Solo Episode - Networking doesn’t have to feel awkward, forced, or transactional. In this episode, I’m breaking down how to build meaningful connections that actually lead to opportunities—without feeling weird about it. Whether you're a corporate marketer, an entrepreneur, or just starting out, I’ll share practical networking strategies you can use today. Key Takeaways: // Networking starts before the connection request. Engage with people’s content to get on their radar before reaching out...
Mar 27, 2025•17 min
Trying to build a freelance business while job hunting? Feeling stuck in your career and unsure of your next move? You’re not alone. In this episode, I sit down with Ashley Cohen, a brand strategist and marketing consultant, who’s in the trenches figuring it all out. We get real about what it takes to stand out as a freelancer, price your work with confidence, and actually land clients. Ashley also shares her perspective on the current job market, what hiring managers are really looking for, and...
Mar 20, 2025•36 min
What does it take to build a bold, culturally relevant brand that people actually want to engage with? Katelynn Ludwig, Director of Brand Strategy at DUDE Wipes, joins me to share a peek behind the brands strategies across social media and content strategy, influencer marketing, PR, and brand activations. In this episode, Katelynn shares how DUDE Wipes keeps its audience hooked, maximizes influencer partnerships, and strategically invests in events and PR moments that drive brand awareness and s...
Mar 13, 2025•35 min
Thinking about launching a podcast for your brand but not sure where to start? This episode is your ultimate podcasting masterclass with Brad Chandler, Podcasting Strategist and Founder of Made by Varsity. We’re diving deep into why brands should be paying attention to podcasting, how to tackle the biggest hurdles, and what it takes to build a podcast that keeps listeners coming back. From choosing the right tech setup to growing your audience and optimizing for SEO, Brad shares expert insights ...
Mar 06, 2025•50 min
Want to take control of your career? It starts with owning your personal brand, building confidence, and communicating your value—and today’s guest is here to show you how. Sheena Hakimian, marketing leader at Condé Nast and certified life coach, joins the show to break down her three-part framework for personal branding, how to clearly communicate your goals to leadership, and why becoming a problem solver is the key to career growth. Whether you’re looking to get promoted, switch industries, o...
Feb 27, 2025•46 min
How do you turn content into a thriving business? And more importantly—how do you do it while keeping your audience engaged, excited, and coming back for more? This week, we’re sitting down with Kyle Hagge, Chief of Staff at Morning Brew Inc., to dive deep into content strategy, email marketing, podcasting, and career growth in the media industry. Morning Brew has built a content empire with 15+ brands—so what’s their secret? Kyle shares the exact strategies that helped them scale, plus his best...
Feb 20, 2025•47 min
BONUS Episode: Let’s talk about money—because let’s be real, balancing student loans, saving for the future, and actually enjoying life can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’re bringing you a special finance episode with Certified Financial Planner® Mike Quattrochi, a millennial leader who’s helping young professionals build financial wellness without the stress. In this episode, Mike breaks down the biggest financial mistakes young professionals make (and how to avoid them), why employer benefit...
Feb 18, 2025•49 min
In this episode, I sit down with Brie Shouppe, a marketing expert and storytelling strategist who helps brands define their identity and craft compelling content. We dive into small business (and entrepreneur) social media strategies, brand messaging, and how to create content that truly connects with your audience. Brie shares insights on common branding mistakes, the importance of defining your "why," and why real stories and real people drive the best engagement. Whether you're ...
Feb 13, 2025•55 min
In this episode, we’re diving into brand community with Jess Druey, founder of Whiny Baby Wines —a brand that’s not just about great wine but about reimagining the wine experience for a new generation. Jess shares her journey from media and content production to launching her own wine brand, the strategies she’s used to introduce Whiny Baby to the market, and how she fosters connection both online and in person. We also explore the concept of “connection-based consumption” and why community is a...
Feb 06, 2025•46 min
Ready to trade your corporate 9-to-5 for a business of your own? Jamie Tjornehoj, founder of Brand Bosses, shares her journey from corporate marketing manager to thriving entrepreneur. In this episode, we dive into the key elements of building a standout brand, the digital marketing trends businesses can’t afford to miss, and Jamie’s top advice for anyone ready to take the leap into entrepreneurship. Whether you’re dreaming of starting your own side hustle or leveling up your business, this conv...
Jan 30, 2025•47 min
How to grow your audience and your brand with humor – This week, I’m chatting with Aidan Brannigan, founder of No Boring Brands and former Marketing Millennials’ strategist, who scaled social followings to over a million and crafted email campaigns that drove six-figure ticket sales. Aidan shares his journey from working with top startups to building a humor-based agency for B2B brands. Learn how humor can transform your marketing strategy, increase engagement, and help your brand stand out in t...
Jan 23, 2025•43 min
Dr. J.J. Peterson, Head of StoryBrand, joins me to discuss the power of storytelling in brand strategy. Dr. Peterson unpacks the StoryBrand framework, a proven method that has helped organizations simplify their messaging and grow their businesses. We dive into why humans are hardwired to respond to stories, how clarity in messaging drives customer engagement, and the critical elements of a website that tell a clear, compelling story. Key Takeaways: // Understand why stories resonate deeply with...
Jan 16, 2025•40 min
In this solo episode, I dive into the three critical skills every marketer needs to develop continuously: Copywriting, Relationship-Building, and Adaptability. Inspired by a listener's question, we explore how these skills not only form the foundation for successful marketing careers but also remain vital throughout a marketer's journey. Whether you're just starting or are well into your career, this episode offers actionable insights to enhance your marketing prowess and stay ahead in a fast-ev...
Jan 09, 2025•27 min
In this episode, I sit down with Avery Akkineni , Chief Marketing Officer of VaynerX, to explore the cutting edge of digital marketing and innovation. From building VaynerMedia’s APAC presence to founding Vayner3, Avery has been a trailblazer in leveraging emerging technologies like AI and Web3. She shares actionable insights on crafting resonant brand strategies, identifying underpriced attention, and preparing for the future of marketing. Plus, Avery offers advice for aspiring leaders in the i...
Dec 19, 2024•45 min
This week, I’m joined by Rachel Lewis, Senior Social Media Manager at Lonely Planet, to hear her secrets behind managing the social media presence of one of the world’s most iconic travel brands. Rachel shares her journey into the world of travel marketing, the non-negotiables that guide her content creation, and her predictions for the formats that will dominate social media in 2025. We also dive into actionable tips for crafting compelling copy and short-form videos, balancing a remote career ...
Dec 12, 2024•43 min
In this episode, I sit down with Grace Tully, Social Media Manager at PayPal and a freelance fashion stylist, to explore how she balances two creative yet demanding career paths. Grace shares her journey to managing social media for one of the most iconic fintech brands, insights on PayPal’s recent social media refresh, and the story behind their “Surprise and Delight” series. From spotting trends for 2025 to leveraging her fashion background for social strategy, Grace reveals practical tips for...
Dec 05, 2024•50 min
In this special Thanksgiving week episode, I’m doing things a little differently! I wanted to take a moment to reflect, express my gratitude, and answer some of your questions–from career pivots to balancing entrepreneurship. Key Takeaways: Gratitude Practice: Discover my recent 3x3 gratitude practice and how it’s helping me stay grounded during the chaos of the holiday season. Career Pivots: Tips for transitioning into new categories, and steps to identify transferable skills, build your networ...
Nov 26, 2024•21 min
In this episode, I’m joined by Jackie Widmann, VP and Head of Marketing at BERO, the groundbreaking non-alcoholic beer brand rooted in Tom Holland’s personal sobriety journey. Jackie shares how she and her team crafted BERO’s identity as “the new gold standard” in the non-alc space, built an integrated marketing strategy, and leveraged authentic storytelling to connect with consumers. Jackie reveals the tactics driving BERO’s buzz. Plus, she reflects on career lessons learned from roles at Anheu...
Nov 21, 2024•34 min
This week on Marketing Happy Hour , Cassie sits down with Taylor Berringer, Senior Brand Manager of Influencer & Celebrity at Urban Outfitters, to uncover the secrets behind crafting authentic, impactful influencer campaigns. Taylor shares valuable insights from her journey, including her hot takes on the future of influencer marketing, strategies for integrating influencers into Urban Outfitters' holiday campaigns, and lessons learned from years of experience with top brands. Tune in to dis...
Nov 14, 2024•39 min
In this episode of Marketing Happy Hour , Cassie and Erica share some bittersweet news about the future of the show. Tune in as Erica officially passes the torch to Cassie, sharing reflections on their journey together and what’s next for Marketing Happy Hour . Cassie also gives a sneak peek into the future of the show--including a continuation of weekly episodes every Thursday, a weekly email newsletter, and the Open Jobs LinkedIn group to help you learn about new roles. Plus, find out what’s b...
Nov 12, 2024•20 min
In this episode, Cassie sits down with N’Yaisha J. Aziz, the Global Social Media Lead at Uber, to dive deep into the world of social media strategy. From starting as an intern to leading impactful campaigns at Uber and beyond, N’Yaisha shares her insights on what it takes to build a career in social media, how she’s proven the value of organic social for revenue growth, and what trends she sees shaping the future. Plus, get actionable tips for creating high-impact campaigns. What You'll Learn: C...
Nov 07, 2024•39 min
In this episode, Cassie sits down with Scout Brisson, the millennial CEO of De Soi, a brand revolutionizing the non-alcoholic beverage industry with its adaptogenic apéritifs. Scout shares her career journey, from her path to De Soi’s top leadership role to insights on what it takes to stand out in today's job market. We explore the growth of the non-alc category, the strategic channels driving De Soi’s brand awareness, and the art of storytelling in brand messaging. Whether you’re a professiona...
Oct 31, 2024•37 min
In this episode, Cassie sits down with Kamara Turner, Communications Manager at Walgreens, to discuss her career journey and how her diverse experience across agency and in-house roles has shaped her approach to communications and PR. Kamara shares valuable insights into creating compelling content strategies for a retail giant like Walgreens, the importance of storytelling in product launches, and how PR is adapting to the evolving digital landscape. We also dive into emerging retail trends tha...
Oct 24, 2024•35 min
This week , host Cassie Tucker is doing a solo episode, taking a moment to reflect on nearly a decade in her career, with five of those years dedicated to building her own business. As she celebrates these career milestones, Cassie shares some hard-earned lessons and insights for professionals looking to grow, adapt, and thrive. From staying grounded in personal values to the power of genuine relationships, this episode dives into the strategies that have helped her navigate challenges, push for...
Oct 17, 2024•20 min
Marketing Happy Hour Rewind -- Top Episode with Deven Machette of Betty Buzz: In this throwback episode, Erica catches up with Deven Machette, Senior Brand Strategist at Betty Buzz - Blake Lively's line of non-alcoholic sparkling mixers made from clean ingredients - to talk multi-channel strategies for launching new products and the secrets to successful brand marketing and positioning. Here's a peek at what we cover in this episode: [00:03:17] - Deven shares her background in marketing for star...
Oct 10, 2024•47 min
This week on Marketing Happy Hour, we’re thrilled to be joined by Brandon Rhodes, Program Experience Manager for Disney Internships & Programs! With a diverse background in hospitality, tourism, and leadership development, Brandon shares his career journey and how he helps shape the futures of Disney College Program (DCP) participants. Brandon brings unique insights into career growth, leadership development, and skill-building for young professionals. Whether you're just starting your caree...
Oct 03, 2024•41 min
In this episode, we sit down with Howard Lin, Content Creation Specialist at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. With over 7 years of experience in photography and videography, Howard takes us behind the curtain of content creation at one of the world’s leading theme parks. From animals and rides to the spooky season of Howl-O-Scream , he reveals how his team uses social media to engage guests both online and offline. What You’ll Learn: How to create content that resonates with new visitors and long-time f...
Sep 26, 2024•32 min
In this episode, Erica and Giselle discuss the role authenticity plays in influencer marketing, differences in partnerships across industries, and more! Meet Our Guest, Giselle Huasipoma: Giselle Huasipoma is a multi-faceted influencer marketing professional with five years in the digital realm. With a background spanning influence, social, community, and content creation, she has partnered with dozens of household brands across several sectors including retail, fashion, beauty, food & bever...
Sep 19, 2024•33 min
We're excited to introduce you to Sheena Hakimian, Director of Digital Marketing at Condé Nast, and a Certified Life & Career Coach. In this episode, Sheena and Cassie discuss the impact of imposter syndrome in your career journey, and practical strategies to overcome it. About Sheena: Sheena Hakimian is the Director of Digital Marketing at Condé Nast, a Certified Life & Career Coach, and a travel enthusiast. At Condé Nast, she leads the team of leaders who are driving subscription a...
Sep 12, 2024•41 min
This week, Cassie and Erica sit down with Amruta Vyas, Director of Brand Marketing at De Soi. In this episode, Amruta walks us through her background in growth marketing, how honing that analytical side in previous roles has helped shape a wholistic 360 view of marketing on the brand side, and a peek behind the curtain at De Soi's brand marketing strategy and key areas of opportunity. Here's a peek at what we cover in this episode: [00:03:06] - Amruta shares her background in sales and p...
Sep 05, 2024•39 min
