This episode of "Let's Talk Marketing" explores navigating uncertainty in the marketing world. Host Katya Allison interviews Gwen Hammes, co-CEO of Cro Metrics, about how businesses can thrive amid volatility. Gwen shares her journey from global creative agencies to leading a growth marketing firm that helps brands like Google and Bombas drive measurable impact. With deep insights into consumer behavior, the psychology of change, and balancing brand equity with performance, Gwen offers strategic, actionable advice for marketers and leaders alike. Whether it’s addressing change management, the evolving role of AI, or building resilient agency partnerships, Gwen’s perspective is refreshingly real and future-focused.

Listeners will walk away with insights on:

• Marketing must tie initiatives directly to business results to remain indispensable
• Change resistance is often neurological—marketers must lead with empathy and momentum
• AI should be seen as a creative accelerator, not a threat to human value
• Agencies must show up with a steel-stomach leadership style during turbulent times
• Creativity and boldness are essential, especially when budgets are under pressure
• Personalization isn’t a buzzword—it’s a way to adapt to consumer “choose-your-own-adventure” needs
• Strategic daydreaming and imagination are underrated tools in innovation
• "Don't bring more than you can carry" applies to life, leadership, and marketing strategy

• Learn More about CRO Metrics www.crometrics.com
• Follow Gwen on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/gwen-hammes/
• Follow Gwen on Instagram @gwendolorosa

This episode of Let's Talk Marketing explores how marketing truly operates beneath the surface by comparing it to building a house. Host Katya Allison walks solo through her original ArchMark Framework—a mindset and structural tool she uses to assess and stabilize any marketing function, whether you're inheriting a mess, scaling up, or just trying to get your head above water. Forget the shiny paint and Pinterest boards—Katya breaks down the gritty, foundational work of building a sustainable marketing strategy that actually delivers. From aligning value props to pressure-testing your execution, she lays out a grounded, no-BS approach that will help marketers stop decorating dysfunction and start building something solid.

Episode Insights:

• Marketing often looks good on the surface, but can leak underneath without solid structure.
• The ArchMark Framework breaks marketing down into four phases: Foundation, Framing, Blueprinting, Buildout.
• Your foundation includes value props, personas, and sales alignment—skip it and everything crumbles.
• Framing covers the “unsexy” stuff—operations, systems, plumbing—that keeps marketing flowing.
• Blueprinting turns goals into actual structure so you don’t end up with a “hallway to nowhere.”
• Buildout is where plans meet execution—this is not decoration, this is construction.
• Without systems and strategic sequencing, execution becomes “random acts of marketing.”
• The glam of marketing often hides chaos—this framework exposes and fixes the root issues.
• A mindset shift from "what looks good" to "what works when no one’s watching" changes everything.
• Katya will be breaking each phase down in future episodes for deeper, actionable insights.

This episode of "Let's Talk Marketing" explores the nuances of scaling, messaging clarity, and sustainable marketing strategy. Host Katya Allison interviews Jeff Wenberg, a seasoned marketing leader with 15+ years of experience scaling companies like Leadpages, Zipify Apps, and Salesmsg. Jeff unpacks the invisible forces that quietly derail conversions, how to avoid "Death Valley" in your funnel, and why messaging—not more tactics—is often the real fix. From enrollment stories to bridging the gap between marketing and sales, Jeff provides strategic wisdom and actionable examples to help digital businesses scale without burning out.

Listeners will walk away with insights on:

• Messaging misalignment is the #1 silent killer of conversions.
• Cold traffic success hinges on “enrollment stories,” not just hooks.
• Great strategy means less hustle and more precise execution.
• Scaling offers and scaling a business often go hand-in-hand.
• Don’t just build funnels—test messaging in everyday conversations.
• Aligning your pitch with what customers actually want is the shortcut.
• Focus on foundational principles, not fleeting tactics or platforms.
• Success is measured not just in data—but in how easy the sale feels.

Episode Links:

Learn more: https://factmethod.com/pitchgpt/

Follow Jeff on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffwenberg/

Follow Jeff on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamjeffwenberg/

This episode of "Let's Talk Marketing" explores what it truly means to be a disruptive brand. Host Katya Allison interviews Ryan Chute, founder of an eight-figure agency and Wizard of Ads partner, about breaking away from traditional marketing norms. Ryan shares his unconventional path from high school dropout to leading sales strategist, emphasizing that true differentiation comes from clarity, values, and emotional storytelling—not flashy gimmicks. Listeners will learn how to use constraints to fuel creativity, why building culture feeds buying behavior, and how Commander’s Intent from military strategy can transform your brand’s identity and team alignment. If you want to stand tall in a crowded marketplace and forge meaningful human connections, this conversation is packed with actionable wisdom.

Listeners will walk away with insights on:

• Disruptive brands begin by understanding who they are and what they stand for
• Commander’s Intent creates alignment through clarity, not control
• Flexibility and autonomy empower teams to deliver exceptional brand experiences
• Emotional resonance is the key to being remembered and building loyalty
• Constraints drive creativity and help brands stand out with purpose
• Legacy brands aren’t disruptive—distinctive values are
• AI enhances creativity but can’t replace human connection and storytelling
• Being flawed and raw builds trust; people relate to imperfection
• A focused message wins—don’t throw 10 tennis balls at once
• Marketing should aim for long-term memory, not momentary clicks

Episode Links:

• RyanChute.com

This episode of Let's Talk Marketing explores the power of AI for business efficiency. Host Katya Allison interviews Jason Kramer, founder of Cultivize, about how marketing teams can strategically adopt AI to streamline workflows, improve CRM data hygiene, and elevate LinkedIn engagement. Jason shares practical examples of tools like ChatGPT and Evie AI, explains how marketers can use AI for tasks like lead nurturing and campaign building, and offers advice on overcoming adoption hesitations. Whether you're just beginning with AI or looking to sharpen your strategy, this episode delivers real-world guidance for leveraging tech without losing the human touch.

Listeners will walk away with insights on:

• AI can dramatically improve CRM organization and lead conversion processes.
• Tools like Evie AI enhance LinkedIn engagement through automated content and comment suggestions.
• AI is only as effective as the strategy and direction it’s given—prompting matters.
• Email hygiene is a crucial but overlooked area that benefits from automation.
• ChatGPT is powerful for mapping customer data and creating targeted campaigns.
• Adoption fear stems from misunderstanding AI’s role as an aid—not a replacement.
• Personalized data use with AI helps businesses unlock better decision-making power.
• Niche-specific AI tools may be the future of effective business automation.
• Website: https://cultivize.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonleighkramer/

This episode of "Let's Talk Marketing" explores the power of personal branding and the importance of standing out in a crowded marketplace. Host Katya Allison interviews Steve Miller, a dynamic thought leader in personal branding and B2B marketing. Steve, the author of Uncopyable YOU: Create a Personal Brand that Gets People to Know You, Like You, Trust You, and Remember You, shares actionable strategies for building a unique personal brand. Steve dives into how understanding human behavior can help individuals and businesses differentiate themselves from competitors and create lasting impressions. This episode will empower you to discover your own unique qualities and apply them effectively to become uncopyable in the marketplace.

Listeners will walk away with insights on:

• Building a unique personal brand helps differentiate you from the competition.
• Emotional connection is key to brand loyalty and recognition.
• "Uncopyable" branding is about discovering and amplifying your unique qualities.
• Human behavior insights are essential for crafting marketing strategies that resonate.
• Consistency in your brand message builds trust and long-term relationships.
• Avoid blending in with competitors; focus on being different and unforgettable.
• Personal storytelling is a powerful tool to engage and connect with your audience.
• Authenticity in marketing is critical for creating meaningful connections that last.

Follow the links:

• I want to be Uncopyable
• Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steveamiller/
• Follow on X: @steveamiller

As we close out Season 2 of the "Let's Talk Marketing" podcast, host Katya Allison reflects on the exciting journey we've had so far and offers a sneak peek at what's coming in Season 3. With fresh content, including more solo shows and insightful interviews, Katya shares her enthusiasm for delivering the latest marketing trends, strategies, and tips to help marketers and entrepreneurs succeed. Get ready for more engaging content that will empower your marketing career and business growth.

Catch up on all episodes from Season 1 and 2 or join the Let's Talk Marketing community on LinkedIn to stay connected and ahead of the curve!

Let's Talk Marketing on LinkedIn

In this episode of Let's Talk Marketing, host Katya Allison interviews Jennifer Sutton, founder of Bright Marketing and OrangeWIP, about aligning marketing strategy with business goals for sustained growth. Jennifer shares her extensive experience in helping businesses, particularly small businesses, scale through intentional branding and marketing. They dive into key strategies for overcoming common challenges, like dealing with inexperienced vendors, aligning teams, and effectively using data and insights to drive better marketing results. Jennifer emphasizes the importance of balancing creativity with strategy, and the role of marketing in supporting business development.

Listeners will walk away with insights on:

• Marketing is about aligning business strategy with communication and brand execution.
• Avoiding reliance on inexperienced vendors is crucial to long-term marketing success.
• Successful marketing requires focusing on brand differentiation and understanding the target audience.
• Overcoming misalignment in marketing strategies can save time and resources.
• Data and insights should drive marketing decisions, not just subjective feedback.
• Small businesses should start with foundational brand clarity to guide their marketing efforts.
• Embrace the importance of transparency and honesty in managing client expectations.
• Building marketing strategies is a long-term game that requires proper frameworks and intentionality.