan discusses what Penuma is, and how radical transparency and trust are at the top of Penuma's core values. He talks about some of the challenges in building the community, and how they balance both in-house marketing with agency outreach. He and Kevin also discuss Google Ads, Reddit, and word of mouth as a way to grow brand awareness and attract a network of happy customers and top-notch physicians. Takeaways: [2:38] Jonathan talks about building patient awareness around Penuma, and the two phases within the approach — FDA clearance and an actual patient awareness campaign. [5:22] Penuma's first approach was to build out a Google Ads campaign that complemented the SEO strategies and brought in organic traffic. The quality of leads wasn't that great, and that is something Jonathan and his team have always had to contend with and continue to find ways to improve. [8:43] They had to also establish legitimacy that they were not just another brand selling a crazy product or snake oil. This is where radical transparency came in and building long-term rapport with their customers. They also worked on not only building trust with consumers but with Google Ads and Facebook as well. [12:47] There's not a lot of negativity about Penuma, which is not always the case for similar products. Jonathan shares how they got men to step up and share their success stories and passion around the brand. [16:48] The quality of the leads brought in by Google Ads has not been as good as social or organic. [18:08] Kevin calls for an end to lead generation via LinkedIn. Stop the madness! Or at the very least — stop reaching out to him! [19:09] Three things that account for Penuma's success in marketing: establishing themselves correctly, distinguishing their brand from the nonsense, and catching people at the right time to make their decision. [20:35] Jonathan shares how he got on the phone with Google, and how it's a two-way conversation with Facebook and LinkedIn rather than a one-sided favor. [23:29] As of the time of recording, Penuma may be on the search for a Marketing Director. Think you are a good fit? Reach out! [25:37] Reddit can be the root of evil, or it can prop up companies. Penuma has a great Reddit Communitywhere men can communicate with each other and share their experiences. [31:55] Jonathan gets beautiful handwritten notes and testimonials from men that they can use to show in their marketing geared not only towards prospective patients, but also a network of physicians. [38:41] Penuma wants to try to position themselves as a leader in a space providing a way for men to gain more confidence and to feel their best. For years, the aesthetic space has been dominated by products geared towards women, but they are happy to be part of the forward change. Quotes: "We've been extremely transparent around what we can and cannot offer." — Jonathan "If you are on LinkedIn trying to sell me leads… please stop." — Kevin Mentioned in This Episode: Penuma Joe Rogan
Transcribe →Leaning into Agility and Holacracy with Nita Sanger
Aug 5, 202100:41:34Tap to summarizeThe digital transformation is changing every aspect of how companies do business, and the most successful companies are those who are leaning into these changes. Nita Sanger joins the show as the director of digital advisory practice at Cherry Bekaert and master of strategic intelligence, common sense, and in-practice digital transformation. She has seen firsthand the effect that the rapid pace of technology change has on companies of all sizes. She discusses the ways successful companies use technology to create a competitive advantage, the importance of company culture, and the role of holacracy in an effective digital transformation. Takeaways: [2:20] The greatest opportunities lie in companies that are willing to move fast. [5:25] The pandemic has accelerated the pace of change by changing how we access every aspect of our consumer needs, from how we go to work to how we go to the grocery store. Effective digital transformation starts with how you use technology to create an advantage for your firm. [10:34] Nita understands the importance of recognizing a need and figuring out how to solve for it and sees that the paradigm shift often happens most successfully at mid-level firms. [16:46] The operational structures of organizations are often automated, while the people aspect of companies will never go away. But how does that apply in the personalization of the retail experience? [21:19] If you can think outside the digital box, you have the potential for significant growth. [24:01] Companies never start with the desire to transform, they only see the symptoms that are stunting their growth. Nita shares the 5 Rs that companies need to review to figure out where change needs to happen. [32:05] How do companies need to adapt their culture to keep up with the digital transformation? The answer lies in harnessing the power of the next generation. [36:30] Businesses are moving from a hierarchy to a holacracy, and what companies can create when everyone brings their different skill sets to the table is going to be bigger than ever before. [37:57] Agility means scaling to the individual needs of every client that you work with. Quotes: "Technology is the enabler of change. It's not the driver." — Nita "Whatever you do, you want to fail fast." — Nita "Transformation is never one and done." — Nita "Each one of us is good in our own areas but together what we can create is so much bigger." — Nita Mentioned in This Episode: Nita Sanger | Cherry Bekaert | "Hertz's Lawsuit Against Accenture Highlights Familiar Industry Problem," by Kevin Ryan
Transcribe →You Are Your Own Brand with Elizabeth Nader
Jul 23, 202100:52:34Tap to summarizeElizabeth Nader can tell right away whether she is coaching someone that has what it takes to succeed. Yes, talent and intelligence are important, but the ability to be coached is what takes someone that extra step further and gets them to grow past their limiting beliefs. As a coach, entrepreneur, author, and speaker, Elizabeth's mission is to help people realize that they aren't in competition with anyone else, just themselves. She joins the show this week to talk about the importance of embarrassing failure, taking a closer look at our limiting beliefs, who the enemy of our brand really is, and why we should plan to outdo our past, not other people. Takeaways: [6:07] You are your own brand; Elizabeth believes you are created on purpose for a purpose. [8:13] Find yourself before the world tells you otherwise. There is not enough emphasis on teaching children to believe in themselves and know who they really are before the world forms an opinion and tells them who they should be. [11:14] Your greatest strengths become your greatest weakness without wisdom. Great leaders communicate through authenticity and meet people where they are. [12:17] Don't be a trainwreck! Elizabeth says the trainwrecks are the people who just refuse to be coached. Yes, we know big personalities may have big egos, but the real challenge is listening and not always having a rebuttal or limitation in place. [14:25] The best brands know what they are, they know who their enemy is, and they consistently show up in that manner. For Apple, it represents simplicity. For Starbucks, they may not have the best coffee, but they are clear on building a community. [18:40] God is the best brander in the world. Elizabeth believes that we are created with our unique brand inside of us, but it's up to do the work and show up in an authentic and open way. [22:39] The most successful people learn from their mistakes and see "failure" as a learning lesson. [24:39] Your metron is a circle of influence, and too often we expect our metron to be the whole world. Our metron expands successfully when we find our community and serve them, without trying to be everything to everyone. [33:31] Consumers are getting more and more resistant to giving all their data away because they aren't seeing the return. For example, with Facebook, we don't quite know what all this data they have has brought into our lives. [38:44] As a brand, you must know, what is the enemy? [47:29] There is no limit to what you can achieve if you are in your own lane. Figure out who you are and double down on your gifts. Prosperity comes when you are in your lane. Quotes: "You are either succeeding or you learn. You only fail if you give up." — Elizabeth "A confused consumer doesn't buy." — Elizabeth "If you do the work and you are willing to say, 'Who am I really?', and let me match that up with what I do, that is when the world opens up to you." — Elizabeth "You don't need to be something to everyone, just serve your group as best you can." — Elizabeth Mentioned in This Episode: Elizabeth Nader | Facebook | Master Your Mindset Radio Rich Keller
Transcribe →Bringing Game Development to the People: Kathryn Guess of Microsoft Game Stack
Jul 15, 202100:53:47Tap to summarizeKathryn Guess is a Product Manager for Microsoft, who built Game Stack and Azure PlayFab brands from the ground up. She joins the show this week to talk about how gaming isn't the isolating experience one thinks it may be, and how gaming actually helps build communities and join people together — especially during the pandemic. She talks about the important and challenging issues in gaming regarding mental health and reporting domestic abuse, what the democratization of gaming means for both individuals and developers, and how gaming can contribute to a holistic lifestyle. Takeaways: [2:41] In the past, game development has been accessible only to the wealthy. Game Stack is about making game development more available to the individual developer. Kathryn is bringing Game Development to the people and showing the world that gaming can be about connecting with your friends and family, and part of a holistic self-care routine. [5:24] Kathryn discusses the "aha" moment when she got together with game developers and listened to their unique set of struggles. [7:55] Game Stack Live can lead to preserving a culture and focusing on social justice in a way that is more about making a difference than just money. Kathryn speaks about how one game helped others connect through learning an indigenous language and cultural storytelling. [10:25] We can transfer successful technology from gaming and carry it over into business development. [18:21] Kathryn is a hard-core gamer herself. She gets up at 4:30 a.m. to play Overwatch every morning. [22:07] Gaming is a great way to get people from all walks of life together and to find common ground. In this polarized climate, gaming welcomes people from all genders, classes, and races. [24:23] Kathryn appreciates the good-natured teasing that you hear in the gaming world. [31:13] How do we deal with domestic violence in gaming? Since you are so intimately in the lives and basically at home with the people you game with, can you report a concern? There isn't a good answer yet, but Kathryn says there needs to be. [34:55] There's a whole movement for absurd games because developers are getting the tools they need. [41:21] Kathryn discusses the astronomical increase in gaming during the pandemic, and created communities, and how Discord helps people stay in touch and find their own interest groups. For example, Veterans can connect with one another even during off gaming hours and feel less alone and more understood. Quotes: "Game Stack is about making game development more accessible to the individual developer." — Kathryn "Game Stack is all about bringing game development to the broader people." "Gaming isn't just about shooting them up. It can be about connecting with friends and family and giving yourself some self-care." — Kathryn "I think people saw over the past year how gaming can help and contribute to a holistic lifestyle." — Kathryn Mentioned in This Episode: Kathryn Guess An Airport For Aliens Currently Run By Dogs Animal Crossing Game Stack
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