In Episode 85 of the Digital Velocity Podcast, Erik Martinez sits down with Pat Barry, President of demystifAI and a seasoned data scientist, to tackle one of the thorniest challenges in modern marketing: how to measure and forecast performance in a world full of fragmented data.

From McDonald’s digital tracking systems to direct-to-consumer (DTC) marketing attribution puzzles, Pat shares his cross-industry experiences using AI and synthetic data to fill in gaps, build more accurate forecasts, and drive smarter decision-making. They unpack the often-misunderstood limitations of Google Analytics, the data blind spots caused by Safari, cookies, and ad blockers, and the growing role of generative AI in turning incomplete data into actionable intelligence.

Whether you're a CMO building next year’s budget or a performance marketer struggling with conflicting reports, this episode offers deep insights into:
• Why most digital data is not as accurate as you think—and how to manage it
• How synthetic data can simulate realistic scenarios for forecasting and strategy
• Ways to test AI-generated forecasts for precision using statistical models
• What every DTC brand must know about attribution, consent loss, and multi-device journeys

Tune in to learn how to use AI as your data 'time machine'—not just for insights, but for impact.

Contact Pat:
demystifAI - Company Website
LinkedIn - demystifAI
LinkedIn - personal

In Episode 84 of the Digital Velocity Podcast, Erik Martinez speaks with Brian Joseph, CEO and co-founder of RevJen Group, to explore the powerful intersection of leadership and professional development. Drawing from decades of experience in scaling for-profit and nonprofit businesses, Brian shares insights on building purpose-driven cultures, confronting organizational challenges head-on, and reframing sales as an act of service.

Listeners will learn:
- Why executive burnout silently spreads through entire teams—and how to prevent it
- How intentional networking (both in-person and digital) drives sustainable growth
- Strategies to create space for deep thinking in an always-on world
- Why starting with a “blank slate” mindset is essential for turnarounds
- The truth behind the phrase, “Nothing happens without a sale”

Whether you're running a DTC brand, leading a nonprofit, or managing a high-growth team, this episode is a must-listen for leaders seeking clarity, connection, and real business momentum.

Contact Brian via:

Linkedin -Brian Joseph
Linkedin - RevJen Company
RevJen.com - Company Website

In Episode 83 of the Digital Velocity Podcast, Erik Martinez is joined by Ken Burke, founder and CEO of Microcasting, to explore the next frontier in direct-to-consumer ecommerce innovation: AI shopping agents. As AI rapidly evolves beyond chatbots, Ken shares a vision for an “agentic” future—where AI doesn’t just assist but actively guides customers through highly personalized and conversational buying experiences.

Ken unpacks how Microcasting’s crawl-walk-run strategy empowers brands to experiment with AI shopping agents, replace outdated customer service tools, and ultimately integrate consumer product discovery, checkout, and post-purchase interactions into a seamless flow. Drawing on early results and real-world implementations, he reveals how AI is reshaping engagement and conversion rates through smarter, data-driven insights gather from live shopping journeys.

Whether you're a brand marketing executive, digital marketer, or tech leader, this episode delivers practical and forward-looking insights on AI shopping integration that can enhance customer experience and grow revenue.

****** Get a Free 30-Day Trial of Our AI Shopping Assistant ******

Listeners of the Digital Velocity podcast can try the AI-powered eCommerce Shopping Assistant free for 30 days—boost conversions, reduce support load, and guide customers to the right products faster. Just email ken@microcommerce.ai and mention “Podcast Friends” to get started.

Contact Ken at:

• Website : MicroCommerce.ai
• email: ken@microcommerce.ai
• (personal) Ken Burke | LinkedIn

In Episode 82 of the Digital Velocity Podcast, Erik Martinez is joined by consultant and hospitality industry veteran Mark Maynard for a conversation that bridges the gap between high-touch restaurant experiences and high-scale direct-to-consumer businesses.

Mark shares hard-won lessons on building brands that customers love and teams that perform. This episode reveals how purpose, culture, and emotional connection can drive performance across industries, from jazz clubs to ecommerce storefronts.

Leaders will gain actionable takeaways on:

• How to define and live a brand purpose that attracts the right customers and employees
• The hidden cost of misaligned culture in fast-scaling businesses
• Why customer experience is emotional — and how it can differentiate commoditized products
• Lessons from hospitality that translate directly to brand loyalty and retention

Whether you're leading a lifestyle brand, scaling a DTC startup, or optimizing customer experience in a competitive space, this episode offers cross-industry wisdom on how to build purpose-led companies that grow with heart and impact.

Linkedin - Mark Maynard
Maynard Consulting

Episode 81 of the Digital Velocity Podcast, Erik Martinez sits down with Bill Rice, founder of Kaleidico and Bill Rice Strategy Group, to unpack how AI is reshaping marketing strategies In, customer behavior insights, and business growth. From his unique roots in military counterintelligence to leading-edge digital marketing, Bill brings a rare perspective on pattern recognition, data interpretation, and the human element of marketing.

Bill and Erik explore how modern marketers can integrate AI tools like ChatGPT into their daily workflows—not as shortcuts, but as strategic collaborators that elevate creativity and growth. They dissect common AI myths, the importance of “human in the loop” systems, and how emotional intelligence is the key to personalization that resonates. For e-commerce teams and marketers managing massive product catalogs or lean resources, Bill offers practical steps to leverage AI for scale without losing brand authenticity.

If you’re a brand or agency leader looking to grow in today’s complex digital landscape, this episode offers timely insight into the intersection of AI, customer behavior, and long-term strategy.

Bill Rice Strategy Group

In Episode 79 of the Digital Velocity Podcast, Erik Martinez welcomes Jamie Weatherby, founder of Weatherby Media, to explore how marketing teams can eliminate content chaos and scale their marketing efforts using systemized workflows and AI-powered tools.

Drawing on years of experience running a full-service agency, Jamie shares the real-world struggles of managing content creation across multiple clients, platforms, and team members. She dives into how her platform, the Own It Marketing System, helps marketers and business owners simplify strategy, streamline execution, and maximize ROI—without relying on a haphazard patchwork of disconnected tools.

Jamie discusses the critical importance of understanding your ideal client’s emotional needs, the power of strategic repurposing, and why modern content operations need both structure and creativity to thrive. Whether you're managing a scrappy in-house team or overseeing multiple brand voices, this episode delivers practical insights on how to create smarter, more efficient, and more consistent marketing systems that drive growth.


Weatherby Media

In Episode 78 of the Digital Velocity Podcast, Erik Martinez sits down with Kimberly Storin, Chief Marketing Officer at Zoom, to explore how modern marketing teams can strategically integrate artificial intelligence into their workflows without sacrificing the human connection that drives brand affinity.

Kimberly shares insights from her deep background in B2B tech—including roles at Dell, IBM, and AMD—and breaks down what it takes to move beyond AI experimentation and into scalable, impactful implementation. From choosing the right use cases (like content generation) to fostering a culture of calculated risk-taking, Kimberly outlines a roadmap for mid-sized teams to adopt AI tools while staying rooted in customer empathy.

Listeners will learn how to structure an internal AI “center of excellence,” avoid data-driven pitfalls, and balance innovation with authenticity. If you're a marketing leader curious about integrating AI thoughtfully, this episode delivers practical guidance, strategic perspective, and inspiring takeaways for the path ahead.

Kimberly Storin | LinkedIn