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What if the fastest way to grow your business isn't doing more by yourself—but finding the right people to grow with? In this episode of Marketing Mentality, we break down the power of strategic partnerships and what small businesses can learn from major collaborations involving Disney, Kraft Heinz, FIFA, and the creator economy. We get into why businesses shouldn't automatically view everyone as competition, how partnerships can unlock new audiences, why creators are becoming an increasingly valuable marketing channel, and how your happiest customers can become some of your strongest brand advocates. FOLLOW MARKETING MENTALITY Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marketingmentalitypod/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marketingmentalitypod Website: https://www.narratent.com CONNECT WITH US Desmon Walker: https://www.linkedin.com/in/desmonwalker/ Allen Shelton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allen-c-shelton-9104349a/

Big companies make big moves—but what can small businesses actually learn from them? In this episode, we look beyond the headlines to unpack the business strategy behind some major stories involving Apple, OpenAI, the Seattle Seahawks, Paramount and Warner Bros. We break down what these billion-dollar companies and deals can teach entrepreneurs about scaling, intellectual property, talent, business valuation, acquisitions, competition and knowing when it might be time to sell. In this episode: * Apple, OpenAI and the battle over talent and intellectual property * Why billion-dollar revenue doesn't mean a company is problem-free * What the Seattle Seahawks' $9.6 billion sale can teach business owners about valuation * When selling a business can actually be the right strategic move * How acquisitions help companies grow faster * What Paramount and Warner Bros. reveal about consolidation and competition * How small businesses can apply big-brand strategies at their own level Big brands may have bigger budgets, but many of the business challenges are more familiar than you might think. Which of these business stories has the biggest lesson for entrepreneurs? Follow Marketing Mentalityfor more conversations about big-brand strategies and what small businesses can learn from them. Connect with Us Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marketingmentalitypod/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marketingmentalitypod Website: https://www.narratent.com Desmon Walker on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/desmonwalker/ Allen Shelton on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allen-c-shelton-9104349a/

In this episode of Marketing Mentality, we sit down with Melody Spann-Cooper, CEO of WVON Radio. Melody shares how she inherited WVON, Chicago’s first Black-owned radio station, from her father and the responsibility that comes with protecting its mission while allowing it to evolve. From major business decisions to moments of disruption that sparked creative thinking, this conversation offers real insight for business owners, marketers, and media professionals. We also dig into Chicago history, the role Black media has played in shaping culture and community, and why staying rooted in your purpose can be the difference between fading out and standing the test of time. ------------------- Let's Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marketingmentalitypod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marketingmentalitypod Our Digital Marketing Agency: https://www.narratent.com

Running a business means running into problems—over and over again. The question is how you respond when they show up. In this episode of Marketing Mentality, the conversation breaks down why entrepreneurship exists in the first place: to solve problems. From the audacity it takes to trust your ability under pressure, to the importance of qualifying clients early, to why clarity is more valuable than chasing the wrong “yes,” this episode is a real look at problem-solving as a skill you build over time. If you’re a founder, creative, or entrepreneur looking to sharpen your decision-making, protect your time, and build confidence in how you navigate challenges, this episode is for you. ------------------- Let's Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marketingmentalitypod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marketingmentalitypod Our Digital Marketing Agency: https://www.narratent.com

How do you pivot from a law school path into a successful career in sports, media, and marketing? In this episode of Marketing Mentality, we sit down with Nia Robinson, a creative strategist whose work spans sports marketing, brand partnerships, and media strategy, including experience with Google, YouTube, and the WNBA’s Chicago Sky. Nia breaks down what a creative strategist actually does, how she navigated a non-linear career path, and why execution matters more than advice when breaking into competitive industries like sports and media. We also explore the rapid growth of women’s sports, brand sponsorship strategy, creative leadership, and what aspiring marketers need to focus on right now. Whether you’re a student, career switcher, or creative looking to level up, this conversation offers practical insight, real-world lessons, and honest career guidance. 00:00 – Knowing Your “Why” & Being Yourself 03:00 – Meet Nia Robinson + Her Career Background 07:00 – Leaving the Law Track & Early Career Cartwheels 12:00 – What a Creative Strategist Actually Does 17:30 – Career Setbacks, Pressure & Learning the Hard Way 22:30 – The State of Women’s Sports & WNBA Growth 27:30 – Sports Marketing, Sponsorships & Brand Alignment 32:30 – Breaking Into Sports & Media (Real Advice) 37:30 – Visibility, Mentorship & Personal Branding 42:30 – Social Media, Content Creation & Final Career Lessons ------------------- Let's Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marketingmentalitypod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marketingmentalitypod Our Digital Marketing Agency: https://www.narratent.com

In this episode of the Marketing Mentality Podcast, Nate Randle shares how he built long-term wealth through real estate investing while still working a 9–5. From buying his first FHA property to scaling a portfolio of 30+ rental units, Nate breaks down the mindset, strategy, and patience required to win in real estate without chasing hype. If you’re interested in real estate for beginners, using a 9–5 to fund investments, or building generational wealth through rental properties, this episode delivers real-world game you can apply immediately. ------------------- Let's Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marketingmentalitypod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marketingmentalitypod Our Digital Marketing Agency: https://www.narratent.com

In this episode of Marketing Mentality, co-hosts Desmon and Allen unpack the growing discourse around major Black conferences like CultureCon 2025, Invest Fest, AfroTech, and others. As both attendees and planners, they share their behind-the-scenes perspective on what really goes into making these conferences successful—and what attendees often miss. They break down how to prepare, network strategically, and follow up effectively so you actually benefit from these events. From the realities of event logistics to the impact of sponsor expectations and attendee preparation, this episode is a must-watch for business professionals, marketers, creatives, and entrepreneurs navigating today's event space. 0:00 – Intro & Personal Updates 6:04 – CultureCon, Invest Fest & Black Conference Discourse 9:03 – What’s the Purpose of a Conference? 15:00 – Prepping to Maximize Your Conference ROI 21:05 – The Power of Post-Event Follow-Up 29:02 – Essence Fest Breakdown: What Went Wrong 36:14 – The Real Cost of Conference Production 43:01 – Are We Giving Black Events Grace? 49:05 – Final Thoughts: ROI, Intentions & Building Your Own Space ------------------- Let's Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marketingmentalitypod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marketingmentalitypod Our Digital Marketing Agency: https://www.narratent.com

In this episode of Marketing Mentality, we sit down with Jailon Welch — our youngest guest ever — who went from intern to industry insider, now thriving at Live Nation and building his own brand, Don’t Blink. Jailon shares how faith, manifestation, and resilience helped him overcome rejection, pivot careers, and build lasting industry relationships. Whether you're a college grad, aspiring marketer, or creative hustler, this episode is packed with real-life lessons, networking gems, and career growth strategies. 00:25 – Youngest Guest on the Show: Jailon Welch’s Introduction 02:15 – Manifesting Opportunities: From Internship to Downtown Office 08:00 – Betting on Yourself: Switching Sports & Career Direction 13:00 – Finding Purpose After College: How Passion Finds You 21:25 – Creating a Role at Live Nation: How Rejection Turned Into Opportunity 31:30 – The Power of Relationships in the Entertainment Industry 43:35 – Don’t Blink: Building a Brand with Purpose 47:50 – Approaching Industry Giants: Humility, Timing & Elevator Pitches

In this episode of Marketing Mentality, hosts Desmon Walker and Allen Shelton sit down with legendary creative Lewis Williams. From his early days at Leo Burnett to leading Burrell Communications and founding Williams Creative Group, Lewis reflects on decades shaping culture through advertising. He shares lessons on creativity, cultural authenticity, and the evolution of Black influence in the industry—from Soul Train to the Super Bowl . Packed with wisdom, stories, and inspiration, this conversation is a masterclass for anyone passionate about marketing, creativity, and legacy. Timestamps 0:00 – Standing on the shoulders of creative giants 0:24 – Honoring pioneers who paved the way in advertising 0:51 – Hosts introduce Lewis Williams to the conversation 1:17 – Lewis’ career across top agencies and global brands 2:11 – The Louis Williams story is still being written 2:53 – Every new door opens another creative opportunity 4:00 – Forward-thinking while carrying wisdom from the past 4:27 – Defining creativity as a deeply personal expression 5:15 – Talent, influence, and connecting life’s creative dots 6:45 – Leading Burrell Communications and multicultural agency history 8:07 – Chicago’s legacy of pioneering Black-owned ad agencies 9:21 – Discovering cultural pride and creative identity at Burrell 11:14 – General market versus multicultural agency positioning explained 13:00 – Leading with cultural insights as a Burrell philosophy 14:39 – Hip hop’s explosion and influence on global culture 16:46 – Hip hop: making something powerful out of nothing 19:02 – Corporate America embraces Black culture for mainstream growth 20:19 – Challenges as larger agencies hire away Black talent 22:08 – Cultural tourism versus authenticity in creative strategy 23:25 – Protecting culture through business-driven creative strategies 25:36 – Advice for young creatives entering agencies today 27:07 – Why studying the industry matters more than execution 29:06 – Thinkers versus doers: importance of concept over execution 30:00 – Lewis’ career journey to Chief Creative Officer role 31:26 – Learning collaboration: everything in advertising is media 33:04 – Becoming more than creative—being a marketer at heart 35:15 – Don’t give solutions, discover the real problem first 36:03 – Working with brands through ups, downs, and reinvention 39:02 – Big brands fall, rebound, and adapt to change 41:02 – Why pickleball in ads has been overused 42:26 – Super Bowl ads: safe trends versus bold branding 43:25 – Staying true to brand identity during the Super Bowl 45:31 – Making lasting impressions through authentic storytelling 46:52 – Influencer culture as the new year-round Super Bowl

Jason Smith, Principal of BetterCo Ventures, talks artificial intelligence, advertising, and entrepreneurship with Desmon Walker and Allen Shelton. During this episode Jason breaks down how challenge brands and agencies must position themselves to be contenders with big companies. 01:02 – Jason shares his background & Chicago roots 03:19 – Athlete mindset in business 05:09 – Adaptability & embracing discomfort 06:05 – Advertising at a breaking point 07:09 – Industry disruptors & AI introduction 08:30 – RFP process explained 09:01 – Costs of proposals & barriers for agencies 10:05 – Role of talent & mundane tasks 11:12 – Fear of AI vs. learning to use it 13:00 – Innovation hesitations (electricity, cars, AI) 15:06 – Applying small improvements like Nike 16:32 – Agencies: small & nimble vs. large & slow 17:19 – Pharma, retail, CPG opportunities 21:00 – Shifts in pharma, CPG, retail industries 24:16 – Dynamic pricing explained 28:52 – Consumer impact of dynamic pricing 33:08 – Agency vs. in-house debate 36:12 – Operational challenges & talent shift 39:02 – How small agencies compete with big players 41:13 – Specialization over generalization 43:12 – Passion, hunger, and equity in partnerships 46:01 – Sports branding & athlete brand deals 48:51 – Jason on traditional brands (Best Buy example) 50:03 – What’s next: future vision (6–12 months) 54:00 – Building culture: shots, underdogs, collaboration 57:04 – Mindset: taking shots & risk appetite 59:00 – Advice to the next Jason Smith

On this episode of Marketing Mentality, the duo unveils their brand-new Chicago studio built for creators and shares the journey of launching a creative hub for the community.They break down what it really takes to rebrand a nonprofit organization, dive into cultural marketing lessons from Red Lobster, and share behind-the-scenes stories of campaigns for Bevel and Gillette. From scaling their agency to mentoring the next generation of talent, Allen and Desmon bring you raw, real conversations about creativity, culture, and building something bigger than yourself.This episode explores how to connect brands with culture, the importance of content creation for every business, and the power of giving back through internships and community initiatives. 00:00:00 – Back in action: the hosts return to the podcast after a break 00:00:14 – Launching their own studio for creators and the community 00:01:06 – Why content production is vital for any business today 00:01:50 – Announcing the studio’s open house event in Chicago 00:03:14 – Reflecting on their break and recent behind-the-scenes work 00:04:15 – Lessons from rebranding a Chicago nonprofit organization 00:06:00 – Breaking down what a rebrand really means (beyond logos) 00:07:29 – Comparing a rebrand to a home renovation process 00:08:59 – Lessons from Red Lobster’s seafood boil rebrand and strategy 00:10:16 – Social listening: how Red Lobster adapted quickly to feedback 00:12:32 – The impact of having a culturally intelligent CEO at Red Lobster 00:14:04 – How large-scale events rely on corporate sponsorships 00:16:28 – Connecting brand campaigns with culture at the WayMaker Summit 00:17:52 – Crafting the “Greatness Never Fades” campaign with Bevel 00:20:05 – Gillette’s challenge to resonate with Black consumers 00:21:08 – Using education and authenticity in marketing campaigns 00:23:28 – Why storytelling rooted in culture resonates deeply 00:25:21 – Taking on D1 Sports and the nuances of branding franchises 00:27:40 – Giving back through internships and mentoring young talent 00:30:28 – What’s next: deeper conversations and engaging the community

In this episode of Marketing Mentality, we sit down with Autumn Anthony, Brand Partnerships Lead to trace her powerful journey through media, marketing, and the moments that shaped her into a rising force in the industry. From pivoting out of finance in college to breaking into media sales at The Daily Egyptian, Urban One, and iHeart Chicago, Autumn shares how tenacity, curiosity, and accountability became her superpowers. She talks candidly about landing roles at BET and Essence, navigating career shifts during the pandemic, and building authentic connections between brands and audiences. We also dive into how media sales have evolved, the rise of creators, what AI means for the future of marketing, and the importance of crafting experiences that last beyond the moment. Whether you’re early in your career or a seasoned pro, this conversation is full of insights on boldness, resilience, and redefining your own path with heart. 00:00:00 – Guest Autumn’s journey into media and marketing 00:02:15 – Pivoting from finance to marketing in college 00:03:33 – First media sales role at The Daily Egyptian 00:04:57 – Breaking into Urban One and finding her niche 00:08:20 – Moving to iHeart Chicago and building national sales skills 00:09:35 – Landing at BET through persistence and networking 00:12:02 – What makes Autumn successful: tenacity and accountability 00:13:28 – Building relationships and the importance of curiosity 00:19:03 – Media sales explained: connecting brands to audiences 00:20:24 – Balancing brand desires with audience authenticity 00:27:44 – How media sales and brand partnerships have evolved 00:29:28 – The rise of creators and the Creator Collective 00:30:07 – AI and the future of media and marketing 00:33:08 – Transition to Essence and learning to pivot during the pandemic 00:34:20 – Starting her own consulting business and scaling events 00:35:09 – Joining Blavity and what excites her about the company’s growth 00:36:00 – Key lessons from each company in her career 00:42:47 – The power of resilience, boldness, and feeling unstoppable 00:52:24 – Early career mindsets: learning to embrace “no” and the right fit 01:00:05 – Creating experiences beyond the moment: blending events and digital 01:10:29 – Autumn’s career inspirations and the influence of industry pioneers 01:14:48 – Honoring mentors and becoming part of industry history 01:15:33 – Recognized as a Chicago Ad Federation Rising Star 01:16:30 – Final reflections and closing remarks

In the Season 2 premiere of Marketing Mentality, we sit down with Nick Birdsong, Director of Digital and Social Media for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Nick shares what it’s really like building a brand inside a billion-dollar sports organization—where every win or loss affects not just the scoreboard, but the entire business. We talk about how he went from journalism to pro sports, the power of recognizing viral moments in real time, and why some brands try too hard to be “cool” and end up missing the mark. Nick also shares how the NFL is approaching innovation and emerging tools like AI—and why strategy and timing still matter more than hype. He opens up about his journey, the moments that made him pause and reflect, and what it feels like to look around and realize you’re exactly where you once hoped to be. This episode is full of gems for anyone building a brand, navigating career shifts, or learning to trust their voice in the process. 00:00 – 01:10 Intro and guest welcome. Desmon introduces Nick Birdsong and sets the stage for the conversation. 03:11 – 04:21 Nick’s career journey: From Tampa to FAMU, journalism, and eventually digital strategy in pro sports. 08:50 – 09:49 Reflections on the NFL journey and what it means to truly arrive in your dream role. 10:12 – 11:23 Shaping the voice of a franchise. How Nick helped define the tone of the Jaguars' brand. 12:11 – 12:33 How journalism shaped his digital approach and the ongoing role of storytelling. 20:45 – 21:45 Global expansion and the Jaguars’ international strategy, including the London games. 29:16 – 30:51 The importance of content strategy and social listening in staying culturally relevant. 31:29 – 32:12 The story behind “It Was Always the Jags” and how the team knew it was a cultural moment. 40:38 – 44:35 AI and innovation in the NFL. Why the league takes a cautious, thoughtful approach to emerging tools. 45:22 – 47:31 Being data-informed versus data-led. Using analytics to support, not overshadow, human insight. 55:58 – 57:07 The power of reflection. Slowing down to recognize personal growth and alignment. 57:27 – End Final thoughts, mentor shoutouts, and what’s next.

Season 1 of the Marketing Mentality Podcast gave everything it was supposed to give — the laughs, the lessons, and a whole lot of love for the game. Now, you can binge some of the best moments that made Season One great! From Desmon’s infamous lost drone story (bad advice or just bad life choices?) to Louis Carr sharing why he left Black Enterprise for a little brand called BET. Sip and Savor spilled the beans on business and branding (but don’t worry, they’re not charging $100 a cup). Pepper Miller broke down the realities of Black marketing, and Jasper Hagan gave us a masterclass in experiential strategy. Whether you’ve been locked in since day one or you’re just getting started, Season One is packed with the stories and knowledge that define Marketing Mentality. EP 01 0:00:00 - Marketing journey begins and major pivot in 2019 0:02:53 - Pandemic sparks reflection and new campaigns EP 2 0:03:44 - Entrepreneurship never turns off 0:06:24 - Launch of the iconic “Think Different” campaign 0:07:30 - The genius of the Got Milk campaign 0:08:18 - Effective marketing focuses on lifestyle, not product EP 3 ft louis 0:09:10 - The big dream and purpose behind WayMaker 0:10:57 - Building and leading a 100-person team EP 4 0:13:14 - Sales lessons from local to digital marketing 0:14:30 - Pitching strategy based on audience and data 0:17:32 - Real-world pitch experience with a water dispenser ep 5 0:19:15 - Top 3 things aspiring entrepreneurs should know 0:22:04 - They cut salaries in half to pursue business 0:24:00 - Stop asking for permission to grow 0:26:50 - Everything is sales — ideas, visions, branding EP 6 0:27:24 - Marketing lesson: don't crash the drone EP 7 0:33:11 - Is a college degree necessary in business? 0:35:43 - You don’t need a big budget to succeed EP 8 0:36:47 - Trez and Whitney talk Entrepreneurship EP 9 0:40:47 - Pepper breaks down black representation in marketing 0:42:28 - Amazon chef ad: black man follows his dream EP 10 00:44:00 - Jasper Hagan explains Experimental Marketing