Welcome to Ready Set Exec, the podcast where executive search meets real leadership stories. Enjoy weekly conversations with Executives sharing insights, best practices and knowledge as well as a biweekly founders meeting where you will join hosts John and Patrick—founders of Ready Set Exec Inc.—as they share insider perspectives from their work recruiting top executives in Sales, Marketing, HR, and Operations.

In this Episode:

In this episode, John Pezoulas interviews Erin Smith, an award-winning creative executive with over 20 years of experience in brand campaigns and creative team leadership. They discuss the evolving role of creativity in marketing, emphasizing the importance of brand building over mere sales enablement. Erin highlights the need for brands to connect emotionally with customers and the challenges startups face when they overlook brand development in favor of immediate revenue. The conversation also touches on the commoditization of creative processes and the value of taking risks in advertising to create memorable brand experiences. Erin advocates for a balanced approach to marketing budgets, prioritizing brand strategy to ensure long-term success.

What to Expect Each Episode:

Conversations with Executives: Hear candid stories from accomplished leaders across Ready Set Exec’s network as they share lessons learned, pivotal career moves, and their outlook on the future of leadership.

Industry Insights: Explore the trends shaping leadership in the fields Ready Set Exec knows best—how Sales leaders drive growth, how Marketing executives build brand momentum, how HR shapes culture, and how Operations keeps organizations moving.

Talent Strategy Deep Dives: John and Patrick reveal what they’ve learned about hiring executives who don’t just fit the role but elevate the business, by using a relationship-driven approach.

Actionable Takeaways: Whether you’re a CEO, HR leader, or an executive shaping your next move, you’ll walk away with practical insights on attracting, retaining, and thriving as top talent.

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Looking to make an executive hire or looking for your next executive role? Check us out at readysetexec.com

Are you a C-level executive in the USA? message us about being a guest on our podcast!