Backcountry Marketing

In Episode 2 of The Relevance Project, Cole continues working with Kitworks, Loon'r, and SkyGOAT to move from brand strategy into actual content strategy. The episode starts by pressure-testing the idea of treating a brand like a character. For each of the three brands, those characters are becoming a tool for translating a point of view into recognizable behavior without necessarily putting a fictional character in front of the audience. The project then takes a detour into the fundamentals of marketing with Jenni Romaniuk. The conversation explores mental availability, category entry points, and the idea that much of marketing's job is helping a brand come to mind in the right buying situations. But strategy alone isn't enough. Joe Prebich of Benchmade introduces the other side of the equation: the creative still has to be interesting enough to earn attention. From there, the teams begin turning the strategy into actual content ideas. Kitworks explores gear management and the strange rituals of outdoor life. Loon'r begins building an entire creative world around a war on cold feet. SkyGOAT starts experimenting with the idea of bringing unexpected comfort into uncomfortable outdoor situations.   About: This podcast is produced by Port Side, a creative agency that helps outdoor brands build relevance, recognition, and attention.  Enjoy this episode and discover other resources below: Support Us | We've been bootstrapping this for 6 years. Help us keep this going The Archive | 250 hours is a lot to listen to; what if you could search it all?  Relevance Project | We're building three brands in public. Follow along Email List | Follow along and join our email list  LinkedIn | Connect with Cole

Creative is often treated as an expense. Joe Prebich, the VP of Benchmade Knife Company,  believes the best creative can become one of a brand's most valuable growth assets. In this episode, Joe shares lessons from his time at Red Bull and Benchmade about why bold ideas matter, how great content can create distribution and long-term brand loyalty, and why much of the outdoor industry has become too safe. We also explore the importance of having a strong point of view, why brands need to make real choices to stand out, how Benchmade thinks differently about organic and paid content, and why getting closer to the customer still matters more than another audience persona buried in a PowerPoint.   About:  This podcast is produced by Port Side, a creative agency that helps outdoor brands build relevance, recognition, and attention.  Enjoy this episode and discover other resources below: Support Us | We've been bootstrapping this for 6 years. Help us keep this going Relevance Project | We're building three brands in public. Follow along Email List | Follow along and join our email list  Slack Community | Tired of brainstorming with ChatGPT? Join us! LinkedIn | Connect with Cole

In the first episode of the Relevance Project, Cole sits down with the teams at SkyGOAT, Kitworks, and Loon'r to understand where each brand is starting, what they want organic content to accomplish, and how they'll measure progress along the way. The conversations reveal a shared challenge. The brands have audiences, products, and stories worth telling, but they haven't yet built a consistent organic content system that creates engagement, strengthens the brand, and continues working even when paid media is turned off. This episode goes behind the scenes of establishing those benchmarks and introduces the larger experiment ahead: developing content that leads with value, earns attention, and *might* create a more durable path to growth. About: This podcast is produced by Port Side, a creative agency that helps outdoor brands build relevance, recognition, and attention.    Enjoy this episode and discover other resources below: Relevance Project | We're building three brands in public. Follow along Email List | Follow along as we build in public by joining our email list  Slack Community | Tired of brainstorming with ChatGPT? Join us! Insight Deck | Want 20 of our favorite insights shared on the show?  LinkedIn | Join the conversation and share ideas with other industry peers. Apple Podcast | Want to help us out? Leave us a review on Apple. Guest List | Have a Guest in Mind?  Share them with us here.

Professor Jenni Romaniuk, Research Professor and Associate Director at the Ehrenberg-Bass Institute, Adelaide University, breaks down the science behind how brands are remembered. We explore why memory is at the heart of effective marketing, why only a small percentage of buyers are in-market at any given time, and what marketers should be doing to build future demand. Jenni explains the concepts of mental availability, category entry points, and distinctive assets, and why they're some of the strongest predictors of long-term brand growth. We also discuss why so much advertising goes unnoticed, how outdoor brands can escape the sea of sameness, and why marketers should stop trying to communicate everything at once and instead focus on leaving behind one useful memory.   About: This podcast is produced by Port Side. We help outdoor brands grow by building a content engine. Want to learn more about how we can help? Enjoy this episode and discover other resources below: Relevance Project | We're building three brands in public. Follow along Email List | Follow along as we build in public by joining our email list  Slack Community | Tired of brainstorming with ChatGPT? Join us! Insight Deck | Want 20 of our favorite insights shared on the show?  LinkedIn | Join the conversation and share ideas with other industry peers. Apple Podcast | Want to help us out? Leave us a review on Apple. Guest List | Have a Guest in Mind?  Share them with us here.  

Cole shares the thinking behind The Relevance Project and why he believes relevance has become one of the most important competitive advantages available to brands today. The goal of marketing hasn't changed, but the landscape and tools have. Attention is becoming scarcer, paid media is becoming more expensive, audiences have more control over what they consume than ever before, and brands now have access to free distribution at a scale that was unimaginable just a decade ago. The challenge? Most brands are still operating as if nothing has changed.     About: This podcast is produced by Port Side, a content strategy studio that helps outdoor brands become relevant, recognized, and build an audience. Want to learn more about how we can help? Enjoy this episode and discover other resources below: Relevance Project | We're building three brands in public. Follow along Email List | Follow along as we build in public by joining our email list  Slack Community | Tired of brainstorming with ChatGPT? Join us! Insight Deck | Want 20 of our favorite insights shared on the show?  LinkedIn | Join the conversation and share ideas with other industry peers. Apple Podcast | Want to help us out? Leave us a review on Apple. Guest List | Have a Guest in Mind?  Share them with us here.

After reviewing 19 brand applications, Port Side has selected three brands to work with: Kitworks, loon'r, and SkyGOAT.  The Relevance Project is a public experiment exploring whether outdoor brands can become more relevant, recognizable, and memorable by creating audience-first content that builds attention, trust, and long-term demand.    About: This podcast is produced by Port Side, a content strategy studio that helps outdoor brands become relevant, recognized, and build an audience. Want to learn more about how we can help? Enjoy this episode and discover other resources below: Relevance Project | We're building three brands in public.  Email List | Follow along as we build in public by joining our email list Slack Community | Tired of brainstorming with ChatGPT? Join us! Insight Deck | Want 20 of our favorite insights shared on the show?  LinkedIn | Join the conversation and share ideas with other industry peers. Apple Podcast | Want to help us out? Leave us a review on Apple. Guest List | Have a Guest in Mind?  Share them with us here.  

Andy Pearson, VP of Creative at Liquid Death, explains why brands should stop thinking like advertisers and start thinking like entertainers. We dive into how Liquid Death built one of the largest organic audiences without relying on paid media, why humor is an underrated marketing tool, and why the best brands behave more like memorable characters than carefully managed style guides. We also pressure test some of the ideas behind The Relevance Project, discussing audience building, paid media, share of voice, and why Liquid Death doesn't have a brand book.     About: This podcast is produced by Port Side, a content strategy + production studio that helps outdoor brands become relevant, recognized, and build an audience. Want to learn more about how we can help? Enjoy this episode and discover other resources below: Relevance Project | We're building three brands in public. Follow along Slack Community | Tired of brainstorming with ChatGPT? Join us! Insight Deck | Want 20 of our favorite insights shared on the show?  LinkedIn | Connect with Cole Apple Podcast | Want to help us out? Leave us a review on Apple. Guest List | Have a Guest in Mind?  Share them with us here.  

The Relevance Project is underway! 15 brands have applied to be considered. If you want to apply, reach out to us and submit your application by June 26th.    About: This podcast is produced by Port Side, a content strategy studio that helps outdoor brands become relevant, recognized, and build an audience. Want to learn more about how we can help? Enjoy this episode and discover other resources below: Slack Community | Tired of brainstorming with ChatGPT? Join us! Insight Deck | Want 20 of our favorite insights shared on the show?  LinkedIn | Join the conversation and share ideas with other industry peers. Apple Podcast | Want to help us out? Leave us a review on Apple. Guest List | Have a Guest in Mind?  Share them with us here.

In this solo episode, Cole shares why he believes many outdoor brands already possess something unique beneath the surface, but struggle to translate that uniqueness into content that earns attention, builds an audience, and drives business results. Cole also announces a public experiment: We're looking for one outdoor brand willing to partner with Port Side to test these ideas in real time. Together, we'll document the process, share the wins and failures publicly, and explore what it actually takes to build relevance and an audience through organic content.   About: This podcast is produced by Port Side, a content strategy studio that helps outdoor brands become relevant, recognized, and build an audience. Want to learn more about how we can help? Enjoy this episode and discover other resources below: Slack Community | Tired of brainstorming with ChatGPT? Join us! Insight Deck | Want 20 of our favorite insights shared on the show?  LinkedIn | Join the conversation and share ideas with other industry peers. Apple Podcast | Want to help us out? Leave us a review on Apple. Guest List | Have a Guest in Mind?  Share them with us here.  

Laura Jastram-Wrend joins Cole live at the HikeExpo to discuss what most outdoor brands are still getting wrong about the power of social.  Laura breaks down why social should no longer be treated like an afterthought, how creator ecosystems outperform one-off influencer activations, and why "edutainment" is the new standard for outdoor content.  About: This podcast is produced by Port Side, a creative production studio creating content strategy + production for outdoor brands, rooted in emotion. Want to learn more about how we can help? Enjoy this episode and discover other resources below: Slack Community | Tired of brainstorming with ChatGPT? Join us! Insight Deck | Want 20 of our favorite insights shared on the show?  LinkedIn | Join the conversation and share ideas with other industry peers. Apple Podcast | Want to help us out? Leave us a review on Apple. Guest List | Have a Guest in Mind?  Share them with us here.  

Cole hit the floor at the HikeExpo to interview founders about the reality of running social at a small brand. Is there an alternative to spending $10,000 a month on paid ads in a small business where cash flow is critical?

Maren Hamilton, former Head of Social at The North Face and current Director of Global Brand and Community at popFly. We break down her core thesis: brand is social and social is brand. Maren shares why brands must stop treating social as a downstream channel, how to bring social thinking upstream into campaign planning and what it takes to build a social-first brand.    About: This podcast is produced by Port Side, a creative production studio creating video strategy + production for active brands, rooted in emotion.    Enjoy this episode and discover other resources below: Insight Deck | Want 20 of our favorite insights shared on the show?  Booklist | Here's our curated list of recommended books over the years. LinkedIn | Join the conversation and share ideas with other industry peers. Apple Podcast | Want to help us out? Leave us a review on Apple. Guest List | Have a Guest in Mind?  Share them with us here. Patreon | Want to support us financially?

Resilient businesses are built by building an audience. In this solo episode, Cole Heilborn challenges the assumption that people inherently care about brand campaigns, product launches, or high-production content, and instead argues that attention must be earned through relevance and value over time. Drawing from recent conversations, industry observations, and Port Side's own projects, Cole breaks down the growing disconnect between how brands produce content and how audiences actually consume it. While many brands continue to rely on intermittent campaign cycles, the most durable brands are consistently investing in content that serves, entertains, or resonates with their audience. About: This podcast is produced by Port Side, a creative production studio creating content strategy + production for outdoor brands, rooted in emotion. Want to learn more about how we can help? Enjoy this episode and discover other resources below: Slack Community | Tired of brainstorming with ChatGPT? Join us! Insight Deck | Want 20 of our favorite insights shared on the show?  LinkedIn | Join the conversation and share ideas with other industry peers. Apple Podcast | Want to help us out? Leave us a review on Apple. Guest List | Have a Guest in Mind?  Share them with us here.

In this episode, Greg Randolph, VP of Marketing at DECKED, and Bridget Noonan, Senior Brand Director at DECKED, break down one of the biggest tensions in modern marketing: brand vs performance. We talk about the rise of performance marketing, why it worked so well for so long, and why many brands are now hitting a ceiling. Greg and Bridget share how DECKED is thinking about long-term growth, what it actually means to invest in brand, and why community, storytelling, and customer connection are becoming more important than ever. We also get into the risks of over-relying on paid channels, how to think about creative and frequency, and finding a balance between brand and performance marketing   About: This podcast is produced by Port Side, a creative production studio creating content strategy + production for outdoor brands, rooted in emotion. Want to learn more about how we can help? Enjoy this episode and discover other resources below: Slack Community | Tired of brainstorming with ChatGPT? Join us! Insight Deck | Want 20 of our favorite insights shared on the show?  LinkedIn | Join the conversation and share ideas with other industry peers. Apple Podcast | Want to help us out? Leave us a review on Apple. Guest List | Have a Guest in Mind?  Share them with us here.  

What is the value of great creative, and what happens when brands let marketing metrics dictate the work before the idea is even fully formed? In this episode, Cole sits down with Rafael Oliveira, former Creative Director at Tracksmith, to talk about the role of the creative director, the tension between marketing and creative, and why distinction matters more than ever in a world where so many brands are producing work that looks the same. Rafa shares how Tracksmith approached creative as a long-term brand-building tool, why subtlety is often the marker of great work, and how brands can influence behavior by creating content that makes people feel something first. They also get into the risk of sameness, why minimum viable creative is the wrong starting point, and how brands should think about making work that adds value beyond the transaction.   About: This podcast is produced by Port Side, a creative production studio creating content strategy + production for active brands, rooted in emotion.  Enjoy this episode and discover other resources below: Slack Community | Tired of brainstorming with ChatGPT? Join us! Insight Deck | Want 20 of our favorite insights shared on the show?  Booklist | Here's our curated list of recommended books over the years. LinkedIn | Join the conversation and share ideas with other industry peers. Apple Podcast | Want to help us out? Leave us a review on Apple. Guest List | Have a Guest in Mind?  Share them with us here.  

Episode Description Most outdoor brands share a similar origin story: a founder identifies a need in the wild, builds a product in a garage, and grows a company from there. But as brands scale and growth pressures increase, something often gets lost in "the middle." The result is a sea of epic imagery, interchangeable storytelling, and campaigns that feel indistinguishable once the logo is removed. Ryan Andrist, a marketing leader whose career spans The North Face, Sea to Summit, and Starbucks, joins the show to explore a persistent challenge in the outdoor industry. Ryan and Cole unpack how growth pressures can muddy brand clarity and why the consumer insight is more important than ever.   About: This podcast is produced by Port Side, a creative production studio creating content strategy + production for active brands, rooted in emotion.  Enjoy this episode and discover other resources below: Slack Community | Tired of brainstorming with ChatGPT? Join us! Insight Deck | Want 20 of our favorite insights shared on the show?  Booklist | Here's our curated list of recommended books over the years. LinkedIn | Join the conversation and share ideas with other industry peers. Apple Podcast | Want to help us out? Leave us a review on Apple. Guest List | Have a Guest in Mind?  Share them with us here.  

Episode Description In this episode, host Cole Heilborn sits down with Ryan Watson, CMO and COO at MTNTOUGH Fitness Labs, to unpack a hot take that should make every outdoor marketer pause: brand marketing for the sake of impressions is dead. Ryan breaks down why measurement has changed the game, why "one big campaign, one big message" is an outdated operating system, and how the best brands are blending performance rigor with brand-level creativity. We also go deep on community as the next frontier of differentiation.   About: This podcast is produced by Port Side, a creative production studio creating content strategy + production for active brands, rooted in emotion.  Enjoy this episode and discover other resources below: Slack Community | Tired of brainstorming with ChatGPT? Join us! Insight Deck | Want 20 of our favorite insights shared on the show?  Booklist | Here's our curated list of recommended books over the years. LinkedIn | Join the conversation and share ideas with other industry peers. Apple Podcast | Want to help us out? Leave us a review on Apple. Guest List | Have a Guest in Mind?  Share them with us here.  

In this episode (initially aired on June 18th, 2025), Cole sits down with Chris Burkard—photographer, creative director, adventurer, and storyteller. Chris shares his unique perspective on navigating the constant changes shaping the outdoor industry, creativity, and marketing.  They dive deep into the evolving role of creatives in a constantly changing outdoor industry. From the blurred lines between artistry and strategy to the challenges of maintaining authenticity in a data-driven world, Chris shares insights from his expansive career and unique perspectives on storytelling, marketing, and brand-building.   This is part one of a two-part series featuring Chris. If you have a question for Chris on part 2 let us know.   Key Takeaways The role of creatives is changing The path to success for a piece of creative has changed over the last 15 years Many brands are asking creatives to provide directions to a destination that doesn't exist. The balance between creative risk and data-backed decision-making Opportunities for creatives and feedback   Enjoy this episode and discover other resources below: ‍ Booklist | Here's our curated list of recommended books over the years. LinkedIn | Join the conversation and share ideas with other industry peers. Apple Podcast | Want to help us out? Leave us a review on Apple. Guest List | Have a Guest in Mind?  Share them with us here.  

Every company has a brand, but very few have built one intentionally or with differentiation. We use the word "brand" interchangeably with "company," when in reality most companies have never done the work required to intentionally shape what their brand stands for. In this episode, I sit down with Marc Peruzzi, Creative Director at Cache Seven, to unpack one of the most misunderstood ideas in outdoor marketing: the difference between a company and a brand. Marc shares why so many outdoor companies lose relevance when they chase "brand building" instead of grounding themselves in real people, real places, and real stories. We talk about authenticity, storytelling, influencer marketing, and why honesty consistently outperforms hype in the outdoor industry. This conversation is a reminder that brand is not something you manufacture. It is something that emerges when a company knows who it is and who it serves.   About: This podcast is produced by Port Side, a creative production studio creating content strategy + production for active brands, rooted in emotion.    Enjoy this episode and discover other resources below: Slack Community | Tired of brainstorming with ChatGPT? Join us! Insight Deck | Want 20 of our favorite insights shared on the show?  Booklist | Here's our curated list of recommended books over the years. LinkedIn | Join the conversation and share ideas with other industry peers. Apple Podcast | Want to help us out? Leave us a review on Apple. Guest List | Have a Guest in Mind?  Share them with us here.  

Does the outdoor industry overindex on brand? Alex Maier, President of OnWater, joins the show to challenge one of the outdoor industry's biggest assumptions: that brand marketing alone drives growth. Drawing from his experience in SaaS and outdoor, Alex breaks down why product marketing is the missing link for many brands, how listening to customers actually fuels innovation, and what outdoor companies can learn from software when it comes to adoption, retention, and trust. We unpack the difference between brand and product marketing, why emotion still matters in utility-driven storytelling, and how ignoring customer pain points leads to "zombie brands."     About: This podcast is produced by Port Side, a creative production studio creating content strategy + production for active brands, rooted in emotion.    Enjoy this episode and discover other resources below:   Slack Community | Tired of brainstorming with ChatGPT? Join us! Insight Deck | Want 20 of our favorite insights shared on the show?  Booklist | Here's our curated list of recommended books over the years. LinkedIn | Join the conversation and share ideas with other industry peers. Apple Podcast | Want to help us out? Leave us a review on Apple. Guest List | Have a Guest in Mind?  Share them with us here.  

2025, almost broke Port Side as a company. But we've grown, grown some more and have rebuilt the business from the ground up. In this episode, Cole shares a raw behind the scenes look at year and the role that the podcast has played in allowing us to come back stronger.  Thank you for supporting us! About: This podcast is produced by Port Side, a creative production studio creating content strategy + production for active brands, rooted in emotion.  Enjoy this episode and discover other resources below: Slack Community | Tired of brainstorming with ChatGPT? Join us! Insight Deck | Want 20 of our favorite insights shared on the show?  Booklist | Here's our curated list of recommended books over the years. LinkedIn | Join the conversation and share ideas with other industry peers. Apple Podcast | Want to help us out? Leave us a review on Apple. Guest List | Have a Guest in Mind?  Share them with us here.    

Daniel Groh, Chief Brand Officer at SATISFY, breaks down how the brand builds an emotion-first running world that turns casual observers into true fans. He explains why Satisfy treats people as guests, not customers, and how speaking to "people who run" opens the door to more honest, human storytelling. Daniel shares how they use emotional athlete content, localized community runs, and shock-and-awe moments at events like UTMB and Cocodona to create loyalty in a world where loyalty is fragile. He also unpacks their 80/20 creative approach, content "drips and drops," and why the moment a brand gets lazy, whether in product, content, or experiences, its audience will drop them. About: This podcast is produced by Port Side, a creative production studio creating content strategy + production for active brands, rooted in emotion.  Enjoy this episode and discover other resources below: Slack Community | Tired of brainstorming with ChatGPT? Join us! Insight Deck | Want 20 of our favorite insights shared on the show?  Booklist | Here's our curated list of recommended books over the years. LinkedIn | Join the conversation and share ideas with other industry peers. Apple Podcast | Want to help us out? Leave us a review on Apple. Guest List | Have a Guest in Mind?  Share them with us here.  

Shelby Rossi, global brand manager for goggles and helmets at Oakley, digs into what happens when brand and marketing plug into the product development process from day one. Using WTR ICON, Oakley's new surf helmet, as a case study, Shelby explains how a cross-functional "task force" of R&D, UX, product, sports marketing, and brand broke down silos, validated a real consumer problem, and reshaped how Oakley brings innovation to market.  About: This podcast is produced by Port Side, a creative production studio creating content strategy + production for active brands, rooted in emotion.  Enjoy this episode and discover other resources below: Slack Community | Tired of brainstorming with ChatGPT? Join us! Insight Deck | Want 20 of our favorite insights shared on the show?  Booklist | Here's our curated list of recommended books over the years. LinkedIn | Join the conversation and share ideas with other industry peers. Apple Podcast | Want to help us out? Leave us a review on Apple. Guest List | Have a Guest in Mind?  Share them with us here.  

In this episode, Cole sits down with Chris Whitten, Senior Production Manager at Red Bull, to unpack what separates irreplaceable creatives from the rest. Chris shares lessons from his journey through agency and brand-side production, spanning roles at Saatchi & Saatchi and now Red Bull, and offers candid advice for photographers, filmmakers, and producers who want to build long-term client relationships. The episode explores how mindset impacts success, why outreach is a creative act, and how to stay top-of-mind in an oversaturated industry. Chris shares practical frameworks for follow-up, positioning, and pitching that make hiring you a no-brainer rather than a gamble. About: This podcast is produced by Port Side, a creative production studio creating content strategy + production for active brands, rooted in emotion.  Enjoy this episode and discover other resources below: Slack Community | Tired of brainstorming with ChatGPT? Join us! Insight Deck | Want 20 of our favorite insights shared on the show?  Booklist | Here's our curated list of recommended books over the years. LinkedIn | Join the conversation and share ideas with other industry peers. Apple Podcast | Want to help us out? Leave us a review on Apple. Guest List | Have a Guest in Mind?  Share them with us here.  

In this solo episode, Cole Heilborn breaks down the differences between a strategist and a filmmaker. When content underperforms, brands often point to the creative execution, but more often than not, the real problem lies upstream in the strategy. Cole explains the downsides of a passion-led industry, why filmmakers have had to accept responsibility for defining KPIs and audience understanding, how skipping strategy leads to wasted resources, and what questions brands should ask before a camera ever rolls.   About: This podcast is produced by Port Side, a creative production studio creating content strategy + production for active brands, rooted in emotion.  Enjoy this episode and discover other resources below: Slack Community | Tired of brainstorming with ChatGPT? Join us! Insight Deck | Want 20 of our favorite insights shared on the show?  Booklist | Here's our curated list of recommended books over the years. LinkedIn | Join the conversation and share ideas with other industry peers. Apple Podcast | Want to help us out? Leave us a review on Apple. Guest List | Have a Guest in Mind?  Share them with us here.  

Some brands treat branded content and campaigns as separate things, one emotional or value-driven, and the other transactional. But what happens when they work together?   In this episode, Trent Marsh, Marketing Director at Riton Optics, joins me to unpack what he calls the marketer's trap, when teams invest in strategies they wouldn't engage with themselves.    Trent shares how to break that cycle by pairing campaigns and content to serve the same purpose, building trust, emotion, and results simultaneously. We discuss how data has given leadership "ammo to kill branding," why every channel deserves a role in your mix, and how omnichannel marketing makes small budgets feel bigger.   You'll also hear why brand coherence matters more than novelty, how to find and keep the right on-camera personality, and why every strong brand needs both campaigns that convert and content that connects.   About: This podcast is produced by Port Side, a creative production studio creating video strategy + production for active brands, rooted in emotion.  Enjoy this episode and discover other resources below: Insight Deck | Want 20 of our favorite insights shared on the show?  Booklist | Here's our curated list of recommended books over the years. LinkedIn | Join the conversation and share ideas with other industry peers. Apple Podcast | Want to help us out? Leave us a review on Apple. Guest List | Have a Guest in Mind?  Share them with us here.  

Maren Hamilton, former Head of Social at The North Face and current Director of Global Brand and Community at popFly. We break down her core thesis: brand is social and social is brand. Maren shares why brands must stop treating social as a downstream channel, how to bring social thinking upstream into campaign planning and what it takes to build a social-first brand.  Enjoy this episode and discover other resources below: Insight Deck | Want 20 of our favorite insights shared on the show?  Booklist | Here's our curated list of recommended books over the years. LinkedIn | Join the conversation and share ideas with other industry peers. Apple Podcast | Want to help us out? Leave us a review on Apple. Guest List | Have a Guest in Mind?  Share them with us here.    

Cole shares a quick reminder about respecting your audience. Ask yourself: Does this provide value? If not, don't hit publish. About: This podcast is produced by Port Side, a creative production studio creating video strategy + production for active brands, rooted in emotion.  Enjoy this episode and discover other resources below: Insight Deck | Want 20 of our favorite insights shared on the show?  Booklist | Here's our curated list of recommended books over the years. LinkedIn | Join the conversation and share ideas with other industry peers. Apple Podcast | Want to help us out? Leave us a review on Apple. Guest List | Have a Guest in Mind?  Share them with us here. Patreon | Want to support us financially?   

Altra's Head of Marketing, Reyna Alishio, and Backbone Media's Senior Director of Strategy, Andy Ralston, take us behind the brand's seasonal campaign, Experience a New High. We unpack the core insight tying mental wellbeing, social connection, and running to a younger audience; how a one-two punch of broad digital reach plus in-person activation moved awareness and consideration; and why the medium is part of the message when your pop-up is a Dopamine Dispensary. We also get into what went right, what needed rethinking, and how to decide when a big campaign makes sense versus always-on content.   About: This podcast is produced by Port Side, a creative production studio creating video strategy + production for active brands, rooted in emotion.    Enjoy this episode and discover other resources below: Insight Deck | Want 20 of our favorite insights shared on the show?  Booklist | Here's our curated list of recommended books over the years. LinkedIn | Join the conversation and share ideas with other industry peers. Apple Podcast | Want to help us out? Leave us a review on Apple. Guest List | Have a Guest in Mind?  Share them with us here. Patreon | Want to support us financially?

Ready to jump start your creativity? Cole Heilborn breaks down Port Side's playbook for developing ideas that work in the wild. From setting guardrails and asking "why" three times, to building a culture of candor and using constraints, music, boredom, and flow to unlock divergent thinking, this solo episode is for marketers and creatives who want to ship better work, not just talk about it.   About:   This podcast is produced by Port Side, a creative production studio. We help brands that move, create strategy-led, emotionally charged video campaigns   Enjoy this episode and discover other resources below:   Insight Deck | Want 20 of our favorite insights shared on the show?  Booklist | Here's our curated list of recommended books over the years. LinkedIn | Join the conversation and share ideas with other industry peers. Apple Podcast | Want to help us out? Leave us a review on Apple. Guest List | Have a Guest in Mind?  Share them with us here. Patreon | Want to support us financially? 

 In this solo episode, Cole Heilborn unpacks the reality of digital fatigue and what it means for marketers. With endless competition for attention, from Netflix to Reddit to YouTube, your audience is already exhausted. They don't want to be disrupted. They want content that feels valuable, entertaining, and emotionally resonant. Cole challenges brands to stop creating just to "show up" and start designing campaigns that genuinely add something to people's lives. About: This podcast is produced by Port Side, a creative production studio. We help brands that move, create strategy-led, emotionally charged video campaigns Enjoy this episode and discover other resources below: Insight Deck | Want 20 of our favorite insights shared on the show?  Booklist | Here's our curated list of recommended books over the years. LinkedIn | Join the conversation and share ideas with other industry peers. Apple Podcast | Want to help us out? Leave us a review on Apple. Guest List | Have a Guest in Mind?  Share them with us here. Patreon | Want to support us financially?   

In this episode, I'm joined by Dillon Snyder, Creative Director at Vail Resorts. Dillon makes the case that much of today's marketing output has become the equivalent of "yellow page ads."   We unpack why so much creative feels homogenized, how overemphasis on bottom-funnel tactics hurts long-term brand health, and why simplicity is often harder than complexity. Dillon also shares his vision for a "reset button" on creative: more collaboration between creatives and marketers, less energy on commoditized tactics, and a greater willingness to take risks that actually give audiences a reason to care.     About: This podcast is produced by Port Side, a creative production studio. We help brands that move, create strategy-led, emotionally charged video campaigns.   Enjoy this episode and discover other resources below: Insight Deck | Want 20 of our favorite insights shared on the show?  Booklist | Here's our curated list of recommended books over the years. LinkedIn | Join the conversation and share ideas with other industry peers. Apple Podcast | Want to help us out? Leave us a review on Apple. Guest List | Have a Guest in Mind?  Share them with us here. Patreon | Want to support us financially?   

What happens when a legacy brand decides to go back to its roots while completely reimagining what it stands for? Mike Donnelly, VP of Marketing, at Superfeet shares the behind-the-scenes process of repositioning Superfeet from a product people don't see to a brand people feel.   We talk about why "Performance Amplified" became the rallying cry, how to build emotional resonance around an invisible product, and the surprising lessons they learned when media and consumers didn't react the way they expected.   About: This podcast is produced by Port Side, a creative production studio. We help brands that move, create strategy-led, emotionally charged video campaigns   Enjoy this episode and discover other resources below: Insight Deck | Want 20 of our favorite insights shared on the show?  Booklist | Here's our curated list of recommended books over the years. LinkedIn | Join the conversation and share ideas with other industry peers. Apple Podcast | Want to help us out? Leave us a review on Apple. Guest List | Have a Guest in Mind?  Share them with us here. Patreon | Want to support us financially?   

Is there a simple question to understand the ROI of branded content? Cole reflects on his takeaways from a panel discussion he hosted, the value of brand investments, knowing your audience, long form vs short form, and an update to the rebrand of Port Side About: This podcast is produced by Port Side, a creative production studio. We help brands that move, create strategy-led, emotionally charged video campaigns Enjoy this episode and discover other resources below: Insight Deck | Want 20 of our favorite insights shared on the show?  Booklist | Here's our curated list of recommended books over the years. LinkedIn | Join the conversation and share ideas with other industry peers. Apple Podcast | Want to help us out? Leave us a review on Apple. Guest List | Have a Guest in Mind?  Share them with us here. Patreon | Want to support us financially?   

In this episode, I'm joined by Michael Minter, VP of Brand at Sorel, who shares a candid, behind-the-scenes look at the brand's reawakening. Sorel has been everything from a Canadian work boot to a fashion-forward winter staple, and now it's entering a bold new chapter. We discuss what it takes to bring a heritage brand into the future, how to balance instinct and insight in a data-driven world, and why most outdoor content lacks real emotional impact. Michael also breaks down the creative strategy behind their upcoming campaign, "For Bold Steps," and how brands can avoid the trap of mediocrity by having the courage to be polarizing. About: This podcast is produced by Port Side, a creative production studio. We help brands that move, create strategy-led, emotionally charged video campaigns Enjoy this episode and discover other resources below: Insight Deck | Want 20 of our favorite insights shared on the show?  Booklist | Here's our curated list of recommended books over the years. LinkedIn | Join the conversation and share ideas with other industry peers. Apple Podcast | Want to help us out? Leave us a review on Apple. Guest List | Have a Guest in Mind?  Share them with us here. Patreon | Want to support us financially?   

In this episode, MJ Carroll, Brand Director at HEST, unpacks the tension every marketer faces: How much control do you keep, and how much do you let your community shape your brand? We dive into what happens when you hand over creative control, why tension between brand and performance is healthy, and how HEST has built a passionate community by focusing on comfort, connection, and consistency. MJ also shares what she's learned about content, team dynamics, and why she believes experiential events still have a powerful role in brand building.   About: This podcast is produced by Port Side, a creative production studio. We help brands that move, create strategy-led, emotionally charged video campaigns Enjoy this episode and discover other resources below:   Insight Deck | Want 20 of our favorite insights shared on the show?  Booklist | Here's our curated list of recommended books over the years. LinkedIn | Join the conversation and share ideas with other industry peers. Apple Podcast | Want to help us out? Leave us a review on Apple. Guest List | Have a Guest in Mind?  Share them with us here. Patreon | Want to support us financially?   

In this follow-up conversation with Chris Burkard, we dive deep into what it really means to take creative risks. Chris shares why physical danger is easier to stomach than financial risk and why most outdoor marketing content falls flat emotionally. We also field audience questions from part one, covering pitching branded projects, giving feedback, the role of feeling in advertising, and the evolving function of creative agencies. Chris doesn't hold back; this episode is a masterclass on the emotional and strategic layers of doing creative work that actually connects. About: This podcast is produced by Port Side, a creative production studio. We help brands that move, create strategy-led, emotionally charged video campaigns Enjoy this episode and discover other resources below:     Insight Deck | Want 20 of our favorite insights shared on the show? Booklist | Here's our curated list of recommended books over the years. LinkedIn | Join the conversation and share ideas with other industry peers. Apple Podcast | Want to help us out? Leave us a review on Apple. Guest List | Have a Guest in Mind?  Share them with us here. Patreon | Want to support us financially? 

Cole shares a personal reflection on the state of brand content today and why so much of it is falling short. This episode challenges brands, especially mid-size outdoor companies, to rethink how they approach content creation. Why bother doing it if it's not driving results? Cole makes the case for content that's built to solve problems, drive value, and show up creatively in a noisy world. He also includes a litmus test you can use to determine if your content is working as hard as it could.  About: This podcast is produced by Port Side, a creative production studio. We help brands that move, create strategy-led, emotionally charged video campaigns Enjoy this episode and discover other resources below: Insight Deck | Want 20 of our favorite insights shared on the show?  Booklist | Here's our curated list of recommended books over the years. LinkedIn | Join the conversation and share ideas with other industry peers. Apple Podcast | Want to help us out? Leave us a review on Apple. Guest List | Have a Guest in Mind?  Share them with us here. Patreon | Want to support us financially?   

If you're building a brand from the ground up, where should you actually spend your time and money? Nic De Castro, founder and CEO of LandTrust, joins us to explore this question through the lens of an outdoor startup that's grown by leading with trust, storytelling, and real-world value. We dive into why early-stage brands often misplace their marketing bets, how to approach content when budgets are limited, and what it really means to think like a media company even if your intention isn't to become one. Nic shares the strategies LandTrust used to build brand awareness without paid ads and we discuss when it is appropriate for a startup to invest in branded film content. About: This podcast is produced by Port Side, a creative production studio. We help brands that move, create strategy-led, emotionally charged video campaigns Enjoy this episode and discover other resources below: Insight Deck | Want 20 of our favorite insights shared on the show?  Booklist | Here's our curated list of recommended books over the years. LinkedIn | Join the conversation and share ideas with other industry peers. Apple Podcast | Want to help us out? Leave us a review on Apple. Guest List | Have a Guest in Mind?  Share them with us here. Patreon | Want to support us financially?   

In this episode, Bronwen Foster-Butler, CMO at Finisterre, breaks down how the brand is growing without compromising its identity. We talk about their North American expansion, the tension between polished production and platform-native content, and why user-generated stories often outperform high-budget ads. Bronwen also shares how Finisterre uses a fictional "brand muse" to guide creative decisions, what they've learned about emotional storytelling in a data-driven world, and where she thinks AI fits (and doesn't) in outdoor marketing. About: This podcast is produced by Port Side, a creative production studio. We help brands that move, create strategy-led, emotionally charged video campaigns Enjoy this episode and discover other resources below: Insight Deck | Want 20 of our favorite insights shared on the show?  Booklist | Here's our curated list of recommended books over the years. LinkedIn | Join the conversation and share ideas with other industry peers. Apple Podcast | Want to help us out? Leave us a review on Apple. Guest List | Have a Guest in Mind?  Share them with us here. Patreon | Want to support us financially?   

According to a study by Lions, only 13% of brands are "risk friendly." Cole unpacks this study, its implications, the future, and ways to make calculated risks. The outdoor industry, though commendable for its investment in branded content, suffers from a lack of creative risk, especially in an economic headwind - yet the data doesn't lie. It's actually riskier not to take creative risks.   About: This podcast is produced by Port Side, a creative studio powered by the Backcountry Marketing Filter™, a methodology shaped by 200+ conversations with marketing leaders to turn insight into emotionally-driven video strategy. Enjoy this episode and discover other resources below: Insight Deck | Want 20 of our favorite insights? Download them here Booklist | Here's our curated list of recommended books over the years. LinkedIn | Join the conversation and share ideas with other industry peers. Apple Podcast | Want to help us out? Leave us a review on Apple. Guest List | Have a Guest in Mind?  Share them with us here. Patreon | Want to support us financially?   

In this episode, Cole Heilborn sits down with Mike Lewis, the VP of Marketing and DTC at Bison Coolers, to discuss how a small outdoor brand found itself featured in a Super Bowl commercial without paying a dime. Mike walks us through how Google handpicked Bison Coolers to represent Texas in its nationwide Gemini campaign, why their family-run story resonated, and how the experience has transformed their marketing approach. From prepping for the massive wave of visibility to capitalizing on newfound brand awareness, Mike shares the real impact of landing on one of the biggest advertising stages in the world. They also explore the changing landscape of outdoor marketing, how humor is a powerful brand tool, and why storytelling, not just ad spend, breaks through the noise in today's digital world. Referenced Topics: Google's Gemini Campaign featuring Bison Coolers Behind-the-scenes footage of Bison's Super Bowl ad shoot About: This podcast is produced by Port Side, a creative studio powered by the Backcountry Marketing Filter™, a methodology shaped by 200+ conversations with marketing leaders to turn insight into emotionally-driven video strategy. Enjoy this episode and discover other resources below: Insight Deck | Want 20 of our favorite insights? Download them here Booklist | Here's our curated list of recommended books over the years. LinkedIn | Join the conversation and share ideas with other industry peers. Apple Podcast | Want to help us out? Leave us a review on Apple. Guest List | Have a Guest in Mind?  Share them with us here. Patreon | Want to support us financially?   

Most outdoor brands are creating content, but few are creating content that is emotionally resonant and strategically effective. In this solo episode, Cole reflects on why so many brands are falling short of their creative potential,  provides a real life example of how The Backcountry Marketing Filter works, and expands on why Port Side had to evolve.  This podcast is produced by Port Side, a creative studio powered by the Backcountry Marketing Filter™, a methodology shaped by 200+ conversations with marketing leaders to turn insight into emotionally-driven video strategy. Enjoy this episode and discover other resources below: Insight Deck | Want 20 of our favorite insights? Download them here Booklist | Here's our curated list of recommended books over the years. LinkedIn | Join the conversation and share ideas with other industry peers. Apple Podcast | Want to help us out? Leave us a review on Apple. Guest List | Have a Guest in Mind?  Share them with us here. Patreon | Want to support us financially?   

In this episode, Cole Heilborn sits down with Massimo Alpian, the Global Director of Communications at Tracksmith, to explore the evolving challenges of brand storytelling in today's fast-paced digital landscape. They dive into the creative philosophy behind Tracksmith's most successful campaigns, including the "Year of the Amateur" and "Church of the Long Run," and discuss the brand's unique approach to fostering emotional connections with runners. Massimo shares insights into why authenticity is key in content creation, how Tracksmith balances long-form and short-form storytelling, and the complexities of measuring ROI in brand marketing. They also unpack the impact of shifting social media trends and how brands can adapt their creative strategies to maintain audience engagement. Referenced Topics: Tracksmith's "Year of the Amateur" campaign: Watch here "Church of the Long Run" project: Explore here About: This podcast is produced by Port Side, a creative studio powered by the Backcountry Marketing Filter™, our methodology shaped by 200+ conversations with marketing leaders to turn insight into emotionally-driven video strategy. Enjoy this episode and discover other resources below: Booklist | Here's our curated list of recommended books over the years. LinkedIn | Join the conversation and share ideas with other industry peers. Apple Podcast | Want to help us out? Leave us a review on Apple. Guest List | Have a Guest in Mind?  Share them with us here. Patreon | Want to support us financially? 

Every person who watches your content is silently asking the same question: "Why should I care?" And if your brand doesn't answer that clearly and quickly, the message won't land, no matter how beautiful the visuals are. In this solo episode, Cole unpacks why this question is the real test of whether content works. Drawing from hundreds of interviews with outdoor marketing leaders, he shares common pitfalls brands fall into, how to avoid them, and why answering why it matters is the creative north star for any campaign. Whether you're planning a brand film, campaign, or product launch, this episode will challenge how you approach content and give you a framework to make sure your story sticks. This podcast is produced by Port Side. We're a creative studio that blends the best of a creative agency with the executional power of a production company backed by a methodology crafted from 200 marketing leaders that produces emotional and strategic video content. Enjoy this episode and discover other resources below: Booklist | Here's our curated list of recommended books over the years. LinkedIn | Join the conversation and share ideas with other industry peers. Apple Podcast | Want to help us out? Leave us a review on Apple. Guest List | Have a Guest in Mind?  Share them with us here. Patreon | Want to support us financially?     

If you're a creative, marketer, or brand strategist, you've probably felt the frustration of working on campaigns that lack clear direction. Maybe you've been handed a brief and thought, This doesn't feel right, but you weren't given the space to challenge it. Or maybe you've seen brands struggle to stand out because they're stuck following trends instead of creating something original. In this episode, Cole sits down with Matt Trappe—photographer, director, and brand strategist in the running world—to help you understand how creatives can play a bigger role in shaping brand strategy, rather than just executing it. Matt and Cole break down why integrating creative thinking into brand strategy leads to stronger, more authentic storytelling—and ultimately, better results. Key Topics:  The tension between marketing and creativity—why brands need both but often default to marketing-led approaches. How brands can empower creatives to contribute beyond execution and influence strategy. The importance of knowing your audience deeply rather than relying solely on data-driven decisions. Why originality and authenticity matter more than ever in an era of mass content production. The viral success of the Strava x Chipotle challenge and how great storytelling drives engagement. This podcast is produced by Port Side. We're a creative studio that blends the best of a creative agency with the executional power of a production company backed by a methodology crafted from 200 marketing leaders that produces emotional and strategic video content. Enjoy this episode and discover other resources below: Booklist | Here's our curated list of recommended books over the years. LinkedIn | Join the conversation and share ideas with other industry peers. Apple Podcast | Want to help us out? Leave us a review on Apple. Guest List | Have a Guest in Mind?  Share them with us here. Patreon | Want to support us financially?

In today's episode, Cole pulls back the curtain on Port Side's next evolution and reveals a powerful new tool for outdoor marketers. The Backcountry Marketing Filter is a living database built from over 250 insights shared by the brightest minds in the outdoor industry—leaders who've mastered the art of creating strategic, emotional, and effective video content. This isn't just a resource. It's the foundation of a new approach. Port Side is no longer just a production company. We've become a creative studio that blends the best of a creative studio with the execution power of a production company. Curious how it works? Tune in to learn how the Backcountry Marketing Filter can help you identify blind spots, avoid common pitfalls, and pressure-test your brand films, product launches, and campaigns—before they go live This podcast is produced by Port Side. We're a creative studio that blends the best of a creative agency with the executional power of a production company backed by a methodology crafted from 200 marketing leaders that produces emotional and strategic video content. Enjoy this episode and discover other resources below: Booklist | Here's our curated list of recommended books over the years. LinkedIn | Join the conversation and share ideas with other industry peers. Apple Podcast | Want to help us out? Leave us a review on Apple. Guest List | Have a Guest in Mind?  Share them with us here. Patreon | Want to support us financially? 

In this episode, Cole Heilborn sits down with Charlie Grinnell, the co-founder and CEO of RightMetric, to unpack the changing landscape of audience behavior, content strategy, and digital marketing. Charlie shares why outdoor brands aren't just competing with each other—they're competing with Netflix, TikTok, and everything else that demands attention. He explains why understanding audience behavior is more critical than ever, how brands should rethink content effectiveness, and why data-driven insights should fuel creative decisions. They also discuss how brands can avoid making content for a destination that doesn't exist, the pitfalls of the one-size-fits-all approach to audience personas, and the power of using insights to unlock creative potential. Key Takeaways: You're competing for attention, not just with your industry. Outdoor brands need to recognize that consumers are bombarded with content from all directions. Audience understanding is no longer optional. If you don't know exactly who your audience is, where they spend time, and what they engage with, your content won't perform. Data and creativity must work together. The best marketing decisions combine strategic insights with bold creative ideas. This podcast is produced by Port Side. We're a creative studio that blends the best of a creative agency with the executional power of a production company backed by a methodology crafted from 200 marketing leaders that produces emotional and strategic video content. Enjoy this episode and discover other resources below:   Booklist | Here's our curated list of recommended books over the years. LinkedIn | Join the conversation and share ideas with other industry peers. Apple Podcast | Want to help us out? Leave us a review on Apple. Guest List | Have a Guest in Mind?  Share them with us here. Patreon | Want to support us financially? 

In this episode, we sit down with Myles McCutcheon, Director of Content for the Vancouver Canucks, to explore the fascinating parallels between professional sports and the outdoor industry. Myles shares insights on audience engagement, the importance of authenticity, and how sports teams operate like content powerhouses. We discuss the differences in content strategy, the role of athletes versus creators, and what the outdoor world can learn from sports teams' storytelling approaches. If you're looking to refine your brand's content strategy, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways. Key Topics: Real-time storytelling during live sports games vs. content creation timelines in the outdoor world. Balancing evergreen vs. timely content and understanding where each adds value. The evolving roles of athletes and creators as key storytellers and ambassadors. How budget allocation and social impact initiatives differ between industries. The power of emotional storytelling to build human connections and drive audience loyalty This podcast is produced by Port Side Productions. We are a production company that works with outdoor brands to create effective and emotional videos. To date, we've made feature documentaries, video podcasts, product videos, and commercials. The thing that unifies us is our unwavering goal to help brands make effective videos driven by emotion and backed by strategy.   Booklist | Here's our curated list of recommended books over the years. LinkedIn | Join the conversation and share ideas with other industry peers. Apple Podcast | Want to help us out? Leave us a review on Apple. Guest List | Have a Guest in Mind?  Share them with us here. Find Out Why | Curious why a video production company would produce a marketing podcast?

In this episode, Cole sits down with Chris Pew, the CEO and co-founder of TREW, to explore the pressing challenges brands face in standing out in 2024. They dive into the creative heartbeat of the outdoor industry, discussing TREW's "TREW To You Film" contest—a celebration of community-driven storytelling, self-expression, and creativity. Chris shares how TREW is fostering deeper connections with its core audience through storytelling and innovative community engagement strategies. The conversation spans the evolution of ski film culture, the role of social media in building authentic communities, and how small brands can leverage creativity to make a big impact. They also unpack the importance of measuring ROI in creative projects while maintaining the balance between marketing goals and authentic storytelling. With a sneak peek at what's ahead for the TREW To You, Chris reveals how TREW continues to push boundaries with fresh innovations and a renewed focus on community connection. Key Takeaways Standing out as a brand in 2025 is increasingly challenging. Brand storytelling should reflect the values and experiences of the community. Community engagement is key to building brand awareness. TREW's approach contrasts with traditional brand films that often promote self-interest. With a little creativity, there are ways to carve out a niche in your market About the Backcountry Marketing Podcast This podcast is produced by Port Side Productions. We are a production company that works with outdoor brands to create effective and emotional videos. To date, we've made feature documentaries, video podcasts, product videos, and commercials. The thing that unifies us is our unwavering goal to help brands make effective videos driven by emotion backed by strategy. ‍ Booklist | Here's our curated list of recommended books over the years. LinkedIn | Join the conversation and share ideas with other industry peers. Apple Podcast | Want to help us out? Leave us a review on Apple. Guest List | Have a Guest in Mind?  Share them with us here.