In Episode 93 of the Digital Velocity Podcast, Erik Martinez sits down with Ginger Grant, a seasoned data strategist, to explore how artificial intelligence and machine learning are reshaping the fundamentals of business analysis and decision-making.

Ginger shares her unique perspective on the crucial distinctions between generative AI and machine learning, highlighting why accuracy, data quality, and the right questions matter more than ever. She explains why companies must address messy, fragmented data before they can effectively harness AI, and how grounding models in proprietary data unlocks more reliable business insights.

Listeners will gain insights into:
• Why machine learning has a more immediate impact than generative AI for business-critical tasks
• The persistent challenge of data organization and the dangers of Excel-driven reporting
• How companies like Goldman Sachs are grounding AI models in proprietary data to achieve accuracy
• Why dashboards and rote reporting are ripe for automation—and where humans remain indispensable
• How leaders can encourage AI adoption without stoking fear of job loss, through training and intentional change

For direct-to-consumer marketers and cross-industry leaders alike, Ginger offers actionable guidance on how to move beyond data collection toward true business impact. From defining success metrics to ensuring critical thinking remains at the core of analysis, this episode is a must-listen for executives and marketers preparing to navigate the future of AI-driven decision-making.

In Episode 92 of the Digital Velocity Podcast, Erik Martinez talks with Timothy Peterson—an executive leader with 25+ years across retail, e‑commerce, data, and operations—about how to integrate artificial intelligence thoughtfully and profitably. Drawing on roles from Bloomingdale’s and Pottery Barn to CPG business intelligence and today’s fractional CEO work, Timothy shares a pragmatic, cross‑industry view of what it really takes to make AI create business value.

Timothy highlights hyper‑personalization at scale as the standout opportunity: using hundreds of relevant data sources to tailor experiences that deepen engagement and drive growth. But he cautions that rushing in can erode trust—especially when AI replaces human judgment in customer service or when proprietary content is scraped into training sets without authorization. The takeaway for brand leaders is clear: protect your data, protect your customers, and don’t let AI tools redefine your value proposition without intent.

To prioritize investments, Peterson lays out a simple sequence: first upskill people (think weekly lunch‑and‑learns, practical workshops, and targeted certifications), then pilot tools to learn what really moves the needle, and only then fund larger infrastructure. He also introduces “governance as a service,” ensuring responsibility for privacy, compliance, and ethics is shared across legal, marketing, and operations—rather than bolted onto a single role within the company. Clear accountability and measured rollout beat shiny‑object adoption every time.

For direct‑to‑consumer marketing leaders, the playbook is refreshingly grounded: personalize to lift conversion and LTV, document and simplify processes so AI augments what already works, narrow your focus to the channels and products that matter, and measure the impact on sentiment, conversion, lead flow, and revenue. Above all, stay adaptable and keep learning—the real competitive advantage isn’t any one model or tool, but a culture that can turn new capability into sustained customer value.

In Episode 91 of the Digital Velocity Podcast, Erik Martinez sits down with environmental scientist and sustainability expert Sheryl Barbosa to uncover how artificial intelligence (AI) is driving the next wave of sustainability for direct-to-consumer (DTC) businesses. Sheryl brings more than 20 years of experience across industries and business sizes, from Fortune 50 corporations to local nonprofits, and offers a unique perspective on how technology and environmental responsibility can work together to create measurable impact.

For DTC brands, these opportunities are vast and tangible. Erik and Sheryl discuss how AI can:
• Improve targeting in direct mail campaigns to minimize waste while maximizing response rates.
• Optimize packaging design, materials, and supply chain sourcing to cut down on excess materials and emissions.
• Enhance logistics by identifying smarter routing patterns that reduce fuel consumption and shipping costs.
• Forecast inventory needs more accurately, helping prevent losses from overproduction or spoilage.
• Identify cost-effective green alternatives that are now often cheaper than traditional materials, overturning the myth that sustainability is always more expensive.

Sheryl and Erik bring the conversation to life with real-world examples—from cutting down on direct mail waste to streamlining delivery routes—that illustrate how AI can drive both efficiency and sustainability. Their discussion shows how even small operational improvements can ripple outward, creating a positive impact not only for businesses but also for communities and the environment.

For leaders of direct-to-consumer brands, whether scaling a fast-growing ecommerce operation or running a locally rooted small business, the takeaway is clear: AI and sustainability are not competing goals but complementary strategies. When used intentionally, AI becomes a catalyst for reducing environmental impact, building brand trust, and unlocking new avenues of profitability—all while advancing a healthier, more sustainable future.

In Episode 90 of the Digital Velocity Podcast, Erik Martinez speaks with Lucas Petty, founder and CEO of AI Daddy, about how companies can strategically integrate artificial intelligence in their business and marketing processes to drive growth, innovation, and long-term success. Lucas shares his personal journey from having his own startup disrupted by AI to becoming an AI strategist and educator helping businesses adopt these transformative tools.

This conversation dives into why many organizations are still only dabbling with AI, and how fear, habit, and misconceptions often prevent meaningful adoption Lucas outlines a practical four-step framework for adoption—People, Process, Strategy, Tools—that enables teams to identify real pain points, build effective workflows, and achieve measurable ROI with human teams and AI working collaboratively together.

Listeners will learn:
• Why automating tasks without a people-first mindset leads to stagnation
• How to reframe AI adoption as change management rather than tool exploration
• The difference between horizontal AI tools (like chatbots, note takers, and researchers) and vertical, function-specific AI use cases
• Why simplifying AI governance and training employees on privacy settings is critical to protecting IP
• How successful AI adoption has helped companies realize revenue growth of 50% or more without additional staff

Whether you’re leading a DTC brand, scaling a marketing team, or rethinking enterprise processes, this episode offers a roadmap to integrate AI thoughtfully, balance efficiency with human expertise, and future-proof your business in an era of rapid technological change.

In Episode 89 of the Digital Velocity Podcast, Erik Martinez welcomes Evan Blumenthal, certified EOS Implementer and business revenue growth consultant, to unpack how the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) empowers businesses to overcome stagnation, clarify leadership roles, and drive meaningful, measurable progress.

Evan shares his personal journey from Walmart associate to family business executive to EOS consultant, explaining how this flexible yet structured framework helped revitalize a 147-year-old family-run company and can do the same for DTC and entrepreneurial brands struggling with misalignment, unclear vision, or process bottlenecks.

This episode is imperative for founders, executives, and team leaders seeking:

• Clear definitions for accountability and leadership structure through tools like the Accountability Chart
• Practical guidance on how to identify, discuss, and solve persistent business problems at their root
• How to use 90-day goals and short-term prioritization to accelerate long-term success
• A culture-first approach to growth, powered by shared core values and disciplined execution

Whether you're scaling a high-growth ecommerce brand, leading a lean marketing team, or stuck at a plateau in your business, Evan offers a compelling case for how EOS creates traction by helping organizations focus, simplify, and thrive—one quarter at a time.

Listen to learn how EOS can transform your business from reactive chaos to strategic momentum.

In Episode 88 of the Digital Velocity Podcast, Erik Martinez sits down with David LaCombe, Chief Marketing Officer at Imperatives Delivered, to unpack what truly effective marketing leadership looks like in today’s fast-moving digital landscape. From his unique start as a paramedic to his rise as a go-to-market strategist, David shares insights that challenge conventional thinking around marketing strategy, technology, and team development.

This episode dives deep into how purpose-driven businesses can align vision and execution, why marketing leaders must demonstrate causation (not just correlation), and how artificial intelligence can accelerate—not replace—critical thinking. David also offers a powerful reminder: “Be effective before you're efficient. Because scaling something broken just gives you more broken.”

Whether you're a Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) brand leader, startup founder, or part of a marketing agency navigating client pressure and internal change, you'll learn:

• How to embed critical thinking and measurable impact into your marketing team
• The difference between experimenting with AI and operationalizing it with purpose
• Strategies to balance innovation with day-to-day execution—without losing focus
• Why clarity of vision, shared conviction, and constant communication are the keys to organizational transformation

Packed with practical advice and deep reflection, this episode helps marketers and executives rethink what leadership means in an AI-enabled, outcomes-driven business world.

In Episode 87 of the Digital Velocity Podcast, Erik Martinez is joined by Corey Morris, CEO of Voltage and author of *The Digital Marketing Success Plan*, to explore how companies can eliminate guesswork and wasted spend in digital marketing by implementing a strategic planning framework. Corey introduces the START process—a five-step framework (Strategy, Tactics, Application, Review, Transformation)—that guides marketing teams in aligning digital channels with business outcomes.

Together, Erik and Corey examine common pitfalls such as budget duplication, 'CEO drive-bys,' and siloed KPIs, and reveal how a well-documented and agile plan can bridge the gap between marketing activity and business profitability. Whether you're running a Direct-to-Consumer ecommerce brand, managing an agency, or optimizing B2B campaigns, this episode delivers cross-industry insights for digital marketers ready to turn chaos into clarity and drive measurable ROI.

Corey's Book - The Digital Marketing Success Plan
Reach Corey at his website: Corey Morris.com

In Episode 86 of the Digital Velocity Podcast, Erik Martinez welcomes Dugan Bridges, founder and Chief Creative Director of F7 Film Distillery, to explore how cinematic storytelling is transforming digital marketing. Bridges shares his journey from screenwriter and director to helping brands connect with audiences through high-impact video content.

This episode dives into the hidden cost-benefit analysis behind professional video, why still photography is no longer enough, and how emotion, music, and visual storytelling forge lasting brand impressions. From startup case studies to Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) brands seeking scalability, listeners will learn how to repurpose high-resolution video for long-term marketing ROI, overcome production fears, and redefine their content strategy in a video-first world.

Whether you're in retail, SaaS, or B2B, Dugan makes the case that video isn’t just a ‘nice-to-have’—it’s essential for trust, memorability, and market differentiation in today’s digital economy.