Big Things Podcast – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Gaby Bayona is a force in the bridal and modeling industries. The humble entrepreneur has been building her empire since her teens and is now the owner of multiple businesses. After starting out as a seamstress in her mom’s bridal business, Gaby discovered a passion for the industry. By the time she graduated high-school she knew she wanted to own her own business. Now, she owns 3 bridal dress brands and a boutique with multiple locations in Canada, as well as a modeling agency based out of Vancouver, BC. We talk with Gaby about what inspired her to take on such an ambitious lifestyle and what moves she’s making next. Gaby shares her career journey, explains the strategic reason behind why she created multiple dress brands, how she manages it all and what she thinks is next for the bridal industry. 

Learn more about Gaby and her companies:

• Gaby’s Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/gabybayona/
• Gaby’s TikTok : https://www.tiktok.com/@gaby.bayona
• Truvelle Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/truvellebridal/
• Laudae Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/laudaebride/
• Aesling Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/aeslingbride/
• Lovenote Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/lovenotebride/
• Stranger Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/strangeragency/

Subscribe to Arcade’s Newsletter, SCAN 👀 CLUB: https://www.arcadearcade.ca/scan-club 

Show Notes - Gaby Bayona

1. 01:00 - Gaby’s story of growing up in the bridal industry.
2. 03:30 - Lessons Gaby learned from her mom’s business. 
3. 09:00 - The rundown on Gaby’s businesses: Why start multiple businesses?
4. 14:00 - How to keep a personal connection with your customers as your business scales. 
5. 15:50 - Advice for someone looking to start a bridal business in today’s noisy digital environment.
6. 17:40 - Digging in the branding and marketing side of Gaby’s businesses. How she was able to explode on Etsy and Pinterest early on and what is she doing now? 
7. 19:00 - Building publicly from a place of vulnerability. 
8. 26:40 - Has Gaby ever wanted to quit?
9. 30:00 - How does Gaby manage her time and energy between the multiple brands and companies?
10. 39:00 - Trends to watch for in the wedding and bridal industries. 
11. 41:15 - Who is making Waves and why?

Mentioned in this episode:

1. Sara Blakely, from Spanx: https://www.instagram.com/sarablakely/?hl=en 
2. Boheme Goods: https://www.bohemegoods.com/ 
3. Field & Social: https://www.fieldandsocial.com/ 
4. Mirror Palais: https://www.instagram.com/mirrorpalais/?hl=en 
5. House of CB: https://www.

Big Things with Mitzi (@mmmitzi) and Mike (@mmmiiike).

For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/

Production by Morgan Berna, editing by Oliver Banyard.

This year, it seems like every company is trying to get involved in sports. It had us wondering, is there really an increased interest in sports or is this a perceived growth we’re seeing on our own feeds? We brought in sports marketing expert and Director of Content Strategy for William Raymond Communications, Shahob Mehr, to answer our questions. 

Shahob shares his journey from being a student, to getting a seat at the table in this incredibly competitive industry. He unveils the hidden layers of the sports industry, exploring topics like: the art of creating compelling social media pathways for athletes and how to build rock-solid relationships. And, he answers our big question: Do all companies need a sports partnership?

Learn more about Shahob:

1. Follow Shahob on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shahobmehr/ 
2. Follow Shahob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shahobmehr/ 
3. William Raymond Communications: https://www.william-raymond.com/ 

Subscribe to Arcade’s Newsletter, SCAN 👀 CLUB: https://www.arcadearcade.ca/scan-club 

Show Notes:

1. 02:50 - How Shahob got started in such a competitive industry. 
2. 06:28 - What it’s like being in the room with such elite athletes. 
3. 07:15 - Going from green in the industry to running the NFL’s Snapchat early in Shahob’s career. 
4. 08:30 - Getting the fear out of the way early in your career. 
5. 18:10 - Is Shahob noticing a growing interest in sports? What opportunities should marketers be paying attention to in 2024?
6. 20:22 - How Shahob and his larger team help athletes figure out what their digital footprint should be. 
7. 25:03 - What does the content cycle look like for athletes? How involved are they?
8. 26:30 - Why LinkedIs is one of Shahob’s favorite platforms right now.
9. 33:35 - Advice for brand managers looking to build relationships with athletes. 
10. 34:51 - Who is making waves and why?
11. 35:50 - Athletes that left a lasting impression on Shahob. 
12. 38:20 - How to connect with Shahob. 

Waves Podcast with Mike (@mmmiiike) and Mitzi (@mmmitzi). 

For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/

Big Things with Mitzi (@mmmitzi) and Mike (@mmmiiike).

For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/

Production by Morgan Berna, editing by Oliver Banyard.

[REPOST] Your brand is a whole lot more than the products or services you sell. Your brand is what you stand for, and establishing your core beliefs can help you stand apart from the rest, attract like-minded clients, and better serve your community. Today’s guest is Ryan Mack, Chief Commercial Officer at Made In Network. As CCO, his job is a mix of marketing, entertainment, business development, and corporate strategy.

Prior to this role, Ryan was the President of Virtue, which is the creative agency of Vice, where he led efforts globally with a specific focus on the Americas. This sums up what he has been doing most recently, but Ryan has a wealth of experience and a diverse body of work, which you’ll hear more about in this episode; where it all started, what drew him to content marketing, and what his philosophy looks like today.

One of the things that stands out about this interview is Ryan’s perspective that the death of social media is bureaucracy. Once there are too many decision-makers on something as simple a tweet, he believes that it stifles creativity and outcomes. Tuning in, you’ll hear about his experience with this and how he sought to make social media intentional again by moving to a smaller agency. He speaks about the importance of establishing your core beliefs as a brand and how it can help you become more agile, but don’t overthink it!

The best brands don’t. Ryan offers advice for those just starting out in content creation, emphasizes the power of collaboration, and shares his predictions for the future of digital content. Tune in today to find out more.

Find Ryan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanjmack/ 

Key Points From This Episode:

• Find out how Ryan first got started in marketing, sparked by his fascination with the internet.
• How risk and constant experimentation have served him in his career.
• Ryan explains how he takes risks based on what is demonstrating traction in the market.
• What got him interested in creating content: the question, ‘What are we going to say?’
• Establish your core values as a brand, but don't create bureaucracy around daily mechanics!
• The opportunities Ryan saw in the rise of social media and how he positioned himself to capitalize on them.
• Balancing quantifiable results and creative content that aligns with the brand.
• Ryan talks about some of the most exciting projects he worked on during his time at Carrot.
• Hear about Ryan’s transition from Carrot to Virtue at Vice; competing as a creative agency.
• From Virtue to Made In Network; he talks about his passion for making “small things medium.”
• The momentum and traction in episodic, intentional scheduled programming from an entity.
• Ryan explains why a creator would want to compete with traditional media outlets.
• What brands can learn about building brand equity from this perspective of creating a media house around original content.
• Learn more about what Ryan calls the “mad science of content algorithms.” 
• The power of collaboration; how to leverage connections between channels.
• Ryan’s predictions for the future, including live programming becoming more polished.
• How 2020 has impacted Ryan personall

Big Things with Mitzi (@mmmitzi) and Mike (@mmmiiike).

For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/

Production by Morgan Berna, editing by Oliver Banyard.

Have you been wondering how AI will impact the future of digital marketing and content creation? In this episode we talk with Maria Osipova, CMO at Penny AI and one of the lead educators in Gigantic’s Generative AI course, to dissect the role AI can and will play in marketing. Gain insight into how these technologies are revolutionizing various sectors, including media, marketing and sales. We delve into the limitations and opportunities of AI in content creation, Maria’s favorite ChatGPT plugins and tips for marketers wanting to navigate this new terrain successfully. 

An episode packed with valuable insights and tips, this is your chance to stay ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving world of AI and marketing.

Learn more from Maria: https://gigantic.is/courses/ai-marketing 

Subscribe to Arcade’s Newsletter, SCAN 👀 CLUB: https://www.arcadearcade.ca/scan-club 

Show Notes:

1. 03:35 - Where AI is at now, we’re seeing a pace of growth we’ve never seen before
2. 06:55 - When people say “AI” what are they actually talking about?
3. 08:50 - Will AI replace marketers?
4. 14:00 - What industries will AI be most helpful for?
5. 15:50 - Cautions to take when using AI for content generation.
6. 19:30 - Opportunities generative AI creates for marketers. 
7. 22:35 - How leaders can get their teams into the mindset to try AI. Best platforms for marketing teams to jump into. 
8. 27:30 - How to find plugins to use with generative AI platforms like ChatGPT. 
9. 29:25 - What makes a great prompt?
10. 34:15 - Are there any risks with using generative AI?
11. 36:25 - A message for people who feel afraid to try AI. 
12. 40:00 - What Maria is excited to see happen with AI next. 
13. 41:10 - Who Maria is seeing making waves and why

Mentioned in this episode:

• Penny AI: https://getpenny.com/about-penny/
• trnd.io: http://trnd.io/
• Bernard Marr, Futurist: https://bernardmarr.com/ 

Big Things with Mitzi (@mmmitzi) and Mike (@mmmiiike).

For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/

Production by Morgan Berna, editing by Oliver Banyard.

Are you tired of feeling like your content is at the mercy of social media algorithms? Cameron Uganec, SVP & GM at Thinkific & The Leap, is trying to show creators a better way to monetize online. Cameron is a seasoned expert in building brands and products in the creator economy. In this episode he shares insights on how creators can maximize monetization opportunities and build audience-centric brands. We explore the 3 phases of the creator economy, from the rise of social media influencers to the current entrepreneurial phase, and deep dive into the concept of ‘creator educators.’ Cameron explains why it’s more beneficial for creators to pursue an educator path rather than chasing influencer status. Cameron unveils his journey, from managing big brand accounts to now empowering content creators at Thinkific. We explore his experiences, insights and predictions for the creator economy, further illuminating the ways this economy is reshaping the digital landscape.

Learn more about Cameron:

1. Instagram @maketheleap
2. TikTok @the.leap
3. Twitter @cameronu
4. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/uganec/ 
5. The Leap: https://www.theleap.co/ 

Subscribe to Arcade’s Newsletter, SCAN 👀 CLUB: https://www.arcadearcade.ca/scan-club 

Show Notes:

1. 01:00 - Introducing Cam!
2. 02:00 - How Cam got started working with SaaS companies. 
3. 03:30 - Working in the creator economy before it was called the creator economy. 
4. 07:00 - What phases the creator economy has gone through and where it’s at now.
5. 09:00 - How to think like a creator educator. 
6. 11:00 - What are the benefits of focusing on the creator educator track?
7. 12:00 - Getting over imposter syndrome around creating digital products. 
8. 14:00 - Taking an audience-first approach as a digital creator. 
9. 17:00 - How to stop being at the mercy of the algorithm and take back your power as a creator. 
10. 21:20 - Mental health concerns in the creator economy. 
11. 24:00 - Barriers to entry with digital courses and falling into a perfectionism trap. 
12. 27:00 - The story of The Leap and how we worked together to build an audience that ultimately led to a low customer acquisition rate. 
13. 31:30 - How to validate the type of content you’re making.
14. 34:00 - Who is making waves and why? 

Mentioned in this episode:

• Jasper.ai: https://www.jasper.ai/ 
• Descript: https://www.descript.com/ 
• Durable.co: https://durable.co/ 

Waves Podcast with Mike (@mmmiiike) and Mitzi (@mmmitzi). 

For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/

Big Things with Mitzi (@mmmitzi) and Mike (@mmmiiike).

For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/

Production by Morgan Berna, editing by Oliver Banyard.

Ever wondered about the magic behind your favorite brand's unique sounds? Does your brand have a sound? Have you ever really considered it? Every time we add music to our social media videos, or sound effects, we start to build a sound ecosystem around our brand – and that affects how your audience feels. In this episode, we’re talking with sonic branding experts, Joe Belliotti and Rebecca Jolly, about the release of their new book: How Music Grows Brands. They break down the science behind sonic branding, how to strategically select sounds and music that fit your brand’s target demographic and more. 

Purchase your copy of How Music Grows Brands: https://www.howmusicgrowsbrands.com/ 

Subscribe to Arcade’s Newsletter, SCAN 👀 CLUB: https://www.arcadearcade.ca/scan-club 

Show Notes:

1. 00:30 - About Joe and Rebecca’s backgrounds.  
2. 05:00 - The importance of sonic branding in advertising. 
3. 08:00 - Splitting the spectrum of sound vs. visuals. 
4. 10:06 - What drove Joe and Rebecca to write their book?
5. 14:15 - How sound influences branding. 
6. 19:25 - Should you use original music or stock music?
7. 21:25 - The psychology of sonic branding. 
8. 25:15 - Which brands have integrated sound thoughtfully?
9. 28:30 - Intentional sonic branding, jingles and resonating with consumers. 
10. 32:00 - How small to mid-size brands can start getting into sonic branding. 
11. 38:40 - Who is making waves and why?
12. 42:40 - AI and the sonic branding space. 
13. 45:15 - Where to learn more about Joe and Rebecca. 

Mentioned in this episode:

• Sounds Nice: soundsnice.co
• Mayflower Entertainment: https://www.mayflowerentertainment.com/ 
• DJ Fresh
• AIAIAI: https://aiaiai.audio/beautiful 
• Cathy Applefeld Olson - Hollywood In Mind: https://www.hollywood-mind.com/ 

Waves Podcast with Mike (@mmmiiike) and Mitzi (@mmmitzi). 

For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/

Big Things with Mitzi (@mmmitzi) and Mike (@mmmiiike).

For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/

Production by Morgan Berna, editing by Oliver Banyard.

Are brand deals dead? Is AI going to replace user-generated content? Should brands invest in creator partnerships? Where are the opportunities for creators to earn an income right now? In this episode, we sit down with Sean Scott, The Partnership Expert, to talk everything creator economy. Sean shares advice for creators looking to land big brand deals and turn their content creation into a lasting career. Sean also shares opportunities creators may not be considering (including a tip MrBeast uses), what channels brands should focus their spending on, guidance around gifting and more. 

An exclusive offer just for listeners, grab Sean's "Creator Monetization Checklist" for free! This checklist is normally $9: https://thepartnershipexpert.gumroad.com/l/creator-monetization-checklist/WAVESFREE

More from Sean:

• Website: https://www.thepartnershipexpert.com/ 
• Instagram: @thepartnershipexpert

Subscribe to Arcade’s Newsletter, SCAN 👀 CLUB: https://www.arcadearcade.ca/scan-club 

Show Notes:

1. 02:30 - What is The Partnership Expert and how did Sean get started with it?
2. 03:45 - Bouncing back after a layoff and finding a new passion. 
3. 06:30 - The importance of bringing work back to your values. 
4. 08:50 - Earning opportunities for creators.
5. 09:20 - AI use in the creator and UGC space. 
6. 11:15 - Are brand partnerships in decline? 
7. 14:20 - Unique ways creators are making money with their content. 
8. 16:00 - How to create great long-form video content. 
9. 17:30 - What channels should brands be focusing their partnership spend on?
10. 19:50 - Is UGC worth the investment for brands?
11. 21:45 - How to land brand deals. 
12. 27:30 - Does gifting in exchange for content still work?
13. 29:30 - Tips for creators who want to work with more brands. 
14. 31:00 - Are brand trips still relevant?
15. 32:55 - Tips for brands wanting to collaborate with other brands. 
16. 34:10 - Thoughts on brands and influencers collaborating on a product, is it worth it for creators?
17. 36:15 - Who is making waves and why?

Mentioned in this episode:

• TELFAR: https://telfar.net/ 
• Jake Shane: https://www.tiktok.com/@octopusslover8 

Big Things with Mitzi (@mmmitzi) and Mike (@mmmiiike).

For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/

Production by Morgan Berna, editing by Oliver Banyard.

Do you feel like you’re constantly chasing the tide of the digital marketing industry? Trends in the industry seem to move lightning fast and there’s no sign of it slowing down. We knew there had to be a better way. In this episode, we’re sitting down to talk with Alyssa Yuhas, Futurist, award-winning designer and the Creative Director at Arcade, about scanning. Alyssa implemented this strategy, used by Futurists, at Arcade through a program she calls SCAN CLUB. The process allows marketers to stop “pivoting” and instead lean into curiosity, and intention to craft strategic work that resonates. Alyssa breaks down everything you need to know to start scanning on your own in this episode. 

More from Alyssa:

• Website: http://alyssayuhas.com/
• Instagram: @alyssayuhas
• [previous episode] The Enduring Power of Curiosity: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/s03-s04-the-enduring-power-of-curiosity-with/id1484888104?i=1000510522147
• [previous episode] What Trends Teach Us About the Future of Brands: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/what-trends-teach-us-about-the-future-of-brands/id1484888104?i=1000574870972 

Show Notes:

1. 2:30 - A bit about Alyssa’s background and work. 
2. 5:45 - What is a futurist?
3. 8:30 - What is scanning? 
4. 10:32 - How do you find signals?
5. 12:45 - Why it’s important to always stay curious. 
6. 15:00 - Categorizing “Buckets” and using “STEEPV” to understand signals. 
7. 17:00 - What inspired the start of Arcade’s SCAN CLUB?
8. 21:05 - How signals connect to brand strategy development.
9. 24:00 - The massive advantages this system holds for marketers. 
10. 27:30 - Examples of scans and trends from “SCAN CLUB.”

Mentioned in this episode:

• SCAN 👀 CLUB: https://www.arcadearcade.ca/scan-club 

Big Things with Mitzi (@mmmitzi) and Mike (@mmmiiike).

For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/

Production by Morgan Berna, editing by Oliver Banyard.

Since 2005, YouTube has ebbed and flowed in popularity. Now, we're seeing people navigating to the platform in waves, asking for longer-form content. In 2021, YouTube saw enormous growth, with a 46% increase in revenue. Now, over 2.5 billion people access YouTube each month. For creators and brands, it's a huge opportunity. In this episode, we sit down with OG YouTuber Latasha James. Latasha walks us through her 10-year journey on the platform and what it took to make her channel take off. She shares tips for creators and brands looking to get on the platform, grow strategically and see results. Latasha shares strategies for repurposing content from other social media platforms, finding YouTube's role in your funnel, AI's role in content creation, and more. 

Subscribe to Arcade’s Newsletter, SCAN 👀 CLUB: https://www.arcadearcade.ca/scan-club 

More from Latasha:

• Website - latashajames.com 
• YouTube Channel - youtube.com/@thelatashajames

Show Notes:

1. 01:30 - How Latasha got started on YouTube. 
2. 03:00 - Surprising ways YouTube has benefitted her business. 
3. 05:25 - SEO and YouTube.
4. 07:57 - How to start on YouTube as a business (what content to make). 
5. 10:55 - Don’t hold yourself back from starting on YouTube. 
6. 15:28 - How to create enough content and repurpose content onto other platforms. 
7. 18:34 - How to get started with repurposing short-form content.
8. 21:16 - Tips to grow your YouTube channel. Engagement, collaboration and outbound opportunities.
9. 24:21 - What helped Latasha grow her subscriber base?
10. 26:30 - How to choose which social media platform works best for your goals and demographic. 
11. 28:58 - What role does AI play in long-form content creation? Are there risks to consider?
12. 32:08 - Using YouTube to start on an email newsletter. 
13. 33:05 - How to plan out your content strategy. 
14. 34:35 - Who is making waves and why?

Mentioned in this episode:

• Descript: https://www.descript.com/ 
• Think Media’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGxjDWAN1KwrkXYVi8CXtjQ 
• Answer the Public: https://answerthepublic.com/ 

Big Things with Mitzi (@mmmitzi) and Mike (@mmmiiike).

For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/

Production by Morgan Berna, editing by Oliver Banyard.

For years it felt like everyone was moving away from email marketing and newsletter and onto social media. However, with changes to platforms and algorithms, email has seen a resurgence this past year. Creators are flocking to platforms, like Substack, where they can own their audience and curate their message. The only trouble is, how do you actually get your subscribers to navigate with you and engage? Our first guest of Season 6 is Lia Haberman, the mind behind the email newsletter sensation, ICYMI. In this episode, she shares her tips to craft a newsletter that not only gets opened, but actually supports your business goals and builds your brand. 

Subscribe to Arcade’s Newsletter, SCAN 👀 CLUB: https://www.arcadearcade.ca/scan-club 

More from Lia:

• ICYMI Newsletter - https://liahaberman.substack.com/
• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/liahaberman/
• Twitter - https://twitter.com/liahaberman
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/liahaberman/

Show Notes:

1. 02:30 - Lia Haberman’s career story (including the time she walked Casey Neistat down the red carpet) and what she’s working on now. 
2. 05:00 - How Lia sets an annual goal with her newsletter, ICYMI. 
3. 12:00 - Why are more people turning to email?
4. 20:30 - How ICYMI went from a student request to a major engine in Lia’s brand.
5. 23:00 - How Lia grew her newsletter. 
6. 24:20 - The unexpected benefits that came from running a newsletter. 
7. 26:10 - Should a creator start a newsletter?
8. 29:00 - How can you pivot from creating video to written content?
9. 34:00 - What brands get wrong with newsletters.
10. 37:20 - Lia’s prediction for the creator economy. 
11. 41:40 - Who is making waves right now and why?

Mentioned in this episode:

• Substack: https://substack.com/ 
• Link In Bio newsletter: https://milkkarten.substack.com/ 
• Geekout newsletter: https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/ 
• Marine Layer: https://www.marinelayer.com/ 

Big Things with Mitzi (@mmmitzi) and Mike (@mmmiiike).

For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/

Production by Morgan Berna, editing by Oliver Banyard.