On my way home from work two weeks ago, I thought I had a great new theory. I didn't - because in 1976, two American communications scholars developed a well known theory in mass communications called Media Dependency Theory. 1976?!?! Anyway, in this episode, I discuss media dependency theory and it's application in 2024 - as well as its relation to recent events with AT&T and Meta (Facebook / Instagram).Support the showFollow Nick online at @professoroflife on X and Instagram, or find him on LinkedIn. Nick serves as the director of brand and digital strategy at Forum Communications just northeast of Atlanta, GA.

In this episode, brand and digital marketing veteran Nick Kastner discusses this year's Super Bowl ads, the good and the bad, Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management Super Bowl ad review, whether the ads are worth it, and the latest sneaker release from Nike.Support the showFollow Nick online at @professoroflife on X and Instagram, or find him on LinkedIn. Nick serves as the director of brand and digital strategy at Forum Communications just northeast of Atlanta, GA.

2023 brought a number of critical changes to marketing - specifically in the areas of scale, SEO, and artificial intelligence. In this episode, Nick discusses a recent article in Search Engine Land by legendary SEO Bruce Clay (https://searchengineland.com/seo-predictions-2024-436574) and his view of SEO in 2024 as well as the absence of the podcast over the past few months.Support the showFollow Nick online at @professoroflife on X and Instagram, or find him on LinkedIn. Nick serves as the director of brand and digital strategy at Forum Communications just northeast of Atlanta, GA.

In our latest episode, Nick spends some time with marketing expert and former Coca-Cola executive Pat Magill. From McDonald's to Happy Meal toys (and Teenie Beanie Babies), Pat has spent his entire career in marketing execution in the restaurant and foodservice industry. In this interview, Pat discusses his career, his new venture and volunteerism at the University of North Georgia.Support the showFollow Nick online at @professoroflife on X and Instagram, or find him on LinkedIn. Nick serves as the director of brand and digital strategy at Forum Communications just northeast of Atlanta, GA.

In this episode, Nick goes off the rails (and script) a bit discussing the latest Google update, his frustration with the update, its impact on small businesses and on a lighter note - his latest favorite upcoming release from Nike. Note: Small businesses who DO NOT list all products in certain industries on site, reviews on site, or build custom products are most negatively affected by this latest algorithm update. It does not impact all small businesses - just those that primarily sell custom products or do not list products in an eCommerce-type style with reviews.Support the showFollow Nick online at @professoroflife on X and Instagram, or find him on LinkedIn. Nick serves as the director of brand and digital strategy at Forum Communications just northeast of Atlanta, GA.

This week we have our first guest since Episode 1 - Erin Williamson, senior account manager at Forum Communications. During the Super Bowl, Erin and I traded a ton of texts about the game and the ads. In this episode, we discuss the ads during Super Bowl LVII and whether the spend is really worth the effort.Support the showFollow Nick online at @professoroflife on X and Instagram, or find him on LinkedIn. Nick serves as the director of brand and digital strategy at Forum Communications just northeast of Atlanta, GA.

Nick talks about ChatGPT, its rise and how it will impact marketing both now and in the future.Support the showFollow Nick online at @professoroflife on X and Instagram, or find him on LinkedIn. Nick serves as the director of brand and digital strategy at Forum Communications just northeast of Atlanta, GA.

On this week's episode, we discuss marketing and its relationship with sales and development and the upcoming release of the Nike Jordan 1 Chicago Lost and Found.Support the showFollow Nick online at @professoroflife on X and Instagram, or find him on LinkedIn. Nick serves as the director of brand and digital strategy at Forum Communications just northeast of Atlanta, GA.

How do you develop a marketing strategy? Where do you start? Also, how do you manage relationships with your team and even influencers in the era of cancel culture? All of that - plus a conversation about Nike dropping Kyrie in this episode.Support the showFollow Nick online at @professoroflife on X and Instagram, or find him on LinkedIn. Nick serves as the director of brand and digital strategy at Forum Communications just northeast of Atlanta, GA.

Following a 3-month course I taught for a regional community foundation, I'm kicking off a 3-part series discussing marketing and strategy starting with brand archetyping. He also briefly discusses the Air Max 1/97 Wotherspoon.Support the showFollow Nick online at @professoroflife on X and Instagram, or find him on LinkedIn. Nick serves as the director of brand and digital strategy at Forum Communications just northeast of Atlanta, GA.

In this episode, Nick discusses Google Analytics 4 - Google's latest iteration of the web's most popular analytics platform.Support the showFollow Nick online at @professoroflife on X and Instagram, or find him on LinkedIn. Nick serves as the director of brand and digital strategy at Forum Communications just northeast of Atlanta, GA.

Join us on this first ever episode of Sneakers and Strategies - hosted by Nick Kastner, long-time marketer and director of brand and digital strategy at Forum Communications. In this episode, Nick is joined by AJ Parker, founder and owner of AJ Parker Media. Nick and AJ discuss creating video content, the importance of authenticity, and some of the latest considerations in developing video content across platforms as well as AJ's latest pair of sneakers - Nike Polaroid Dunk Lows.Support the showFollow Nick online at @professoroflife on X and Instagram, or find him on LinkedIn. Nick serves as the director of brand and digital strategy at Forum Communications just northeast of Atlanta, GA.