Life of the Brand

GriffinWink Advertising
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Marketing
  • Updated Biweekly

Welcome to Life of the Brand, the podcast for business owners, marketing professionals, and anyone tired of throwing money at ads that don’t work. Brought to you by the team at GriffinWink, we cut through the buzzwords to bring you practical insights that actually move the needle. Get expert takes on the latest marketing trends, website audits (yes, we do name names), and real-world strategies to help you attract more traffic, convert more leads, and build a brand that actually lives up to the hype.

  1. Apr 7

    Websites: Aesthetics vs. SEO

    Is your website stunning but secretly useless? We sit down with our web developer to tackle one of the biggest tensions in web design: beautiful aesthetics versus real-world functionality. Sonia breaks down what she looks at first when auditing a website, why design and art are not the same thing, and how every site has to serve two audiences at once — real humans and search engine crawlers. You'll walk away knowing exactly what's quietly killing your conversions and your Google rankings. In this episode, you'll learn: How to audit your website's SEO health (starting with H tags and page content)Why your website needs at least 300 words per page and what happens when it doesn'tHow to map a user's journey through your site to maximize conversionsThe role of calls to action, site architecture, and FAQ pages in SEO performanceWhy low-res photos and unoptimized images could be costing you more than you thinkHow to balance your brand's personality with a seamless user experienceWhether you're a small business owner who DIY'd your website or a brand ready for a professional rebuild, this episode is packed with practical, no-fluff web design and SEO advice you can actually use. 🎙️ Life of the Brand is brought to you by GriffinWink Advertising. Learn more about our web design and development services at griffinwink.com.

    17 min

  2. Mar 24

    Meet Dawn Franklin: Graphic Design Intern

    Meet Dawn Franklin — Texas Tech graphic design graduate, American Advertising Awards winner, and one of the most creatively curious people to walk through the GriffinWink doors. In this episode of Life of the Brand, we sit down with Dawn for a conversation that's equal parts inspiring and real. She shares how she went from a small-town upbringing in Sweetwater, Texas to earning Gold and Judges' Choice at the Lubbock American Advertising Awards (on her very first submission). Her winning campaign, Crafted Cryptid, is a multi-platform branding concept built from scratch that blends American folklore with beverage packaging design, motion graphics, and social media strategy. But this episode isn't just about trophies. We talk about what it actually feels like to step into agency life for the first time. Dawn opens up about her creative process, her love of conceptual design and Adobe Illustrator, and the mentors who helped her realize that art was never just a hobby. Dawn is heading to Chicago after graduation, and if this conversation is any indication, the industry is in great hands!

    23 min

  3. Mar 10

    Social Media Content Days

    If you’ve ever wondered what actually goes into a successful content day, this episode is your behind-the-scenes pass. On this episode of Life of the Brand, we sit down with our Social Media Manager, Megan, to break down how we plan, produce, and deliver custom content days for our clients at GriffinWink Advertising. From strategy and shot lists to on-site execution and post-production deliverables, we’re covering the full process. Great content isn’t created by accident. It’s built with intention. Whether you’re investing in professional marketing services or building an in-house content team, this conversation will help you understand how to make your next content day actually move the needle.

    14 min

  4. Feb 24

    When to Change Your Ads (And When Not To)

    How often should businesses really update their creative, and how do you know when it’s time to make a change? In this episode of Life of the Brand, Brian Wink unpacks one of the most common (and costly) questions in marketing: when to refresh creative and when to let it ride. We break down the difference between changing creative vs. rebranding, why even great ads can become “wallpaper,” and how data (not gut feelings) should drive creative decisions. Brian shares practical guidelines for updating creative across platforms like Google Display, Facebook ads, YouTube, OTT/CTV, streaming audio, and traditional media, along with the analytics marketers should be watching closely. You’ll also hear why strong creative requires alignment between creative and media strategy, how buyer personas should actually be built, and the biggest mistakes businesses make when personal preferences get in the way of performance.

    17 min

  5. Feb 10

    Meet Amanda Ruvulcaba: Account Executive in El Paso

    In this episode of Life of the Brand, we sit down with Amanda Ruvalcaba, Account Executive, to talk about what makes marketing in El Paso truly unique and why relationships matter more than ever. With over 30 years of experience in advertising and media, Amanda shares her journey into the industry, how her background shapes her relationship-first approach to client service, and why digital marketing has become one of the most effective tools for businesses today. From understanding local culture and brand loyalty to clearing up common misconceptions about marketing in a border city, Amanda offers thoughtful insights for business owners who want strategy, not noise. You’ll also hear why El Paso businesses thrive on trust, how focusing your budget beats “being everywhere,” and what excites Amanda most about helping local brands grow. We wrap up with a lightning round that shows the personality behind the title such as marketing trends, real-world transparency, and yes… wine preferences included.

    16 min

  6. Jan 27

    Meet Sonia Szeton: Web Designer & Developer

    Before we talk websites, code, or conversions, we’re introducing you to the person behind the pixels. In this episode of Life of the Brand, we sit down with Sonia Szeton, the web designer and developer behind many of the sites we build at GriffinWink Advertising. From growing up in Colorado to nearly finishing a computer science degree before pivoting into a more creative, tech-meets-design path, Sonia shares how she found her way into web design and why she loves building websites that actually work for brands. If you’ve ever side-eyed your own website, wondered why web projects take longer than expected, or just want a behind-the-scenes look at how modern websites are built, this episode is for you.

    15 min

  7. Jan 13

    Introducing Sude Naz Keles: Digital Marketing & Content Creation Specialist

    In this episode of Life of the Brand, we’re introducing you to Sude Naz Keles, GriffinWink Advertising’s Digital Marketing and Content Creation Specialist who works across organic and paid social media strategy. Sude shares her journey from studying graphic design to earning her master’s degree in mass communication and media studies from Texas Tech University, and how that education reshaped the way she approaches social media, advertising psychology, and audience behavior. We talk about why design is communication (not just art), how understanding human behavior and media theory leads to stronger social media marketing, and why organic and paid social work best when they’re treated as one connected ecosystem—not silos. Sude also explains her favorite analogy for organic vs. paid social (hint: it involves a book cover 👀). Plus, Sude opens up about her Turkish background and how global culture influences communication, creativity, and brand messaging—sharing why localization, values, and relatability matter more than ever in today’s digital marketing landscape. If you’ve ever wondered what really goes into the social ads and content you see every day, this episode pulls back the curtain and introduces you to the strategist behind the screen.

    16 min

  8. 12/30/2025

    Marketing Myths

    Are marketing myths holding your brand back? In this episode of Life of the Brand, we break down some of the most common misconceptions in marketing and explain what actually works in today’s digital-first world. From the belief that “more followers equals more success” to the idea that marketing is a quick fix instead of a long-term strategy, we’re calling out the myths that cost brands time, money, and momentum. You’ll hear real-world insights from agency pros on brand strategy, digital marketing, paid media, content creation, and why consistency and clarity still win every time. Whether you’re a business owner, marketer, or creative trying to make smarter decisions with your marketing budget, this episode delivers practical takeaways, honest perspective, and a few myth-busting moments you’ll wish you’d heard sooner. What we cover: Common marketing myths businesses still believe Why strategy matters more than trends How branding, content, and digital marketing actually work together What to focus on if you want sustainable growth, not just vanity metrics If you’re ready to stop chasing shiny objects and start building a brand that lasts, this episode is for you.

    25 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Welcome to Life of the Brand, the podcast for business owners, marketing professionals, and anyone tired of throwing money at ads that don’t work. Brought to you by the team at GriffinWink, we cut through the buzzwords to bring you practical insights that actually move the needle. Get expert takes on the latest marketing trends, website audits (yes, we do name names), and real-world strategies to help you attract more traffic, convert more leads, and build a brand that actually lives up to the hype.

Information

  • Creator
    GriffinWink Advertising
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © GriffinWink Advertising
  • Show Website
    Life of the Brand