thunder::cast: Recent Episodes
thunder::tech
An entertaining podcast that covers marketing and advertising trends and topics. The team reviews the latest industry news headlines, debates some controversial topics and discusses which new marketing trends are here to stay and which will come and go faster than a flash mob at the mall. Along with their guests, our hosts provide useful and often humorous insights designed for marketers from any industry or company size. From the latest innovations in advertising and web design to the ever-changing world of social media, thunder::tech offers insights that help marketers stay on top of this fast-paced world.
This is part two of the two-part series of podcasts connected to our 2020 Marketing Trends Volume 12 publication. In this episode, we dive deep into the creative articles in this year's marketing trends magazine, featuring two topics sure to grab your attention. We focus on how to break the rules of design without making any brand-fatal mistakes, then we segue into creative content studios. Why does your design team need one and how can your brand benefit from it? To sink our teeth into these topics we brought in Jeff Falkowski from Parker Hannifin and our very own Art Director, Joe Cola.
Download your free copy of Marketing Trends vol. 12 at thundertech.com/marketingtrends12. For more information, visit our show notes.
This is part one of the two-part series of podcasts connected to our 2020 Marketing Trends Volume 12 publication. In this episode, we are joined by three special guests, all of whom are experts in advertising. We welcome Michael Ganda from ServiceMaster DSI, Kenny Trusnik from RWB and our very own J.P. Krainz to discuss creative ad targeting, e-commerce trends and empathy marketing. Join us as we explore the strategies and trends behind adapting ads to a digital world.
For more information, visit our show notes.
In this episode of thunder::cast, we welcome Alyssa Santoli, Social Media and PR Manager at Vitamix, and Danyelle Kupfer, Social Media Specialist at thunder::tech to break down their experiences with social media and how it can best fit into your communications strategy in 2020.
For more, read our show notes!
In this very special thunder::cast episode, thunder::tech president Jason Therrien sits down with seven agency CEOs to talk about the marketing trends they expect going into the 2020s. Learn about the evolution of your brand, the importance of creativity and the things you’ll want to keep an eye on going into the new decade.
For more, read out show notes!
On this episode, joining host Craig Israel in the studio are thunder::tech’s own Danyelle Kupfer, Social Media Specialist, and J.P. Krainz, Account Services Director. The group conducts a Super Bowl ad roundtable, each bringing three ads worth talking about. Some well-done, some in poor taste and most of them too far out there and off message to even be properly judged.
For more, visit our show notes now!
On this episode, joining host Craig Israel in the studio are Joe Hicks and J.P. Krainz, Account Services Group Managers at thunder::tech to talk about brandtailing and why it’s important for businesses to build a strong brand. This is the next installment of the six-part series of podcasts connected to our Marketing Trends Vol. 11 publication.
Joining host and Creative Director, Craig Israel via Skype is Eric Webb, VP of Sales - North America for Kentico Software and in the studio is Bruce Williams, VP of the Development Department for thunder::tech. The hot topic is headless, monolithic or decoupled. Which platform is best for your brand in 2020? This is the next installment of the six-part series of podcasts connected to our Marketing Trends Vol. 11 publication.
Visit our show notes for more information!
On this episode, joining host Craig Israel in the studio is Marc Theodore, Director of Operations at thunder::tech to discuss HR and marketing and how you should get these teams together to focus on talent growth in 2020. This is the next installment of the six-part series of podcasts connected to our Marketing Trends Vol. 11 publication.
For more visit our show notes!
Host Craig Israel is joined in the studio by Dan Lyons, Digital Marketing Team Lead at thunder::tech to talk about the latest trends and tech in advertising. From Amazon sponsored posts to weather-based ads, we dive into the new ways to give your marketing plans an edge for 2020. This is the next installment of the six-part series of podcasts connected to our Marketing Trends Vol. 11 publication.
For more visit our show notes.
Joining host Craig Israel in the studio is Jason Therrien, President of thunder::tech to talk about direct-to-consumer (DTC) selling and what’s changing for middle-market brands in 2020. This is the next installment of the six-part series of podcasts connected to our Marketing Trends Vol. 11 publication.
For more information, see our show notes!
On this episode, joining host Craig Israel in the studio is Madison Letizia, Director of Communications at thunder::tech to talk about digital commerce and how you can get a bigger piece of the online commerce game in 2020. Part one of the six-part series of podcasts connected to our Marketing Trends Vol. 11 publication.
For more information, see our show notes.
On this episode, joining Creative Director and host Craig Israel is thunder::tech’s Optimization Specialist, Michael Laskowski to talk about Google ads. They dive deep into how targeting works for PPC, display ads and re marketing with the targeting of competition, key words or affinity categories.
For more information, see our show notes!
Part 2 of a 2-part series on Marketing Automation. On this episode, joining Creative Director and host Craig Israel is thunder::tech’s Marketing Automation Coordinator, Tracy Devlin and Support Team Lead, Nate Ward to talk about marketing automation platforms and which could be right for a business and how to choose.
For more information, visit our show notes!
Part 1 of a 2-part series on Marketing Automation. On this episode, joining Creative Director and host Craig Israel is thunder::tech’s Marketing Automation Coordinator, Tracy Devlin and Support Team Lead, Nate Ward to talk about marketing automation; what it is, how marketers can use it and what size platform is right for you.
For more information, check our our show notes!
thunder::cast took a field trip for this recording! We headed out to the iHeart Media studios to take a deep dive into media habits. On this episode, joining Creative Director and host Craig Israel is the President of the North Ohio Region of iHeartMedia Markets Group, Keith Hotchkiss, Vice President and Territory Manager for the Lamar Advertising Company, Tom Fahey and from thunder::tech, Account Services Group Manager and media specialist, JP Krainz to talk about changing media habits, specifically how media companies are adapting to the new consumption habits of today’s consumers.
For more insights, check out our show notes!
Tourism is a driving factor for the economy and marketing. On this episode, joining Creative Director and host Craig Israel is Matt MacLaren, Director of TourismOhio and Joe Hicks, Account Services Group Manager, at thunder::tech, to talk about how tourism and marketing impact each other.
For more information and insights visit our show notes!
Ever wonder how sports teams can get those instant replays up on social media so fast? On this episode, joining Creative Director and host Craig Israel is Madison Letizia, Director of Communications at thunder::tech and Brandon Jirousek, VP of Digital and Web Services for the Cleveland Cavaliers, to talk about the behind the scenes technology and innovative new marketing approaches.
For more information and insights visit our show notes!
When it comes to creative design, there are tips and tricks, but there are creative crimes you shouldn’t be committing. Creative crimes could be using the wrong typeface or too many together or leading spacing. On this episode, joining Creative Director and host Craig Israel is Joe Cola, Art Director, to break down which crimes are punishable by eraser (or delete button.)
For more information and insights visit our show notes!
When it comes to developing a plan on which e-commerce platform is best for your website, there are a few items you will want to consider, Monolithic vs. Decoupled. Both have pros and cons and should be taken into consideration before making decisions. On this episode, joining Creative Director and host Craig Israel is Matt Waler, Frontend Developer, to break down which solution would best fit your business and goals. This is one podcast you won’t want to miss.
For more information and insights visit our show notes!
On this episode, joining host, Craig Israel via Skype is Kristine Buyers, Creative Services Team Lead for National Food Group. Kristine breaks down how National Food Group (NFG) got started selling B2C on Amazon and QVC after building a trusted brand through wholesale food distribution to K-12, correctional facilities, healthcare organizations, colleges and universities.
For more information and insights visit our show notes!
On this episode, joining Creative Director and host Craig Israel is Matt Stevens, Managing Producer of thirtysix::thirtyfive, thunder::tech's in-house production studio to break down section of the Hero, Hub, Help concept and why robust framework for your business’ video strategy is vital to reach your audience both more effectively and efficiently.
For more information and insights visit our show notes!
One of the five-part series of podcasts connected to our 2019 Trends Summer Reader publication. On this episode, joining host, Craig Israel in the studio is Charlie Laurie, Chief Innovation Officer at Palmer Holland and Bruce Williams, Vice President Development Department at thunder::tech to talk about their personal experience with collecting data and the importance of privacy regulations.
For more information and insights visit our show notes!
On this episode, joining host, Craig Israel in the studio are thunder::tech team members, Dan Lyons and Madeline Hoyle to break down new executions from digital assets before the show and bringing digital assets to the physical environment, such as AI and VR.
For more information and insights visit our show notes!
One of the five-part series of podcasts connected to our 2019 Trends Summer Reader publication. On this episode, joining host, Craig Israel in the studio is Joe Hicks, Account Services Group Manager, to break down how marketing has grown exponentially from simply age, gender, location to behaviors and interest. Learn why you should know what individuals interests are like rather than large groups.
For more information and insights visit our show notes!
Blogging is on the rise and as you continue writing, those older blogs are going to get pushed down on the list. However, there are steps you can take to refresh and update. On this episode, joining Creative Director and host Craig Israel is Dan Lyons, Digital Marketing Team Lead, to break down why a blog content audit something you should consider if you have a lot of blogs on your website.
For more information and insights visit our show notes!
Fly, drive or walk into your next vacation destination, but before you do that you should look into which cities are the spot for tourism. On this episode, joining Creative Director and host Craig Israel is Jason Therrien, President and Founder of thunder::tech in the studio and joining via Skype, Amir Eylon, President and CEO of Longwoods International to break down the love/ hate relationship with tourism from residents of destination places.
For more information and insights visit our show notes!
97...98...99... 100! To celebrate our 100th episode we opened the studio and invited the whole team. THE. WHOLE. TEAM. Since this milestone coincides with our 20th anniversary as an agency, we decided to celebrate with the one secret ingredient that’s behind all of our success: the people. Over the next 100 minutes or so, join Creative Director and host Craig Israel as everyone from President Jason Therrien to some of our newest members dive into the last 20 years and share the stories of t::t. It’s a unique look behind the scenes and we hope you enjoy it. Cheers to 20 more years!
For more information and insights visit our show notes!
In order to deliver the best ideas we can to clients, we sometimes have to rally the troops, throw up some ideas to see what we can perfect and send over. This is otherwise known as Brainstorming. On this episode, joining Creative Director and host Craig Israel is J.P. Krainz, Account Services Manager and Media Strategist and Buying Lead and Danyelle Kupfer, Social Media Specialist to break down the love/ hate relationship with the brainstorming process.
For more information and insights visit our show notes!
Local SEO isn’t just getting your business listing on Google Maps, it's much more. On this episode, joining Creative Director and host Craig Israel is Lydia Panko, Optimization Specialist to break down why Local Search Engine Optimization is a necessity for any business to have. From google my business to making sure your site is acquiring quality local backlinks. This is one podcast you won’t want to miss.
For more information and insights visit our show notes!
Join us while we talk about creating your video content strategy. We dive into the Hero, Hub, Help concept and why it’s important to have a distribution strategy for your content.
For more information and insights visit our show notes!
Join us for a recap of all the commercials from Super Bowl 53! We will dissect them from a marketing standpoint and give you our thoughts on who scored a touchdown and who fumbled it this year.
For more information and insights visit our show notes!
One of the six-part series of podcasts connected to our 2019 Trends publication. The trend of integrating digital into physical environments is gaining momentum because it is becoming more expected by consumers and cost-effectively testable by brands. On this episode, President and Founder, Jason Therrien joins Creative Director and host Craig Israel in explaining how to take online assets and bring them into offline areas.
For more information and insights visit our show notes!
One of the six-part series of podcasts connected to our 2019 Trends publication. Gone are the days when we, as marketers, could beg, borrow and snag data unbeknownst to our customers. What do we mean? GDPR is just that. thunder::cast host Craig Israel sits down with Casey Braun, Marketing Automation Specialist, to discuss why the rise of security awareness and a heightened sense of vulnerability will determine what the next GDPR law will be.
For more information and insights visit our show notes!
One of the six-part series of podcasts connected to our 2019 Trends publication. On this episode, thunder::tech Founder and President Jason Therrien drops by the studio to discuss how ever-changing consumer behaviors are forcing brands to evolve. He and Craig chat about omnichannel strategies, influences on purchasing decisions, privacy and Generation Z.
For more information and insights visit our show notes!
One of the six-part series of podcasts connected to our 2019 Trends publication. Amazon is at it again and shaking things up in the advertising space. On this episode, Communications Department Manager Madison Letizia breaks down how these changes will impact brands and how they go-to-market and connect with consumers in the online retail space.
For more information and insights visit our show notes!
One of the six-part series of podcasts connected to our 2019 Trends publication. Are robots taking over? thunder::cast host Craig Israel sits down with Bruce Williams, Vice President of thunder::tech’s Development Department, to discuss why more businesses are adopting chatbots and debate the benefits and implications of this new technology.
For more information and insights visit our show notes!
One of the six-part series of podcasts connected to our 2019 Trends publication. The design of brand logos used to be a “black box” process where customers didn’t get to see changes or comment on them until they were released back into the wild. On this episode, Art Director, Joe Cola joins Creative Director and host Craig Israel in explaining why brands are pushing the creative limits with logos.
For more information and insights visit our show notes!
Digital display ads and programmatic buying are a part of a business’s PPC campaigns and becoming more and more common to companies and customers. On this episode, thunder::tech’s Account Services Group Manager JP. Krainz and Integrated Marketing Coordinator Dan Lyons address what digital display ads are, what programmatic buying is and how middle market companies can use it to reach those niche customers.
Discover more about this episode by reading the show notes.
Break out the party hats and noise makers, because we have a lot to celebrate! On this episode of thunder::cast, we’re marking a big milestone in thunder::tech’s history – 1,000 blog posts! To mark this monumental content achievement, Craig is joined in the studio by Kelly McGuire, Market Development Manager, and Madison Letizia, Communications Department Manager, to discuss our blog writing process and approach, lessons learned and so much more!
Discover more about this episode by reading the show notes.
On this episode of thunder::cast, we’re discussing research, the voice-of-the-customer, consumer insights and how this information can help brands better understand their audiences. Listen in and thunder::cast host, Craig Israel, and Jeff Hyde, Managing Director of Ideas in Focus, discuss how middle market companies can get started with consumer research.
Want more? Check out the episode show notes.
Even though copywriting can be a solitary pursuit, we’re shaking things up on this episode with a copywriter roundtable. Fellow copywriters and advertising veterans, Mike Lawrence from Akhia and Matt Krupa from Marcus Thomas, join thunder::tech Creative Director Craig Israel in the studio to discuss creative writing, ideation, presentation and feedback.
Discover more by reading the episode show notes.
On this episode, Scott Peterson, the Vice President of U.S. Tax Policy and Government Affairs at Avalara, joins Craig Israel and Bruce Williams via Skype to discuss the changing landscape in competition, technology and tax regulations surrounding online transactions. Listen in as he shares insights and advice for online retailers.
Discover more by reading the episode show notes.
One of the five-part series of podcasts connected to our 2018 Trends Summer Reader publication. Brock Richards, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Pro Football Hall of Fame, makes an appearance on the pod to provide insight into how the Hall continues to grow and evolve the brand to meet consumer demands.
Check out the show notes to learn more.
One of the five-part series of podcasts connected to our 2018 Trends Summer Reader publication. Digital Transformation is good for everyone in the company, even Earl. On this episode, J.P. Krainz, Account Services Group Manager, and thunder::tech President Jason Therrien discuss how middle-market organizations are consciously planning for digital transformation. We explore how brands can be more flexible, evolve their processes and become more digital to better serve their customer base.
Learn more about digital transformation by reading the show notes.
One of the five-part series of podcasts connected to our 2018 Trends Summer Reader publication. Change is inevitable, but the brands who thrive are the ones who proactively embrace it. On this episode, Neil Stallard, CEO of The Reserves Network, dropped by the studio to share how his staffing company has evolved its brand and business model to grow the organization.
Learn more about brand transformation by reading the episode show notes.
One of the five-part series of podcasts connected to our 2018 Trends Summer Reader publication. Kiss your siloed culture goodbye! Marketing is breaking down walls and working with other departments to create a more integrated workplace. On this episode, we turn the tables and thunder::tech President Jason Therrien interviews Creative Director Craig Israel about how marketing impacts company culture.
Read the episode show notes to learn more.
One of the five-part series of podcasts connected to our 2018 Trends Summer Reader publication. Are you getting the most out of your data? If you’re not strategically using analytics to drive business decisions, then it’s time to reevaluate your data collection process. On this episode, Brandon Jirousek, Director, Digital Content and Operations of the Cavaliers Operating Company, shares how his team identifies key insights from collected data and uses this information to plan for future business initiatives.
Read the episode show notes to learn more about big data.
Digital data collection and user privacy remain hot button issues following the Facebook and Cambridge Analytica scandal that’s dominated the headlines. On this episode, thunder::tech Communications Department Manager Madison Letizia addresses the potential impact of social media ad targeting. She breaks down audience matching, ethical data collection and what marketers should keep in mind when targeting users on social media.
Check out the episode show notes to learn more.
Email is one of the most effective tools in a marketer’s toolbox, but it requires planning to generate big results. On this episode, thunder::tech Marketing Automation Specialist Casey Braun discusses the importance of having an email marketing strategy before getting started, shares how to avoid common email pitfalls and explains how to optimize emails to achieve the highest ROI.
Check out the episode show notes to learn more.
On this episode two guests from Kentico, Bryan Soltis and Jim Panagas, joined host Craig Israel and Senior Director of Development Bruce Williams in the studio to discuss regulations data collection and storage and storage regulations, user privacy and technology’s impact on content.
Check out the episode show notes to learn more.
When choosing a destination to visit, today’s consumers have no shortage of options at their digital fingertips. It’s not enough to just sell tickets. Marketers in the destination and tourism industry have to find creative ways to reach and connect with visitors through memorable experiences. On this episode, Brock Richards, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, shares insights and strategies to capture your customer’s attention and keep them coming back.
Check out the episode show notes to learn more.
If you’re redesigning your website, it’s important to make sure you are addressing the right problems to create a seamless user experience. On this episode, User Experience Designer Jay Mazzone explains why brands should be conducting user research and how to choose the best research method to gain useful insights.
Check out the episode show notes to learn more.
You never get a second chance to make a first impression. It can be easy to get lost is a sea of vendors at industry trade shows, and you need more than a good-looking exhibit to stand out. Dean Skinner, Chief Creative & Marketing Officer at Findaway, joins thunder::cast host Craig Israel in the studio to discuss how to think outside the booth. Get trade-show ready and create a memorable experience with Dean’s nine trade show tips.
Check out the episode show notes to learn more.
Once a year, big brands dish out even bigger bucks for a coveted TV spot during the Super Bowl. On this episode, Account Services Group Manager J.P. Krainz and User Experience Designer Jay Mazzone join thunder::cast host Craig Israel in the studio to debate this year’s best, weirdest and downright terrible Super Bowl ads.
Learn more by reading the episode show notes.
http://www.thundertech.com/blog/February-2018/Episode-73-Super-Bowl-52-Ads-Winners-and-Losers
One of the six-part series of podcasts connected to our 2018 Trends publication. For this episode, Richik Sarkar, an attorney specializing in cyber security and accessibility from McGlinchey Stafford, joined us in the thunder::cast studio. Listen in as he shares the importance of inclusive digital marketing and discusses guidelines marketers should follow to be in compliance online.
Learn more by reading the episode show notes.
https://www.thundertech.com/blog/January-2018/Episode-72-Trends-Volume-9-Achieving-Accessibility
One of the six-part series of podcasts connected to our 2018 Trends publication. Is your brand developing and disseminating easy-to-scan, simple content? If not, it’s time to evolve your content to make it more visual and captivating. From infographics, to video to social media, thunder::tech’s Creative Director Craig Israel shares how brands can increase engagement and enhance comprehension with killer visual content.
Learn more by reading the episode show notes.
https://www.thundertech.com/blog/January-2018/Episode-71-Trends-Volume-9-Creating-Engaging-Visua
One of the six-part series of podcasts connected to our 2018 Trends publication. It’s not enough to “do digital.” The most forward-thinking organizations live and breathe digital. thunder::tech President Jason Therrien and Senior Director of Development Bruce Williams break down what digital transformation means, why strategy is the driver behind digital evolution, and how an organization can evolve its communications, systems and processes to better serve the customer.
Learn more by reading the episode show notes.
https://www.thundertech.com/blog/January-2018/Episode-70-Trends-Volume-9-Preparing-Your-Brand-fo
One of the six-part series of podcasts connected to our 2018 Trends publication. The days of coming to work, sitting in your cubicle, doing your work and going home are long gone. Some of today’s most successful companies have adopted an integrated business model that encourages collaboration, and marketing’s at the center. On this episode, our President Jason Therrien discusses how marketing is infiltrating every department, the increased need for a unified brand voice and why collaboration makes everyone more effective.
Learn more by reading the episode show notes.
https://www.thundertech.com/blog/January-2018/Episode-69-Trends-Volume-9-When-Marketing-Infiltra
One of the six-part series of podcasts connected to our 2018 Trends publication. Digital marketing is resulting in an abundance of data and analytics right at our fingertips. But how do you begin sorting through mountains of data to find actionable insights? Our Optimization Team Lead, Maggie Babuder, shares the latest tools to help marketers track and analyze data from marketing efforts to drive decision-making.
Learn more by reading the episode show notes.
https://www.thundertech.com/blog/December-2017/Episode-68-Trends-Volume-9-Driving-Decision-Making
One of the six-part series of podcasts connected to our 2018 Trends publication. All brands want to be able to connect with their customers, but with less control over the customer journey, more companies are exploring alternative marketing strategies. In this episode, our Communications Specialist Shantae Rollins discusses how brands can activate social media influencers to engage with target audiences.
Learn more by reading the episode show notes.
https://www.thundertech.com/blog/December-2017/Episode-67-Trends-Volume-9-How-to-Capitalize-on-In
We’ve all seen them flipping through the channels late at night. Infomercials promising better, quicker and easier results. From the gimmicky to the hilarious to the downright ridiculous, thunder::cast co-hosts Craig Israel and Eric Crilow break down their favorite infomercials of all time.
Watch all the infomercials discussed in the episode by checking out the show notes.
https://www.thundertech.com/blog/September-2017/Episode-66-Infomercial-Fails-and-Funnies
On this episode, we welcome one of our clients into the thunder::cast studio. Rob Fisher, vice president of marketing at Madison Electric, stopped by to discuss The Sparks Innovation Center, the electrical industry’s first crowdsourced approach to product development. Listen in as he shares insights and advice for driving innovation.
Discover more by reading the episode show notes.
https://www.thundertech.com/blog/September-2017/Episode-65-%E2%80%93-Driving-Innovation-through-Crowdsourc
If you’re considering a brand new site or thinking about redesigning your old website, one of the first questions you need to ask yourself is whether you want a tailored or templated site. On this episode, Senior Director of Development Bruce Williams breaks down the difference between tailored and templated sites, the benefits and drawbacks of each and what to consider when deciding which option is best for your brand.
Discover more by reading the episode show notes.
https://www.thundertech.com/blog/August-2017/Episode-64-Tailored-vs-Templated-Which-website-app
Did you know that more than 70% of consumers are more likely to make a purchase based on a social media recommendation? As capturing consumer attention becomes increasingly more difficult, more brands are turning to influencers to help them connect with their target audience. On this episode, Communications Department Manager Madison Letizia and Communications Specialist Shantae Rollins break down the pros and cons of influencer marketing, the importance of transparency and how brands of all sizes can leverage influencer marketing to increase awareness and engagement.
Discover more by reading the episode show notes.
https://www.thundertech.com/blog/August-2017/Making-the-Case-for-Influencer-Marketing
One of the five-part series of podcasts connected to our 2017 Trends Summer Reader publication. How are your customers interacting with your brand? Has your culture shifted? Has your product or business model changed? If any or all of these questions ring true, then it might be time evolve your brand. We interview Senior Account Manager J.P. Krainz about what marketers should consider before embarking on a total brand reinvention and discuss why it’s imperative to have a sound strategy before taking your brand in a new direction.
Learn more by reading the episode show notes.
https://www.thundertech.com/blog/July-2017/Episode-62-Trends-Summer-Reader-2017-Special-Top-o
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! In this episode, we’re celebrating Christmas in July and learning about what makes A Christmas Story House & Museum such a popular Cleveland attraction. The 19th century Victorian home, which has been open to the public for tours since 2006, was used in outdoor scenes in the 1983 classic holiday film, A Christmas Story. A Christmas Story House Curator Steve Intermill visited the thunder::cast studio to share the house’s history, discuss how the team successfully markets the house year round and promote the upcoming Christmas in July celebration. Listen in to get a dose of holiday cheer!
Learn more by reading the episode show notes.
https://www.thundertech.com/blog/July-2017/Episode-61-Selling-Christmas-All-Year-Long
One of the five-part series of podcasts connected to our 2017 Trends Summer Reader publication. One emerging trend in social media marketing, involves the growing concern for marketers to focus more on personalized content and less on spammy messaging. On this episode, Social Media Coordinator Hanna Steinker discusses the latest social media developments impacting the industry, including how more B2B brands are effectively leveraging rich social media content, how Snapchat is differentiating itself from its rival social media sites, and why it’s important for company CEOs to be more visible on social media.
Learn more by reading the episode show notes.
https://www.thundertech.com/blog/July-2017/Episode-60-Trends-Summer-Reader-2017-Special-Growi
One of the five-part series of podcasts connected to our 2017 Trends Summer Reader publication. Marketing slows down for no one, and if you’re not planning your next move you may be left behind. On this episode, thunder::tech President Jason Therrien and Senior Director of Development Bruce Williams share insights to help marketers be more proactive and deliberate about their marketing strategies. Listen in as they offer tips to take full advantage of emerging trends.
Learn more by reading the episode show notes.
http://www.thundertech.com/blog/June-2017/Episode-59-Trends-Summer-Reader-2017-Special-Chang
One of the five-part series of podcasts connected to our 2017 Trends Summer Reader publication. Historically, marketing tactics have operated in silos, each working to drive results, but never crossing paths. On this episode, President Jason Therrien and Marketing Automation Specialist Kyle Coughlin, discuss the performance marketing philosophy and how marketers can get the greatest return on their investment by rallying all trackable marketing activations around a singular goal to drive impactful and measurable customer engagement.
Learn more by reading the episode show notes.
https://www.thundertech.com/blog/June-2017/Episode-58-Trends-Summer-Reader-2017-Special-Creat
One of the five-part series of podcasts connected to our 2017 Trends Summer Reader publication. On this episode, Manager of Multimedia Matt Stevens and Senior Multimedia Specialist Christian Daugstrup break down what brands should consider when adding multimedia to the marketing mix. Using examples such as Mr. Clean and Progressive Insurance’s Flo, they discuss the importance of figuring out what your brand sounds like and how to effectively show off your brand’s personality to increase awareness and audience engagement.
Learn more by reading the episode show notes.
https://www.thundertech.com/blog/June-2017/thunder-cast-Trends-Summer-Reader-2017-Special-Pre
On this episode of thunder::cast, we take a look back at our eighth annual edition of our Trends book to prepare for the release of this year’s Trends Summer Reader. Co-hosts Craig Israel and Eric Crilow are joined in the studio by four thunder::tech guests to discuss past, present and future marketing trends and how they are impacting marketers. Listen in to learn what’s shaking up social media advertising, discover why traditional ad buying is shifting and find out how quickly artificial intelligence is becoming more commonplace in our everyday lives.
On this episode, co-hosts Craig Israel and Eric Crilow sit down with thunder::tech President Jason Therrien and Senior Director of Development Bruce Williams discuss thunder::tech’s approach to new business. They share the importance of understanding your audience, how to identify new sales opportunities and why having a solid content marketing strategy is crucial to attracting and retaining clients.
The power of video is undisputed in the marketing world and has become a go-to tool for nearly every marketer. In this episode, two guests from thunder::tech’s multimedia team, Matt Stevens and Christian Daugstrup, drop by the studio to share the FAA’s new regulations governing flying commercial drones at night, and to discuss how brands are using 360 video to create immersive audio and visual experiences.
In this episode, we sit down with thunder::tech Graphic Designers, Jasmine Massa and Trevor Marzella, to discuss the creative ideation process. We debate brainstorming strategies, discuss how to find creative inspiration, and talk about receiving and implementing client feedback.
For decades, nonprofits have used public service announcements (PSAs) to raise awareness, change attitudes and perceptions, and persuade the public to take a specific action. But PSAs aren’t just reserved for nonprofits. Any brand can capture the attention of its audience by creating a compelling message in the form of a PSA. On this episode of thunder::cast, co-hosts, Craig Israel and Eric Crilow, dissect the Top 10 PSAs of all time according to The Washington Post and discuss what it takes to grab attention with impactful, non-traditional executions.
There’s more to a good website than a sleek design. Great websites are built with SEO in mind, and if your brand new site is not optimized for search then it is set up to fail. thunder::tech Optimization Specialist Maggie Babuder and Senior Director of Development Bruce Williams stopped by the thunder::cast studio to discuss why website development and SEO are not independent paths, and how they are interconnected processes needed for a successful website launch.
Today’s consumers have more choices than ever before and brands must do more than just offer a quality product. Moments of interaction with a service happen at various communication touchpoints and customers demand a great experience at every turn. But don’t let the experience just happen. Design it.
“Woo, Wow, and Win” co-authors, Thomas Stewart and Patricia O’Connell, joined thunder::cast co-hosts, Craig Israel and Eric Crilow, to discuss the concept of designing a seamless journey to deliver a consistent customer experience. Listen in and take notes on the five key principles of service design and how savvy marketers can apply them to earn customers’ loyalty.
All brands want to drive leads, but not all leads are created equal. In this episode, co-hosts Craig Israel and Eric Crilow get the inside scoop on lead scoring methodology from thunder::tech’s Marketing Automation Specialist Kyle Coughlin. Lead scoring helps sales and marketing teams rank prospects to pinpoint their sales-readiness and focus on leads that are most likely to be converted into buyers. By monitoring engagement with various content and disqualifying prospects that don’t meet certain criteria, marketers can identify and nurture only the most qualified leads.
From movie trailers to sleek luxury cars to the heartwarming and humorous to political statements, there was no shortage of entertaining commercials during Super Bowl LI. Each February, brands flex their creative muscles and dish out millions of dollars in hopes of capturing consumers’ attention. But is the marketing impact worth the hefty price tag?
Co-hosts Craig Israel and Eric Crilow were joined in the studio by thunder::tech President Jason Therrien and Optimization Specialist Maggie Babuder to discuss which advertisements impressed us with their originality and which ones fell flat. On this episode, we chat about meeting customer expectations, the motivations of certain brands and the marketing implications of one short TV spot. Grab a snack and settle in for this in-depth assessment of the Super Bowl LI ads.
When it comes to choosing a Content Management System (CMS), businesses have to pick between many options that are available to help them achieve their business goals. At the end of the day, however, not all CMS platforms are created equal. Bryan Soltis, Technical Evangelist at Kentico Software, joined co-hosts Bruce Williams and Craig Israel in the thunder::cast studio to provide an overview of Kentico, a Content Management System that we partner with. During their conversation, Bryan shares why Kentico is a great option for businesses of all sizes. Marketed as an all-in-one solution, Kentico is an easy-to-use, customizable and user-friendly tool to help your company build an innovative website. Listen up and get familiar with this industry-leading platform.
New year, same podcast hosts with a new special guest and returner. In the first episode of 2017, our co-hosts Craig Israel and Eric Crilow interview thunder::tech’s Social Media Team members Madison Letizia and newcomer Hana Steinker. While everyone else appears to be setting personal resolutions, our Social Media Team wanted to focus on the goals that brands can set for their social media pages. Whether it’s making a plan for content or carving out some extra cash for Facebook ads, this podcast has you covered if you’re interested in learning how to do better in the social media sphere. Grab a notepad, your pages login credentials and enjoy a smattering of insight from our experts.
Join us for a wide-ranging conversation with renowned chef and one of Cleveland’s favorites, Jonathon Sawyer. We talk about how modern restaurateurs have to do far more than simply cook great food and offer outstanding hospitality. Instead, today’s diners are looking to connect with brands in deeper ways that support their lifestyle. Chef Sawyer talks about building the Team Sawyer brand, which now encompasses six restaurants, a line of artisanal vinegars, a new cookbook for kids, TV programing and other super-secret projects still in the works. We also discuss the “Summer of Invincibility” in Cleveland, where our city has thrive in the spotlight of a national championship, the Republican National Convention and much more.
One of the seven-part series of podcasts connected to our 2017 TRENDS publication. We all want instant gratification on the go. Be it directions, sports updates or restaurant recommendations, today’s consumers rely on their smartphones for the solution and are becoming more comfortable than ever talking to their phone. In this episode, our Optimization Specialists, Maggie Babuder and Michael Laskowski, stop by the thunder::cast studio to discuss how advancements in artificial intelligence are impacting how consumers seek out information, how search results are displayed and how they make purchases.
One of the seven-part series of podcasts connected to our 2017 TRENDS publication. There’s more to video than meets the eye. It is common knowledge that multimedia content receives higher engagement than other content formats, but are you using video to its full potential? Our Manager of Multimedia Services, Matt Stevens, shares insight into why it is imperative to include multimedia in your content marketing strategy. He further explains how to maximize production efficiency, as well as discusses how emerging technology, like drones, can give you an edge over your competitors.
One of the seven-part series of podcasts connected to our 2017 TRENDS publication. Today’s consumers have growing expectations to not only be informed, but to also be entertained. This shift in content consumption is setting the bar even higher for marketers who seek new, innovative ways to connect with and engage their audiences. thunder::cast co-host Eric Crilow discusses the growing popularity of interactive content, which requires participants’ active engagement with the content they consume, rather than simply passively reading or watching. This trend provides an opportunity for brands to capitalize on consumers’ desire to be entertained, by serving up real-time, hyper-relevant content in exchange for their information, which can be used to inform marketing efforts.
One of the seven-part series of podcasts connected to our 2017 TRENDS publication. Historically e-commerce has been dominated B2C companies, but a major shift is happening. More than half of all B2B buyers expect to be able to conduct purchases online in three years, and B2B companies are taking notice and getting on board. Our Senior Director of Development Bruce Williams explains the importance of reevaluating your B2B business model, taking advantage of available technology and implementing e-commerce strategies to create effective online experiences. Your willingness to adopt e-commerce could mean the difference between increasing your company’s growth and limiting your ability to compete in the marketplace.
One of the seven-part series of podcasts connected to our 2017 TRENDS publication. The digital advertising world is becoming increasingly more competitive due to a variety of factors from ad blocking to shorter consumer attention spans to FCC regulations to a shift in TV viewing habits. In this episode, Media Buying Specialist J.P. Krainz and Social Media Team Manager Madison Letizia offer suggestions for reevaluating marketing goals, aligning goals with brand messaging and creating more compelling ad content to help your brand overcome the evolving advertising landscape.
One of the seven-part series of podcasts connected to our 2017 TRENDS publication. The digital advertising world is becoming increasingly more competitive due to a variety of factors from ad blocking to shorter consumer attention spans to FCC regulations to a shift in TV viewing habits. In this episode, Media Buying Specialist J.P. Krainz and Social Media Team Manager Madison Letizia offer suggestions for reevaluating marketing goals, aligning goals with brand messaging and creating more compelling ad content to help your brand overcome the evolving advertising landscape.
One of the seven-part series of podcasts connected to our 2017 TRENDS publication. We all want instant gratification on the go. Be it directions, sports updates or restaurant recommendations, today’s consumers rely on their smartphones for the solution and are becoming more comfortable than ever talking to their phone. In this episode, our Optimization Specialists, Maggie Babuder and Michael Laskowski, stop by the thunder::cast studio to discuss how advancements in artificial intelligence are impacting how consumers seek out information, how search results are displayed and how they make purchases.
One of the seven-part series of podcasts connected to our 2017 TRENDS publication. We all want instant gratification on the go. Be it directions, sports updates or restaurant recommendations, today’s consumers rely on their smartphones for the solution and are becoming more comfortable than ever talking to their phone. In this episode, our Optimization Specialists, Maggie Babuder and Michael Laskowski, stop by the thunder::cast studio to discuss how advancements in artificial intelligence are impacting how consumers seek out information, how search results are displayed and how they make purchases.
One of the seven-part series of podcasts connected to our 2017 TRENDS publication. It is not enough to act on instinct or gut feelings. The most successful marketers rely on the facts to work smarter and more efficiently, and your company may unknowingly be sitting on a gold mine of data. This episode delves into “Business Intelligence,” the process of using collected data to inform decision-making across an organization. By breaking down the silos between marketing and sales and sharing information, businesses can connect key data points to identify new engagement touch points, uncover new revenue stream opportunities and improve the customer experience. Discover how to close the loop by leveraging your company’s data.
We’re celebrating Halloween with a spooktacular episode of thunder::cast! In this episode, we talk with Ryan Pluta, owner of the Carnival of Horrors in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Ryan tells us about his 26-year journey as a haunted house proprietor, how he keeps people scared every year and how he packs a punch into his limited marketing window. We’ll give you a hint, it takes lots of guts! Find out how he uses the customer’s own mindset to scare them, how he gets feedback and his strategy of getting people through the door. We won’t lie; you might need to listen to this one with a friend.
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s ... a drone? That’s right. On August 28, 2016, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) handed down new regulations governing the use of commercial drones. thunder::tech’s Manager of Multimedia Services, Matt Stevens, stopped by the thunder::cast studio to discuss his recent blog post “Commercial Drone Regulation Explained for Marketers.” Matt breaks down the new requirements in Part 107 of the Federal Aviation Regulations covering small unmanned aircraft systems, the remote pilot certification process, drone operation limits and compliance concerns, and the potential economic impact of drone technology. So how are these new guidelines impacting marketers and revolutionizing the way we serve consumers? You don’t want to miss this insightful conversation that just might help keep your company out of hot water with the FAA.
The regular thunder::cast crew is joined by thunder::tech’s Senior Director of Development Department, Bruce Williams, to discuss his recent blog post entitled “How to Get the Most Out of Your CRM.” Bruce outlines some useful tips for anyone considering investing in a customer relationship management (CRM) system or those who already have one up and running. Businesses big and small can maximize their investment and benefit greatly from a CRM to increase leads, boost closing rates and deliver superior customer service. A CRM is a unanimous purchase for most operations, so you should make every effort to get the entire team on board with your CRM and ensure that it’s customized to suit the needs of everyone from the legacy sales force to brand new customer service reps. You don’t want to miss this conversation covering CRM, ROI and other exciting TLAs (three-letter acronyms).
In this episode, we talk with Mike Conley, Vice President of Digital for the Cleveland Cavaliers and their related organizations. In addition to bringing home two championships in 2016 (shout out to the Lake Erie Monsters!), Mike was Co-Chair of Digital Tools for the Republican National Convention in August—it was a busy year. Mike shares how he focuses on solving problems by aligning teams with partners to develop creative campaigns that deliver a strong ROI. Mike delivers insight into how to leverage technology, build a strong team and manage it well so it can grow and remain agile—all the while continuing to deliver the outstanding experience fans demand.
We sit down with entrepreneur, speaker, author, podcaster and chief evangelist Joe Pulizzi to talk about how “content marketing” has fundamentally changed the way brands are connecting with their customers. What started as a few advocates in big companies has now become an established interdisciplinary strategy embraced by companies of all sizes. We explore how middle market companies are well suited to adopt content marketing strategies because they aren’t burdened with layers of momentum-killing bureaucracy and look at the long-term strategy. Pulizzi also gives us a preview of Content Marketing World 2016, the event he helped build from modest beginnings to a paradigm shifting spectacle that draws more than 3,500 attendees from 60 countries, including representatives from 40 Fortune 100 companies.
We sit down with entrepreneur, speaker, author, podcaster and chief evangelist Joe Pulizzi to talk about how “content marketing” has fundamentally changed the way brands are connecting with their customers. What started as a few advocates in big companies has now become an established interdisciplinary strategy embraced by companies of all sizes. We explore how middle market companies are well suited to adopt content marketing strategies because they aren’t burdened with layers of momentum-killing bureaucracy and look at the long-term strategy. Pulizzi also gives us a preview of Content Marketing World 2016, the event he helped build from modest beginnings to a paradigm shifting spectacle that draws more than 3,500 attendees from 60 countries, including representatives from 40 Fortune 100 companies.
In this episode, we explore the craze that’s sweeping the nation, Pokémon GO! Eric and Craig talk to two of thunder::tech’s in-house PokéExperts to explore the hows and whys of the new augmented reality game that’s created the perfect storm of nostalgia, additive gameplay, competition and community. Most importantly, we discuss how smart businesses are tapping into the craze to turn the hordes of cellphone wielding fans into new customers. If you don’t know a Pokéball from a Pikachu, then this podcast will get you up to speed and maybe even motivate you to “catch ‘em all” for yourself.
One of the 5-part series of podcasts connected to our 2016 Trends Summer Reader publication. This episode discusses how brands can get more out of their digital proprieties by using an iterative design philosophy. Senior Director of the Development Department, Bruce Williams, and thunder::tech President, Jason Therrien, talk about commonsense ways in which companies can avoid the typical build/bust cycle. That is, getting out of the habit of building a website, ignoring it until it becomes obsolete, tearing it down and starting all over. Instead, plan on building a website that can easily be edited and tweaked over time to end up with a better functioning site developed with a smaller investment.
One of the 5-part series of podcasts connected to our 2016 Trends Summer Reader publication. In this episode, Social Media Team Manager Madison Bender discusses how the always-on nature of social media can perfectly support real-world events. By preparing carefully and leveraging FOMO (fear of missing out), you can dramatically increase engagement with your audience before, during and after the event itself. Bender also discusses how and why to create a social media command center by sharing her experiences in building the #ASKCLE Social Media headquarters to support visitors, delegates and other attendees of the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland.
One of the 5-part series of podcasts connected to our 2016 Trends Summer Reader publication. This episode discusses how personalization and relationship marketing can use data from a variety of sources to create a truly engaging and motivating experience for your customers. Our Marketing Automation Specialist, Kyle Coughlin, and our Senior Director of Development Department, Bruce Williams, lead a discussion that covers everything from collecting data points across platforms to connecting offline behavior with online engagement to how to get personal with your marketing without getting TOO personal with your marketing.
One of the 5-part series of podcasts connected to our 2016 Trends Summer Reader publication. This episode outlines “Moment Marketing,” an approach to engaging with customers that is as much a philosophy as it is a tactical execution. By connecting with your customer at the exact point in time when they have a specific need and are willing to do something about it, you can improve engagement, further the customer relationship and provide solutions that satisfy customers’ needs. This wide ranging conversation covers how Moment Marketing goes beyond digital and can include traditional advertising formats like direct mail, print and point of sale, as well as how to get the most out of your marketing budget.
One of the 5-part series of podcasts connected to our 2016 Trends Summer Reader publication. This episode outlines the whens, whys and hows that brands should consider when approaching either an evolution to their brand (a slight change or escalating changes over time) or a revolution (a completely new look, feel or approach). Using examples such as Starbucks, Federal Express, Lube Stop and our own agency brand to illustrate the point, we interview thunder::tech’s Creative Director, Craig Israel, who provides ideas and insight fueled by his nearly 20 years of marketing experience.