In this “Headlines” episode of the Social Complex Podcast, hosts Hilary Applegate and Jacqueline Keidel Martinez discuss the evolving landscape of social media and technology in 2025. They reflect on the recent TikTok ban, its political implications, and the impact on content creators. The conversation shifts to the emergence of DeepSeek, a Chinese AI competitor, and the potential national security concerns it raises. Finally, they explore the current state of DEI initiatives in corporations, ex...
Feb 11, 2025•25 min
When you think of social media, a few platforms likely come to mind—TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter—the list goes on. But each of these platforms operates separately, with individual logins, profiles, content, and communities. Now, imagine a new era of social interaction where all your interests, followers, and content exist in one unified world—not controlled by a single entity, but by a collective. That’s the vision of the Fediverse. If you’re unfamiliar with what the Fediverse is or why i...
Feb 04, 2025•49 min
In this 'Headlines' episode of the Social Complex Podcast, Hillary Applegate and Jacqueline Keidel Martinez dive into the multifaceted impact of social media on brands and marketing strategies. They explore the potential TikTok ban in the U.S. and its implications for marketers, analyze recent industry layoffs and mergers, and discuss the mixed reception of this year’s Spotify Wrapped—especially in light of AI's growing influence on content creation and user experience. To connect with Hillary, ...
Dec 17, 2024•31 min
When we talk about artificial intelligence, there’s no denying the many advantages it brings to the table. But, like anything great, there’s also a dark side to the moon. AI isn’t without its challenges—and that’s to be expected, especially given how rapidly the technology is evolving. So, what are the societal implications of this growth? Where do we stand with current technological advancements and the regulations either in place or under consideration? And how can we work toward a healthy, ba...
Nov 26, 2024•47 min
When you think of selling, you may think of HSN or QVC, but there's a new way of selling that is emerging in the form of social media selling on TikTok. Not only does TikTok allow an expansive audience reach, through its inherent platform, but it also brings forward a new way to shop through TikTok Shop by integrating both access to a wide array of audiences and easy to sell and buy products through TikTok Shop. There's an emerging way for consumers and brands to interact when it comes to making...
Nov 19, 2024•40 min
In this Headlines episode of the Social Complex Podcast, Hilary Applegate and Jacqueline Keidel Martinez discuss the complex implications of social media on brands and individuals. They explore the recent advertising lawsuit involving X (formerly Twitter) and its impact on brand safety, the launch of Instagram's teen profiles aimed at protecting young users, and the challenges faced by millennials as they navigate caregiving responsibilities for both children and aging parents. The conversation ...
Nov 05, 2024•31 min
The question of whether TikTok will be around tomorrow has been swirling in the news cycle since before 2020—it’s been a topic for a long time. So, what happens if TikTok is banned tomorrow? How can brands protect themselves and the investments they’ve made in content on the platform? Joining us today to tackle these questions is Sam Kaufman. Sam is a social media marketing specialist and the Chief Creative Officer at both TikTalk Marketing Agency and DigiHear. With a passion for creating engagi...
Oct 15, 2024•32 min
If you log on to any social media platform, it's hard not to come across some kind of mental health conversation. Whether it’s a positivity mantra, a buzzworthy term from a therapy session, or someone accusing another of gaslighting, therapy talk is everywhere online. On the positive side, it's great that mental health is finally getting the attention, understanding, and compassion it deserves. On the flip side, we're seeing a trend of unqualified individuals using therapeutic language to boost ...
Oct 08, 2024•52 min
Welcome to a special edition of The Social Complex Podcast ! In this inaugural "Headlines" episode, host Hillary teams up with Digital HQ’s President and Chief Communications Officer Jacqueline Keidel Martinez, for a fresh monthly series. Together, they dive into trending topics in marketing, communications, and brand strategy, offering insights on how these areas intertwine and amplify for business success. Tune in for real talk on how to bring these disciplines together without ego, while elev...
Oct 01, 2024•42 min
When you think of social media, you may not immediately consider just how wrong things can go. But like any other platform, marketing avenue, or communication tool, there are always inherent risks when it comes to using, sharing content, or promoting on social media. While the law has historically lagged behind technology, it's catching up fast, and there's a lot of compliance that needs to be understood and managed when it comes to social media. For today's conversation, we have none other than...
Sep 24, 2024•1 hr 2 min
When you hear 'virtual world,' what comes to mind? Headsets? The metaverse? Gaming? If any of those pop into your head, I'm here with a special guest to shift your perspective on what a virtual world is and what it could be. Daniel Liebeskind is the founder and CEO of Topia, a platform-as-a-service technology for real-time social interaction and spatial video chat within customizable virtual worlds. Their customers span various industries, including education, game studios, financial services, a...
Sep 10, 2024•49 min
In this episode, we’re taking you behind the scenes at Digital HQ, the marketing agency behind the podcast. We're a modern agency that's backed by a network of contractors and one of those contractors was invited to come on the podcast today. Matthew Wolfe is a marketing creative with an engineer's logic. He holds two engineering degrees and started his career at Ford Motor Company before making the switch to marketing. After Ford, he worked with several early stage startups, building inbound gr...
Sep 03, 2024•48 min
Social media has added a complex new layer to how we interact and learn online. It has really offered the first opportunity for users to directly influence the outcome on the platform in front of them. So, what kind of implications does that have for kids? Today, I am joined by Kris Perry, Executive Director of Children and Screens. Kris most recently served as Senior Advisor to Governor Gavin Newsom of California and Deputy Secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency, where she...
Aug 27, 2024•51 min
It's easy to crank out great content when you have an unlimited budget behind you. But what about nonprofits who are known for historically needing to create really impactful stories on very lean budgets and resources? Today, we are chatting with someone who knows a little bit about that and is an expert when it comes to supporting nonprofit marketing strategies, Daniel Francavilla. Daniel is a marketing advisor, strategist, founder and mentor making a positive impact. He is a Certified Brand St...
Aug 20, 2024•42 min
Ever wondered who really owns that last post you made on social media? Is it yours, or does the platform hold the rights? And what happens when influencers and content creators post on your behalf? The world of content ownership is more complex than ever, especially with the rise of AI in the marketing industry. To help us navigate these murky waters, we're joined by Sharon Toerek, Founder and CEO of Toerek Law, a national law firm specializing in intellectual property and marketing law for agen...
Aug 13, 2024•45 min
Today's guest is Jeff Barrett, a modern PR professional who is thinking beyond the box of traditional PR and how it integrates into the content creator economy, media award shows, breaking through the attention economy, and how brand storytelling is happening on a grand scale. Jeff is a Shorty Award-winning content creator, Business Insider's #1 Ad Executive, and one of the Top 10 Most Sought After Chief Evangelists. He works with Adobe, FIS, Experian, and more on communications and creator stra...
Aug 06, 2024•55 min
Today's episode is all about the metaverse—what it is, what it isn't, and what it could become. When people hear 'metaverse' in everyday conversation, they might think of Meta with Facebook. Is it going to be a social platform? Or is it going to be something entirely different? In this episode, we're talking with Eugene Capon, the creative visionary and co-founder of Studio Capon, a trailblazer in the metaverse creative space. From making waves with his VR talk show, *Glitched*, to authoring a c...
Jul 30, 2024•57 min
Welcome to another engaging episode of the Social Complex Podcast! Today, we delve into the intricate world of alcohol marketing and advertising. From the echoes of prohibition to modern-day regulations, the landscape has evolved significantly, especially with emerging markets like cannabis making their mark. Join us as we unravel these complexities with our guest, Karen Locke, founder of High Proof Creative. Since 2018, Karen has championed the craft beverage industry with her award-winning bra...
Jul 23, 2024•52 min
Welcome to the third season of The Social Complex Podcast, where we delve into the ever-evolving world and complexities of social media. We're kicking off this season with an exciting announcement about Digital HQ, the modern agency that supports this podcast. In this premiere episode, Hillary Applegate sits down with Jacqueline Keidel Martinez, a seasoned PR pro, to unpack the transformation of earned media in the digital age. Gone are the days when public relations was merely about shipping pr...
Jul 16, 2024•58 min
When we think of crisis communications, we often envision the worst-case scenarios portrayed on the internet and in our news cycles. However, crises don't solely occur on digital platforms. While digital media can exacerbate them, the concept of crisis is rooted in a more scientific framework that determines what constitutes a crisis and how it can be resolved by the company or individual at its center. In today's episode, we delve into the intricate nature of crisis communications in our digita...
Mar 19, 2024•48 min
We've all seen the level of impact that technology has on the way that we live our lives, do business, and communicate with one another. One of those advancements in technology that has swept the news cycle is artificial intelligence. And if you're anything like me, it has blown your mind. It's truly transformative. And as a marketer, I have seen the impact that it is having on my industry and the experts who have been working in the space. On this episode, we talk to Zachary Lipton, Chief Techn...
Mar 12, 2024•1 hr 25 min
When's the last time that you bought something online? Was it something that you needed? Or something that you saw and you liked? Our ability to shop online has transformed drastically over the last two decades. Even the ads that we are targeted with today are vastly different than they were five years ago. And as a consumer, the way in which we shop and the access that we have at our fingertips has never been more abundant than it is today. But how has this transformation in this space happened...
Mar 05, 2024•45 min
In this episode, we discuss employee advocacy and its significance in social media marketing, an area that many companies overlook despite its potential to support growth. Employee networks are a valuable asset, acting as advocates and promoters who can enhance a brand's presence through their interactions and online networks. We're chatting with Brayden Cohen, who has extensive experience in developing social media, content, influencer, and employee advocacy programs. Brayden has worked with bo...
Feb 27, 2024•43 min
Social media is all around us, and it's all-consuming. Whether you have one platform, multiple platforms, a Finsta, or you're managing it for brands, it is everywhere. Have you ever felt so inclined to take a step back or feel like you're in need of a little bit of detox? Taking time away from social media usage has become increasingly popular over the last few years, and much of this is actually stemming from younger generations. Gen Z and Millennials are really starting to lead the charge on r...
Aug 22, 2023•55 min
The concept of harassment and bullying is not a new one. However, once the internet came into play, it completely changed the dynamic. In today's episode, I am chatting with Emily Vogels of Pew Research Center to talk about the studies that they have completed on cyberbullying, harassment, and online behaviors when it comes to interconnectivity and conflict online. Emily Vogels is a research associate working on internet and technology research at Pew Research Center. Much of her recent work has...
Jul 25, 2023•47 min
Joining us today to discuss her latest article in The Atlantic, we have Kate Lindsay. Kate is the co-founder of Embedded, a newsletter about Internet culture. She also writes for The Atlantic, The New York Times, The Verge, and Vulture. In this episode, we are diving into the phenomenon of social media babies becoming aware of their social media presence online, some of the dangers and pitfalls that are associated with it, the legality behind whether or not your child has the right to delete the...
Jul 11, 2023•59 min
Performance marketing is a career that did not exist 10 years ago, but today it is one of the most sought-after positions in digital marketing. Why? Because it is a converter of sales. And today we are going to be talking about what the landscape of performance marketing looks like as well as how performance marketing really fits into bigger-picture brand initiatives, including how organizations are utilizing performance marketing data to help drive smarter decision-making when it comes to their...
Jun 27, 2023•42 min
The creator economy is a new one and an interesting one, to say the least. With so many of these content creators popping up in all facets of life, what is it that makes one stand out? What's the difference between an influencer and a content creator? And how can these content creators help unlock the potential for brands to scale content in a quality way and at speed? Today, we are talking with Madison Long. Madison is joining us from Clutch, where she drives the company's vision of building a ...
Jun 20, 2023•48 min
There is no question about the importance, impact, and influence of social media in our political sphere. Each election season since 2008 has had a hallmark reputation regarding how media influenced said presidential election. And we're heading into what may very well be our most dramatic political season yet in 2024. So, what's that going to look like? And what can we learn from past election seasons to get a better idea of what we're getting into? There is no one better to join me for this con...
Jun 06, 2023•51 min
Today we are going to be chatting about Reddit, that sneaky little platform that is building communities and having meaningful discussions that are also self-regulated. The people on Reddit are voting up and voting down anything that they do not want to see or do want to see. It is entirely run by moderators and communities themselves. Within this platform, there is so much data that brands can tap into and can use to understand their consumers and ultimately their decision-making habits. Joinin...
May 30, 2023•44 min
