John Paff on Purpose-Driven Branding and Campaigns That Work | EP. 2

What does it take to build a marketing agency that actually makes a difference? In this insightful episode of The Midwest Flourish, host Rick Farrant sits down with John Paff, founder and CEO of Petra Strategic Communication, Fort Wayne Marketing, and Marketing the Midwest. From workforce development to regional branding, John shares how his team has helped economic development organizations, nonprofits, and communities connect with their audiences—using smart strategy, research-driven insights, and creative campaigns. Whether you’re a nonprofit leader, economic developer, or a business owner trying to break through the noise, this episode is packed with takeaways on what it means to market with purpose—and results. Highlighted Topics:

• The origins of Marketing the Midwest
• Rebranding for regional workforce agencies
• Building talent pipelines through youth marketing
• Why students say "too long, didn’t read"—and what to do about it
• The real definition of a brand (hint: it's not your logo)
• When marketing matters most: during uncertainty

Learn more at marketingthemidwest.com #TheMidwestFlourish #MarketingStrategy #EconomicDevelopment #WorkforceMarketing #JohnPaff #MarketingTheMidwest #Branding #CommunityGrowth #ROI #podcast #podcasting #midwest #midwestmade #indiana