Rare Beauty launched a groundbreaking scratch-and-sniff billboard campaign in New York City to promote its first fragrance, blending traditional out-of-home advertising with geogated mobile sampling via Shopify’s Shop app. This innovative approach allows passersby to experience the scent and request a free sample by scanning a QR code, turning static media into an interactive, trackable experience. The campaign highlights how sensory engagement and digital integration can drive product trials and social sharing, especially among Gen Z consumers. Local media sellers and ad agencies can draw inspiration from this strategy to create tactile, tech-enabled campaigns that connect physical presence with digital action. Ultimately, Rare Beauty’s activation demonstrates how out-of-home media can evolve into immersive brand experiences that deliver measurable results.

Podcasting has rapidly grown into a mainstream media channel, with over 135 million monthly U.S. listeners and more than 5 million active shows worldwide. A June 2025 study by Sounds Profitable and Signal Hill Insights found that podcast ads outperform other media in driving consumer action, with 22% of listeners making immediate purchases and high rates of promo code use, brand searches, and social engagement. The personal, trust-based nature of podcast ads makes them especially effective across diverse product categories. Local media outlets—radio, TV, newspapers, and magazines—can extend their advertising offerings by integrating podcasting into their content and sales strategies. As consumer behavior shifts, podcasting offers a high-conversion, high-engagement opportunity that traditional media can no longer afford to overlook.

New research reveals that podcast audiences are significantly larger than download metrics indicate due to "co-listening"—with 16-30% of consumption happening in group settings, particularly on smart TVs where families gather together. This hidden audience multiplier creates unprecedented opportunities for local media companies (newspapers, radio, TV, magazines) to command premium podcast advertising rates by leveraging their decades of community trust and credibility that anonymous digital creators cannot match. Local media brands can position their podcasts as reaching entire households rather than individual listeners, justifying higher CPMs through their unique combination of trusted voices, professional production quality, and deep community integration that drives superior advertising effectiveness. The co-listening phenomenon transforms podcasting from individual consumption to shared household experiences, strongly favoring established local media brands that can offer advertisers authentic community connections and household penetration at premium value.

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Looking for a quote to inspire your company, shift your team’s mindset, or bring clarity to your own leadership journey?
You’ve come to the right place—Marketing Insights, where strategy meets soul.

Leadership isn’t about titles or control—it’s about service, empathy, and the quiet courage to lead by example. The best leaders don’t just rise; they lift others as they climb. They empower growth, inspire through action, and leave legacies not in accolades, but in the lives they’ve impacted.

This space highlights quotes that remind us:
✨ Leadership is measured not by authority, but by influence.
✨ Not by personal gain, but by collective growth.
✨ Not by being in charge, but by caring for those in your charge.

How a Sickly Kid from Toronto Built a Media Empire and What Local Sales Pros Can Learn Today
Ted Rogers, born into hardship after the early death of his father, overcame health issues and financial setbacks to build one of Canada’s largest media and telecommunications empires. Starting with a struggling FM radio station, he bet on emerging technologies and turned Rogers Communications into a powerhouse spanning radio, TV, wireless, and sports. His success was driven by relentless work ethic, visionary thinking, and a willingness to take bold risks when others hesitated. Rogers believed in long-term relationships, customer value, and giving back—donating millions to education, healthcare, and civic causes. His story teaches media sales and ad professionals that resilience, innovation, and purpose-driven leadership are the keys to lasting success.

How a War Veteran Built Canada's Most Influential Youth Media Empire and Changed Pop Culture Forever
Allan Waters, a World War II veteran, transformed a failing Toronto radio station into CHUM Limited, one of Canada’s most influential media empires. He pioneered youth-focused programming and launched iconic platforms like MuchMusic, while supporting Canadian artists through initiatives like VideoFACT. Waters succeeded by deeply understanding underserved audiences and building cultural institutions that fostered trust and loyalty. His legacy teaches media professionals that long-term success comes from innovation, community connection, and purpose-driven leadership.

Essential Lessons for Today's Local Media Sales and Agency Professionals
From Privileged Child to Scrappy Entrepreneur: The Early Years That Built a Sales Mindset
Ted Turner, born into privilege but shaped by personal tragedy, transformed a small billboard business into a global media empire by pioneering innovations like the superstation WTBS and the 24-hour news network CNN. Despite facing skepticism, industry resistance, and the eventual loss of control over his company, Turner consistently rebounded by pivoting into philanthropy, environmentalism, and global advocacy. His bold decisions—like donating $1 billion to the United Nations and creating Captain Planet—reflected a deep commitment to purpose beyond profit. Turner’s life teaches media professionals the power of vision, resilience, and values-driven leadership. As he famously said, “You should set goals beyond your reach so you always have something to live for.”

This interview guide helps local media managers assess next-gen sales candidates across key traits like digital fluency, data literacy, storytelling, and competitive drive. It organizes questions into categories such as planning, motivation, tech comfort, and local market passion, with a 5-point scoring system for consistent evaluation. A new section highlights red flags like disorganization, tech aversion, and a transactional mindset. It also includes a comparison chart outlining the strengths of top performers versus the weaknesses of underperformers. Together, these tools help hiring teams identify candidates who are not only skilled but also adaptable, strategic, and aligned with the future of local media sales.

From Poverty to Global Influence - The Man Who Transformed How the World Thinks About Success
Napoleon Hill, born into poverty in rural Virginia, rose to global prominence by pioneering the modern philosophy of success through his groundbreaking work, Think and Grow Rich. His life changed after a pivotal meeting with Andrew Carnegie, who challenged him to study and distill the habits of 500 of the most successful people of the era. Hill’s research led to the creation of 17 principles of achievement, including Definiteness of Purpose, the Mastermind Principle, and Applied Faith—concepts that remain foundational in personal and professional development. His teachings are especially relevant to media sales and ad agency professionals, offering strategies for goal setting, resilience, collaboration, and client success. Hill’s legacy endures as a blueprint for turning adversity into advantage and ambition into achievement.

From Charity Clothes to Global Influence: The Foundation Years
Brian Tracy transformed himself from a poverty-stricken high school dropout in Prince Edward Island into one of the world's leading success and sales authorities through systematic self-education and disciplined study of masters like Napoleon Hill and Dale Carnegie. He developed practical systems like the ABCDE priority method, the 10-goal system, and consultative selling techniques by treating real-world sales interactions as scientific experiments to refine his approach. His influence has reached millions across 58 countries through books, seminars, and audio programs that prove success comes from systematic daily habits and continuous learning rather than natural talent. Tracy's enduring legacy demonstrates that ordinary people can achieve extraordinary results by consistently applying his learnable systems for time management, goal-setting, and sales psychology.

From the Streets of Detroit to the Guinness Book of World Records
Joe Girard, born to Sicilian immigrants in Detroit's impoverished east side, overcame an abusive childhood to become the world's greatest salesman, selling more retail cars than anyone in history for 12 consecutive years. Influenced by Dale Carnegie, Vince Lombardi, and Napoleon Hill, Girard built his success on relentless personalization, fanatical follow-up that generated 65% of sales from referrals, an unmatched work ethic, and deep empathy that focused on solving customer needs rather than pushing products. His methods—including the 250 Rule and systematic relationship building—translate perfectly to modern media sales, where success still depends on human connection over digital metrics. His legacy proves that in an age of automation, the fundamentals of genuine care, consistent follow-up, and serving others remain the true differentiators for extraordinary sales results.

Understanding and adapting to a buyer’s personality type is a critical sales skill that can significantly improve close rates, reduce objections, and build long-term relationships. Drawing from DISC and MBTI frameworks, buyers can be categorized into four core types—Driver, Analytical, Amiable, and Expressive—each with distinct motivations and communication preferences. The article provides detailed strategies for identifying and selling to each type, including hybrid personalities, using real-world examples and role-play scenarios. It also highlights the risks of misalignment, such as being ghosted or losing credibility, and offers advanced techniques for adapting in real time. Beyond sales, this approach enhances communication in all interpersonal relationships, from family to the workplace.

Hiring the next generation of local media sellers requires a shift from legacy experience to candidates who are digitally curious, data-literate, and self-motivated to win. Top performers are organized, goal-driven, and possess a natural competitive spirit that fuels consistent follow-through and client success. Strong hires also demonstrate consultative selling skills, storytelling ability, and a passion for helping local businesses thrive. Managers should watch for red flags like tech aversion, disorganization, and a transactional mindset, which often signal underperformance. By focusing on mindset, adaptability, and strategic thinking, local media companies can build sales teams equipped to lead in a hybrid, AI-enhanced marketplace.

As local media evolves, hiring sales talent requires a shift from traditional experience to digital fluency, data literacy, and strategic thinking. The next generation of sellers must be curious, coachable, and capable of using AI and analytics to craft personalized, results-driven campaigns. Strong storytelling skills and a passion for local communities remain essential for building advertiser trust. Managers should prioritize mindset and adaptability over legacy media experience and use role-based assessments to evaluate real-world skills. By hiring for future-ready capabilities, local media companies can build sales teams that thrive in a hybrid, tech-enabled marketplace.