Best Pete Sena Podcasts (2025)

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321. AI, Your Agency & Keeping the Human Connection, with Pete Sena 45:29

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3d ago45:29

45:29

Today on The Innovative Agency Podcast Sharon Toerek sits down with Pete Sena, multi-hyphenate founder, brand experience visionary, and creative provocateur, to tackle one of the most urgent questions facing agencies today: How do you keep innovating when AI is rewriting the rules of marketing in real time? If you've ever wondered how AI is reshapi…

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320. Are Webinars Your Agency's Secret Advantage? with Logan Lyles 28:29

10d ago28:29

28:29

On this episode of The Innovative Agency Podcast Sharon Toerek welcomes back Logan Lyles, Founder of DemandShift and a seasoned B2B marketing strategist, for a deep dive into how agencies can reclaim webinars as a high-impact growth engine. Logan reveals how his Webinar Fast Track Framework turns webinars from passive brand awareness plays into mea…

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319. Scaling Up Without Burnout, with Jesse Gilmore 31:33

17d ago31:33

31:33

On this episode of The Innovative Agency Podcast Sharon Toerek chats with Jesse Gilmore, Founder of Niche In Control. Jesse opens up about his journey from entrepreneurial burnout to building agencies that scale sustainably, without sacrificing sanity or freedom. He shares powerful lessons on the mindset shifts that turn overwhelm into momentum and…

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318. Leveraging AI for SEO Advantage, with Carl Holden 32:31

24d ago32:31

32:31

Today on The Innovative Agency Podcast Sharon Toerek and guest Carl Holden tackle one of the biggest shifts reshaping our industry — how AI is rewriting the rules of SEO and digital marketing. Carl, agency owner and Founder of RankBot, has been at the forefront of this transformation. He's seen firsthand how AI is changing client expectations, lowe…

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317. Turn AI Disruption into Agency Opportunity, with Leslie Carruthers 37:58

1M ago37:58

37:58

Today on The Innovative Agency Podcast, Sharon Toerek is joined by Leslie Carruthers, Founder of The Search Guru, for a conversation that every agency leader needs to hear right now. Generative AI isn't just a shiny new tool, it's rewriting the rules of search, visibility, and how clients find their next partner. If you've seen your organic traffic…

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Beyond Vanity Metrics: Marketing That Drives Real Business Results, ft. Corey Morris 48:40

1M ago48:40

48:40

In this episode, marketing strategist Corey Morris joins us to unpack why so many companies feel like they’re spinning their wheels with content and campaigns—without seeing real business results. He explains how marketing often gets lost in the weeds of tactics and vanity metrics, and shares how his START Planning Framework brings clarity, account…

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Katelyn Bourgoin: Why Buyer Psychology Is the Real Growth Hack // 64 51:41

1M ago51:41

51:41

What happens when your dream startup fails, you lose everything—including other people’s money—and you still choose to build again? In this episode of Forward Obsessed, host Pete Sena sits down with Katelyn Bourgoin, the founder of Why We Buy and Unignorable, to talk about her incredible journey—from PR school to startup bankruptcy to becoming one …

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316. Partnerships that End Churn, with Justin Rashidi 35:27

1M ago35:27

35:27

On this episode of The Innovative Agency Podcast Sharon Toerek chats with Justin Rashidi, co-founder of SeedX, for a no-fluff conversation about one of the toughest challenges every agency faces: client churn. Justin brings a candid, inside look at why expectations so often fall apart between agencies and clients and what to do about it before the …

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315. The Table Stakes for Agency Business Growth Now, with Dan Englander 36:53

2M ago36:53

36:53

On this episode of The Innovative Agency Podcast Sharon Toerek welcomes Dan Englander, CEO and Founder of Sales Schema, to dig into what's really ahead for agency business development in 2025 and beyond. Dan has spent years in the trenches with independent agencies, and he's here to share why specialization and perspective are no longer "nice to ha…

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314. Leading Your Agency through Transition, with Elise Mitchell 44:13

2M ago44:13

44:13

On this episode of The Innovative Agency Podcast Sharon Toerek sits down with Elise Mitchell, Founder of the award-winning Mitchell Communications and trusted leadership coach to agency owners. Elise knows firsthand what it takes to build, scale, and sell an agency. She's bringing that hard-earned wisdom into her work guiding leaders through today'…

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313. Find Your Agency's Profit Sweet Spot, with Mandi Ellefson 35:23

2M ago35:23

35:23

This episode of The Innovative Agency Podcast welcomes back Mandi Ellefson, Founder of Hands Off CEO, for a candid and timely conversation about profits, client value, and the hidden levers that drive sustainable growth. Too often, agency leaders obsess over monthly revenue or the size of the next contract while missing the real game-changer: long-…

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312. Influencer Marketing and Your Agency's Role, with Paula Bruno 38:00

2M ago38:00

38:00

Today on the Innovative Agency Podcast, Sharon Torek is joined by Paula Bruno, CEO and Founder of Intuition Media Group, and influencer marketing pioneer who's been navigating the creator economy for more than 15 years. Paula gets candid about the real challenges marketing agencies are facing, including how to separate creators with genuine communi…

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311. Turning Ideas into Results, with Emily Hatton 29:25

2M ago29:25

29:25

Today on the Innovative Agency Podcast, Sharon Torek is joined by Emily Hatton, an expert at turning bold ideas into real, measurable progress. If your agency has ever wrestled with too many opportunities, scattered priorities, or half-finished projects collecting dust, you'll want to lean into this conversation. Emily unpacks the hidden barriers t…

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310. AI That Works for Creative Agencies, with Hikari Senju 22:48

3M ago22:48

22:48

AI isn't just a buzzword anymore. It's reshaping how agencies build, deliver, and scale creative at lightning speed. But for every opportunity it unlocks, there are just as many questions: How do you keep your creative edge? What are the legal landmines? And how do you actually integrate AI in a way that drives results and protects your agency? On …

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309. Agency Rebranding Done Right, with Bill Swanston 24:36

3M ago24:36

24:36

Today on The Innovative Agency Podcast, Sharon Toerek sits down with Bill Swanston, co-founder and President of Bosun, for a raw and revealing conversation about what it really takes to reinvent a legacy agency. Bill doesn't just share the highlight reel. He takes us inside the emotional highs and lows of letting go of a longtime identity, includin…

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308. Agency M&A – A Seller's Journey, with Mike Harris 42:40

3M ago42:40

42:40

Today on The Innovative Agency Podcast Sharon Toerek is joined by President and Co-Founder of Uproar PR Mike Harris. Mike brings the kind of hard-earned wisdom you only get from selling an agency. Not once, but twice. If you've ever wrestled with the idea of letting go of something you built from the ground up, this conversation is going to hit hom…

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307. Growing Your Agency by Stepping Away, with Louise Oliver 37:35

3M ago37:35

37:35

Today on The Innovative Agency Podcast Sharon Toerek welcomes Louise Oliver, Founder and CEO of Peritus PR, for a story that doesn't get told nearly enough, but every agency owner needs to hear it. Louise discusses the bold and deeply personal decision to hit pause and step away entirely from the business she built. Not just a vacation. A real, ext…

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306. How to Shorten + Improve the Agency Sales Cycle, with Taylor Frame 31:44

4M ago31:44

31:44

Today on The Innovative Agency Podcast, Sharon Toerek is joined by Taylor Frame, Chief Revenue Officer at Best Practice Media. Taylor knows what it really takes to grow agency revenue in a market that's full of hesitation and slow-moving buyers. With economic uncertainty and client priorities shifting by the week, Taylor shares a refreshingly hones…

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305. Evolving PR in a Noisy World, with Jennifer Kaplan 24:48

4M ago24:48

24:48

On this episode of The Innovative Agency Podcast, Sharon Toerek is joined by Jennifer Kaplan, Founder of Evolve PR and Marketing, an industry veteran who's had a front-row seat to the seismic shifts reshaping how we communicate. In a marketing landscape defined by constant change, Jennifer breaks down what's actually working today in PR, from the r…

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304. AI and Agency Leadership – In Real Life, with Lori Highby 25:58

4M ago25:58

25:58

This episode of The Innovative Agency Podcast welcomes Lori Highby, CEO and Founder of Keystone Click, for an honest and practical conversation about what it really looks like to run a digital agency in the age of AI. Lori shares how her and her team are weaving AI into daily operations, not just the flashy stuff, but the messy, behind-the-scenes r…

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303. Stop Churn for Long-Term Client Retention, with Chip Griffin 24:53

4M ago24:53

24:53

This episode of The Innovative Agency Podcast examines a challenge every agency leader has faced at one point or another: watching a promising new client relationship fall apart too soon. Today's guest is Chip Griffin, Founder of the Small Agency Growth Alliance (SAGA), and he's here to unpack how to set agency-client relationships up for success b…

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302. How to Optimize Your Digital Marketing, with Saul Marquez 31:10

5M ago31:10

31:10

This episode of The Innovative Agency Podcast welcomes Saul Marquez, Founder and CEO of Outcomes Rocket, an expert in digital marketing for the healthcare sector. Saul dives into the core challenges agencies face in proving the effectiveness of digital campaigns and building lasting client trust, especially when expectations and reality don't alway…

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301. Agency Business Development – Hope is Not a Strategy, with Tom Martin 40:43

5M ago40:43

40:43

Today's episode of The Innovative Agency Podcast is a must-listen if you've ever found yourself staring down an empty pipeline, wondering where your next opportunity will come from. Sharon Toerek is joined by Tom Martin, Founder and CEO of Converse Digital. Tom doesn't pull punches when it comes to one of the most critical and overlooked agency cha…

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300. Rapid Growth Roadmap for Agencies, with Stephanie Spicer 32:20

5M ago32:20

32:20

Leading a fast-growing agency comes with unique challenges. How do you scale at speed without losing your culture, your talent, or your edge? This special milestone episode of The Innovative Agency Podcast (we've hit 300 episodes today, all!) features Stephanie Spicer, President of Luquire, an agency recognized for its rapid growth and innovative l…

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299. Managing Agency Chaos, with Karl Sakas 37:13

5M ago37:13

37:13

This episode of The Innovative Agency Podcast welcomes back Karl Sakas, a familiar and trusted voice in the agency world. Through Sakas & Company, Karl offers custom consulting, executive coaching and training programs and products to help agency owners "up-level" at their agency. He joins this episode of The Innovative Agency to share powerful and…

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298. Leading Agencies Through Transition, with Ellen Praytor Faulkner 37:22

5M ago37:22

37:22

In this episode of The Innovative Agency, Sharon Toerek is joined by Ellen Praytor Faulkner, CEO of Lewis Communications, a performance marketing powerhouse with deep roots and a forward-thinking edge. Ellen opens up about what it really takes to lead an agency through transition, stepping into the CEO role in the wake of COVID and steering through…

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297. Purpose Over Panic, with Lindsey DeWitte 35:52

6M ago35:52

35:52

Today on The Innovative Agency Podcast Sharon Toerek is joined by Lindsey DeWitte. Lindsey is Chief Impact Officer at BarkleyOKRP, one of the largest independent agencies in the country. With economic and political headwinds reshaping the landscape, agency leaders are being called to step up in new ways, as steady hands for their clients and as cha…

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296. From Hesitation to AI Integration, with John Munsell 32:05

6M ago32:05

32:05

This episode of The Innovative Agency Podcast welcomes agency veteran and Bizzuka CEO John Munsell for a no-fluff conversation about what it really takes to lead an agency through the AI revolution. Drawing on decades of experience and real-world trials, John shares the hard truths and smart moves behind his transition from traditional agency life …

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295. The Living, Breathing Brand, with Justin Hoot 25:01

6M ago25:01

25:01

Today's episode of The Innovative Agency explores the real story behind brand with Justin Hoot, Partner and Director of Client Services & Growth at Chicago's Someoddpilot. This isn't your typical conversation about logos and taglines; we're talking brand as culture, as community, as a living, breathing relationship between agencies and their client…

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294. Smarter Video for Modern Agencies, with Patrick Taggart 35:02

6M ago35:02

35:02

Today The Innovative Agency Podcast welcomes Patrick Taggart, Chief Creative Officer of SkyBlue Creative, for a candid conversation about the power and challenges of video in modern brand storytelling. As agencies face questions about authenticity, AI, and the pressure to "go big" with video content, Patrick explores his approach to unscripted, con…

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293. The Niche Blueprint, with Erik Olson 37:13

7M ago37:13

37:13

In this episode of The Innovative Agency Podcast, Sharon Toerek sits down with serial entrepreneur Erik Olson, CEO of several thriving digital marketing agencies. Erik pulls back the curtain on his journey from running a single agency to building a powerful network under a holding company model. Erik shares the bold choices behind specialization ve…

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292. The AI Advantage, with Mike Todasco 28:07

7M ago28:07

28:07

On this episode of The Innovative Agency Podcast, Sharon Toerek explores the game-changing impact of AI in marketing agencies with guest Mike Todasco—former VP of Innovation at PayPal and now a professor at San Diego State University. This episode tackles the big questions: How can AI elevate agency-client relationships? Where do the biggest opport…

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Tanay Kothari: Building the Next Generation of Personal AI // #63 1:07:47

7M ago1:07:47

1:07:47

What if your voice could replace your keyboard—and be smarter than Siri ever dreamed of? Meet Tanay Kothari, the CEO and co-founder of Wispr Flow, a voice-first AI company redefining how we interact with technology. From teaching himself to code at age nine to building and selling a company fresh out of Stanford, Tanay’s journey is a masterclass in…

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291. Buyer Psychology Meets AI, with Rai Cornell 31:01

7M ago31:01

31:01

On this episode of The Innovative Agency Podcast, Sharon Toerek explores the fascinating intersection of buyer psychology and AI-driven marketing with Rai Cornell, Founder of Cornell Content Marketing. With a background in psychology, Rai brings a unique perspective on how human behavior shapes effective content strategies. She unpacks the role of …

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Don’t Persuade Harder; Resonate Stronger: How to Build Messages That Truly Connect -- Ft. Dr. Michael Gerharz, Host of the Irresistible Communication podcast 41:21

7M ago41:21

41:21

Why Good Marketing Often Falls Flat Have you ever launched a marketing campaign that seemed to follow all the right rules—sharp copy, clear calls to action, even a sleek design—only to realize… it didn’t connect? Maybe the message felt off. Maybe no one engaged. You’re not alone. In this episode of the Mindful B2B Marketing podcast, communication c…

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290. AI: Opportunity vs. Risk, with Adam Nathan 28:09

7M ago28:09

28:09

In this episode of The Innovative Agency Podcast, Adam Nathan of Blaze AI joins Sharon Toerek to discuss the integration of AI into agencies, exploring both the opportunities it presents and the fears it evokes. Adam shares insights into how agencies can leverage AI to enhance their operations and outlines strategies for agency leaders to position …

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289. Turn Niche into Revenue, with Tom Conlon 29:36

8M ago29:36

29:36

In this episode of The Innovative Agency Podcast, Sharon Toerek sits down with Tom Conlon, Founder of North Street, a branding-focused agency based in New York. Tom made a bold strategic move, doubling down on a niche, and that led to the launch of his new venture, Circulent. He was able to harness his team's existing skills to turn specific expert…

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288. CEO Essentials, with Brad Farris 37:48

8M ago37:48

37:48

Sharon Toerek sits down with Brad Farris, Principal of Anchor Advisors, for a powerful conversation on The Innovative Agency Podcast. This episode tackles a critical yet often overlooked question: What is the real role of a CEO in an agency? Brad breaks down the key responsibilities that separate working in the business from working on it—and why t…

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Sean Busch: Lessons from Bootstrapping to Big-Box Retail // #62 1:25:47

8M ago1:25:47

1:25:47

What does it take to scale a business from a $20,000 launch to over $100 million in revenue? In this episode of Forward Obsessed, entrepreneur Sean Busch takes us through his incredible journey—from a small-town kid flipping car parts in high school to founding and selling the household cleaning brand Puracy. Along the way, Sean shares how he lever…

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287. Video's Transformative Role in Agencies, with Hope Horner 30:46

8M ago30:46

30:46

Today on the Innovative Agency Podcast, Sharon Toerek is joined by Hope Horner, Founder and CEO of Lemonlight. In a rapidly changing landscape where video content has become indispensable for brands, Hope shares her expertise on how marketing agencies can capitalize on this trend. This discussion delves into the democratization of video, identifyin…

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286. User-Generated Content Trends, with Leah Messina 30:59

8M ago30:59

30:59

Today on the Innovative Agency Podcast, Sharon Toerek is joined by Leah Messina, Founder of Sinuate Media. Leah delves into the dynamic world of user-generated content, shedding light on its evolution from traditional influencer strategies to fostering authentic connections with consumers. As agencies grapple with trust and authenticity challenges …

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285. Podcast Marketing Secrets, with Tom Schwab 35:09

9M ago35:09

35:09

In this episode of The Innovative Agency, Sharon Toerek sits down with Tom Schwab, CEO and Founder of Interview Valet, to explore the dynamic world of podcasting as a tool for agency growth. They delve into the benefits and pitfalls of hosting your own podcast, and the powerful impact of being a guest on other shows through structured interview mar…

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284. Unlock Revenue with Strategic Alliances, with Jarrod Lopiccolo 30:15

9M ago30:15

30:15

In this episode of The Innovative Agency podcast, Sharon Toerek sits down with Jarrod Lopiccolo, co-founder of Noble Studios, for a powerful conversation on the game-changing impact of strategic partnerships. Jarrod pulls back the curtain on how he forged a thriving joint venture with a UK-based firm, and why building relationships beyond borders i…

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283. Operationalizing AI, with Brandon White 39:01

9M ago39:01

39:01

In this episode of The Innovative Agency Podcast, Sharon Toerek delves into the future of AI in marketing agencies with Brandon White, CEO of 3rd Brain Digital. Brandon unveils his powerful 5-level framework for AI integration—breaking down how agencies can harness automation to boost efficiency, profitability, and scalability. From streamlining wo…

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Mike Lloyd: Building Resilience, Distribution, and Cyber Insurance Innovation // #61 1:43:11

9M ago1:43:11

1:43:11

Mike Lloyd’s entrepreneurial story began with a simple childhood side hustle—burning CDs for friends in his small Michigan hometown. That spark of ingenuity set him on a journey from studying at MIT and Harvard to launching and scaling companies that reshaped industries. In this episode of Forward Obsessed, Mike delves into the pivotal moments that…

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282. Build, Scale, and Exit, with Max Bidna 39:25

9M ago39:25

39:25

On today's episode of The Innovative Agency Podcast Sharon Toerek welcomes Max Bidna, a former agency owner and now a thriving media business entrepreneur. Max shares how he strategically scaled and sold his marketing agency, paving the way for exciting new ventures. From building systems that make agencies irresistible to buyers, to knowing the ri…

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281. Authenticity in Action, with April White 35:13

9M ago35:13

35:13

Today on the Innovative Agency Podcast, Sharon Toerek welcomes April White from Trust Relations, a nationwide strategic communications firm. April delves into the timely and crucial topic of building trust within the marketing and communications landscape. As trust becomes increasingly vital for brands navigating a complex media environment, April …

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280. Smart Scaling, with Austin Dandridge 40:02

10M ago40:02

40:02

In this episode of The Innovative Agency Podcast Sharon Torek welcomes Founder of Cobble Hill Digital, Austin Dandridge. He discusses the essential strategies for adding value in service-based businesses and the unique challenges faced when onboarding new clients. Austin outlines the differences in advising small or early-stage startups versus grow…

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How to Get Featured by Major Media Outlets -- ft. Leonard Scheiner, CEO of Geek Haus (S2:E19) 42:31

10M ago42:31

42:31

Main Insight: Earning media placements through consistent, strategic PR efforts builds lasting authority and credibility that can significantly boost your brand and sales. Guest Bio: Leonard Scheiner is a PR expert who brings over a decade of experience building memorable brands and online authority for both Fortune 500 companies and boutique firms…

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279. The Rise of Experiential Marketing, with Lydia Martinez 32:01

10M ago32:01

32:01

Today on the Innovative Agency Podcast Sharon Toerek welcomes Lydia Martinez, CEO and Founder of Elle Marketing and Events. Lydia delves into the transformative shifts in event planning and marketing brought about by the pandemic, sharing how her team pivoted from in-person to digital events and the lasting effects on attendee preferences. Listen a…