Horror Stories From the Creative Crypt

Matters of Creative

IN THIS EPISODE…

Even the most experienced marketers have made mistakes that have jeopardized campaigns — or even their careers. What lessons can you learn from marketing, PR, and other creative professionals who have navigated threats, miscommunication, or reputational breaches?

In this Matters of Creative exclusive Halloween episode, Bobbie Bailey, Jenny Ridenour, and Matt Hirsch hear the most stressful marketing horror stories from past guests Blake Denman, Cassandra Le, Kelsey Chance, Natalie Bowman, Kate Ramsey, Leah Knight, and Troy Alstead. They share the aftermath of answering an Instagram message from a beauty guru, why you should vet every professional before working with them, and the importance of structured marketing strategies.

Marketing campaign creator Blake Denman once managed a chaotic Google Ads campaign when a client mismanaged his account with broad audience targeting and generic keywords, leading to a threatening encounter and a peace offering of a Vitamix Blender. Brand builder Cassandra Le’s Hispanic client took disastrous advice from a marketing guru and mimicked American sales tactics for her Spanish audience, resulting in confused buyers and lost sales. After receiving an Instagram request for a photo shoot from a hair extension brand owner, Kelsey Chance discovered that the shoot was poorly managed and under-communicated. Natalie Bowman and Troy Alstead experienced PR nightmares when partnering with notorious figures in the industry, and Kate Ramsey and Leah Knight overestimated their time and resources during crucial events. These stories underscore the importance of clear communication, understanding cultural nuances, and conducting thorough due diligence.

Listen to this episode now for some spooky (and savvy) marketing don’ts!

ABOUT OUR GUESTS:

Blake Denman is the Founder and President of RicketyRoo, an internet marketing agency for small- to medium-sized businesses. With over 17 years of SEO experience, he specializes in inbound marketing, PPC advertising, and website design and development. Blake and his team speak at popular digital marketing conferences, including MozCon and LocalU, and contribute to recognized SEO publishing sites like Semrush and Search Engine Journal.

Cassandra Le is the Founder and Brand Strategist at The Quirky Pineapple Studio, a creative marketing and media agency. As a brand and marketing consultant, she has worked with mission-driven brands and thought leaders to help them share their stories, connect with their communities, and drive brand awareness through culturally competent marketing. In 2019, Rising Tide Society and Honeybook named Cassandra as a top marketer driving community and innovation.

Kelsey Chance is the Founder of Good Chance Creative, and her journey began with her dog’s Instagram account going viral, sparking her passion for social media and photography. What started as a side hustle evolved into managing social media for Kroger and now has led to Good Chance Creative.

Good Chance Creative specializes in creating scroll-stopping, human-centric brand content for clients like Domaine Serene, Rustic Bakery, and Sinegal Estate. From photoshoots to influencer campaigns, Kelsey and her talented team excel at crafting compelling narratives that resonate in today’s digital landscape.

Natalie Bowman is the Managing Director of Product and Digital Experiences at Alaska Airlines, where she also served as the Managing Director of Marketing and Advertising. As a recognized brand, digital, and social marketing leader, she has experience leading major brand launches in fashion, tech, media, luxury retail, automotive, and travel. Natalie recently acquired the Oh Happy Day Party Shop, launching the DTC brand into Kohl’s, Nordstrom, and hundreds of global boutiques. She has been named an Ad Age Digital Trailblazer, a Rising Brand Star by BrandWeek, a MAKERS Women Awardee, and one of Brand Innovators’ top 100 Women to Watch.

Kate Ramsey is the Senior Principal of UX Design and Experience Strategy at Nordstrom, where she aligns teams to create cohesive and meaningful customer experiences across multiple channels. She has been with the company since 2011, holding roles including UX Design Manager and Principal UX Designer. Having studied fine art and graphic design, Kate transitioned into new media by teaching herself how to design digital interfaces for a CD company.

Leah Knight is the Owner and President of LK Consulting, a professional consulting firm utilizing Gallup Strength strategies to achieve peak performance in individuals, teams, and organizations. As a 20-year business owner, she has led, managed, and implemented strengths-based practices to create positive organizational cultures. Leah has worked with Fortune 500 companies, agencies, law firms, small businesses, teams, managers, and individuals.

Troy Alstead is the Founder of Ocean5, a LEED Silver certified entertainment and event venue. He is also the Founder of Table 47, a farm-to-table restaurant, and The Cup Coffee Lounge. Troy serves on the board of directors for several companies, including Levi Strauss & Co. and Harley Davidson. In 2016, he retired from Starbucks after 24 years with the company, having most recently served as the Chief Operating Officer responsible for leading the business’ global operations.

Learn more about Blake, Cassandra, Kelsey, Natalie, Kate, Leah, and Troy:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/blakedenman/

https://ricketyroo.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassandra-le/

https://thequirkypineapple.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelsey-chance/

https://www.instagram.com/kelseychance/

https://www.goodchancecreative.com/

https://www.instagram.com/goodchancecreative

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliebowman/

https://www.alaskaair.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-ramsey-she-her-016766/

https://www.nordstrom.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/leah-keogh-248b72a9/

https://lkstrengths.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/troyalstead/

https://o5social.com/

http://t47.com/