The Marketing Gateway

Category: Episodes

  • Episode 119 – The Strange, Sad Tale of GameStop

    Their X feed is kind of wild, I can’t lie.

    I’m sure we are all well aware of GameStop’s many misguided desicions, but this most recent choice is a very interesting one! Let’s talk about it!

    May is mental health awareness month. If you need assistance in finding help, or you would like to donate to help others get the help they need, visit https://mhanational.org/  

    SOURCES  

    https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1326380/000119312526202468/d138475dex99.htm  

    https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/stocks/articles/ebay-says-half-cash-half-162705157.html   https://kotaku.com/new-gamestop-program-leads-employees-to-lie-to-customer-1791874332

    https://www.coindesk.com/business/2026/01/24/gamestop-s-usd420-million-bitcoin-move-sparks-speculation-of-selling  

    https://investor.gamestop.com/news-releases/news-details/2026/GameStop-Announces-Long-Term-Performance-Award-for-Ryan-Cohen/default.aspx

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  • Episode 118 – Why Bob’s Not So Great At Selling Burgers

    He’s no Jimmy Pesto.

    It’s in the name of the show, you’d think he’d be good at it!

    May is mental health awareness month. If you need assistance in finding help, or you would like to donate to help others get the help they need, visit https://mhanational.org/

    SOURCES

    Why Do So Many Restaurants Fail? (Episode 89) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVfBCqtje2A

    Menu at Bob’s Burgers: https://www.zippia.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/bobs-burger-menu.jpg

    Menu at Alamo Drafthouse: https://drafthouse.com/news/get-a-taste-of-the-bobs-burgers-movie

    Complete Guide to Restaurant Profit Margins (With Industry Averages)

    https://20somethingfinance.com/what-is-the-united-states-poverty-line/

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  • Episode 117 – How To Make Email Marketing Actually Work

    Report as spam.

    We’ve talked about email marketing a little bit before, but is there a way that it could actually work in the age of spam filters and limited attention? Let’s talk about it!

    May is mental health awareness month. If you need assistance in finding help, or you would like to donate to help others get the help they need, visit https://mhanational.org/

    SOURCES  

    https://www.benchmarkone.com/  

    https://dripify.com/why-email-campaigns-fail/  

    Why Email Marketing Doesn’t Work: Addressing Common Pitfalls and Strategies for Success

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  • Episode 116 – Why Spirit Airlines Really Got Grounded

    Was it really that convenient though?

    Turns out, cheap airfare isn’t enough to keep Spirit Airlines going! They have stopped all operations recently, so let’s talk about why!

    May is mental health awareness month. If you need assistance in finding help, or you would like to donate to help others get the help they need, visit https://mhanational.org/

    SOURCES: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YrKmzoKES0PiD0LDs_JjPJLBrf16otJP9GjeN_YP7Kg/edit?usp=sharing

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  • Episode 115 – Interview with Alicia Underwood

    I’m so glad we got to meet Alicia at the AMA event in early April!

    Today, we are talking to Alicia Underwood from TwentyThree LLC and The Social Box LLC! We were lucky enough to meet in person at the AMA event and MDMC!

    Alicia’s Plugs:

    https://www.thesocialbox.co/

    https://www.heytwentythree.com/

    About Alicia: Alicia Underwood is the founder of TwentyThree, LLC, a digital communications and influencer marketing agency based in St. Louis. With 15 years of experience in social media strategy and brand storytelling, she partners with enthusiastic, values-driven brands to help them stand out in a crowded digital landscape. Through TwentyThree, Alicia leads strategy, creative, and execution across social media, paid media, and influencer marketing. She works with clients across healthcare, hospitality, and luxury, and is known for blending data, creativity, and culture into campaigns that move people and deliver results. Alongside her client work, Alicia is building The Social Box, a software platform designed to simplify influencer marketing workflows. She also teaches and speaks on the business of social media and influencer marketing, including at MDMC, one of the Midwest’s largest digital conferences. Additionally, she serves on the board of Social Media Club St. Louis and the Advisory Council for Asian American Dream in New York, and previously served as President of the Lafayette Square Business Association. Alicia is passionate about storytelling, community building, and helping brands grow with clarity and confidence. She lives in Webster Groves with her husband, two boys, and two cats. She also enjoys Pilates, reading, and cooking in her free time.

    Contact Alicia:

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliciaunderwood/ https://www.instagram.com/twentythree.digital/

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  • Episode 114 – Makreting Confessionals from MDMC!

    I’m Holly, and this is my confessional.

    Today, we are listening to some marketing confessionals from the Midwest Digital Marketing Conference!

    Interested in going next year? Visit their website for updates about 2027 dates and location! https://bestmarketingconference.com/

    The people featured in this video:

    Andy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyhudsonstl/

    Wes: https://www.linkedin.com/in/morganwes/

    Charles: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charleslpurnell/

    Ryan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryangreen83/

    Sean: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanjjordan/

    Holly: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-wooten-b29829186/

    Ben: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benkniffen/

    Mindy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mindychoo/

    Daniel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-collart/

    Tessa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessagc/

    Schalene: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schalenehouston/

    Kelly: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellywiethuchter/

    Matt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coble/

    Vernon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vernonross/

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  • Episode 113 – How To Be A Great Networker

    And not just on social networks.

    A short episode for you all today! Lets talk about some tips for networking! And what better enviornment to talk about it than the Midwest Digital Marketing Conference!

    This month is donate life month. If you are interested in becoming an organ donor, or you would just like to know more, please visit https://donatelife.net/.

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  • Episode 112 – The Truth About Hershey’s Chocolate!

    It’s almost smores season y’all!

    Have you noticed how Hershey’s chocolates taste different lately? If you didn’t before, now you do! Today we are talking about candy, chocolate in particular, and why they’ve changed.

    This month is donate life month. If you are interested in becoming an organ donor, or you would just like to know more, please visit https://donatelife.net/.

    SOURCES: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JBJTeO1ujdFKMH_ahI-ZAGcNYX12eRQh3YHzo4UbfjI/edit?usp=sharing  

    NOTE: The script for some of this episode is based on a piece that appeared in Sean J. Jordan’s _OPO Insights_newsletter on April 16, 2026.

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  • Episode 111 – Marketing Myopia – Why Growth Can’t Be Your Focus

    But the growth on your back can be your focus. #getregularcheckups

    Is growth good in business? Yes, of course! BUT it can’t be the only thing you focus on, and that has been proven time after time!

    This month is donate life month. If you are interesting in becoming an organ donor, or you would just like to know more, please visit https://donatelife.net/.

    SOURCES   https://www.khabirulalam.com/uploads/1/1/7/3/117391517/marketing_myopia_hbr.pdf  

    https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/marketing/marketing-myopia  

    https://www.cleanersupply.com/492bff/globalassets/csius/research-reports/2025-state-of-the-dry-cleaning-industry/2025-state-of-the-dry-cleaning-industry.pdf  

    Mobile Fact Sheet

    Picture Source: https://www.instacart.com/company/enterprise-blog/schnucks-expands-caper-carts-to-new-stores-across-missouri-and-illinois

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  • Episode 110 – Do Brands Have To Make A Stand? (AMA-STL Wrap-up #5)

    Lest we forget the “Live. Laugh. Lesbian.” shirt from Target.

    A Brand’s Gotta Stand For Something, Right?

    Today we are talking about Katie Martell’s talk about progressiveness and brands!

    If you would like to be apart of the St. Louis chapter of the AMA please check out: https://amasaintlouis.org/

    This month is donate life month. If you are interesting in becoming an organ donor, or you would just like to know more, please visit https://donatelife.net/.

    SOURCES:

    Please view this public video from Katie Martell where she gives a similar talk: https://vimeo.com/1068308524

    Katie’s website: https://www.katie-martell.com/

    Keisha Mabry Haymore – https://keishamabry.com/

    https://www.researchgate.net/publication/233338520_Commodity_Feminism

    https://www.cnn.com/2022/05/24/business-food/walmart-juneteenth-ice-cream

    https://corporate.walmart.com/content/dam/corporate/documents/purpose/culture-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-report/2024-annual-belonging-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-annual-report.pdf

    Dubious lists of Corporate Social Responsibility:

    https://rankings.newsweek.com/americas-most-responsible-companies-2026

    https://www.uschamberfoundation.org/corporate-social-responsibility/10-companies-leading-the-way-in-corporate-citizenship

    https://www.forbes.com/lists/best-brands-social-impact/

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