Musings on Marketing (Buffer and Muse )

In this episode I share why I started this podcast, how I got into marketing at an early age, the influence that the Got Milk? ad campaign on me, and what laid the foundation for how I approach marketing.

Welcome to Musings on Marketing, a podcast brought to you by Buffer and Muse, a marketing consulting agency that specializes in providing frameworks and strategies for people looking to level up and operationalize their marketing efforts. I’m your host, Sabrina Dépestre and founder of Buffer and Muse. Join me as I share life behind the scenes of a marketer, and sit down with guests who are helping to shape the future of the industry within their organizations. You’ll hear stories of my journey in marketing, and walk away with insightful tips and takeaways to incorporate into your business and organization. This is Musings on Marketing. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and follow @bufferandmuse to be notified when the newest episode drops.

Step behind the scenes of cause marketing with Rachel Davies, Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Susan G. Komen. Join us as we explore the art and science of crafting impactful campaigns, measuring success, and staying ahead of non-profit industry trends. Whether you're a marketing pro or just starting out, Rachel shares valuable insights for everyone. Plus, get a glimpse into how she balances her corporate role with running a fine arts studio, finding inspiration in visual storytelling. Tune in to discover the creative magic behind cause marketing strategies that make a real difference.

In this episode Sabrina sits down with Eden Zeilo, a graduate of MIT and Harvard Business School, to explore her journey of marketing career pivots, overcoming challenges, and the excitement of embracing new opportunities.

Connect with Eden on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eden-zeilo-34b1a81b/⁠

Follow Buffer & Muse on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bufferandmuse/ 

Jasmine Gibson is a Baltimore native and received her B.A. in Digital Communications from the University of Baltimore. She is the acting Chief Marketing Officer and CEO/Founder of marketing agency Miocoa Strategies, and the co-founder of Black Women Marketers, an online membership community whose mission is to increase representation and visibility in the marketing industry. In this episode we discuss everything from entrepreneurship and owning an agency, to building a community and mental health. To learn more about Black Women Marketers, visit blackwomenmarketers.com

In this episode, Sabrina chats with Stephanie Omotosho, the visionary founder and lead strategist of The Modern Ad, a digital advertising agency that stands at the intersection of finance and creativity. You’ll learn how she pivoted from a traditional finance career to trailblazing her own path, her strategic approach to digital advertising, and how she stays ahead of the curve in this industry. Tune in to hear her journey through the dynamic intersections of finance, data, and creativity in the world of modern marketing.

Visit: www.themodernad.com

In this episode, Sabrina sits down with Kae Monsanto, Associate Partner Marketing Lead at 2U and brand & marketing strategist. We chat about her journey from working in the nonprofit space to the corporate world, how she sees the future of education and the changing perceptions around degrees, and how Emergent Strategy and Octavia Butler help her navigate the ever evolving trends in marketing and education.

Connect with Kae on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaemonsanto/

Follow Buffer & Muse on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/bufferandmuse/⁠ 

In this episode, Kara Redman, CEO and founder of Backroom, a creative agency specializing in brand strategy, social, and digital performance, shares her entrepreneurial journey and insights. Kara discusses how she quit her job 10 years ago to start Backroom with a vision of creating a collaborative agency that truly listens to and serves its clients.

Kara delves into the importance of surrounding yourself with great people who support you, point out your blindspots, and help you grow. She emphasizes the value of trusting your instincts and not abdicating control of your business to others who may not share your passion.

The conversation explores how Backroom has evolved its positioning and capabilities over the years by keenly observing client needs. Kara shares her strategy of bringing services like creative production in-house to better serve clients' requirements for micro-content, photography, and influencer marketing.

Kara also opens up about her burgeoning presence on LinkedIn, revealing how one heartfelt post criticizing unethical corporate practices unexpectedly gained her 8,000 new followers in one day. She discusses the power of using the platform to connect with clients seeking like-minded partners driven to create meaningful impact.

Throughout the interview, Kara emphasizes her love for building things, creating margin to pursue passion projects like courses and communities, and empowering her team with autonomy.

In this episode, Sabrina sits down with Trish McClean, Chief Marketing Officer of Visit Baltimore, the official destination marketing agency for Baltimore. Discover Baltimore's approach to marketing itself as a one-of-a-kind tourist destination, uncover the city's strategy of highlighting its unique offerings, and learn how her team leverages digital channels  in connecting with potential visitors. Trish also shares her insights into her most memorable campaign, the challenges she faces as a CMO in the destination marketing field, and her dedication to enhancing the lives of Baltimore's citizens through tourism. Learn more about Visit Baltimore: https://baltimore.org/ Connect with Trish: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trish-mcclean-088b756/

Sean Sutherland is the Director of Marketing at idfive, an integrated marketing and communications social design agency based in Baltimore, Maryland. Our guest shares his insights into the responsibilities of the role, including managing social media efforts, maintaining brand consistency, and driving outreach to introduce the agency to new markets. In this episode we explore the multifaceted nature of marketing and we also touch upon the exciting advertising and marketing scene in Baltimore, which is experiencing its own renaissance. Join us as we uncover the nuances of marketing in this engaging episode and connect with Sean on LinkedIn.

Jody Costa hails from St. Mary’s College of Maryland with a creative liberal arts degree, and is the VP of Marketing and Strategic Partnerships for Barcoding, Inc. one of the largest integrators and resellers of supply chain data capture and mobile tech solutions. In this episode we chat about how skillsets like writing and reading poetry can be a great way for marketers to take complex concepts of a business and distill them in simple ways to share with audiences, strategies on how to build a marketing team, the impact of what a rebrand and a new visual identity can have on your business, and how marketers can leverage AI  tools to work more effectively. Connect with Jody Costa on LinkedIn.

In this episode of Musings on Marketing, Sabrina sits down with Tammi Thomas, Chief Development and Marketing Officer at TEDCO, which is the Maryland Technology Development Corporation that facilitates the creation of and funding for technology based businesses in the State.

With over three decades of experience spanning higher education, economic development, and tech, Tammi shares her journey to becoming a marketing leader. She offers valuable insights on the importance of mentorship, defines marketing in its simplest form, and discusses strategies for staying current in a rapidly evolving field. From managing a dynamic team to balancing multiple responsibilities, Tammi provides a glimpse into the life of a senior marketing executive in the tech industry.

Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting your marketing career, this episode is packed with wisdom on leadership, continuous learning, and the power of storytelling in marketing.

In this episode, Sabrina chats with Stacy Reed, who is a strategic marketing consultant, Facebook ads expert, and founder of Stacy Zeal & Co., a marketing consulting company that provides Strategic Marketing Planning and Executive Leadership to startups and online service businesses. Discover Stacy's journey from in-house roles to consulting, and learn how to navigate the marketing landscape effectively. You’ll gain valuable insights into team structure, hiring considerations, and the importance of systems and processes. The episode also features practical advice for staying updated on industry trends and a recommendation for a must-read book, "Purple Cow" by Seth Godin. Tune in for a dynamic conversation that blends real-world experiences with actionable strategies, providing a roadmap for marketers and business owners alike.

Connect with Stacy on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sreed2582

Justin Timothy Temple is a photographer, yoga practitioner and Director of Marketing and Brand of good neighbor, a retail coffee shop in Baltimore. He started his career with a graphic design background, creating album covers for artists and building websites, and in this conversation, Justin discusses how he approaches marketing with intention and empathy, the importance of being able to feel a range of emotions in order to tackle a challenge at work, and how to build trust with your customers.

In this episode, Sabrina sits down with Jason Bass, Director of Culture and Programming at Thompson Buckhead, a luxury boutique hotel in Atlanta, Georgia. Join us as we explore the powerful intersection of Marketing, Culture, and Hospitality, unraveling how these elements blend to create unforgettable moments. Discover the essence of how to curate spaces that resonate with a community while fostering genuine connections. From deciphering the code of culture to dialing in the perfect value for guests, Jason shares his insights on the future of hospitality. Tune in for an inspiring exploration of crafting a welcoming world where marketing becomes a story, culture becomes an identity, and hospitality becomes a journey.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncbass/

Follow Buffer & Muse on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bufferandmuse/