Effective marketing isn't just about the message, it's about the medium and the people, too. In this episode, Gunther Hartman, head of marketing and human resources at Zimmerman Manufacturing, gives us a peek into their high-quality content creation—from drones to testimonials. It's about crafting stories that resonate and visuals that captivate. Zimmerman Manufacturing is dedicated to crafting cutting-edge farm equipment and while the Midwest is their core market, they've expanded their horizons to serve farmers as far away as Australia. Gunther discusses their marketing playbook, which includes leveraging social media, sprucing up their website, and making a splash at trade shows—all with a laser focus on creating top-notch content and ensuring customers have a great experience. Tune into this episode to hear all the smart ways they promote their products and how sales and marketing join forces to really connect with the heartland of America.

It was the most wonderful night of the year, right? When else are you surrounded by your family and friends, cheering on your favorite football team, watching entertaining commercials, and eating chicken wings? It's none other than the SUPER BOWL! In this episode, a few members of our Callis team join Cliff to talk about their favorite ads during the big game…and maybe the ones that didn't quite cut it. Get your game face ready for an episode full of NFL chat, all things marketing and, of course, some laughter.

The Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show is an annual event that brings together retailers, distributors, media, marketers, and other industry professionals to explore the latest innovations and strategies in the outdoor industry. Callis account executives Darren Grove and Seth Brunkhorst joined Cliff at this year’s event, then joined him on the podcast to discuss their takeaways from the show. Learn more about industry research findings, the significance of storytelling in marketing, the relentless pursuit of innovation and more. Tune in to hear about the industry's dynamic nature, where innovation, consumer trends, and strategic relationship-building are key to thriving in the competitive landscape of the shooting, hunting, and outdoor trade.  

Innovation is everywhere and in rural America, it shows up in everyday places. In small towns, from coast to coast, entrepreneurs are using new ideas, new technologies, and out of the box ingenuity to start and grow successful businesses and energize communities. Sometimes, it takes an outside perspective to see all the possibilities. Other times, folks back home know what they want to accomplish. They just don’t know how to make it happen. They need guidance or coaching and our guest in this week’s podcast does just that. Deb Brown is one of the co-founders of saveyour.town, a business that helps make small communities more relevant and vibrant. Along with her business partner, Becky McCray, Deb coaches small towns to make them better, promotes collaboration over committees, and provides ideas and expertise that make rural communities join together for the common good. Listen in to hear about some of the strategies and exercises they use to accomplish their goals, many of which can be done by everyone in the community without hefty budgets or corporate involvement. With a background in social media and Chamber of Commerce management, and with a love for the people of rural America, Deb is helping communities’ own citizens save their town with their own resources.

There are endless opportunities in rural America for entrepreneurs to start and grow successful businesses.  However, not everyone is going to have all the skills and experience necessary to sustain it.  Most of us need support in areas where we might be weak. Many times, entrepreneurs may have a great idea and the drive and determination to see it through but they may not have the resources or expertise to do what it takes to be successful.  They have the passion but they may need help to fill in the gap in their experience, and that brings us to our guests today.  Darline Mabins and Duan Gavel are leaders of the Multicultural Business Association (MBA) of Springfield, Missouri.  MBA’s mission is to promote economic development and business opportunities through advocacy, networking, and capacity building for women, minority-owned businesses, and entrepreneurs. Darline is the Executive Director of the organization and Duan is the Second Vice President, in line to one day be President.  Both have a real passion for helping people and MBA does just that.  Listen in and learn about MBA and how they are working with over 100 small businesses and entrepreneurs in southwest Missouri to help them succeed in business and in life, and how they’re using a variety of marketing techniques to do it.  

Savvy marketers know that digital is driving brand awareness and sales in today’s world. But there are so many forms and variations for digital, how do you decide which ones to use? In today’s episode, you’ll hear from a young marketing professional who understands her markets and knows what’s working. For most consumers, you’re probably never going to think about needing body work for your vehicle, unless of course you do. For an auto body specialist, this makes brand building and search engine optimization very important, so a potential customer either has your brand name top of mind or they find you easily with an online search. At Collision Leaders, a regional auto body repair specialist that serves a rural America market in several locations in Missouri and Kansas, Gabriella Ellis is using a mix of digital strategies to reach their targets. From TikTok videos to text bots to social media, Collision Leaders is standing out in the digital marketing landscape. Listen in as Gabby, a digital media production graduate from the University of Central Missouri, shares her approach to digital marketing.

Out here in the country, people take care of each other. They know their neighbors and they value the relationships they have with them.  They also know that there are challenges that people face as they steer their way through life.  In our community, there are many organizations that are working to help people deal with some of these challenges, whether they be financial, health related or educationally focused.  One such organization is United Way of Pettis County, which brings people and resources together to serve those in need.  Sometimes, it’s through their own innovative programs, delivered by volunteers.  Other times, it’s through grantmaking that helps fund the work of other crucial organizations.  In both, collaboration is key and that brings us to our guest, Rachelle Simon.    Rachelle is the Executive Director of United Way of Pettis County.  She grew up in our community, ventured away to study and work in a variety of settings, including counseling, higher education, non-profit and religious ministry.  Rachelle then returned to rural Missouri to share her talents and experience.  Listen in as she shares her perspectives on lifelong learning, how by working together you can make a big impact and how we as people make the world work, not the other way around.

Welcome to OUTdrive and welcome to 2024! We hope each of you had a safe and happy new year’s celebration, however you chose to spend it. Today, we’re taking a special drive down memory lane and revisiting some of the most impactful stories and insights we shared over the past year. We want to be up front and share with you though that we used AI technology tools to scroll through all 52 episodes to give us a starting point for today … so buckle up and let’s get rolling. Our highlights include a focus on the economic landscape in Missouri, exploring the essence of leadership, learning that though business is serious, it can also be fun, as well as the importance of connections and hearing about new technologies and ideas that are paramount to being effective. Doing our podcast over the past three and a half years has been fun all along the way, enjoying the journey and enjoying the people we have met and gotten to know. As marketers, we must be lifelong learners to keep pace with the exciting developments in digital marketing, and our podcasts have been one way we have accomplished that. If you missed any of our previous episodes, you can find them all on ecallis.com or by searching for the OUTdrive podcast on your favorite audio streaming platform. And, stay tuned every week as we have some really great episodes coming up. As we wrap up today’s journey, let’s remember … rural America is vibrant, ever-evolving and full of surprises. 2023 was a fantastic year at OUTdrive and at Callis and we’re just getting started on another new adventure. Thanks for taking the time to ride along with us today and stay tuned for more stories from the heartland about the dynamic nature of rural America marketing, where it’s heaven on earth.

In marketing, there are a lot of variables, strategies and tactics that you have to consider when laying out a marketing plan. None is more important than your target audiences.  Many times, there are more than one, so identifying who they are, why they should be interested, how they think, how they buy and how to reach them is critical.  For a would-be entrepreneur, it can be a daunting task, especially if your business is a part-time venture.  You know, it’s really cool when a person’s interests and hobbies turn into a real business enterprise.  It’s even better when you do it with other people who share the same passion for what you’re doing.  Anyone can start a business today but growing a sustainable business takes vision, talent, some good fortune and a lot of hard work, and it should all start with a business plan that accurately depicts the target audiences.  After that, all your decisions on products, pricing, distribution and promotion can be made with those markets in mind.  Today’s guest and his partners at Phantom V have done just that.   Mike Hammerly is a partner in a Missouri distillery named Phantom V.  An automation specialist by trade, Mike and his four partners got together a few years ago and started to build something special.  They all had the interest in making spirits but they all also had the experience and expertise to do it the right way, with a business plan and sound marketing strategy.  Over the past few years, they’ve developed a nice niche for inventive, delicious alcoholic drinks that people love.  And while they’re currently only available in three states, there are people from all over the country asking for Phantom V spirits.  Listen in as Mike tells the story of how they got started, how they’re growing organically, how they’re figuring out the challenges of distribution, marketing and growth and how they’ve positioned themselves for a step to the next level….and it all starts with knowing your audiences and making great products that your markets love.  

Innovation and ingenuity are alive and well out here in rural America, but that’s not anything new. Ever since our country was founded, entrepreneurs, inventors and capitalists have all dreamed big and created even bigger. For instance, who would have thought that 100 years ago the small community of Marshall, Missouri, would jump on the map because of the airplane? Remember, 100 years ago! Yet, just a few short years after the Wright Brothers took the first flight at Kitty Hawk, airplanes were being made there. To hear more about this amazing story, as well as many others, step back into time at the Nicholas-Beazley Aviation Museum. If you’re lucky, you’ll get the guided tour from our guest today, Bryan Berlin. Bryan and his lovely bride own their families’ Century Farms – over 100 years in the making – and they’re both also on the Board of Directors of the impressive aviation museum on the south side of Marshall. Listen in and learn more about the museum’s unique history, how small town ingenuity can overcome many challenges, how they’re telling people about the museum and more.