On my way home from work two weeks ago, I thought I had a great new theory. I didn't - because in 1976, two American communications scholars developed a well known theory in mass communications called Media Dependency Theory. 1976?!?! Anyway, i

Is This What We've Become? Super Bowl Ads 2024

Feb 13th, 2024 18m 56s

In this episode, brand and digital marketing veteran Nick Kastner discusses this year's Super Bowl ads, the good and the bad, Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management Super Bowl ad review, whether the ads are worth it, and the lat

What's Up Next in SEO for 2024

Jan 30th, 2024 12m 56s

2023 brought a number of critical changes to marketing - specifically in the areas of scale, SEO, and artificial intelligence. In this episode, Nick discusses a recent article in Search Engine Land by legendary SEO Bruce Clay (https://searcheng

Episode 9: An Interview with former Coca-Cola executive Pat Magill

Apr 13th, 2023 35m 27s

In our latest episode, Nick spends some time with marketing expert and former Coca-Cola executive Pat Magill. From McDonald's to Happy Meal toys (and Teenie Beanie Babies), Pat has spent his entire career in marketing execution in the restauran

Episode 8: Google's Product Review Update (AKA the "small business killer") and the SB Dunk Low x Fly Streetwear

Mar 16th, 2023 13m 27s

In this episode, Nick goes off the rails (and script) a bit discussing the latest Google update, his frustration with the update, its impact on small businesses and on a lighter note - his latest favorite upcoming release from Nike. Note: Small

Episode 7: Super Bowl LVII Ads with Erin Williamson

Feb 13th, 2023 18m 28s

This week we have our first guest since Episode 1 - Erin Williamson, senior account manager at Forum Communications. During the Super Bowl, Erin and I traded a ton of texts about the game and the ads. In this episode, we discuss the ads during

Episode 6: ChatGPT

Jan 26th, 2023 13m 54s

Nick talks about ChatGPT, its rise and how it will impact marketing both now and in the future.Support the Show.Follow Nick online at @professoroflife on X and Instagram, or find him on LinkedIn. Nick serves as the director of brand and digital

Episode 5: Marketing, Sales & Development and the Jordan 1 Chicago Lost and Found

Nov 18th, 2022 20m 40s

On this week's episode, we discuss marketing and its relationship with sales and development and the upcoming release of the Nike Jordan 1 Chicago Lost and Found.Support the Show.Follow Nick online at @professoroflife on X and Instagram, or fin

Episode 4: Strategy and Kyrie

Nov 10th, 2022 21m 16s

How do you develop a marketing strategy? Where do you start? Also, how do you manage relationships with your team and even influencers in the era of cancel culture? All of that - plus a conversation about Nike dropping Kyrie in this episode.Sup

Episode 3: Brand Archetyping

Oct 28th, 2022 30m 1s

Following a 3-month course I taught for a regional community foundation, I'm kicking off a 3-part series discussing marketing and strategy starting with brand archetyping. He also briefly discusses the Air Max 1/97 Wotherspoon.Support the Show.

Episode 2: Google Analytics 4

Oct 21st, 2022 19m 44s

In this episode, Nick discusses Google Analytics 4 - Google's latest iteration of the web's most popular analytics platform.Support the Show.Follow Nick online at @professoroflife on X and Instagram, or find him on LinkedIn. Nick serves as the

Episode 1: Video Content and Authenticity - an interview with AJ Parker

Oct 13th, 2022 35m 39s

Join us on this first ever episode of Sneakers and Strategies - hosted by Nick Kastner, long-time marketer and director of brand and digital strategy at Forum Communications. In this episode, Nick is joined by AJ Parker, founder and owner of AJ

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