FiredUp! - The Startup Marketing Podcast

In an era of constant change in the digital marketing world, email marketing remains a powerful and consistent channel for connecting with audiences. To better understand how this seemingly old-school communication method has not just survived but thrived in the AI era, Firebrand experts Nicole and Morgan sit down to unpack the historical significance of email marketing, current strategies, and the future potential of this marketin...

Last year, over $700 billion was spent on digital marketing. Of that, $140 billion was stolen by fraudsters. Let’s face it: it’s no longer a question of whether you have fraud, but a question of how much fraud is affecting your business. To address these massive concerns, Rich Kahn, co-founder and CEO of Anura.io, an ad fraud solution, joins us on the podcast to dive deep into the world of digital ad fraud. We discuss everything fr...

With the increase in AI-created content, having an authentic personal brand built by your CEO is more important than ever to stand out. But how does one go about deciding what their personal brand even i, and what are the steps they need to take to start building it? To answer these questions, we sit down with Loreta Tarozaite, founder of strategic advisory Loreta Today, as we unpack the art of building an authentic executive prese...

Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is rapidly emerging as the next frontier of search strategy. As AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Google’s AI overviews transform how people seek information, brands must adapt their content to be not just searchable but AI-friendly. One of our very own Firebrand team members, Shane Jordan, joins us on the podcast this week as we break down these shifts in search behavior and unpack the best practice...

TechCrunch has been a pivotal publication in the startup and tech ecosystem since its founding in 2005 by Mike Arrington. From its origins as a tech blog to becoming a major media property, TechCrunch has undergone significant changes through multiple ownership transitions and, more recently, has gone through yet another transition. This week, episode 91 of the FiredUp! podcast is about what is happening at TechCrunch?

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The world of PR is constantly changing, but nowhere is it evolving as fast as in the cybersecurity space. The stakes are higher, threats lurk around every corner, and well-planned PR strategies often need to take a back seat when crisis arises. Nick Lagalante, the founder and CEO of Fractional 360, joins the podcast today to uncover the intricate strategies behind successful cybersecurity public relations. Together, we cover best p...

In the world of startup marketing, uncertainty isn’t just a buzzword– it’s a daily reality. Whether it’s tariffs, rising interest rates, or the rising popularity of AI, marketing leaders are finding themselves in a challenging position to navigate the industry and reach their audience through the extra noise. That said, we wanted to take some time today to unpack the strategies, challenges, and unexpected opportunities that emerge ...

As marketers, we spend a lot of our time getting people to sign up on our website, converting them into leads. Too often, the job can feel done after this, but we’re far from it. Those free trial and freemium users need to be onboarded, engage with the product, and get enough usage out of it to be willing to pay for it. Claire Heginbotham joins the podcast today to do a deep dive into the art and science of onboarding, including th...

Getting your startup’s message heard can feel like an uphill battle. And in the crowded startup market, making your message crystal clear isn’t just a nice-to-have but a matter of survival. To help you stay afloat, Nicole and Ian sit down on the podcast this week to explore how startups can cut through the noise and communicate their value proposition effectively. This week, episode 87 of the FiredUp! podcast is about why your cont...

Navigating the competitive world of venture capital can be challenging for emerging entrepreneurs in need of funding. So, to uncover the secrets of VC engagement, we sat down with Kyle York, the co-founder and CEO of York IE, to get an idea of how VCs are making their deals, where they source their pipelines from, and how startups can strategically get their attention. With his wealth of knowledge, Kyle offers a masterclass in how ...

Choosing the right digital marketing agency can be a complex and challenging process for businesses, especially startups. Fortunately, we have considerable insight into this process and know exactly what it takes to navigate the selection process, so you can set yourself up to maximize the agency’s effectiveness within your startup. This week, episode 85 of the FiredUp! podcast is about how to hire a digital marketing agency!

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With the uptick in people integrating AI into their workflow, we’re starting to uncover some of the downsides of this rapidly evolving tool. Marketers are finding themselves in a crossroads and asking the question, will generative AI elevate our strategies or reduce us to a sea of bland, algorithmic sameness? The answer: It all depends on how you use it. This week, on episode 84 of the FiredUp! podcast, we’re answering the question...

We’ve heard time and time again over the years that PR is dead or content marketing is dead, but we beg to differ. We live in one of the most exciting times of being a marketer. Still, with the rising population of AI tools and the changing buyer behaviors, marketing is certainly becoming more challenging. What worked before doesn’t necessarily keep up with new practices and it’s time to evolve. This week, on episode 83 of the Fire...

AI search is changing the game with tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity providing instant answers and affecting website traffic. Even so, your website is a vital asset. So what does a startup need to do to make the most of the traffic they are still getting? To answer this question, we are joined by Brian Tillman and Joe DePalma from Punch, a creative agency for bold brands, to unpack the revolutionary changes AI is bringing to web d...

We’ve already established that thought leadership is a powerful strategy for startups to build credibility, reduce churn, and drive sales. But where should you start when implementing a thought leadership campaign? The Firebrand team sits down today to dive deep into what it takes to create an effective thought leadership campaign that transforms a brand’s visibility and influence. This week, episode 81 of the FiredUp! podcast is a...

As marketers, it’s easy to get pulled into the day-to-day tactical operations of marketing and lose focus of the big picture. Juliana Pereira joins us as we take a step back and highlight the ways in which marketing impacts various milestones in a startup’s lifespan. From early-stage hiring to fundraising and eventual exit strategies, marketing has an important role to play. This week, episode 80 of the FiredUp! podcast is about ma...

Many brands and people want to be known as a thought leader, and for good reason! A survey by Edelman has revealed that 70% of prospects would think more of a brand if they had a thought leader and would be willing to pay more for their proposition. But what does becoming a trusted, authoritative voice in your industry take? The Firebrand team is here to break that down today, unpacking what it means to be a thought leader, the ris...

Standing out when it comes to your marketing isn’t just about having a great message– it’s about delivering that message with precision, consistency, and innovation. Enter the product mindset: a game-changing approach that takes your marketing from being hit-or-miss to a strategic, repeatable system. Clinton Bonner joins us today to break down how startups and marketing teams can leverage design, technology, and creative thinking t...

On average, reporters receive between 50-200 pitches daily, with only 8% leading to written articles. So, how do you make sure yours stands out? The Firebrand team joins together to unpack just this. Morgan, Chris, and Ian share their insights into what makes a pitch stand out and how to increase your chances of securing media coverage! This week, episode 77 of the FiredUp! podcast is about what makes a good media pitch!

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