The Content Cocktail Hour

Jonathan Gandolf
The Content Cocktail Hour

What people want is a big outcome. And the only way you get a big outcome is to take a big swing and be bold. Welcome to The Content Cocktail Hour, the show hosted by The Juice’s Jonathan Gandolf and Clayton Stobbs that squeezes out the deepest secrets of modern B2B marketing professionals on pushing your brand to the forefront of the industry.

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    How Fun and Creativity Can Change Your Marketing Game with Rob Carpenter, AudienceLed

    “Today, the best content is super fun. Don’t be afraid to let your brand freak flag fly,” says Rob Carpenter, Founder of AudienceLed In this episode of The Content Cocktail Hour, Rob Carpenter, founder of AudienceLed, shares his journey from being a marketing leader to launching AudienceLed, a service helping B2B companies navigate a new era of audience-driven growth. Rob explains the evolution of marketing strategies, the diminishing returns of old playbooks, and why brands must embrace community-led and creator partnerships to build trust and relevance. He also gives practical advice on co-marketing, why fun and authenticity are key to standing out, and the importance of collaboration in today’s visible markets. In this episode, you’ll learn: What “audience-led growth” means and why it’s vital todayHow brands can co-create meaningful campaigns with creatorsWays to make your marketing fun, engaging, and impactful Resources: Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-gandolf/ Check out The Juice HQ: https://www.thejuicehq.com/ Connect with Rob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robmcarpenter/ Learn more about AudienceLed: https://www.audienceled.com/ Timestamps: (00:00) Intro (01:27) Rob’s journey to founding Audience Led (05:33) Why traditional marketing playbooks no longer work (09:40) Audience-led growth: how it works and why it matters (14:15) Co-marketing and building authentic relationships with creators (19:51) The power of fun and creativity in marketing (24:00) Rob’s thoughts on B2B influencer strategies

    26 min
  2. 5 DAYS AGO

    Building Trust and Authenticity Through Ecosystem-Led Growth with Shawnie Hamer, Crossbeam

    “If you do that in a kind of fake way, people are going to smell it from a mile away. Their BS radars are going to go off,” says Shawnie Hamer, Director of Brand and Content Marketing at Crossbeam In this episode of The Content Cocktail Hour, Shawnie Hamer, Director of Brand and Content Marketing at Crossbeam, tells us how Crossbeam uses Ecosystem-Led Growth to strengthen partnerships and create authentic, value-driven content. Shawnie shares her unique journey from academia to content marketing leadership and emphasizes the importance of aligning marketing efforts with customer trust. She also talks about the misconceptions around AI in content creation and highlights the irreplaceable value of human creativity. In this episode, you’ll learn: What Ecosystem-Led Growth is and how it empowers go-to-market strategiesWhy authentic content outperforms keyword-focused traffic tacticsHow to create content that earns trust and delivers real value Resources: Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-gandolf/ Check out The Juice HQ: https://www.thejuicehq.com/ Connect with Shawnie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawniehamer/ Explore Crossbeam: https://www.crossbeam.com/ Timestamps: (00:00) Intro (01:06) Shawnie’s background: From teaching to content marketing (07:42) The power of trust in Ecosystem-Led Growth (11:49) Aligning with larger brands authentically (13:03) Quality vs. quantity in content strategy (16:29) Listening to customers to create impactful content (25:00) Why AI won’t replace authentic content creation (26:34) Crossbeam’s new website and interactive elements

    27 min
  3. DEC 12

    Creating Impactful Sponsorship Experiences with Aaron Leeder, Pavilion

    “Sponsor is not a dirty word. And I think that when it’s handled correctly, it can be very effective,” says Aaron Leeder, VP of Partnerships & Alliances at Pavilion In this episode of The Content Cocktail Hour, Aaron Leeder, VP of Partnerships & Alliances at Pavilion, shares the art of balancing sponsorships with community building. Aaron explains how Pavilion prioritizes member-first values while creating meaningful partnerships with brands. He also explores the value of unique activations like salon dinners and the shifting impact of event sponsorships in cultivating genuine connections. From creative event strategies to building favorability within a community, Aaron highlights the importance of long-term relationship building in today’s marketing landscape. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why sponsorships can enhance both member and sponsor experiencesHow to balance sponsorship revenue without compromising community valuesThe power of creative activations like dinners and social experiences Resources: Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-gandolf/ Check out The Juice HQ: https://www.thejuicehq.com/ Connect with Aaron on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronleeder/ Learn more about Pavilion: https://www.joinpavilion.com/ Timestamps: (00:00) Intro (01:13) Aaron’s unique path from music to partnerships at Pavilion (05:29) Balancing member-first values with sponsorship strategies (10:17) The ROI of creative activations like salon dinners (14:42) Tips for maximizing sponsorships (18:32) Creating amazing customer experiences through salon dinners (20:26) Long-term thinking in sponsorship and relationship building

    24 min
  4. DEC 10

    When to Upgrade Your Knowledge Management System with Jesse Bourgeault-Trickey, Happeo

    “AI makes content creation easier, but curating the right information at the right time is what truly drives success,” says Jesse Bourgeault-Trickey, Global Deployment Manager at Happeo In this episode of The Content Cocktail Hour, Jesse Bourgeault-Trickey, Global Deployment Manager at Happeo, talks about the challenges and opportunities of knowledge management and intranet systems. Drawing from his extensive experience, Jesse shares why aligning HR, IT, and Ops creates a “three-legged stool” for efficiency, how AI is transforming intranet functionality, and why curation is now more critical than content creation. He also explains the impact of knowledge systems on employee retention and how proactive strategies can help organizations avoid costly inefficiencies. In this episode, you’ll learn: How AI-powered knowledge engines close content gapsThe ROI of self-serve intranets in reducing redundanciesWhy shared ownership leads to successful intranet adoption Resources: Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-gandolf/ Check out The Juice HQ: https://www.thejuicehq.com/ Connect with Jesse on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessebtrickey/ Learn more about Happeo: https://happeo.com/ Timestamps: (00:00) Intro (01:25) The importance of shared ownership in intranet success (04:10) How AI is transforming knowledge management (08:45) Proactive vs. reactive approaches to intranet adoption (12:30) The ROI of reducing redundancy through self-serve systems (17:20) Creating feedback loops for internal and external insights (21:40) Curation vs. content overload: Striking the right balance

    23 min
  5. DEC 5

    How Creativity and Storytelling Set You Apart in a Sea of AI Content with David Ebner, Content Workshop

    “The distance between passable and great content is enormous—and only creativity can bridge the gap,” says David Ebner, President at Content Workshop. In this episode of The Content Cocktail Hour, David Ebner, President at Content Workshop, explores the future of B2B content marketing and why creativity and storytelling matter more than ever in the era of AI writing. He shares insights on balancing measurable outcomes with bold ideas, the limitations of AI in storytelling, and how to create campaigns that resonate emotionally with your audience. David and Jonathan also recount their LinkedIn campaign experiment and discuss the role of influence, collaboration, and choosing the right medium for content creation. In this episode, you’ll learn:Why taking creative risks leads to memorable contentHow to leverage co-creation and influence in your campaignsThe difference between “passable” and “great” content Resources:Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-gandolf/Check out The Juice HQ: https://www.thejuicehq.com/Connect with David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjebner/Learn more about Content Workshop: https://contentworkshop.com/ Timestamps:(00:00) Intro(01:13) Why creativity is essential in measurable marketing(03:34) Leveraging storytelling to build emotional connections(07:24) Why AI struggles with great storytelling (12:12) The viral LinkedIn campaign experiment(17:38) The value of influence and co-creation in marketing(22:08) Bold ideas vs. safe strategies

    23 min
  6. DEC 3

    How to Align Sales and Marketing Using Territory Design with Kevin Davis, BoogieBoard

    “The thing with territory planning is that people think of it as boring and terrible, I wanted the whole thing to have good energy, like a Corona commercial,” says Kevin Davis, Co-Founder and CEO of BoogieBoard In this episode of The Content Cocktail Hour, Kevin Davis, Co-Founder and CEO of Boogie Board, shares his journey from sales leader to startup founder and how his company is reimagining territory planning. Kevin explores the evolving challenges of territory design in a hybrid world, the intersection of account-based marketing and sales strategies, and the importance of aligning internal teams around customer focus. Kevin also talks about the value of open-sourcing internal resources and how it’s helped his team create meaningful content for both internal use and external distribution. In this episode, you’ll learn: How to align your sales territories with your marketing strategies How open-sourcing content can help small businesses and teams grow Lessons from launching a startup in a rapidly changing environment Resources: Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-gandolf/ Check out The Juice HQ: https://www.thejuicehq.com/ Connect with Kevin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinboogie/ Learn more about BoogieBoard: https://boogieboard.ai/ Timestamps: (00:00) Intro (01:13) Kevin’s journey from sales to startup founder (05:29) The evolution of sales territories in a hybrid world (07:33) Aligning sales territories and marketing strategies (10:18) The overlap of account-based marketing and territory design (17:10) Open-sourcing content for business growth (20:44) Transitioning to a founder-led strategy

    24 min
  7. NOV 21

    Insights on Audience Connection from The State of (Dis)Content Report with Tommy Walker, The Content Studio

    “If you want your content to resonate, you need to understand your audience deeply and craft your message with intention,” says Tommy Walker, Founder of The Content Studio In this episode of The Content Cocktail Hour, Tommy Walker, Founder of The Content Studio, shares some valuable marketing insights from their “State of Discontent” report on content marketing. He reveals why understanding audience motivations, conducting meaningful research, and prioritizing creative fulfillment are essential for creating content that truly connects with your audience. Tommy also discusses how the report’s findings can guide marketers toward more effective strategies in 2024 and beyond. In this episode, you’ll learn:Key challenges facing content marketers and how to overcome themThe role of audience research in driving authentic engagementPractical steps for improving creative satisfaction and execution Resources:Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-gandolf/Check out The Juice HQ: https://www.thejuicehq.com/Connect with Tommy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tommyismyname/Learn more about The Content Studio: https://www.thecontentstudio.com/ Timestamps:(00:00) Intro(03:14) Why content marketers feel “disconnected”(07:45) The importance of audience research(12:18) How to balance creativity with leadership expectations(15:40) The juiciest insights from the “State of Discontent” report(19:02) Strategies for content marketing success in 2024 and beyond

    25 min
  8. NOV 19

    Winning Strategies Across the Funnel with Tom Rudnai, Demand-Genius

    “Content isn’t just a lead magnet, it’s a strategic tool that can guide prospects at every stage of the buyer journey,” says Tom Rudnai, CEO of Demand-Genius. “ In this episode of The Content Cocktail Hour, Tom Rudnai, CEO of Demand-Genius, discusses how high-value content drives revenue, and how we can effectively attribute our content to business growth. He shares insights from his background in media and B2B SaaS on redefining content marketing strategies, revealing how Demand-Genius uses content to close gaps in the buyer journey. Tom also talks about the compelling shifts in content creation, and why engaging your sales team as content “connectors” can make all the difference. In this episode, you’ll learn: How to turn B2B content into a revenue-driving assetWhy traditional metrics often miss the mark on measuring content effectivenessPractical tips for using AI and SEO strategies for high-impact content Resources: Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-gandolf/  Check out The Juice HQ: https://www.thejuicehq.com/  Connect with Tom on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-rudnai-0539b6151/ Check out Demand-Genius: https://www.demand-genius.com/ Timestamps: (00:00) Intro (02:46) The content strategy shift from branding to revenue (06:32) The role of content in guiding buyers through the funnel (10:18) Using data for content attribution and measurement (14:05) Why AI is reshaping SEO and content distribution (17:45) Empowering sales with content as “information connectors”

    23 min
5
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

What people want is a big outcome. And the only way you get a big outcome is to take a big swing and be bold. Welcome to The Content Cocktail Hour, the show hosted by The Juice’s Jonathan Gandolf and Clayton Stobbs that squeezes out the deepest secrets of modern B2B marketing professionals on pushing your brand to the forefront of the industry.

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