Prose + Comms Engagement Unplugged
A marketing, branding, and customer experience podcast sponsored by BrightSign.
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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turn the dreaded task of selling into building relationships, driving growth, and delivering value, all while avoiding outdated stereotypes.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.
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Agency or In-House? The Great Marketing Tug-of-War
This week on Prose + Comms, Laura Smith and Brian Rowley explore one of marketing’s most persistent questions: Should brands go in-house, outsource to agencies, or find a hybrid approach? With shifting priorities and rising demands for speed and creativity, the answer is more nuanced than ever. Plus, they debunk some of the biggest myths about in-house and agency work, from cost perceptions to creative output.
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From Noise to News: What Journalists Wish Marketers Knew
What does it take to earn media attention today? In this episode of Prose + Comms, we unpack what makes something newsworthy, why so many brand stories fall flat, and how marketers can better connect with journalists. To help us separate noise from news, we’re joined by Dave Haynes of Sixteen:Nine, a veteran journalist who’s seen (and ignored) more pitches than most. He’s here to share what lands, what fails, and what he never wants to see in a press release again. To hear more from Dave, you can find him on LinkedIn and check out sixteen-nine.net.
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Why Your Culture Might Be Killing Your CX
What’s the real impact of company culture, looking beyond the buzzwords and mission statements? In this episode of Prose + Comms, we explore how culture shapes the customer experience, why internal alignment matters more than ever, and what happens when brand values break down. From leadership to the frontlines, we unpack how trust, consistency, and authenticity influence the way customers feel, and what that means for the brands trying to earn their loyalty. We’re joined by communications leader and executive coach Bob Osmond, who shares his insights into how culture and brand experience intersect, and what it really takes to get it right. If you want to hear more from Bob, you can connect with him on LinkedIn.
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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