Teaming Up with THP The Hodges Partnership

In this episode of Teaming Up, Casey Prentice sits down with Brian Forrester, CEO and co-founder of Workshop Digital, to explore the evolving landscape of digital marketing and its connection to public relations. The episode highlights the importance of integrating brand storytelling, strategic execution and data analysis to create successful digital marketing campaigns that resonate with target audiences and drive measurable result.

Episode Highlights:

What is digital marketing, and how does that vary based on your organization?
How do you balance brand language with digital language (or how do you balance your brand voice with how people are searching for you online)?
How does analytics shape our digital marketing strategies?

Forrester will also close the episode with a couple of key takeaways for both budding digital marketers and clients looking to learn more about digital marketing.

Related Links
· Workshop Digital
· Google Analytics certification

In episode 28 of Teaming Up, Michaela Mishoe is joined by Melanin Monroe, drag entertainer and event host, to discuss similarities between drag performance and PR. Our Pride Month episode delves into commonalities in our work and echoes a point we’ve made time and time again about authenticity. This is an episode you won’t want to miss.
 

Episode Highlights:

Reading the Room — You can’t just expect to deliver the same message, the same way, every time and have it land the same way. Whether drag performing or media relations, you need to tailor your approach and style to match the person on the receiving end.
Confidence — Spoiler alert. You’re not going to crush it your first time. You may have some social media fails, just like you may have some really stiff performances. The key is practice and continual learning and growing to build up that inner confidence.
Important of Pride and Authenticity — There is so much realness and personal connection you can bring to the table when you’re being your authentic self. If something feels like an inauthentic performance (or media pitch), it’s going to be at your detriment. Being who you are can go a long way in selling and delivering your message.

Are you loving Melanin? You can catch her every Friday at 11 p.m. at Papi’s. And just around the corner, you can catch her on June 22 at Harry’s Drag Brunch and Pride Crawl Rooftop Party.
 

Related Links

Melanin Monroe’s Instagram (show information and booking inquires)
Details for Harry’s at the Hofheimer events
Papi’s Instagram

In episode 27 of Teaming Up, Paulyn Ocampo teams up with Lilie Malaeb to explore the intriguing world of cookies, both edible and digital. While munching on a variety of cookies from Crumbl, they delve into how digital cookies play a crucial role in advertising and the implications of upcoming changes in digital privacy.

Episode Highlights:

Understanding Digital Cookies: They discuss the function of first-party cookies in enhancing user experience and the extensive use of third-party cookies in tracking and advertising across the web.
Impact of Third-Party Cookie Deprecation: Lily explains the consequences for advertisers with the phasing out of third-party cookies, emphasizing the challenges in tracking and targeted advertising.
Adapting Marketing Strategies: The conversation covers strategies for adapting to the loss of third-party cookies, highlighting the shift towards first-party data and consent-based marketing.
Emerging Technologies: They discuss new technologies like Google’s Privacy Sandbox and server-side tagging, which could help mitigate the impact of losing third-party cookies while respecting user privacy.

Paulyn and Lily’s discussion provides valuable insights into the significant shifts occurring in the digital advertising landscape, making this episode a must-listen for marketers and anyone interested in the future of online privacy and advertising.

Related Links

Google's Third-Party Cookie Ban Explained (Vox)
Google's Privacy Sandbox (Wikipedia)
What is Consent-Based Marketing? (activeprospect)

In episode 26 of Teaming Up, Anna Friesen engages with current Hodges interns—Jackson Amirshahi, Rachel Spiller and Peggy Stansberry—to answer the question, “What is PR,” while dissecting common misconceptions surrounding PR and the broad spectrum that the term covers. Each intern shares their unique journey, detailing personal misconceptions and how their experiences at Hodges has reshaped their understanding of agency life.

Episode Highlights

Common Misconceptions in PR: Jackson and Rachel delve into their initial misunderstandings of the PR world, discussing how their internships at Hodges provided them with invaluable, hands-on experience.
Personal Backgrounds: An exploration of the diverse academic backgrounds of the interns, highlighting how their distinct majors and life experiences have converged in the PR field.
Examining the Representation of PR in Media: Peggy breaks down the expectations versus reality in a discussion on the portrayal of PR roles in the media, spotlighting characters like Emily Cooper, Samantha Jones, Shiv Roy and Olivia Pope as case studies.
Advice for Future Interns: The trio offers pragmatic advice for aspiring Hodges interns and PR professionals on navigating their entry into the industry and carving out a successful career path.

Related links

Fact vs Fiction: Lessons in Marketing from "Emily in Paris" (The Doers)
How an actual PR agency works: Comparing Keeley Jones Public Relations firm in ‘Ted Lasso’ to the real world
The Hodges Partnership Internship Application

In episode 25 of Teaming Up, Jon Newman engages with Kelly O'Keefe, CEO of Brand Federation, in a thought-provoking conversation about sparking innovation within organizations. They explore both macro and micro aspects of workplace innovation, emphasizing the importance of observation and understanding human behavior to meet unmet needs.

Episode Highlights:

The Essence of Innovation: Kelly O'Keefe discusses innovation as a response to human behavior and needs, stressing the value of simple yet impactful ideas like the DoubleTree Hotel's warm chocolate chip cookie welcome.
Fostering Creativity: Tips on how organizations can cultivate an innovative mindset, including stepping away from distractions and focusing on the needs of those you're innovating for.
Brainstorming Do's and Don'ts: Insights into effective brainstorming practices that encourage free-flowing ideas without premature censorship.
Innovative Examples: The episode covers a range of innovations, from Amazon's one-click ordering to Oreo's resealable packaging, highlighting the variety and impact of different types of innovation.
Strategic Implementation: Advice on how to pitch innovative ideas successfully, emphasizing the importance of preparation and presenting a comprehensive plan to decision-makers.

Kelly's insights provide a roadmap for tapping into the potential of innovation in any organization, making this episode a must-listen for those looking to drive creative solutions and strategic advancements.

Listen to the full episode for a deeper dive into these topics and more, available now on the "Teaming Up" podcast.

Related Links

Brand Federation
What you Can Learn from DoubleTree's Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies (inc.com)
Why Amazon’s ‘1-Click’ Ordering Was a Game Changer

In the latest installment of "Teaming Up," Hannah Robinson sits down with Ron Carey, master storyteller and CEO of the Richmond-based creative and production company, Tilt. This episode dives into the art of storytelling through a local lens, circling around the significant yet often overlooked stories nestled within our communities.

Episode Highlights

The Birth of a Planet: Carey delves into Tilt's groundbreaking documentary, which brings to light the compelling story of John Mitchell Jr. and the Richmond Planet. Premiering at the Richmond International Film Festival in 2022, the documentary is a testament to the enduring impact of Mitchell's legacy and the newspaper on Richmond's community.
The Power of Local Stories: The conversation underscores the importance of local narratives in enriching our understanding of history and community. Through the example of John Mitchell Jr., Carey highlights how stories from our past continue to shape our present.
Collaborative Creativity: The episode sheds light on the collaborative efforts behind the making of "The Birth of a Planet," showcasing how diverse perspectives contribute to telling a compelling, nuanced story.

Helpful Links

The Birth of a Planet
Tilt
The Library of Virginia: Richmond Planet