The Art of Sway

The Art of Sway

Welcome to The Art of Sway, a podcast that dives deep into the exciting and dynamic world of influencer marketing. Join hosts Danielle Wiley of Sway Group and Casey Benedict of Maverick Mindshare as they engage in spirited discussions on controversies, platform updates, industry news, and compelling hot topics of this growing industry. Tune in each week for expert insight, lively debates, and smart ideas on the future of influencer marketing.

Episodes

February 9, 2026 27 mins
In this conversation, Danielle Wiley and Casey Benedict explore the complexities of influencer marketing, particularly focusing on the effectiveness and pitfalls of long-term ambassador programs. They discuss the importance of understanding brand needs, the balance between one-off campaigns and long-term partnerships, and the significance of building relationships with influencers. The dialogue emphasizes that while ambassador prog...
Mark as Played
In this conversation, Danielle Wiley and Casey Benedict explore the complexities of influencer marketing, discussing various aspects such as the differences between platforms like YouTube and TikTok, the importance of content quality, and the challenges of influencer compensation. They delve into the metrics that matter, the nuances of influencer tiers, and the impact of brand trust on influencer partnerships. The discussion highli...
Mark as Played
In this conversation, Danielle Wiley and Casey Benedict explore the complexities of influencer marketing, focusing on the challenges posed by influencer contracts and the often tumultuous relationships between agencies and influencers. They share personal horror stories from their experiences, highlighting the importance of professionalism, clear communication, and the role of talent managers in navigating these relationships. The ...
Mark as Played
In this conversation, Danielle Wiley and Casey Benedict discuss the complexities of influencer marketing, particularly focusing on contractual obligations and the ethical considerations surrounding influencer partnerships. They reflect on the importance of professionalism, the different standards applied to influencers compared to traditional media, and the need for brands to foster positive relationships with influencers. The disc...
Mark as Played
In this conversation, Danielle Wiley and Casey Benedict reflect on the challenges and strategies of marketing during the holiday season. They discuss the importance of timing in launching campaigns, the dynamics of influencer relationships, and the impact of budget constraints on marketing strategies. The conversation emphasizes the need for creativity under pressure and the value of agency expertise in navigating these complexitie...
Mark as Played
In this conversation, Danielle Wiley and Casey Benedict discuss the challenges of year-end client demands, the evolving landscape of marketing predictions for 2026, and the importance of creative concepts in influencer marketing. They explore the shift towards lo-fi content, the rise of creators building their own communities, and the anticipated comeback of long-form content. The discussion also touches on the trend of social-firs...
Mark as Played
In this engaging conversation, Casey Benedict and Danielle Wiley reflect on gratitude, the impact of social media on parenting, and the evolution of their careers. They discuss the importance of community, continuous learning, and the relationships they've built in the marketing industry. The conversation also touches on their Thanksgiving traditions, highlighting the joy of culinary experiences and family gatherings. Learn more ab...
Mark as Played
In the ever-evolving landscape of influencer marketing, certain practices have become outdated and ineffective. On this week's podcast episode, industry experts Danielle Wiley and Casey Benedict candidly discuss the trends and requests they wish would disappear from the influencer marketing realm. Their insights shed light on the importance of adapting to new consumer behaviors and the need for brands to trust their agencies for st...
Mark as Played
In this conversation, Danielle Wiley and Casey Benedict explore the evolving landscape of influencer marketing, particularly focusing on content usage rights and the complexities of influencer contracts. They discuss the historical context of content ownership, the current trends in pricing and usage rights, and the importance of effective collaboration between brands and influencers to achieve successful marketing outcomes. Learn ...
Mark as Played
In this conversation, Danielle Wiley and Casey Benedict discuss the recent NIIMBUS conference, focusing on key insights from keynote speaker Sarah Watson, the challenges of navigating the influencer marketing landscape, and the importance of metrics and team dynamics. They explore creative approaches to influencer campaigns and the complexities of budgeting and RFPs in the industry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone...
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In this engaging conversation, Danielle and Casey explore the evolution of influencer marketing, the impact of AI on podcasting, and the nostalgic reflection on past marketing strategies. They discuss the decline of Twitter parties, the rise of affiliate marketing, and the nuances of influencer relationships, including crisis communications and the transition from bloggers to paid spokespeople. The conversation wraps up with though...
Mark as Played
In this week's conversation, Danielle and Casey explore the complexities of influencer marketing, focusing on the importance of understanding parasocial relationships, authenticity, and the challenges of client expectations. They discuss how influencer crushes can cloud judgment in recruitment, the role of trust in influencer effectiveness, and the need for diverse influencer selection. The conversation also touches on the regulato...
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In this conversation, Danielle and Casey explore the evolving landscape of marketing to Gen Z, emphasizing the importance of in-person connections and experiential marketing. They discuss how brands can facilitate real-world interactions, understand the cultural context of Gen Z, and the role of community in building brand loyalty. The discussion highlights the shift from high-production marketing to more authentic, lo-fi experienc...
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In this conversation, Danielle and Casey explore the nuances of authenticity in conversations, the impact of AI on influencer marketing, and the misconceptions surrounding influencer effectiveness. They discuss the importance of community and human touch in marketing strategies, share personal experiences, and reflect on the future of influencer marketing in the age of AI. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoi...
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In this conversation, Danielle and Casey discuss the rise of full-time creators, the challenges posed by algorithms on platforms like LinkedIn, and the impact of rage bait on engagement. They explore the distinction between creators and influencers, the importance of authenticity in content creation, and the pressures of maintaining personal integrity while navigating the demands of social media. The discussion highlights the compl...
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In this conversation, Danielle and Casey discuss the pros and cons of hiring an influencer marketing agency versus managing influencer marketing in-house. They explore various factors that influence this decision, including brand size, expertise, and cost-effectiveness. The discussion emphasizes the value of agency services in navigating the complexities of influencer marketing and the potential benefits of collaboration between in...
Mark as Played
In this conversation, Danielle and Casey explore the complexities of influencer marketing, focusing on the challenges and benefits of ambassadorships versus one-off collaborations. They discuss the importance of ethics in social media, the dynamics of long-term relationships, and the role of data in making informed decisions. The conversation also touches on the realities of seasonal campaigns and the cost implications of managing ...
Mark as Played
In this conversation, Danielle and Casey explore the complexities of influencer marketing, particularly focusing on pricing standards, agency fees, and the challenges of transparency in the industry. They discuss the 'black box' nature of influencer compensation, the discrepancies in agency fees, and the emotional dynamics involved in negotiations. The conversation emphasizes the need for better understanding and standardization in...
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In this episode, Danielle and Casey reflect on the transition into fall and the upcoming Q4, discussing the evolving landscape of influencer marketing. They explore trends, the importance of community engagement, and the impact of lo-fi content. The conversation also touches on the challenges of niche influencer marketing and the decision-making processes brands face when allocating budgets for influencer campaigns. As they look ah...
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In this conversation, Danielle and Casey discuss their experiences at the Ad Age Small Agency Conference, focusing on the evolving definitions of independent agencies, the importance of female agency owners, and the implications of private equity in the agency landscape. They also delve into a debate on agency structures, contrasting traditional employment models with freelance-based approaches, and explore the role of AI in creati...
Mark as Played

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