The Marketing Companion

Hear the discussion of a number of current marketing topics including the strange economics behind content marketing, and both good and bad examples of courage in marketing.

Steve Rayson propels an argument that quantity can win out over quality in the content marketing world. In this episode, Mark Schaefer and Tom Webster explore every side of this position and show why it can be a legitimate strategy. The guys also revitalize their live conference idea -- Companion Storm!

Mark Schaefer and Tom Webster discuss research demonstrating that the web dramatically changes the way we think and process messages today. Social proof like followers and likes may be more important than actual facts. The guys also break out a "would you rather" challenge that will have you laughing.

What creates personal power on the web? Your title on an organizational chart doesn't matter. Your money doesn't matter. When you get down to it, you need to be known. Hosts Mark Schaefer and Tom Webster explore this fascinating and important topic and introduce the world's first Marketing Olympics.

A small comment in the recent Facebook earnings announcement sent a shiver through the marketing community -- its ad inventory is drying up. As the popularity of the social network goes up, so will its advertising rates. Mark and Tom also debate Twitter's new branding strategy, why Silicon Valley needs to move to Dayton, Ohio, and some terrible new apps.

Should Facebook have to follow the same government rules pertaining to obscenity and violence in content?Facebook has taken a position that violent and graphic content has a place on your news feed. Plus hosts Mark Schaefer and Tom Webster introduce the world's worst apps of 2016.

Will Snapchat remain relevant for the long term? Are content streaming habits changing dramatically? Does Facebook need to be regulated by the FCC? These are just a few of the fascinating topics in this episode. And don't miss the world's first audio emojis!

Find out the hot trends shaping the field of marketing over the next few years. Hosts Mark Schaefer and Tom Webster look at the developments that will be pressing in to our budgets, our strategies, and even the skills we'll need to get ready for the future of marketing.

Is podcasting the most effective way to connect to consumers in an increasingly ad-free world? New research reveals that the humble podcast is experiencing double-digit annual growth? Podcast consumers are more affluent, highly educated, and more connected to brands than the average consumer. Hosts Mark Schaefer and Tome Webster also introduce the latest product from the Marketing Labs, Tommodium, when being you is not enough.

Examine a number of developments aimed at cutting through the clutter including the crisis in ad blocking, new content forms, the gamification of content and much more in this episode. The guys also introduce their new movie blockbuster "Chatbots: Revolution.

A modern marketing wishlist. What would you like to see on it? Hosts Mark Schaefer and Tom Webster discuss what they would like to see "more" or "less of" on the marketing wishlist, and introduce Slurry, the new Marketing Companion Chatbot.

There is major market shift occurring that will impact marketing for years to come. Information is now flowing from social networks into private messaging systems, providing new opportunities and challenges for our companies. Mark and Tom also explore new research on brand authenticity and launch a new product "Snapchat Silver.

Is Mark Zuckerberg out to destroy Snapchat? In this episode, Hosts Mark Schaefer and Tom Webster examine a number of significant digital marketing developments including the intense flurry of activity at Facebook in the area of streaming video. Snapchat jilted Facebook's acquisition offer last year.

Twitter just celebrated its tenth anniversary. It has established itself as an important part of popular culture, the news and market research yet struggles for success as a company. In this episode, hosts Mark Schaefer and Tom Webster explore the power of Twitter and its future.

Is Snapchat replacing Facebook? Hosts Mark Schaefer and Tom Webster review some remarkable new data indicating that Snapchat has replaced Facebook as the preferred social network with many young people and that podcasting is now "mainstream" media. Listen to this episode to learn how media channels are blurring.