April finds that most start-ups struggle with their positioning statements. They either follow the fill-in-the-blank, Frankenstein-style model, or they don’t create one at all. To help, April breaks down the top four types of positioning statements and shares a new way for crafting them. 

Live video is the game-changer. Live video allows us to scale relationships and build trust. But it’s more than hitting a button and chatting away. You still need to have a strategy. Brian provides us with his 5 keys to a successful live video stream.

How does a young guy from Winnipeg become the founder of the leading search marketing software company? Answer: A lot of hard work, an undying drive for success and a lot of time spent working with the free wifi at Panera Bread. Larry Kim joins us to share his story of going from a University of Waterloo student to building a successful business that manages over half a billion dollars in ad revenue worldwide. 

Top digital analyst, futurist and award-winning author, Brian Solis joins Alan to share the inspirations and aspirations behind his new book, X: The Experience When Business Meets Design.

Alan and Joe break down many aspects of a stellar content marketing strategy, debate the future of content marketing, and Joe shares his inspirations for writing Content Inc. By the way, since you’ve been reading this, another 1,000+ blogs have been launched on the internet. How will you stand out among them?

Yes, the digital age is transforming the landscape of public relations, but that doesn’t mean any Joe Blow off the street can get your word out like a PR expert can. A self-proclaimed “news junkie and political wonk”, Melissa joins us to discuss the importance of public relations and why every brand needs to have a strategy. 

Michael Brenner joins Alan to share some of the expertise the reader will find in “The Content Formula” and to talk about what adventures are next. Alan and Michael discuss why “marketing has a marketing problem” and what we need to do to fix it. 

The founder of Omnivision Entertainment and My Damn Channel joins Alan to discuss the past, present and future of branded content. With a history working at MTV, VH1 and then taking an entrepreneurial route in media, Rob’s true passion lies in providing talented entertainers with the right platform to achieve success.

CEO of Axonify and Alan’s entrepreneurial heroine, Carol Leaman, stops by to discuss her growing business and her path of serial entrepreneurship. Carol shares what she looks for in a startup when investing and the legacy she wishes to leave behind.

Avvey talks about her cross-Canada tour visiting similar startup hubs and shares what she learned. She also discusses how Canada is doing in terms of innovation, technology and job creation, and how we are blessed to have an amazing ecosystem for startups in Waterloo Region.

Scott Stratten of Unmarketing, the Unpodcast and Unselling speaks with Alan about the evolution of the sales funnel and how everything before and after the sale, IS the sale. Scott talks about when and where to use marketing automation, and how you should make sure your business is strong before exploring new technologies and digital strategies.

Andrew talks about his journey from being a student at Wilfrid Laurier University to being the CEO of his own advertising company. He discusses the differences of working with a small creative agency or a large network, and how The & Partnership fills both roles. 

Artist entrepreneur, Jennifer Gough, returns to AQ’s Blog & Grill to share her recent experiences creating and growing her art business. This year Jen has been featured in Forbes, has had a show in New York, and has pushed her own boundaries by trying new mediums of art. 

Integrated marketing guru, Bob Lauterborn, chats with Alan about what integrated marketing communications really is: a thinking process. He believes the four P's of marketing are a flawed premise and can be detrimental to your business today. Alan and Bob also discuss the UBP - the Unique Buying Proposition and how it's replaced the Unique Selling Proposition.

With over 35 years in the advertising world, thought leader Edward Boches joins Alan Quarry on AQ’s Blog & Grill to discuss the evolution of advertising. Edward discusses how to earn attention as a brand, how the advertising landscape has changed dramatically over the years, and what you can do as an ad agency to avoid falling behind.

Mallorie Brodie, co-founder of Bridgit, talks about meeting her co-founder and starting their business by doing over 500 on-site interviews. Mallorie is candid about what it takes to run a successful business, experiences with a failed business, and what she thinks is important in selecting a business partner.

In this AQ’s Blog & Grill Q&A, Ann talks with Alan about how we are all writers, and provides tips on being a great storyteller. She also shares her favourite practical tools and apps that she uses to help her with writing.

Guy explains why entrepreneurs don't need business plans anymore and shouldn’t rely on venture capital. He talks about simplicity, passion and the changing landscape of being an entrepreneur.