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If you’ve listened to this podcast before, chances are you’ve already heard his name. Matt Anthony isn’t just a Kansas City advertising legend — he’s one of the foundational forces behind it. Trace almost any thread through the local marketing community, and sooner or later, it leads straight to him.

Over the years, Matt built a career full of milestones — culminating in his leadership of VML, which has grown into not just Kansas City’s largest agency, but the largest agency in the world. But his journey didn’t stop there.

When his time in advertising began to wind down, Matt turned a personal promise to his late brother into a powerful nonprofit that’s making a real impact. Today, he joins us to reflect on the path, the purpose, and the stories he and Sam share from their time in the trenches together.

This episode is packed with heart, insight, and a rare glimpse into a legacy that helped shape an entire industry.

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Deb Turpin didn’t just ride the waves of change in the design world — she helped shape them.

Back in 1985, Deb co-founded River City Studio and built it from the ground up into one of Kansas City’s most admired creative agencies. For 25 years, she led with guts and vision — guiding her team through industry changes, from the dawn of desktop publishing to the digital and social media boom.

In this episode, Deb pulls back the curtain on what it really took to build a business that lasted — and mattered. She shares the highs, the hard lessons, and how River City became known not just for killer design, but for a rock-solid culture and a fierce commitment to the community.

If you’re an entrepreneur, creative, or just someone who loves a good story about building something meaningful — you don’t want to miss this episode of KC Marketing Legends.

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Mike Goff is someone who’s left a lasting mark not just on Kansas City, but on the national and global stage. Mike’s career spans the agency world, the corporate world, and now the fast-growing space of fractional CMO services. He’s worked with some of the most iconic names in business and culture — Hallmark, the NFL, even the Rolling Stones — and played a key role in bringing the Sprint Center to life in the heart of downtown KC.

What makes Mike stand out is his relentless curiosity, his gift for building high-performing teams, and his ability to connect marketing to the bigger business picture. His career is packed with insights — a real roadmap for any marketer looking to grow and lead. And on top of all that, he’s simply one of the kindest people you’ll meet.

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Joe Greene is a true marketing heavyweight whose career spans both the client and agency worlds. From launching groundbreaking mortgage campaigns at Dreyfus to helping American Express dig out of a $300 million-hole, Joe has been at the center of some of marketing’s biggest challenges and boldest transformations. And when he landed in Kansas City, he brought that same vision and precision to American Century Investments, where he built out powerful, data-driven strategies.

What sets Joe apart is his rare ability to merge analytical precision with creative thinking — always with the customer front and center. Joe was a pioneer and early champion of data-driven marketing. He will talk about what it takes to lead lasting change in large organizations, and the lessons he's learned crossing the bridge between agency life and corporate leadership.

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Today, we’ll hear the inspiring journey of Siobhan Lesley — one of the forces behind the success of Valentine Radford, one of Kansas City’s legendary agencies, where she rose all the way to President. Siobhan’s story is rooted in leadership, purpose, and a deep passion for people. We’ll dive into her work on iconic accounts like Pizza Hut, and how that path eventually led her to another great KC agency — Walz Tetrick — followed by her move to Gilda’s Club, a lifeline for those impacted by cancer. And if you’ve ever wondered whether this wild industry is the right fit for you, stick around — Siobhan shares a piece of advice that just might help you figure it out.

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From the cockpit to the boardroom, Al Eidson’s career is a masterclass in leadership and reinvention. He started out flying C-141 cargo planes across the Pacific in the Air Force, then moved into the corporate world at Procter & Gamble, helping launch new products. Eventually, he brought it all together — co-founding agencies like Eidson Spear and Eidson & Partners, where he blended his military mindset with a sharp eye for business. In our conversation, Al talks about how his time in the Air Force shaped the way he leads, solves problems, and builds teams.

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Season Two kicks off with the trailblazing Ann Willoughby, founder of Willoughby Design. Her story begins in the aisles of a small department store in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, where she sketched fashion illustrations that would mark the start of a remarkable career.

After relocating to Kansas City, Ann didn’t just launch a design firm—she built a creative powerhouse and became a pioneer for women entrepreneurs in an era when even opening a bank account required a male co-signer. In this episode, Ann reflects on the uphill climb of securing clients, building a business against the odds, and the deeper purpose at the heart of design.

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Welcome to Season Two of Kansas City Marketing Legends!

After the incredible energy and inspiring conversations of Season One, we knew we had to come back for more. This season, we’re diving even deeper into the stories and insights of the people who have helped make Kansas City a marketing powerhouse.

A special shoutout to our friends at Evolution Audio — we’re thrilled to have recorded every episode live in their studios. Big thanks as well to Springboard Creative for making us look sharp, and to our other amazing sponsors, the Kansas City Ad Club and Greater Kansas City PRSA, for their continued support. So sit back and listen to the people who made the marketing magic happen in Kansas City.

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