Advertise on podcast: In Clear Focus

IN CLEAR FOCUS: For the first episode of our 23rd season, creative executive and brand strategist Femi Corazon reveals how storytelling drives behavior change. She explains why facts fail to change minds because people act on identity, not just information. Discover the three elements of effective narratives and how to build true cultural resonance by turning insights into action. Plus, learn how creative leaders can successfully navigate AI and deliberately design team resilience.  

IN CLEAR FOCUS: Nik Hall of REViVE Marketing Partners explains why the era of keyword-stuffing on Amazon is over. He reveals how Amazon's AI shopping assistant, Rufus, is shifting product discovery from search volume to intent-driven conversation. Learn how to adapt your listings, why product quality and authentic reviews matter more than ever, and how to protect your brand's pricing integrity. Discover the strategies high-growth CPG brands need to win in Amazon's AI shopping revolution.

IN CLEAR FOCUS: Innovation expert Paul Sloane returns to discuss his new book, "The Art of Unexpected Solutions." He explains why our obsession with certainty stifles creativity and how embracing serendipity sparks breakthroughs. Learn how to use lateral thinking to challenge assumptions, leverage "topical mischief" for PR wins, and identify outlier customers. Discover practical ways to break out of routine, experiment fearlessly, and even harness AI to generate truly unexpected ideas.

IN CLEAR FOCUS: John Gumas, President of Commit Agency, and originator of Challenger Brand Marketing® explains how under-resourced companies can out-strategize industry giants. He reveals why guessing is the most dangerous mistake challenger brands make. Learn how the Discovery process can triangulate customers, stakeholders, and competitors to uncover the real reasons people buy. Hear a travel insurance success story, stop relying on assumptions, and build winning campaigns based on data.   

IN CLEAR FOCUS: Marketing strategist and consultant Rich M. Smith explains why many CEOs secretly distrust marketing and how to fix it. He reveals how applying behavioral science can decode consumer decisions and overcome executive cognitive biases like confirmation bias. Learn why startups face a traction problem, how to translate marketing metrics into "CEO-speak," and how a systematic approach to experimentation can turn your marketing strategy into a trusted engine for true business growth.

IN CLEAR FOCUS: Henry J. DeVries, author of "Persuade with a Story" explains why traditional business storytelling is broken. He reveals why your brand should act as the mentor, not the hero, while your client battles their "nemesis" problem. Discover the eight meta-story archetypes hardwired into the human brain to attract high-paying clients. Plus, learn how to build authority, close more deals, and drive lead generation by mastering the ultimate sales strategy: marketing with a book.

IN CLEAR FOCUS: Jackson Wightman, "Minister of Propaganda" at Proper Propaganda, explores the evolving landscape of tech PR. As AI and Large Language Models like ChatGPT replace traditional search, Jackson explains why performance marketing alone falls short. Discover how to optimize for Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), the rising importance of niche forums over tier-one media, and why brand building is critical for new market entry. Master the new rules of AI-driven reputation management.

IN CLEAR FOCUS: Fab Giovanetti, author of this month's Bigeye Book Club selection, "The Customer-Driven Marketing Handbook", explains why chasing quick wins hurts brands. She explores how customer-driven marketing shifts the focus from persuasion to relationship building. Discover the three pillars of trust, how to avoid the "privacy personalization paradox," and the power of shared rituals. Plus, learn to combat the scourge of "viralitis" and build plans that convert audiences into advocates.

IN CLEAR FOCUS: Gilad Bechar, founder and CEO of Moburst, explains why treating mobile as an afterthought costs brands growth. He discusses the shift to a mobile-first strategy, detailing how App Store Optimization outpaces traditional mobile marketing tactics. Gilad also explains why organic users retain at higher rates, how startups serve as testing labs for enterprise brands, and the ways AI is revolutionizing all marketing workflows from initial briefs to final reporting.

IN CLEAR FOCUS: This week's guest, international brand strategist Stef Hamerlinck, explores the resurgence of brand mascots. Supported by data revealing characters outperform logos, Stef shares his framework for assessing a mascot's effectiveness, based on distinctiveness, entertainment, and playability. He also explains how generative AI is democratizing character creation and why mascots need a brand universe to succeed. Learn how to build distinctive brand assets that drive real growth.

IN CLEAR FOCUS: This week's guest, Pete Sena of The Resonance Studio, joins host Adrian Tennant to discuss the shift from demographics to what Pete calls "vibe marketing." Pete breaks down his V.I.B.E. framework: Velocity, Identity, Boundaryless, Emotion, and explains how AI acts as a creative sparring partner rather than a replacement. Listen and learn how to become a "Centaur marketer," drastically reduce time-to-market, and why AI adoption is ultimately a change management challenge.

IN CLEAR FOCUS: Professor Sarah Montano discusses her new book, "Retail Marketing: Contemporary Approaches to Retailing in the Digital and Experience Economy." Sarah explains why brands must master "phygital" experiences and third place community building to survive. She explores the impact of the cost-of-living crisis, ethical consumption challenges, and success stories like Jellycat. Learn how to navigate the digital and experience economy while maintaining authentic human connections.

IN CLEAR FOCUS: George Swetlitz, co-founder of RightResponse AI, reveals why more people read consumer reviews than visit websites. He discusses utilizing AI-powered reputation management to transform unstructured data into strategic intelligence that outperforms simple star ratings. Learn how personalized automation can triple review conversions, optimize multi-location operations, why "fake personalization" fails, and how to transform customer reviews into actionable marketing strategies.

IN CLEAR FOCUS: Strategic advertising executive Chantal Sagnes discusses the future of advertising and marketing agency leadership and her career spanning top agencies like GSD&M. She shares insights on transitioning from independent shops to global holding companies, the nuances of running high-stakes pitches, and her current role as a fractional Managing Director. Chantal also explores the "pitch crew" model and offers advice for aspiring leaders navigating the evolving industry.

IN CLEAR FOCUS: Brand strategist John Elbing of Standpoint explains why people don't care about your story, they care about how you fit into theirs. John introduces his "Storybuilding" methodology, a canvas-based approach that helps companies find their foundational story before crafting marketing messages. He breaks down the three stages of encountering a brand—Recognition, Perception, and Projection—and shares how to use AI as a sparring partner to achieve authentic customer-centricity.