DIG’s Recipe for Community, Loyalty, and Storytelling | Jessica Serrano, CMO
Ally and I continue our POSSIBLE 2025 conference series by sitting down with Jessica Serrano, Chief Marketing Officer of DIG. Jessica shares the unique challenges that come with localized marketing, strategies for building a strong loyalty program and tips for aspiring CMOs. DIG is a fast casual, scratch food restaurant concept with locations from New York, NY to Washington D.C. Key Takeaways:// Use social media channels to tell behind-the-curtain stories and share unique experiences alongside your brand.// Local marketing requires research of the target community – observe the community through intensive good neighbor tactics. The community will dictate how the brand will show up and where.// Brand loyalty programs should deepen the relationship you have with your consumers, not just providing periodic discounts. Take your loyalty programming from transactional to relationship-driven.// Once you deepen the relationship with the consumer, you can provide other ways to reward them for their loyalty like early access programming, surprise and delight moments and more. // New ideas and innovation can come from listening directly to your consumers' wants and needs. Connect with Jessica: LinkedInFollow along with DIG: Website / InstagramConnect with Ally: LinkedIn / Instagram____Say hi! DM me on Instagram and let us know what content you want to hear on the show - I can't wait to hear from you! Please also consider rating the show and leaving a review, as that helps us tremendously as we move forward in this Marketing Happy Hour journey and create more content for all of you. Join our FREE Open Jobs group on LinkedIn: Join nowGet the latest from MHH, straight to your inbox: Join our email list!Follow MHH on Social: Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok | Facebook
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Career Strategy: Relationships as a Vehicle for Success | Stephanie Lawrence of Nextdoor
The POSSIBLE 2025 conference series continues with Stephanie Lawrence-Shartrand from Nextdoor. With over 20 years of experience in digital media, strategy, and customer success, Stephanie is a passionate leader and advocate for the power of online communities and social networks. Stephanie joins Ally and I to share her strategies for building strong, lasting professional relationships, including how she’s created her own personal Board of Advisors. Key Takeaways:// Build your own personal Board of Advisors. Made up of your best friends, past coworkers and mentors – these are the people you gut check career moves with, ask for help navigating difficult situations and help elevate your skill set.// Relationships require persistence and thriving in the uncomfortable. If you only reach out when you want something, people remember that. People will remember how you made them feel.// Don’t undersell the value of in person connection and conversation opportunities – whether it be a 5 minute check-in or 30 minute coffee chat.// Professional confidence comes from believing in yourself and channeling your insecurities into opportunities for growth. Connect with Stephanie: LinkedInFollow along with Nextdoor: Website / InstagramConnect with Ally: LinkedIn / Instagram____Say hi! DM me on Instagram and let us know what content you want to hear on the show - I can't wait to hear from you! Please also consider rating the show and leaving a review, as that helps us tremendously as we move forward in this Marketing Happy Hour journey and create more content for all of you. Join our FREE Open Jobs group on LinkedIn: Join nowGet the latest from MHH, straight to your inbox: Join our email list!
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What Gen-Z Considers Entertainment (+ The Formula for Engaging, Short-Form Content) | Michael Vito Valentino of NowThis
I sat down with co-host Ally Golden and Michael Vito Valentino, Editor in Chief at NowThis for Episode 2 of the POSSIBLE 2025 conference series. Gen Z is redefining what “entertainment” means in the 21st century. We discuss the serialized content approach Michael and his team are taking at NowThis and how it’s paving the way for brand loyalty with Gen-Z females. Additionally, we explore the evolving role of brand integrations in a crowded landscape and how brands can authentically embed themselves into cultural conversations.Key Takeaways:// Niche is the new mainstream. There’s heavy competition in the attention economy and your brand can stand out by identifying niches. Once you have fans, community and trust - you can convert short-term audiences to long-term fans. // Short-form, repeatable formats with full story arcs is what Gen-Z is craving out of their content. Audiences want consistency and to know what to expect.// Gen-Z doesn’t hate advertisements. They hate crappy advertisements. Content needs to be as authentic and real as possible by speaking their language and giving them what they want.// Manufacturing virality is difficult to promise as a part of any campaign. Virality comes from taste, knowing what your audience wants and a consistent approach to authenticity. Learn more about NowThis: Instagram | TikTokConnect with Michael: LinkedIn | InstagramConnect with Ally: LinkedIn | Instagram____Say hi! DM me on Instagram and let us know what content you want to hear on the show - I can't wait to hear from you! Please also consider rating the show and leaving a review, as that helps us tremendously as we move forward in this Marketing Happy Hour journey and create more content for all of you. Join our FREE Open Jobs group on LinkedIn: Join nowGet the latest from MHH, straight to your inbox: Join our email list!Follow MHH on Social: Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok | Facebook
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Top 3 Marketing Trends to Watch in Late 2025
I’m joined by my friend and fellow marketer Ally Golden for Episode 1 of our POSSIBLE 2025 conference series. The POSSIBLE conference brings together key decision-makers and rising marketers through 3 days of learning and networking. Ally and I were lucky to attend several interactive sessions and masterclass conversations that fostered meaningful connections among industry leaders and innovators. In this first episode of the series, we discuss our experience at POSSIBLE 2025, along with our three strategies to watch moving into the second half of this year. Key Takeaways:// Serial content is the new brand loyalty. Consumers crave consistency. Brands should be thinking like creators or showrunners.// Creators are the new media channels. “In today’s marketing landscape, creator partnerships aren’t an add-on—they’re the channel. Especially when they’re authentic fans of the product.”// AI influencers are on the rise - but humans still matter, for now. It’s likely we’ll have trouble identifying the difference within the next 18 months.// Unlock the many to many model with creative. “Creativity is the superpower that cuts through. Creativity makes the conversion happen.” // Get behind the content that works and get out of the content that doesn’t. Focusing on differentiating through awareness, engagement and demand to help create desire at scale.Connect with Ally: LinkedIn | Instagram____Say hi! DM me on Instagram and let us know what content you want to hear on the show - I can't wait to hear from you! Please also consider rating the show and leaving a review, as that helps us tremendously as we move forward in this Marketing Happy Hour journey and create more content for all of you. Join our FREE Open Jobs group on LinkedIn: Join nowGet the latest from MHH, straight to your inbox: Join our email list!Follow MHH on Social: Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok | Facebook
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How to Build Insights-Driven Marketing Campaigns | Nataly Kelly of Zappi
What makes a great campaign truly effective? And how do you scale brand success globally without losing authenticity? In this episode, I sit down with Nataly Kelly, Chief Marketing Officer at Zappi, to unpack the new rules of marketing in a world powered by connected insights, AI, and always-on consumer data. Nataly shares highlights from Zappi’s State of Creative Effectiveness report, the inside story behind her upcoming book Brand Global, Adapt Local, and how marketers can thrive by leaning into curiosity, clarity, and continuous feedback. We also touch on the emotional side of career pivots and why finding the right next step is more about mission than job titles. Key Takeaways:// Connected insights aren’t just a buzzword — they’re a system for improving creative, product, and brand performance with real-time consumer input.// AI is not replacing marketers—it’s enhancing our ability to make smarter, faster, insight-driven decisions.// If you’re out of work, you’re not alone — Nataly shares a powerful framework for finding clarity in the in-between.The State of Creative Effectiveness Report: HERELearn more about Zappi: Website | NewsletterConnect with Nataly: LinkedIn | Brand Global, Adapt Local (Book) | Find Meaningful Work (Guide)____Say hi! DM me on Instagram and let us know what content you want to hear on the show - I can't wait to hear from you! Please also consider rating the show and leaving a review, as that helps us tremendously as we move forward in this Marketing Happy Hour journey and create more content for all of you. Join our FREE Open Jobs group on LinkedIn: Join nowGet the latest from MHH, straight to your inbox: Join our email list!Follow MHH on Social: Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok | Facebook
Keeping up with marketing trends and leveling up your career doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Don’t go at it alone. Marketing Happy Hour was created to help you navigate the corporate marketing world, launch your own business, and stay sane while advancing in your career. Join host Cassie Tucker each week as she dives into real conversations with industry guests, covering everything from marketing strategies to career growth and leadership insights—all served with a mix of inspiration and support to keep you thriving.
Learn more: https://www.marketinghappyhr.com/
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