AMA Speaker Series: Digital Marketing Panel Discussion

600 East Michigan Avenue,Kalamazoo MI 49007

25 April, 2023

Description

Learn how SEO, Influencer Marketing, and Paid Advertising can deliver the best client experience when used in the right ways. Hear first-hand how our panelists are deploying successful strategies. Enjoy refreshments and networking! Panelists: Heather Isch, CEO/President, LKF Marketing (Moderator) Dr. Scott Cowley, Associate Professor of Marketing, Co-Director of Digital Marketing & eCommerce, Western Michigan University Tinashe Chaponda, CEO & Strategist, Sosani Studios Allie Lochart, Marketing Manager, Greenleaf Hospitality Group (GHG) Ryan Winfield, Director of Digital Strategy, Advance Local MEET OUR PANELISTS: Heather Isch, CEO/President, LKF Marketing (Moderator)A marketing professional since 1989, Heather Isch is the President & Owner/CEO of LKF Marketing. She purchased the agency in 2015 after working for the Kalamazoo-based business for 19 years. She and her 17-person team deliver relationship-driven intelligent marketing solutions to clients in a wide range of industries from education and arts organizations to manufacturers and municipalities. Allie LochartAllie Lochart, Marketing Manager for Greenleaf Hospitality Group (GHG), leads strategic marketing efforts for the Kalamazoo-based brands within the dining and entertainment sectors. This includes the brand development and ongoing promotion of Kalamazoo hotspot - Brick and Brine, the newest restaurant addition to GHG’s portfolio - as well as Wings Event Center, working with promoters and tours on paid media and grassroots marketing for national concerts and events. In addition to the food & beverage and entertainment brands, Allie closely collaborates on the paid and organic marketing planning and execution for the Kalamazoo Wings Hockey Club (ECHL affiliates of the Columbus Blue Jackets) - earning the coveted ECHL Marketing Team of the Year for the 20219-20 season. Dr. Scott CowleyDr. Scott Cowley (@scottcowley) is an associate professor of marketing at Western Michigan University and co-director of the Digital Marketing & eCommerce program. Cowley is the recent winner of the Marketing Management Association's Master Teacher Award and the Haworth College’s Faculty Teaching Award. At a national level, he has keynoted multiple digital marketing educator conferences, delivered multiple webinars, published award-winning research to help schools modernize their digital marketing curricula, and created class projects adopted at over 100 universities worldwide. At the local level, he helped quadruple enrollment in WMU's digital marketing program, coached multiple student teams to the top of international case competitions, and helped launch the only digital marketing student organization in the country. Before becoming a professor, Cowley was a digital marketing professional in Salt Lake City and spent time as both an agency and client-side SEO consultant. He recently co-authored the first SEO textbook, “SEO: Strategy & Skills" and he teaches a full SEO course at WMU, along with courses in digital marketing & social media strategy. He lives in Portage with his wife and three kids. Tinashe ChapondaTinashe Chaponda is an influencer marketing expert and Sosani Studios agency owner. As the head of Sosani Studios, the agency focuses on top funnel and growth marketing campaigns for brands that leverage influencers and their social platforms. Some of Tinashe's most successful projects have been Cash App America 48-State Tour, COMPA USA Tour with Warner Brothers & Dwayne the Rock Johnson, plus over 100+ other brand campaigns. The agency also has a talent management division, managing emerging creators from Justi Schmidt, TyAna White, Kayla Malec and many more. Prior to being an agency owner. Tinashe was a former YouTuber who growing his channel to 25k subscribers with 30 million channel views and worked with brands such as Plato's Closet and Coco International. His ultimate mission is to empower brands and creators, and create an impact within the Creator Economy. Ryan WinfieldRyan Winfield serves as Director of Digital Strategy for Advance Local (parent company of regional entities such as MLive Media Group.) During Ryan’s tenure, he has developed digital marketing strategies for agency-level clients regional to international in scope and in both the B2C and B2B industry verticals. He served as a board member with the American Marketing Association’s Southwest Michigan chapter for seven years, where he also achieved Professional Certified Marketer (PCM) status in 2018, with an emphasis on digital marketing. Thanks to our event sponsor: Thanks to our annual sponsors: