Prose + Comms Engagement Unplugged
A marketing, branding, and customer experience podcast sponsored by BrightSign.
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Bridging the Gap: Why Sales & Marketing Collaboration Breaks Down
Want your sales and marketing teams to actually work together? This episode explains how data-driven dashboards, clear communication, and shared accountability can drive measurable growth.
On Prose + Comms: Engagement, Unplugged, hosts Laura Smith and Brian Rowley sit down with sales and marketing leader Gary Schwartz to discuss how to overcome common collaboration challenges. From breaking down silos to optimizing pipeline management, this episode offers actionable insights for improving sales and marketing alignment, accelerating revenue, and creating a more effective go-to-market strategy.
If you’d like to hear more from Gary Schwartz, you can find him on LinkedIn.
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Moments that Mattered: 2025 Recap
Fifteen episodes. Six months. A lot of opinions. In this year-end wrap, we look back at what challenged us, what surprised us, and what we’re carrying forward into 2026.
For the final episode of the year, Brian Rowley and Laura Smith count down their top three Prose + Comms conversations and unpack why they resonated. From culture’s role in customer experience with Bob Osmond, to intentionality and presence with Jez Rose, to a blunt take on why “experience” has become a misused buzzword with Bryan Meszaros, this episode revisits the moments that stuck. Brian and Laura also put themselves in the hot seat, reflecting on underestimated trends (hello, AI), hot takes they’ve reconsidered, and the ideas they believe marketers need to bring into the new year. Honest, reflective, and a little irreverent — just the way we like it.
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Embedding Intelligence: The Next Phase of AI in Marketing and Experience
AI is reshaping marketing and customer experience faster than anyone expected, and most teams are only scratching the surface. In this episode of Prose + Comms: Engagement, Unplugged, we break through the hype to explore how AI is changing the way marketers think, create, collaborate, and problem-solve. From boosting creativity to transforming everyday workflows, this conversation digs into the real impact AI is having behind the scenes.
Laura Smith and Brian Rowley sit down with Brad Hintze, EVP of Marketing at Crestron, for a candid look at what’s working, what isn’t, and where AI is headed next. Together, they unpack the wins, the failures, the misconceptions, and the legal questions shaping AI adoption across marketing and customer experience teams. Whether you’re experimenting with prompts or rethinking your entire workflow, this episode gives you a grounded, inside look at how AI can elevate your strategy today — and why creativity still starts with humans.
If you’d like to learn more about Brad Hintze, you can find him on LinkedIn.
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Is Storytelling Overrated? Why Brands Need to Start “Storydoing”
Storytelling has become one of marketing’s favorite buzzwords, but has it lost its meaning? In this episode of Prose + Comms: Engagement, Unplugged, Brian and Laura unpack the evolution of storytelling in modern marketing and what it really takes to create memorable customer experiences. They explore why stories alone aren’t enough to connect with audiences anymore, and why today’s most impactful brands are shifting from storytelling to “storydoing” — aligning their words with authentic actions that demonstrate who they are and what they stand for.
Brian and Laura dig into the balance between creativity, authenticity, and action in brand marketing. They debate whether AI can truly tell a story, share examples of brands that “do” their story well, and highlight how collaboration with customers can make marketing more real, and more effective. Tune in to hear how the future of brand storytelling is being rewritten by those who live it, not just those who tell it.
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I’m Not a Salesperson… Or Am I?
Think you’re not in sales? Think again. On this episode of Prose and Comms: Engagement, Unplugged, hosts Laura Smith and Brian Rowley explore how almost everyone sells in some way, often without realizing it. Sales mindset expert April Williams joins the conversation to show how to turn the dreaded task of selling into building relationships, driving growth, and delivering value, all while avoiding outdated stereotypes.
April shares her journey from marketing leader to helping professionals like accountants, lawyers, and consultants step confidently into sales roles they never thought they’d occupy. She dives into the practical skills needed for success, including mastering discovery conversations, asking the right questions, and closing deals without feeling pushy. The discussion also tackles one of the biggest productivity challenges for revenue-focused professionals: time management. If you’re someone who never thought of themselves as “selling,” this episode offers strategies to sell with authenticity, listen with purpose, and turn everyday interactions into growth opportunities.
To hear more from April, head to her LinkedIn.
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Can the Employee and Brand Story Intertwine?
Marketing today is about connection, and personal branding is at the heart of it. On this episode of Prose + Comms: Engagement, Unplugged, Brian and Laura are joined by personal branding expert Kait LeDonne to explore how professionals can build a presence that boosts both their career and their company’s reach, especially on LinkedIn.
Kait shares strategies for finding the “sweet spot” between personal and corporate brands, creating thoughtful content, and turning employees into brand advocates. Whether you’re an executive hesitant to post on LinkedIn, a professional navigating career growth, or a company leveraging your team’s networks, this episode delivers practical insights on authenticity, strategy, and why your personal brand matters more than ever.
If you want to hear more from Kait LeDonne, you can definitely find her on LinkedIn.
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Beyond the Likes and Follows: What the Best Brands Get Right About Influencer Partnerships
Influencer marketing is about more than follower counts. It’s about authenticity, strategy, and results. In this episode, Laura and Brian sit down with influencer marketing expert Joelle Moroney to explore how top brands balance micro and celebrity influencers, leverage AI for discovery and vetting, and measure real impact. Hear actionable insights on creating campaigns that resonate, build awareness, and drive engagement with the right audience. And get essential tips and strategies to elevate your influencer marketing game. To hear more from Joelle Moroney, you can find her on LinkedIn.
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Building a Marketing Culture That Values Both Creativity and Process
Can creativity and process really coexist, or are they destined to clash? In this episode of Prose + Comms: Engagement, Unplugged, Brian Rowley and Laura Smith explore one of marketing’s biggest challenges: Building a culture where innovative ideas can flourish alongside strong accountability and execution.
They explore why too much structure can feel like a cage, why too little can lead to chaos, and how teams can strike the right balance. Even Producer Joey jumps in with his perspective from the creative side. From effective brainstorms to project management tools, the conversation uncovers what it takes to create space for innovation while still getting work done.
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Data-Driven vs. Gut-Driven: Who Wins the Strategy War?
Marketers today must navigate the constant tension between data-driven strategies and gut-driven intuition. This episode explores how to enhance customer experience through the balance of data insights and human empathy. With AI, analytics, and automation delivering more data than ever, the challenge lies in deciding when to lean on hard numbers and when to trust gut feelings.
Join hosts Laura Smith and Brian Rowley as they sit down with strategy veteran Joe Panepinto. They discuss the risks of over-relying on automation without human interpretation, and practical ways to measure impact in branding and marketing events. If you’ve ever wondered whether to trust the numbers or your instincts, tune in for a fresh perspective on mastering your marketing approach and achieving extraordinary customer experiences.
Connect with Joe Panepinto on LinkedIn.
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The CX Trap: More Tech, Less Impact?
More tech, less impact? Explore why bigger stacks can mean weaker customer experience, and how to bring the focus back to results.
Is your marketing technology helping you deliver a better customer experience, or quietly draining time, budget, and focus? In this episode, we dig into the CX trap that even leading brands fall into: Adding more tools in hopes of improving results, only to see less real impact. Our guest, Greg Kihlström, host of The Agile Brand and advisor to some of the world’s most recognizable companies, shares why more tech doesn’t always mean better branding or stronger customer relationships.
Whether you’re in marketing, branding, or customer experience, this conversation will help you rethink how technology fits into your strategy. To hear more from Greg, find him on LinkedIn or check out The Agile Brand.
About The Podcast
This is your go-to podcast for all things marketing, branding, and customer experience. We’re bringing you honest and fun conversations with bite-sized insights.
Hosted by BrightSign’s CMO Brian Rowley and Head of Integrated Marketing Laura Smith, you’ll hear from industry pros, creatives, and innovators about what’s actually working in today’s evolving, digital-first world. No fluff — just real insights on how brands are connecting with audiences and driving growth.
Tune in for fresh ideas, big thinking, and all the tips you need to take your marketing game to the next level.
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