In this episode of the Marketing Insights Podcast, host Shanita Baraka Akintonde is joined by Kevin Davis, Senior Director of Marketing and Brand Strategy at Erie Family Health Center, for a conversation on how reading, storytelling, and long-form thinking inform effective marketing and business strategy.

Kevin shares how books influence his approach to branding in trust-driven environments, while Shanita connects those insights to her book, The Front Porch Leader: Great Grand’s Recipe for Success, exploring storytelling as a strategic tool for building credibility, connection, and impact.

A thoughtful exchange for marketers, brand leaders, and business professionals who believe strategy works best when it’s informed, human, and intentional.

Loyalty isn’t built through points alone—it’s built through respect and relationships.

In this episode of Marketing Insights, host Shanita Baraka Akintonde explores how global cultures—particularly in hospitality—approach business as a human experience rather than a transactional one. Drawing on personal travel experiences across Mexico and the Caribbean, Shanita explores how authentic hospitality and community-centered vibes create value —and how brands can move beyond programs and promotions to build loyalty that lasts.

#BrandLoyalty #GlobalMarketing #PurposeDrivenBrands #CustomerExperience #MarketingInsights #ShanitaSpeaks

Welcome to another special edition of Marketing Insights. This episode comes just before the Thanksgiving holiday. Host Shanita B. Akintonde is joined by special guest and B2B expert, Liz Brohan. For just over 30 minutes, the two share B2B business strategies and storytelling snippets underneath tenets from the AI era. Grab your turkey, stuffing, veggie casserole, and lean in for some rich marketing "ear gravy."

Podcast Transcript

In this episode of Marketing Insights with Shanita Baraka Akintonde, we look into Advertising Ecosystems to explore what really fuels today’s advertising industry — people, purpose, process, and perspective.

Her guest, Sean Brewster, Global Business Lead, Omnicom Production, is a seasoned advertising professional with over two decades of experience guiding some of the world’s most recognized brands. From Bayer and Bud Light to SC Johnson and Quaker, Sean has led integrated campaigns across media, PR, social, experiential, and e-commerce, first at BBDO and now as part of Omnicom Production.

Together, Shanita and Sean unpack the ever-evolving advertising ecosystem — how brands are building content systems that deliver at scale without losing soul — and what it takes to balance that professional intensity with real-life priorities like faith, family, and growth.

Get ready for an inspiring, behind-the-scenes look at how leaders like Sean bring both strategy and humanity to the fast-paced world of modern marketing.

#AdEcosystem #MarketingInsightsPodcast #AdvertisingLeadership #MarketingStrategy #BrandStorytelling #OmnicomProduction #BBDO #ShanitaSpeaksLLC #GlobalMarketing #AdIndustryTrends

Podcast Transcript

In today’s fast-paced, digital-first world, consumers are no longer tied to a single shopping channel. They might browse on their smartphone, research on their laptop, and make a final purchase in a physical store — or vice versa. This fluid journey between online and offline touchpoints creates both opportunities and challenges for brands. The solution? Omnichannel marketing.

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In this episode of Marketing Insights host and career coach Professor Shanita Baraka Akintonde sits down with two powerhouse voices in the field of crisis communication—Quentin Langley, author, professor, and internationally recognized expert in crisis PR, and Kimberly Willis Green, a seasoned communications strategist and writer specializing in crisis response. Together, they unpack the playbook brands must follow when faced with high-stakes moments that could make—or break—their reputation.

From corporate scandals to social media firestorms, Quentin and Kimberly share real-world lessons on how brands can turn adversity into opportunity. With decades of combined expertise, they reveal why some companies emerge stronger from crises while others never recover. This powerful conversation is essential listening for leaders, marketers, and communicators navigating today’s unpredictable landscape.

Podcast Transcript

Class is officially back in session! In this episode of Marketing Insights, host and career coach Shanita Baraka Akintonde sits down with two powerhouse Gen Z voices—Desmond Walker and Alyssa Gail Martin—to decode what brands must learn if they want to connect with the next generation of consumers.

Desmond, a sharp creative strategist with a pulse on cultural shifts, and Alyssa, a dynamic communicator and thought leader for her generation, break down how Gen Z is remixing the rules of marketing. From authentic storytelling to TikTok trends and brand loyalty (or the lack thereof), this conversation is loaded with lessons every marketer needs to hear.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

1. Why authenticity isn’t a buzzword for Gen Z—it’s the baseline.
2. How social media has reshaped the branding process
3. What brands keep getting wrong when trying to market to younger audiences.
4. Fresh strategies for engaging Gen Z in “sticky” ways.

#GenZ #NextGenMarketing #GenZVoices #GenZMarketing #FutureOfMarketing #YouthCulture #MarketingTrends #BrandSchool MarketingInsights #BrandStrategy #DigitalMarketing #MarketingTips #BrandBuilding #MarketingStrategy #Marketing101 #ContentMarketing #AdvertisingLife #ShanitaSpeaksLLC

Podcast Transcript

Marketing campaigns often tap into human emotions to influence decision-making. Two of the most powerful emotions marketers leverage are fear and hope. Fear-based marketing warns consumers about risks and negative consequences, while hope-based marketing inspires them with possibilities and positive outcomes. Both strategies can be effective, but the key is knowing when, where, and how to use them.