ARVIND BALA
Caleb Clark interviews Arvind Bala, VP of Marketing at Sienna Senior Living. Bala shares his extensive experience in marketing, emphasizing the importance of understanding and ethically fulfilling consumer needs. He discusses the evolution of brand perception and the significant role of social media, especially in the sensitive area of senior care. Bala expresses his enthusiasm for the aging population sector, focusing on enriching community living experiences and the need for better elder care. He talks about his approach to marketing, targeting the right customers, and balancing short-term and long-term objectives. Bala highlights the importance of mental availability in marketing and the effectiveness of combining general awareness with targeted efforts.
GARRETT GENEST
Garrett Genest, Director of Growth at Kudos. Garrett shares his background in tech marketing and his passion for improving employee recognition and engagement. Garrett talks about the challenges of understanding team feedback and the role of vulnerability in leadership for building trust. He emphasizes the importance of career planning discussions and using the Radical Candor framework for effective team management. Garrett also highlights the significance of hiring employees aligned with the company’s culture and vision, and the role of meaningful recognition in employee appreciation. He discusses recognizing specific behaviors to foster a safe work environment and reduce turnover.
MARISA HARRIS
Marisa Harris, Brand Director at Staples Canada. Marisa shares her unconventional path from law clerk to marketing, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and relationships in her career. She discusses her leadership style, focusing on empowering her team to revitalize the Staples brand in a competitive market.
MICHAEL SMITH
Michael Smith, Head of Brand Marketing at Starry, shares valuable lessons from his extensive marketing career. Michael discusses adapting to various roles, the importance of learning from past experiences, and how his time at Lemon Perfect influences his approach at Starry. He highlights the significance of stakeholder alignment, clear vision, and empowering team members in both startup and corporate environments. Michael also touches on strategic simplicity, the necessity of connecting tasks to broader goals, and building strong external partnerships. T
ADAM VASALIO
In the latest Growth League Podcast, Caleb Clark sits down with Adam Vasalio, the CMO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. Adam chats about his switch from TV reporting to leading marketing, and how volunteering steered him to the nonprofit world. He dives into the nitty-gritty of marketing a historic brand, focusing on hooking in new mentors and donors through various digital channels. Adam also talks about their campaign “It Takes Little to be Big,” which aims to make mentoring simpler to grasp. He reflects on their rebranding journey, stressing how key it is to have a solid team that works well together, and the need to keep everyone in the loop.
TANYA ANDREADIS
Tanya shares her evolution from digital marketing to a strategic branding role, emphasizing the balance between performance marketing and brand strategy to build a global presence. She discusses her approach to problem-solving, aligning marketing efforts with business goals, and evolving partnerships with external agencies. Tanya highlights the importance of understanding and publicizing groundbreaking medical research, like “cancer interception,” and reflects on the challenges and aspirations of her role. She stresses the need for conviction and innovation in marketing, balancing creativity with data-driven strategies to position Penn Medicine as a leader in the healthcare industry.
KRIS KNIEF
Kris Knief, VP of Strategy & Innovation at Foley Entertainment Group.,,discusses transitioning from data analytics to marketing, contributing significantly to the Vegas Golden Knights’ success. At Foley Entertainment, he emphasizes innovation and growth across diverse business areas. Knief highlights the importance of a unified strategy in entertainment, his passion for driving consumer engagement, and leveraging data for strategic decision-making. The episode encapsulates Knief’s journey from being a fan to a key player in the sports and entertainment industry.
KATHRYN DOBBS
Kathryn Dobbs, Senior VP & CMO of the Columbus Blue Jackets, shares her journey from aspiring lawyer to marketing leader, eventually leading to her dream job with the Blue Jackets. She emphasizes the importance of positive thinking in her career progression, from the executive director to CMO, and the role of strategic collaboration in sports marketing. Kathryn also highlights her passion for community involvement, blending it with her love for hockey. She discusses balancing fan enthusiasm with strategic decision-making and the importance of connecting the community to the larger team spirit. Her personal story is interwoven with her professional role, showcased by her mother’s heartfelt support for the team.
TONNY LAM
Tonny discusses how Hook+Ladder helps small businesses with lean marketing teams, offering a range of services from social media to SEO and email marketing. He highlights Hook + Ladder’s growth from a 2013 social media agency to a multifaceted marketing firm, emphasizing team development and client success stories. Tonny shares insights from his tech consulting background, focusing on understanding and solving unique client problems. This approach has led to effective partnerships and tailored strategies, setting Hook + Ladder apart in the marketing field.
TODD MELENEY
Todd discusses his journey from creating a college surf brand to building Noble, a leading fitness brand. He highlights the power of community engagement and authentic storytelling in branding with limited resources. Todd also shares insights on maintaining brand identity during expansion, the importance of customer focus, and key leadership qualities. The episode offers valuable lessons on turning ideas into successful businesses, teamwork diversity, and effective leadership, serving as a guide for marketers and entrepreneurs in the health and fitness industry.
