Marketing Happy Hour

In this bonus episode, we’re joined by Nataly Kelly, CMO of Zappi, to dissect the data behind the biggest advertising night of the year: Super Bowl LX. While the rest of the world is talking about celebrity cameos and "Free Bird" soundtracks, Zappi is looking at the numbers that actually move the needle. Nataly shares exclusive insights from their testing of Budweiser’s "American Icons" ad, revealing a fascinating disconnect between Gen Z’s emotional response and their brand recall. We also tackle a glaring missed opportunity in the industry: why women influence 85% of household spending but are still underrepresented in Big Game creative. If you’ve ever wondered why trying to appeal to "everyone" is a recipe for a marketing flop, this data-heavy deep dive is for you.
Key Takeaways:
// Entertainment vs. Sales Impact: Why an ad that "wins" the social media conversation often fails to drive short-term purchase behavior—and how to measure the difference.
// The Gen Z Brand Recall Gap: An analysis of why younger audiences (under 36) loved Budweiser’s 2026 ad but struggled to remember the brand, and what that means for your creative strategy.
// The Power of Icons: Why the Clydesdales and the American Bald Eagle drove Budweiser into the 88th percentile for sales impact among older demographics.
// The "Female Influence" Arbitrage: Women make up nearly half the NFL audience and control $31 trillion in spending; Nataly explains why giving them only 1/3 of the "speaking time" in ads is a massive strategic error.
// The Failure of "Universal" Appeal: Why the most successful ads are those that speak clearly to a defined segment rather than diluting the message to please everyone.
// Emotional Peaks and Troughs: How using recognizable music and "timeless" storytelling creates the engagement necessary to keep viewers from tuning out.
Connect with Nataly: LinkedIn
Zappi Super Bowl Study, Live Beginning 02/09: The Study
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Join the MHH Collective! The MHH Collective is a community for marketers and business owners to connect, ask real questions, and grow their careers together. Join for access to live Q&As with industry experts, a private Slack community, and ongoing resources: https://www.marketinghappyhr.com/mhh-collective
Say hi! DM us on Instagram and let us know what content you want to hear on the show - We 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. ⁠
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In this episode of Marketing Happy Hour, we’re sitting down with Jackie Widmann, the SVP of Marketing and Commercial at BERO Brewing, to go behind the scenes of one of the buzziest names in the non-alcoholic space. Recorded fresh off the heels of Dry January 2026, Jackie breaks down the intensive, months-long planning required to own the "Super Bowl" of the non-alc industry. We dive deep into the transition from a high-energy brand launch to the sustainable "brand-building" phase, exploring how BERO stays agile while scaling globally. From the strategic selection of experiential activations to the power of community panels in a crowded market, Jackie shares her 11+ years of expertise on how to turn a culturally relevant trend into a lasting premium brand.
Key Takeaways:
// The Dry January Timeline: Why planning for the non-alc industry’s biggest month starts months in advance and how to execute a campaign-level strategy that cuts through the noise.
// Post-Launch Evolution: How to pivot your marketing strategy once the initial "newness" wears off and focus on long-term optimization.
// Agility in Leadership: Jackie’s secrets to keeping a marketing team motivated and nimble during the shift from "launch mode" to "growth mode."
// The Experiential Filter: A look at BERO’s 2025 strategy and the specific criteria used to decide which events are worth the investment.
// Credibility via Community: How to use panels and community-building to establish trust and authority as a newcomer in a highly competitive CPG category.
// Translating Trends: How to identify cultural shifts and turn them into compelling brand expressions that drive actual conversion.
Connect with Jackie: LinkedIn
Learn more about BERO: Website
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Join the MHH Collective! The MHH Collective is a community for marketers and business owners to connect, ask real questions, and grow their careers together. Join for access to live Q&As with industry experts, a private Slack community, and ongoing resources: https://www.marketinghappyhr.com/mhh-collective
Say hi! DM us on Instagram and let us know what content you want to hear on the show - We 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. ⁠
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In this episode, we’re joined by Kendall Breitman, Community Lead at Riverside.fm, to unpack what it really takes to build meaningful community in a noisy, content-saturated world. A former reporter turned community builder, Kendall shares why trust has to come before tactics, why video is one of the most powerful tools for connection when used with intention, and how brands and creators can stop chasing reach and start building relationships that actually last. Whether you’re creating content, leading a brand, or thinking about community in 2026 and beyond, this conversation will challenge how you think about growth, visibility, and showing up online.
Key Takeaways:
// Community starts with trust, not platforms or tactics — strategy comes before tools.
// Video works when it’s human, not overproduced or performance-driven.
// Connection requires intention — reach alone doesn’t build loyalty.
// Brands earn trust by showing up consistently, transparently, and with real value.
Connect with Kendall: LinkedIn
Learn more about Riverside: Website
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Join the MHH Collective! The MHH Collective is a community for marketers and business owners to connect, ask real questions, and grow their careers together. Join for access to live Q&As with industry experts, a private Slack community, and ongoing resources: https://www.marketinghappyhr.com/mhh-collective
Say hi! DM us on Instagram and let us know what content you want to hear on the show - We 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. ⁠
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In this episode, Ally and I break down the marketing and brand lessons hidden inside Disneyland Handcrafted, the new documentary directed by Leslie Iwerks that captures the extraordinary effort, craftsmanship, and storytelling behind the creation of Disneyland. Using never-before-seen footage and audio, the film elevates the often unnamed people who brought Walt Disney’s impossible idea to life — and offers a masterclass in legacy brand storytelling. Whether you’re a Disney fan or not, this conversation explores why the best brands are built on emotional resonance, attention to detail, and stories that actually need to be told — and how marketers today can apply those lessons to content, customer experience, and the products they’re building.
Key Takeaways:
// Every brand is built on story — but not every story has been told yet: The most compelling marketing often comes from uncovering overlooked perspectives: your team, your customers, or the behind-the-scenes work that rarely gets credit.
// Behind-the-scenes content builds trust, not just engagement: Showing the process — the challenges, pivots, and craftsmanship — creates authenticity and emotional connection far more than polished outputs alone.
// Attention to detail isn’t optional — it is the brand: From product design to social media responses, every interaction teaches your audience what to expect from you.
// Happiness is future-proof: Brands that create moments of joy, escape, or ease — even through content — build lasting relevance in uncertain times.
// Great marketing is hospitality: How you treat your audience, respond to feedback, and show up consistently matters just as much as the message itself.
// Legacy brands last because they invest in craft, not shortcuts: Long-term trust is built through care, patience, and respect for the people behind the work — not trend-chasing.
Connect with Cassie: LinkedIn
Connect with Ally: LinkedIn
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Join the MHH Collective! The MHH Collective is a community for marketers and business owners to connect, ask real questions, and grow their careers together. Join for access to live Q&As with industry experts, a private Slack community, and ongoing resources: https://www.marketinghappyhr.com/mhh-collective
Say hi! DM us on Instagram and let us know what content you want to hear on the show - We 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. ⁠
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Laura Geller’s love of beauty began backstage on Broadway and behind the scenes with celebrities — but her true passion has always been making makeup work for real women. That belief led her to launch Laura Geller Beauty, a brand rooted in simplicity, inclusivity, and confidence at every age.
In this episode, we’re joined by Laura Geller, Founder, and Sara Mitzner, VP of Marketing, to discuss how the brand continues to resonate with women 40+ while thriving in today’s fast-moving marketing landscape. From QVC to social media, affiliate marketing to storytelling, this conversation explores what it really takes to build longevity — especially when marketing to an audience often ignored by the beauty industry.
This episode is especially relevant for millennial and Gen Z marketers navigating how to modernize legacy brands, build trust across generations, and market with purpose.
Key Takeaways:
// Women 40+ Are an Underserved Growth Opportunity: Brands that genuinely understand and respect this audience can build deep loyalty and long-term growth.
// Legacy Brands Win by Staying True to Their Core: Evolution doesn’t mean reinvention — the strongest brands modernize their channels without abandoning their values.
// Social Media Isn’t Just for Younger Audiences: With the right tone, humor, and authenticity, social content can connect across generations.
// Storytelling Builds Trust in Beauty Marketing: Real experiences, real education, and real representation matter more than perfection.
// Focus Beats Fragmentation: With so many marketing channels available, clarity on where to invest time and budget is critical.
// Longevity Comes from Purpose: Building something meaningful — not just trendy — is what creates brands that last decades.
Connect with Laura Geller Beauty: Website | LinkedIn
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Join the MHH Collective! The MHH Collective is a community for marketers and business owners to connect, ask real questions, and grow their careers together. Join for access to live Q&As with industry experts, a private Slack community, and ongoing resources: https://www.marketinghappyhr.com/mhh-collective
Say hi! DM us on Instagram and let us know what content you want to hear on the show - We 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 the MHH Collective: ⁠Join now⁠
Get the latest marketing trends, open jobs and MHH updates, straight to your inbox: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our email list!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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