Another great interview with someone from the St. Louis AMA!
Today we have Zane Creek, an expert on SEO!
About Zane:
Midwest-born and based in St. Louis, Zane is an associate-level, full-stack marketer currently working as an SEO consultant. He returned to St. Louis 2 years ago, following a 2-year stay in Germany, living and working as a junior US ambassador and eCommerce manager/international marketing coordinator. Specializing in traditional, local, and AI SEO with a background in web development, ecommerce advertising, marketing management, and data analysis, he has a strong interest in business process automation and marketing data analysis. Alongside his full-time work, Zane consults independently, building and optimizing websites and producing video projects.
We hope you’ll rate us 5 stars because you want to, not because we sent you exotic butters.
Have you ever noticed a product that has pretty good reviews, but when you get it, it end up not working out? Let’s talk about why that may happen in today’s episode!
This month I am plugging Ranken Jordan Pediatric Hospital. To donate, please visit https://rankenjordanfoundation.org/donate/
And here we go with part 2 of my chat with Steve Turner! Honestly, I learned so much in this interview and I’m so glad that we were able to have Steve on as a guest!
About Steve:
Steve Turner is the author of PR THAT WORKS-Real Strategies. Real Campaigns. Real Results and is the co-owner and principal of Solomon Turner PR in Chesterfield (St. Louis) MO. A firm he and his partner, Shelly Solomon, founded in 1990. An award-winning agency, Solomon Turner has been named one of the top PR firms in St. Louis for 17 consecutive years by Small Business Monthly. Mr. Turner has helped corporations, organizations and nonprofits build their brands and reach their marketing objectives for over three decades. Mr. Turner has worked with such brands as Anthony (Tony) Robbins Seminars, Brian Tracy, Coldwell Banker, Northwestern Mutual, and SSM Healthcare. A frequent media contributor, he has been quoted and/or featured in the Associated Press, Forbes, Everything PR, Industry Leaders, Parade, PR Week, Small Business Monthly, and The Wall Street Journal. He was named a Rockstar Publicist by Authority/Medium magazine and has appeared on TV, radio and podcasts. Steve has spoken to several business groups and organizations on public relations and marketing and is a highly-regarded speaker. His blog, PR THAT WORKS, has generated over 60,000 views and continues to grow. He also founded The PR Channel on YouTube to serve as an education tool for young PR professionals, business owners and students. Steve is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia, where he received a Bachelor of Journalism degree. He has written hundreds of columns for blogs, PR journals, and books. His book, PR THAT WORKS, is available in paperback and kindle format on Amazon and other booksellers. For more visit https://solomonturner.com or https://getprthatworks.com.
Today is part one of my interview with an expert in PR, Steve Turner! Tune in tomorrow for part 2!
About Steve:
Steve Turner Bio Steve Turner is the author of PR THAT WORKS-Real Strategies. Real Campaigns. Real Results and is the co-owner and principal of Solomon Turner PR in Chesterfield (St. Louis) MO. A firm he and his partner, Shelly Solomon, founded in 1990. An award-winning agency, Solomon Turner has been named one of the top PR firms in St. Louis for 17 consecutive years by Small Business Monthly. Mr. Turner has helped corporations, organizations and nonprofits build their brands and reach their marketing objectives for over three decades. Mr. Turner has worked with such brands as Anthony (Tony) Robbins Seminars, Brian Tracy, Coldwell Banker, Northwestern Mutual, and SSM Healthcare. A frequent media contributor, he has been quoted and/or featured in the Associated Press, Forbes, Everything PR, Industry Leaders, Parade, PR Week, Small Business Monthly, and The Wall Street Journal. He was named a Rockstar Publicist by Authority/Medium magazine and has appeared on TV, radio and podcasts. Steve has spoken to several business groups and organizations on public relations and marketing and is a highly-regarded speaker. His blog, PR THAT WORKS, has generated over 60,000 views and continues to grow. He also founded The PR Channel on YouTube to serve as an education tool for young PR professionals, business owners and students. Steve is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia, where he received a Bachelor of Journalism degree. He has written hundreds of columns for blogs, PR journals, and books. His book, PR THAT WORKS, is available in paperback and kindle format on Amazon and other booksellers. For more visit https://solomonturner.com or https://getprthatworks.com.
Very excited for Tom to come back to talk about his book!
How does military experience translate to marketing? Find out that, and more, in today’s episode with Tom Harness!
About Tom: Tom Harness is a digital marketing educator, consultant, and entrepreneur based in the Midwest. He serves as an Assistant Lecturer in the College of Business & Analytics at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, where he teaches digital marketing, branding, and emerging marketing technologies. Tom is also the owner of Harness Digital Marketing, working with small businesses, nonprofits, and veteran-owned organizations. A U.S. Army Signal Corps veteran, Tom brings a mission-focused, disciplined approach to marketing strategy shaped by wearing multiple hats—student, educator, business owner, and community volunteer for veterans. He is currently writing a book that explores leadership, identity, and resilience through lived experience, drawing from his time in military service, entrepreneurship, education, and community involvement. His work centers on helping people communicate clearly, think strategically, and build with purpose.
I’m sure you’ve heard plenty of people argue against AI, but what about an argument for it?
Today we are talking to Holly Smith!
About Holly:
Holly L. Smith, MBA Holly L. Smith is a freelance marketing and communications consultant with more than 25 years of experience leading strategy, storytelling, and brand growth across higher education and healthcare. Her career reflects a rare blend of creative vision, analytical rigor, and a deep commitment to mission-driven work. Holly began her academic journey in athletic training at Indiana University before earning a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Southern Indiana and an MBA from the University of Evansville. Her professional experience spans both in-house leadership and agency environments, giving her a well-rounded perspective on marketing strategy, operations, and execution. Throughout her career, Holly has held senior marketing roles at respected organizations including Cincinnati Children’s, St. Elizabeth Healthcare, Ascension St. Vincent, Heritage Federal Credit Union, and the University of Evansville. She also spent several years at Ten Adams, a boutique agency specializing in healthcare marketing and strategy, before serving as Director of Marketing, Strategic Planning, and Printing Services at St. Mary’s Health System. Most recently, she served as Senior Director of Marketing and Communications at the University of Evansville, where she led institutional branding, communications, and enrollment support initiatives. Currently, Holly owns and operates Hollylocks Marketing, where she provides strategic marketing and communications consulting to mission-driven organizations. She also works part-time with Community-Engaged Alliance, supporting community-engaged teaching, learning, and research across Indiana. In addition, Holly serves as a Fractional CMO, Project Manager, and Web Coordinator at Caylor Solutions, partnering with higher education clients on integrated marketing strategy, digital initiatives, and project execution. In addition to her professional roles, Holly has been an adjunct professor of marketing at the University of Evansville since 2016, sharing her real-world expertise with emerging professionals. In recognition of her leadership and service, she received the University’s President’s Distinguished Service Award in 2021. Holly is equally known for her deep community involvement and nonprofit leadership. She has served on numerous boards, including as Marketing Chair and Board Member for A Network of Evansville Women (ANEW); in advisory, grants, and leadership roles with the Women’s Fund of Vanderburgh County; as Board Chair and Marketing Chair for Building Blocks; as Marketing Chair for the Children’s Museum of Evansville; and as a member of the Advisory Committee at the Southern Indiana Career and Technical Center for the WPSR program. She previously served with the Evansville Police Foundation as a Board Member and Marketing Chair, Co-Chair of the Policeman’s Ball, and Interim Executive Director. Across every role, Holly is known for her strategic insight, collaborative leadership style, and passion for using marketing as a force for connection, growth, and community impact.