The Marketing Rapport – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode of The Marketing Rapport, host Tim Finnigan sits down with Rustam Irani, Founder and CEO at RGI Marketing. They explore the real challenges behind lead generation in education and other considered purchase categories, focusing on why efficiency and data-driven decision-making matter more than just filling the funnel. 

Rustam shares practical stories from his work across engineering and marketing, showing how small improvements at each stage of the funnel can add up to big gains. He explains how schools and businesses often chase more leads, but the real value comes from finding and fixing leaks in the process. 

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are those of the speaker and do not necessarily represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Verisk Marketing Solutions or Verisk Analytics. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only.

This podcast is not intended to replace legal or other professional advice. The Lead Intelligence, Inc. (dba Verisk Marketing Solutions) and Verisk Analytics LLC names and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

VERISK MARKETING SOLUTIONS DISCLAIMS ALL LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF ANY INDIVIDUAL'S USE OF, REFERENCE TO, RELIANCE ON, OR INABILITY TO USE THIS PODCAST OR THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PODCAST.

Kalli Chapman, VP of Global Media and Sponsorships at Prudential Financial, joins host Tim Finnigan to dismantle the wall between brand and performance marketing. Kalli argues this separation hurts the industry. She believes all marketing efforts must drive outcomes, whether through immediate sales or long-term growth. 

The conversation shifts to data strategies. Kalli warns against hoarding data without a plan. She suggests marketers prioritize actionable metrics over vanity numbers. Effective teams use data to tell a clear story about the consumer journey rather than simply reporting statistics. 

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are those of the speaker and do not necessarily represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Verisk Marketing Solutions or Verisk Analytics. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only.

This podcast is not intended to replace legal or other professional advice. The Lead Intelligence, Inc. (dba Verisk Marketing Solutions) and Verisk Analytics LLC names and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

VERISK MARKETING SOLUTIONS DISCLAIMS ALL LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF ANY INDIVIDUAL'S USE OF, REFERENCE TO, RELIANCE ON, OR INABILITY TO USE THIS PODCAST OR THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PODCAST.

In this episode of The Marketing Rapport, host Tim Finnigan sits down with Matt Tillman, founder of Tillman Consulting Group, to unpack the evolution of lead generation and the critical role of data in modern marketing. With over 25 years of experience, Matt traces the journey from printing leads on paper to leveraging verified data that transforms leads into qualified prospects. 

Matt explains how today’s marketers can use data not just to find consumers—but to better understand them. By shifting from “call to understand” to “understand, then call,” businesses are creating more relevant conversations and driving higher conversion rates. He also shares real-world tactics from his LeadsCon presentation on operationalizing data to improve sales performance. 

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are those of the speaker and do not necessarily represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Verisk Marketing Solutions or Verisk Analytics. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only.

This podcast is not intended to replace legal or other professional advice. The Lead Intelligence, Inc. (dba Verisk Marketing Solutions) and Verisk Analytics LLC names and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

VERISK MARKETING SOLUTIONS DISCLAIMS ALL LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF ANY INDIVIDUAL'S USE OF, REFERENCE TO, RELIANCE ON, OR INABILITY TO USE THIS PODCAST OR THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PODCAST.

Sasha DiGiulian, world-class rock climber and entrepreneur, joins Tim Finnigan on The Marketing Rapport to discuss her journey building Send Bars, a nutrition bar company. Sasha explains how her experience as a professional athlete shaped her approach to business. She emphasizes the importance of an "athlete mindset," focusing on continuous improvement and adapting to challenges. Sasha details the company's mission to create a product that is both good for people and the planet. 

Sasha shares her insights on the importance of authenticity in marketing. Send Bars' messaging is rooted in transparency, from ethically sourced ingredients to real-food imagery. She describes her "spaghetti-at-the-wall" approach to marketing, highlighting the need for course correction and continuous learning. Sasha stresses the importance of data-driven decisions, understanding consumer trends, and adapting to the ever-changing market. 

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are those of the speaker and do not necessarily represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Verisk Marketing Solutions or Verisk Analytics. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only.

This podcast is not intended to replace legal or other professional advice. The Lead Intelligence, Inc. (dba Verisk Marketing Solutions) and Verisk Analytics LLC names and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

VERISK MARKETING SOLUTIONS DISCLAIMS ALL LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF ANY INDIVIDUAL'S USE OF, REFERENCE TO, RELIANCE ON, OR INABILITY TO USE THIS PODCAST OR THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PODCAST.

On this episode of The Marketing Rapport, Tim Finnigan talks with Andy Davidson, Chief Data & Analytics Officer at Bright Mountain Media, about the importance of market research. Andy explains how Bright Mountain helps brands personalize outreach and services using data-driven insights. He reveals the disconnect between research and activation, where audience specifics get lost during campaign execution. 

Andy highlights the need to understand diverse market needs. Effective research identifies distinct customer groups and their unique requirements. This data allows personalized messaging and targeted campaigns, avoiding the wasteful "spray and pray" method. He shares client examples, like a Caribbean travel destination, where targeted audience strategies led to success. 

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are those of the speaker and do not necessarily represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Verisk Marketing Solutions or Verisk Analytics. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only.

This podcast is not intended to replace legal or other professional advice. The Lead Intelligence, Inc. (dba Verisk Marketing Solutions) and Verisk Analytics LLC names and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

VERISK MARKETING SOLUTIONS DISCLAIMS ALL LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF ANY INDIVIDUAL'S USE OF, REFERENCE TO, RELIANCE ON, OR INABILITY TO USE THIS PODCAST OR THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PODCAST.

How are data, identity, and privacy shaping the future of advertising? In this episode of The Marketing Rapport, host Tim Finnigan sits down with Carmela Fournier, VP & GM of Data at Comcast Advertising, to break it down. From her early days at Nielsen to leading data innovation at Comcast, Carmela shares how measurement has evolved—and where it's headed next. 

They discuss the growing importance of first-party data, the challenges of identity resolution, and how advertisers can build more precise, privacy-safe campaigns. Carmela explains how signal loss impacts ad effectiveness and why deterministic data is critical for accurate targeting and measurement. She also shares insights on Comcast’s signal authentication and how it helps brands improve reach and attribution. 

Looking ahead, Carmela highlights key trends in media measurement, including the convergence of TV and digital, the role of clean rooms, and why advertisers must rethink identity to stay ahead. 

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are those of the speaker and do not necessarily represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Verisk Marketing Solutions or Verisk Analytics. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only.

This podcast is not intended to replace legal or other professional advice. The Lead Intelligence, Inc. (dba Verisk Marketing Solutions) and Verisk Analytics LLC names and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

VERISK MARKETING SOLUTIONS DISCLAIMS ALL LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF ANY INDIVIDUAL'S USE OF, REFERENCE TO, RELIANCE ON, OR INABILITY TO USE THIS PODCAST OR THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PODCAST.

Marketers are shifting away from outdated data practices and embracing privacy-first strategies. In this episode of The Marketing Rapport, host Tim Finnigan sits down with Lauren Wetzel, CEO and Board Director at InfoSum, to explore the evolving landscape of data collaboration, privacy-enhancing technology, and first-party data strategies. Lauren explains why brands no longer trust third-party data exchanges and how decentralized collaboration can protect consumer privacy while maintaining marketing performance. 

The conversation dives into the role of privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs) and the limitations of traditional data clean rooms, which often fail to deliver true privacy protection. Lauren breaks down how businesses can securely collaborate on data without sacrificing control, speed, or efficiency. She also highlights real-world examples where privacy-first solutions have driven measurable success. 

They also tackle AI’s impact on data privacy, the growing responsibilities of modern marketers, and how regulatory shifts in the U.S. and abroad are influencing strategies. Plus, Lauren shares insights on innovation in the space—including InfoSum’s Contractless Collaboration, a game-changing approach to streamlining partnerships. 

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are those of the speaker and do not necessarily represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Verisk Marketing Solutions or Verisk Analytics. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only.

This podcast is not intended to replace legal or other professional advice. The Lead Intelligence, Inc. (dba Verisk Marketing Solutions) and Verisk Analytics LLC names and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

VERISK MARKETING SOLUTIONS DISCLAIMS ALL LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF ANY INDIVIDUAL'S USE OF, REFERENCE TO, RELIANCE ON, OR INABILITY TO USE THIS PODCAST OR THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PODCAST.

It's Women's History Month 2025, and we're kicking off the month with a brand new episode of The Marketing Rapport featuring Dea Lawrence, Chief Operating and Marketing Officer at Variety. Dea joins Tim Finnigan to discuss Variety's evolution in the digital age. Dea shares her unique career path, transitioning from acting to sales and eventually leading Variety's marketing strategy. She highlights the importance of understanding your product and aligning sales and marketing efforts. 

Dea explains how Variety, a 120-year-old brand, stays relevant by embracing digital platforms, engaging fan communities, and creating video content like the Emmy-winning "Actors on Actors." She emphasizes the need to balance data analysis with intuition when making strategic decisions. Dea also discusses Variety's successful expansion into music and plans to explore the gaming and sports industries. 

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are those of the speaker and do not necessarily represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Verisk Marketing Solutions or Verisk Analytics. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only.

This podcast is not intended to replace legal or other professional advice. The Lead Intelligence, Inc. (dba Verisk Marketing Solutions) and Verisk Analytics LLC names and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

VERISK MARKETING SOLUTIONS DISCLAIMS ALL LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF ANY INDIVIDUAL'S USE OF, REFERENCE TO, RELIANCE ON, OR INABILITY TO USE THIS PODCAST OR THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PODCAST.

Tim Finnigan welcomes Jared Luskin, Head of Partnerships at Cardlytics and Bridg, to The Marketing Rapport to discuss personalization in marketing. Jared explains how access to accurate purchase data allows companies like Cardlytics and Bridg to move beyond demographics and understand real consumer behavior. He emphasizes the disadvantage of relying on assumptions and outdated models when trying to reach target audiences. 

Jared highlights Bridg's identity resolution capabilities, rooted in point-of-sale transactions. This data helps clients identify and engage unknown or non-loyal customers by connecting purchase behavior with demographic and lifestyle insights. He illustrates this with an example of how convenience stores, often lacking strong loyalty programs, can leverage this data to understand their customers better and personalize marketing efforts. 

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are those of the speaker and do not necessarily represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Verisk Marketing Solutions or Verisk Analytics. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only.

This podcast is not intended to replace legal or other professional advice. The Lead Intelligence, Inc. (dba Verisk Marketing Solutions) and Verisk Analytics LLC names and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

VERISK MARKETING SOLUTIONS DISCLAIMS ALL LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF ANY INDIVIDUAL'S USE OF, REFERENCE TO, RELIANCE ON, OR INABILITY TO USE THIS PODCAST OR THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PODCAST.

Consumers crave personalized experiences. 

In this episode of The Marketing Rapport, Tim Finnigan speaks with Lissa Cupp, Marketing Strategy Consultant & Faculty Lecturer at the University of Dayton, about the power of personalization in driving business growth and creating stronger customer relationships. Lissa shares real-world examples and insights from her extensive career, including work with brands like Scott's Miracle-Gro, Angie's List, and Facebook. 

Lissa emphasizes understanding the consumer beyond standard demographics. She highlights the importance of knowing their interests, motivations, and customer journey. Lissa explains how true personalization goes beyond simply inserting a customer's name into an email. It requires empathy and curiosity to identify unspoken needs and tailor marketing efforts accordingly. 

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are those of the speaker and do not necessarily represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Verisk Marketing Solutions or Verisk Analytics. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only.

This podcast is not intended to replace legal or other professional advice. The Lead Intelligence, Inc. (dba Verisk Marketing Solutions) and Verisk Analytics LLC names and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

VERISK MARKETING SOLUTIONS DISCLAIMS ALL LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF ANY INDIVIDUAL'S USE OF, REFERENCE TO, RELIANCE ON, OR INABILITY TO USE THIS PODCAST OR THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PODCAST.