The Marketing Gateway

Category: Episodes

  • Episode 40 –  5 Ways Marketing Changed in 2025 – #5 How Search Went from Top Page to Zero Click

    You only click page 2 if you are desperate.

    Are you still chasing the first page of Google? With AI searches taking over, being on page one isn’t enough anymore! 

    Remember: Established brands have an edge, but new players need to innovate fast!

    This is the final part of my series this week, but tune in next week as we look forward to 2026!

    SOURCES:

    https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/growth-marketing-and-sales/our-insights/new-front-door-to-the-internet-winning-in-the-age-of-ai-search https://www.getpassionfruit.com/blog/are-ai-search-referrals-the-new-clicks

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  • Episode 39 – Episode 36 – 5 Ways Marketing Changed in 2025 – #4 Why Email Marketing is a Bust Now

    We just got an email, we just got an email, we just got an email! It is a marketing message.

    Is email marketing becoming obsolete?

    Join us as we uncover the harsh truth about email engagement in today’s digital world!

    From spam filters to inbox blindness, it’s clear that we need to adapt!

    This is part 4 of my 5 part series!

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  • Episode 36 – 5 Ways Marketing Changed in 2025 – #3 AI vs. Authentic Humanity

    AI Sean makes his return!

    Feeling overwhelmed by AI hype? 

    In today’s episode, we unpack the reality of AI’s impact on marketing and introduce the idea of Authentic Humanity. Authenticity is key in building trust with customers. 

    AI can be a tool, but it’s not replacing the human touch anytime soon! 

    This is part 3 of my 5 part series this week!

    SOURCES: https://aimagazine.com/news/mit-why-95-of-enterprise-ai-investments-fail-to-deliver

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  • Episode 37 – 5 Ways Marketing Changed in 2025 – #2 Don’t Forget Who You Are

    “Failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently” (Henry Ford)

    In today’s episode, we dive into how major brands like Disney, Southwest Airlines, and Target strayed from their core values and faced the fallout.

    The lesson? Staying true to your brand matters more than short-term gains!

    This is part 2 of my 5 part series this week!

    SOURCES: https://metro.co.uk/2025/12/20/airline-starts-charging-double-plus-size-passengers-25651583/ https://www.cnbc.com/2025/03/04/target-outlines-plans-to-grow-sales-by-15-billion-by-2030.html https://www.forbes.com/sites/pamdanziger/2025/12/15/target-withstood-dei-boycotts-to-show-signs-of-reputation-recovery/

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  • Episode 36 – 5 Ways Marketing Changed in 2025 – #1 Be Careful About Rebranding

    If 2025 had a marketing zodiac sign, it would be the year of the rebrand

    In 2025, many brands like Apple TV and Microsoft made subtle changes that improved their image!

    But then there are brands like the Philadelphia Museum of Art that learned the hard way that if you don’t engage your community, you might end up worse than you were before!

    This is part 1 of a 5 part series I’m doing this week!

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  • Episode 35 – Why I am Worried and Not Worried about AI in Marketing

    Brought to you by AI Sean. Beep Boop (not really).

    AI can’t do it all!

    Did you know an AI named Claudius was tasked with running a vending machine and failed spectacularly? From selling products at a loss to bizarre identity claims, this episode highlights the amusing (and concerning) limitations of AI.

    SOURCE: https://www.anthropic.com/research/project-vend-1

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  • Episode 34 – Interview with Trish Mertens and Holly Wooten

    Very special guests indeed!

    Today, I’m speaking with the 2 people that help keep this show going, Trish Mertens and Holly Wooten!

    Trish is in charge of scheduling for the podcast, but she is also our interview coordinator on the RPG side. Holly is the in charge of production, but also does data analysis on the RPG side.

    I enjoyed getting to have a casual chat with them, while getting to introduce them to our audience, and I look forward to getting to record our 2nd part!

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  • Episode 33 – Marketing Research’s Dynamic Duo – Qual and Quant!

    And the award for best marketing analogy goes to… Episode 33!

    Ever thought about how superheroes could relate to research?

    Superman and Batman represent the two distinct styles of insights research!

    While Superman can embody quantitative analysis with his broad strokes, Batman dives deep into a more qualitative understanding.

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  • Episode 32 – Interview with Ed Lahue Part 2

    Here is part 2 to my interview with Ed Lahue!

    What’s it like being in marketing and talking to scientists?

    Find out today in part 2 of my interview with Ed Lahue!

    Ed’s plug: https://sbdc.missouri.edu/

    Ed Lahue, MBA is an Innovation Consultant in St. Louis. Ed helps technology start-ups and established businesses expand their innovation efforts through supporting various universities and SBDC centers. He counsels and teaches new business modeling, market research and other startup curriculum.

    With 40 years of experience, Ed has an extensive background in innovation, strategic marketing and branding. His industry experience includes consumer products, healthcare and various industrial sectors. He is a retired innovation & technology counselor with the University of Missouri Extension/Missouri SBDC and holds an MBA in Marketing and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration/Marketing from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville.

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  • Episode 31 – When to Leave Focus Groups to the Professionals

    Think you could handle focus group moderation?

    Have you ever wondered how emotions shape group discussions?

    Today we are diving into the unpredictable world of focus groups and how a professional moderator can guide the conversation!

    Don’t underestimate the power of skilled moderation, it’s the key to unlocking genuine insights!

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