Marketing Sweats

In her final episode of Marketing Sweats, Misty Klobucher looks back on 22 years at Simantel and the lessons learned along the way.

Simantel founder Jim Simantel shares how one bold vision built an agency rooted in creativity, community and lasting relationships. Tune in to our 100th episode to hear the story that started it all.

Misty sits down with Simantel co-owner and principal Tim Leesman to talk leadership, partnership and growth, honoring the agency’s roots and the power of strong client relationships.

Q Holmes highlights how diversity, authenticity and cultural relevance make stories resonate, and how he’s pushing production and leadership forward.

AI is reshaping marketing, but many organizations struggle to use it effectively. Miki Velemirovich explains why projects fail, the difference between assistants and agents and how leaders can focus on outcomes to create real business impact. 

Organizational health isn’t just a buzzword. Susan Reising explains how aligning teams, managing change and shaping culture strengthens leaders and brands, and how her new role at Simantel enhances the value the agency delivers to clients.

From systems thinking to scenario planning, Dan Eizans explains how future-focused strategy can help brands proactively prepare for what’s next.

Reid Holmes shares his approach to “Appreciated Branding” — creating work that resonates by solving bigger human problems. He brings fresh insight on creativity, collaboration and building brands that truly connect.

Marc Supreme shares how "D@mn, I Graduate in May!” empowers students with post-graduation readiness, mentorship and real-world tools for success beyond high school. 

Bradley University’s 13th president, James Shadid, sits down with Misty to talk leadership and his vision for the future of the university — one rooted in collaboration, community and purpose.

Curious how technology is reshaping the creative process? In this episode we chat with Nik Kleverov about innovation, iteration and what happens when bold ideas meet cutting-edge tools.

In this episode of Marketing Sweats, Misty chats with Jason Brown, insights director at Simantel, about our latest research report: Problem-solving Through Partnerships. Spoiler: Strong, long-term partnerships matter more than flashy campaigns.

In this episode of Marketing Sweats, Simantel owners Misty and Tim sit down with advertising lawyer Joe Rosenbaum as he reveals his approach to marketing law and how he continues to avoid litigation with all his clients. 

Join Misty to analyze agency growth and new-client relationships from an outside perspective with agency search consultant and AAR Partners President, Lisa Colantuono.

In this episode of Marketing Sweats, listen to executive facilitation expert Tim Leake explore the hidden powers of workshops and the importance of making them fun.

Hispanics make up nearly 20% of the U.S. population. They’re no longer just an opportunity for advertisers, they’re a necessity. Listen to MARCA Miami VP Kristen Sabina dive into the power of the U.S. Hispanic market and why we need to make them a priority.

In this episode of Marketing Sweats, listen to prolific author Matt Heinz give advice on embracing revenue responsibility with predictable, repeatable and measurable marketing.

In this episode of Marketing Sweats, listen to business expert Spencer Lodge reveal why “sales” isn't a dirty word and how to not shy away from sales in marketing as a discipline. 

Sit with Misty over a glass of wine as she discusses influencer marketing with recovering pageant girl and new-age influencer, Maggie Gehlsen-Burnett.

Listen to renowned digital prophet David “Shingy” Shing give us the straightforward advice we needed to challenge conventional marketing norms, embrace what makes us different and identify emerging trends.

Greg Batton, co-host of The Greg and Dan Show on WMBD Radio, is a gifted storyteller driven by a desire to connect and entertain. He’s a force for good and leverages positivity to bring joy to the community both on the air and off.

Jennifer Zammuto, President of the Heart of Illinois United Way, shares how her organization determines the best way to allocate charitable donations to maximize return on investment and the impact that has on the whole community.

Nikki Romain, Executive Director of Artists ReEnvisioning Tomorrow Inc., overcame a difficult childhood by expressing herself through art. Now, she’s helping empower women and youth in the region through arts programs.

Chris Setti, CEO of the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council, talks about the many business-friendly advantages in Greater Peoria, the role of the EDC and the many partnerships in place to drive regional economic development.

Dr. Keith Knepp, President of Carle Health Greater Peoria, talks about growing up in Central Illinois, serving in his hometown as a physician and how he transitioned to leadership to make a wider impact on health care and the region he loves.

Bob Sehring, Chief Executive Officer of OSF HealthCare, shares why “the closer to home you can receive care, the better.”

Dr. Chris Reynolds, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics at Bradley University, learned early on how athletics can change the lives of students by providing structure, teaching lessons and establishing connections to lifelong mentors.

John D. Morris, CEO and President of the Peoria Riverfront Museum, talks about leading his hometown’s museum and about his commitment to growing Greater Peoria’s wealth of activities and resources.

Laura Cullinan, President of the Gilmore Foundation is a driving force behind Choose Greater Peoria. By facilitating collaboration among community leaders, she’s carrying out Bob Gilmore’s legacy to improve the livability of Greater Peoria.

Valerie Duque joined BNSF Railway as an engineer right out of college. Today, she brings a diverse skillset to her role as Director of Marketing – Consumer Products at BNSF, where she strives to lead with self-awareness and positivity.

Karen Jensen, President & CEO of Farnsworth Group has spent nearly 40 years honing her engineering and business skills. She’s learned from experience that focusing on employees leads to better client satisfaction – and that’s a win-win for everyone.

Rakshan Syed, Director of Digital Integration Services at a fortune 100 manufacturer of heavy equipment and author of the book Embolden Women: Unapologetically Me, fearlessly challenges gender biases and leads with optimism and positivity, always.

Keally DeWitt, VP of Marketing and Public Policy at GAF Energy has been an environmentalist and feminist since she was a little girl. Today, she cultivates a DEI-centered organization through servant leadership and celebrating diverse perspectives.

Aryn Drawdy, Corporate Communications Director at AGCO, knows the heavy industry. She started her career in construction, embraced being a woman in a male-dominated field, and seamlessly transitioned to her leadership role in agriculture.

Women from Kiewit, one of North America’s largest engineering and construction organizations, talk about life in the industry and strengths they’ve developed working in a male-dominated industry.

Lauren Parker, VP of Operations at Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc. (CEC) learned early on how to hold her own and show her value as a woman in the male-dominated civil engineering field. Today, she brings a natural confidence to the way she leads.

Leanne Skuse, President of River City Construction, loves the energy of a job site. At the start of her career, she was one of the only females in Central Illinois in her industry. Today, she builds teams diverse in both gender and the way they think.

Workforce innovation is a true calling for Amy Volz of Trane Technologies. It allows her to combine her passion for marketing and brand strategy with her love for helping to unlock the potential of women and create opportunity for all.

Misty Klobucher becomes a guest on her own show—interviewed by her 9-year-old daughter, Myah. She shares stories of her work solving challenges for industrial brands and what she’s learned about leadership as a woman working with male dominated industries.

Executive Creative Director, Chris Moehn, narrates his Point of Pride story – a peek into Simantel’s past and how our reputation for having such a crazy talented staff was built and lives on today.

Associate Content Director, Kelly Luttinen, narrates her Point of Pride story about her experience collaborating on a video for the OSF Healthcare Foundation to support funding for ALS research after losing her dad to the same rare disease.

Creative Director, Jake Beyhl, narrates his Point of Pride story about highlighting the best of the best technicians and working with Mike Rowe on Caterpillar’s Technician Recruitment campaign that won big at AdAge’s award ceremony.

Associate Media Director, Clay Deal, narrates his Point of Pride story about how his non-traditional career path led him to self-discovery and his position leading Simantel’s media team.

Senior Web Developer, Alan Wilson, narrates his Point of Pride story about his experience collaborating with teams throughout the agency to develop an interactive QR code experience to engage attendees at CONEXPO.

Director of Organizational Design, Gena Killion, narrates her Point of Pride story about the time she learned how admitting failure can build trust with clients and improve leadership skills.

Marketing Automation Consultant, Jane Olson, narrates her Point of Pride story about changing roles and diving into a new opportunity for a brand new account after only a month at Simantel.

Insights Director, Jason Brown, narrates his Point of Pride story about learning that his coworkers are more than just that – they’re family.

Creative Director, Van Burnett, narrates his Point of Pride story about creating an aligned messaging framework that unified content for multiple Caterpillar aftermarket product groups.

Senior Project Planner and DEI committee co-chair, Megan Gibbons, narrates her Point of Pride story about the challenges and successes of starting up the employee-led DEI committee at Simantel and what the work has meant to her personally.

Associate HR Manager, Nick Knuffman-Brewer, narrates his Point of Pride story about making HR more of an employee experience and ways he strives to make it a positive one for all Simantelites.