The Pressboard Podcast

Lindsey Turrentine is Executive Vice President responsible for all content strategy and development at CNET, which is a part of Red Ventures. What does that mean, in my own words, not hers, Lindsey IS CNET, her tenure is over 23 years, she taught herself HTML in 1999 and was writing software reviews before people even knew what software could do. I definitely used this opportunity to learn more about commerce content, the state of the industry and where it’s headed, from one the most experienced people in the field.

Tom Allin's affiliate career path started at one of the world's biggest affiliate tech companies, which led him to one of the largest global publishing groups, and now he finds himself at Fast, helping to reinvent the space once again. You'll also notice a fun crossover between Tom's career story and that of one of my previous guests, Emily Jackson.

Regina Buckley is the President, US at Guardian News & Media. The Guardian is well known in Britain, it’s been around for 200 years. In those terms, Guardian US, which recently celebrated its 10 year anniversary, is still in its infancy. And yet it brings with it the clear mission and purpose from across the pond. Regina and I did into how the Trust structure of The Guardian and the journalistic mission at its core express itself through company culture, revenue, and the approach to the market.

Jessica Spira is the Group Vice President, Strategic Growth at Ziff Media. If you’re wondering who Ziff Media is, it’s just one of the largest and most valuable publishers in the world focused on shopping content. Mashable, PCMag, ReatailmeNot and more. If you’re thinking about buying a laptop, or earphones, or a robot vacuum, chances are you learned about it, found a deal on it or read a review about it on a Ziff Media website. They cover the entire customer journey. Jessica’s path to her role was anything but conventional, and yet in talking to her the depth of her expertise and her vision around affiliate marketing seems as though it has been her lifelong passion. And there’s a nice bonus at the end of this episode where Jessica shares her favorite books and a reco on a Broadway show that you’ll definitely want to see. Here’s the wonderful Jessica Spira.

Emily Jackson may now the SVP of eCommerce at Forbes, but her childhood dream was to ride horses in the Olympics, which makes her path to the affiliate marketing world even more unlikely. We chat about how a trip across the pond led her to a role at the tech company Skimlinks, which led to Conde Nast and eventually to Forbes. Emily shares stories of an awkward interaction with Anna Wintour and explaining to her grandma that she doesn’t actually sell boots on the internet.

Ian Bell is the CEO and co-founder of one of the most popular product review sites around, Digital Trends. In a world full of Venture Capital backed startups and at a time when it seems that everyone is chasing a new business model each week, Ian and Digital Trends Media have run a bootstrapped, profitable and diversified revenue business, a rarity in the media landscape. We dig into the opportunities and challenges that come with this approach, and how it keeps them honest when it comes to the relationship they have with their audience.

Mike Bruno is the editorial director for CNN’s reviews and recommendations site, CNN Underscored. if you’re interested in the connection between soap operas, blenders and Swedish dish towels, there is only one person to talk to, and that’s Mike Bruno. We dig deep into the importance of editorial integrity when it comes to influencing someone’s shopping habits. This is a fantastic conversation, so jump right on in.

When her teenage dream of becoming a photographer was redirected towards marketing and advertising Jackie found herself working as a publicist for restaurants, then on to Eater, a food website which was eventually acquired by Vox Media, before landing her current role leading the affiliate and eCommerce practice at The New York Post. Jackie shares her musings on photography, food and the innovations in the commerce space.

Today on the show my guest is Tony Yu. Tony is the co-founder of my favorite shoe company, Vessi Footwear. Growing up in Vancouver where it rains about half of the year gave Tony had firsthand experience of the problem he and his co-founders would eventually solve. Together they decided that there had to be a better option than clunky rainboots or wet socks and so Vessi was born. If you’re a marketer, listen closely as Tony shares Vessi’s "Rule of 30" for entering a new market. I know it changed the way I look at product adoption. So let’s get started.

On today's episode I’m chatting with Dario Spina, Dario is the CMO of Velocity at ViacomCBS. You’re going to hear about his incredible career spanning 20 years at Viacom, and how it almost never happened in the first place. Somehow this episode covers puppies, racing cars through Times Square, and the always inspirational LeBron James. If you like this episode hit that subscribe button and leave us a review. Now, check out the show! This is podcast is brought to you by Pressboard: Building award-winning tools for content creators. Follow us on Twitter @pressboard or visit www.pressboardmedia.com to learn more.

On today's’ Science of Storytelling I’m chatting with Mark Field, Head of the Invention branded content studio at Reach in the UK. You’ll notice the theme of partnership through this episode. Whether it’s how Mark sees the partnership between news brand and advertiser, the new partnerships emerging between competing media companies and even the partnerships his career has brought him in his personal life. If you like this episode hit that subscribe button and leave us a review. Now, check out the show!

On today’s episode I’m chatting with Peer Schneider, Chief Content Officer at IGN. Peer’s story is an incredible one. From a kid growing up in small-town Germany that just loved to play video games, to navigating the ups and downs of the dot.com crash, acquisitions and sales by Rupert Murdoch and why all these years later, he still gets excited about his sparkly new PlayStation5. This episode is a play by play of the world of media over the last 25 years and Peer has had a front row seat the whole time. So get ready for a wild ride, it’s game time.

On today’s science of storytelling episode I’m chatting with Daniel Littlewood, Executive Producer at The Explainer Studio at Vox Media. Daniel and I talk about introducing personal lubricants to Cambodia, bartering with red squirrels, and the importance of pronouncing someone’s name. I also recommend you check out the show notes and watch a few of the videos that we’re covering in this episode, especially the Cambodian personal lubricant one. Video: Number One Plus Personal Lubricant Video: What's in a Name

This is a very special episode of Science of Storytelling. We welcome our very first, but hopefully not the last, Australian guest on the show. Liana Dubois is the Director of Powered at Nine, Australia's largest media company. This episode is packed with good stuff, a crash course in the Aussie media landscape, an inspirational list of visionary marketers, and a unique story about why opening someone else's mail can change your life. If you like this episode hit that subscribe button and leave us a review. Enjoy the show. Topics: How Australia is dealing with the pandemic.An overview of the Australian media landscape.The evolution of Nine.How Liana got into the marketing industry.The Koala Furniture branded content campaign.INspirational leaders and favorite book recommendations. Resources: Powered Stop Listening to Your Customer and Start Listening to Your Brand

On today’s episode, I chat with Denise Burrell-Stinson, the head of WP BrandStudio at The Washington Post. We discuss how the pandemic has changed the way we collaborate, why editorial and branded content are more the same than they are different, and the importance of keeping an open mind. Topics: Why a sense of collaboration is important, particularly now with remote work.Onboarding during a pandemic.Team chemistry.Building culture over Zoom calls.What led Denise to her career in branded content.Potential trends for 2021. Resources: WP Brand Studio Denise LinkedIn

You probably know Brian Morrissey best from his 10-year stint with Digiday where he headed up editorial as president and editor in chief. Think things have changed for you this year? Brian has moved from New York to Miami, Left Digiday, started a personal newsletter about the media business and even had time in between to catch and recover from COVID. Brian and I cover a lot of bases here, from Trump to Subscription business models and everything in between. Subscribe to Brian's newsletter, The Rebooting here: https://therebooting.substack.com/

On this episode of the Science of Storytelling, I chat with Jeffrey Weinstock from Disney CreativeWorks. Jeffrey and I discuss his unconventional career path from sports coverage, to traveling with the cast of Dawson’s Creek, to the time he found himself on set with a real-life Star Wars X-Wing. If you’re a fan of the incredibly wide-reaching world that is Disney, whether that is ABC, Hulu, Marvel, or everything else in the ever-expanding Disney universe, you’re going to love this episode. Tune in to hear our fascinating conversation and don’t forget to subscribe! Topics: Jeffrey's industry and country-crossing career path.Defining Disney CreativeWorks and their mission.Why writing is such a valuable skill.The early days of the WB TV network.Anthony Anderson, diabetes and truly authentic storytelling2020's word of the year, “Outegration”. Resources: Disney CreativeWorks Jeffrey on LinkedIn

On today's episode of The Science of Storytelling, I have a chat with Eric Brandner, General Manager of Creative Lab at McClatchy. Eric shares his winding career path from sports journalism to branded content. He also discusses the unique experience of working with the United States military and their publication Stars and Stripes. The two of us also dig into why local expertise is essential to brands and their branded content. Our conversation takes a lot of interesting turns, particularly when discussing Eric’s work with the military and creating localized, branded content. Eric has such a fascinating story to share and offers great insights about his profession. If you like this episode hit that subscribe button and leave us a review. Topics: Eric’s early work in sports journalism.American military culture.Working at Stars and Stripes.The push to disseminate local news.The fun of working in branded content.His campaign for the Miccosukee Tribe.Knowing the pulse of a community.Content that stands out.

On today's Science of Storytelling episode I'm chatting with Justin Celko, Senior Director, Branded Entertainment at LA Times Studio. We discuss our shockingly similar paths to the advertising world, the importance of context, and a future where branded content actually makes money for the advertiser. The world has changed a lot in the last six months, not only for the world at large, but for The Los Angeles Times. As we open up our discussions, Justin lets us in on how work has changed for him and what branded entertainment looks like going forward. Tune in to hear all this and more. Don’t forget to subscribe if you like what you hear! Topics: What production is like during the pandemic.What has changed in our collective work lives during the last six months.Playing to your strengths.Advertising in the age of social media.How an article about Starz Network’s, “The Girlfriend Experience”, turned on a light in Justin’s head.Why a podcast gets you more quality conversions.How LA Times Studio promoted the CBS All Access show, “Interrogation”.Trying to get away from using page views as a measurement of success.The future of branded content. Resources: Justin on LinkedIn L.A. Times Mother Night

This season Pressboard Co-Founder Jerrid Grimm chats with the leaders of the world's most innovative marketers and content studios. Hear the stories of their winding career paths, favorite campaigns and thoughts on the future of media. This is a very special episode as we welcome our first ever guest host, Tiffanie Johnson, Senior Content Operations at USA TODAY NETWORK's in-house content studio, GET Creative. Tiffanie chats with Jules Dewey, Regional Director of Sales & Marketing, Five Star Senior Living about their careers in storytelling, the unprecedented effects the pandemic has had on senior living facilities and why trust is so important. This podcast is brought to you by Pressboard: Putting people at the center of marketing. Follow us on Twitter @pressboard or visit www.pressboardmedia.com to learn more.