Marketing & Brand Strategy

In this episode of SpotOn Spotlight, Ian sits down with Scott Sutter, entrepreneur and digital marketing strategist, to tackle a big question: Is SEO really dead—or just evolving?

Scott shares candid insights on how search is changing in the age of AI, introducing concepts like answer engine optimization and generative experience optimization. He explains why SEO still matters for local, service-based businesses, and how AI tools are making lead generation faster, cheaper, and more accessible than ever.

Whether you’re a business leader trying to cut through the noise, or just curious about the future of SEO and AI-driven marketing, this conversation will give you actionable ideas to help you get found and generate real leads.

What does it take to make marketing matter in industries that have long ignored it?

In this episode of SpotOn Spotlight, Ian Murray sits down with Paul Moran, Chief Marketing Officer at DBL Law and Excel Title Services, for a candid conversation about what it means to lead with marketing—especially when you’re the first one through the wall.

With more than 30 years of experience, Paul has built a career helping companies in construction, law, and hospitality carve out their brand identity, tell better stories, and stand apart in saturated markets. From launching standout campaigns at Boca Restaurant Group to redefining positioning at Huseman Group and now DBL Law, Paul shares how he’s helped leadership teams see marketing not as an expense—but as a strategic advantage.

You’ll hear how Paul:
• Positions companies to do what’s right to help them stand out.
• Pushes creative storytelling into industries that traditionally play it safe.
• Navigates the internal challenge of convincing leadership to take marketing seriously.
• Builds trust and influence as a marketer in non-marketing cultures.

Whether you’re a CMO, a marketing manager, or a business leader in an industry still on the marketing sidelines, this episode is filled with practical insights—and a little inspiration—to help you lead the charge.

In this episode of the SpotOn Spotlight, we dive into the growing world of fractional leadership with Toby Brauer, Founder, Principal, and CMO at SolvStat. With a dynamic background in branding, go-to-market strategy, and startup growth, Toby has helped numerous small to mid-sized businesses sharpen their marketing focus, accelerate results, and scale with confidence—all without the overhead of a full-time executive.

Join us as we explore the topic, “CMO Without the Overhead: When Fractional Leadership Fuels Full-Throttle Growth.” Toby shares what sets a Fractional CMO apart from consultants and agencies, how to know when your business is ready for one, and why so many companies wait too long to get strategic about their marketing. We also discuss the common pitfalls businesses face before bringing in a marketing leader, how the fractional model creates agility, and what a successful transition from fractional to full-time leadership looks like.

Whether you’re a founder juggling too much, a marketing manager looking for clarity, or a business leader seeking scalable growth, this episode delivers valuable insights into building smart, sustainable marketing momentum. Don’t miss this engaging conversation with one of the Midwest’s leading fractional CMOs.

In this episode of the SpotOn Spotlight, we dive into the world of marketing metrics and strategy alignment with Amy Connor, CEO of CMO-OnLoan. With a rich background that spans over two decades in marketing leadership, Amy has honed her expertise at top companies like Procter & Gamble and Luxottica before founding CMO-OnLoan in 2016. Her passion lies in helping businesses think and act with agility while achieving measurable growth.

Join us as we explore the essentials of “Measuring Your Marketing: Aligning Strategies with Business Goals.” Amy shares her insights on determining the right metrics for each stage of the marketing funnel, the challenges of measuring ROI in complex marketing landscapes, and the importance of aligning your marketing efforts with your overall business objectives. Whether you are a seasoned marketing professional or a business leader looking to refine your approach, this episode offers actionable strategies and expert advice to help you drive meaningful results.

Learn from a marketing veteran who has helped countless businesses turn data into growth. Don’t miss this chance to transform your marketing measurement approach and align your strategy with success!

In this episode of SpotOn Spotlight, we dive deep into the world of artificial intelligence and its transformative potential for small and medium-sized businesses. Guest Kendra Rameriz, CEO of KR Digital Agency, shares how AI is not just a futuristic concept but a practical tool to increase efficiency, save time, and drive growth. Kendra shares valuable insights on getting started with AI, even on a tight budget, and reveals her top three AI tools that are game-changers for any business. We’ll also tackle common misconceptions about AI, discuss essential guardrails for successful implementation, and explore the future trends that businesses need to stay ahead. Whether you’re new to AI or looking to expand its use in your organization, this episode is packed with actionable strategies and expert advice to help you unlock the full potential of AI.

SpotOn Productions’ President and podcast host Ian Murray is joined by guest Dave Ebbesmeyer of AI Software, Inc. as they discuss “Websites and the Changing SEO Game.” Learn why SEO is not a thing anymore and what you can do to stay competitive online.