Curtis and Tom sit down with Brendan Norman, CEO and co-founder of Classify, to talk about the future of digital advertising and why contextual targeting is making a comeback. Drawing from his experience launching Facebook’s Audience Network and scaling it to $3B in revenue, Brendan explains how Classify uses AI to go deeper than keywords and categories—ensuring the right ad shows up against the right content.

The conversation covers how contextual advertising works without relying on cookies or personal data, why precision beats blanket targeting, and how brands can win in a zero-click, privacy-first era. Brendan also shares case studies, including one niche product that saw a 35x lift in click-through rate using Classify’s curated URL lists, and introduces fresh ideas like his “ROSÉ” metric—return on sustainable efficiency—for tackling advertising’s carbon footprint.

N.B.:

• Learn more at tryclassify.com

• Connect with Brendan on LinkedIn

Takeaways:

• Contextual advertising is back—precision content targeting without cookies.

• AI can classify content at a deeper, more semantic level than legacy tools.

• Custom URL lists unlock niche targeting with outsized performance gains.

• Strong contextual alignment can lift CTRs by 50%+ (and sometimes far more).

• Sustainability matters: the ad industry must cut carbon waste from its massive data infrastructure.

• Best content still wins—context plus community creates durable advertising value.

Find and Follow:

• See all episodes at bullhornsbullseyes.com.

• Follow the show on LinkedIn!

• Learn more about Collideascope and Creative Mill at their respective websites.

• Connect with Curtis and Tom on LinkedIn.

• Check out our newsletter, Amplify and Aim!

Curtis and Tom welcome Nolan Reiter, Employer Branding Strategist at Scout Design, to unpack what employer branding really means…and why it matters now more than ever. Nolan shares how he helps companies move beyond job ads and recruitment campaigns to build authentic candidate experiences that align with culture and brand strategy. Nolan shares insights from client projects across industries, discusses candidate “moments that matter,” and highlights the role of AI tools like Paradox’s Olivia in making the hiring process more human, not less. You’ll also hear practical advice on how to audit your candidate journey, what to look for in aligning HR and marketing, and why companies must shift from quick tech fixes to deeper truths about culture and employee experience.

N.B.:

• Learn more at scoutdesign.agency

• Connect with Nolan on LinkedIn

Takeaways:

• Employer branding isn’t just advertising—it’s the candidate experience.

• Authenticity and alignment with company culture are essential.

• Strong employer branding improves application rates, candidate quality, and retention.

• Recruitment marketing and technology work best only after the brand truth is defined.

• Employer branding must connect with the company’s overall brand strategy for maximum impact.

• AI tools like Olivia can enhance, not replace, human touchpoints in the hiring journey.

Find and Follow:

• See all episodes at bullhornsbullseyes.com.

• Follow the show on LinkedIn!

• Learn more about Collideascope and Creative Mill at their respective websites.

• Connect with Curtis and Tom on LinkedIn.

• Check out our newsletter, Amplify and Aim!

Funnel-based storyteller returns to the podcast to have a little fun. Challenge, with Curtis as “the client,” can Josh and Tom retell a fictitious brand’s story on the fly, with little input and using only their aligned methodologies? Tom’s going to encourage Curtis to lead with his client’s WHY; and Josh is sure to align the messaging with the tried-and-true sales/marketing funnel. Will they outperform AI in the process? Tune in to find out!

We’re working without a net this week, folks…well, we did have the internet…but we didn’t use it…promise!

N.B.:

• Connect with Josh on LinkedIn.

• Learn more about Josh and his agency at Donco Marketing.

Takeaways:

• Funnel-driven storytelling helps structure brand messaging.

• Awareness is crucial in the initial stages of customer engagement.

• Positioning the customer as the hero enhances brand appeal.

• Social proof can significantly impact customer trust.

• Effective storytelling should focus on benefits, not just features.

• Understanding the audience's journey is key to effective marketing.

• Brand storytelling should evolve from the website outward.

• Identifying the precise target audience is crucial for effective messaging.

• Data plays a vital role in understanding lead generation and conversion.

• Stakeholder interviews are essential for crafting effective marketing narratives.

• AI can enhance marketing strategies but should not replace human insight.

• Effective messaging should focus on the customer's journey and pain points.

• Understanding the emotional aspects of marketing can improve client relationships.

• Customer-centric marketing positions the customer as the hero of the story.

Find and Follow:

• See all episodes at bullhornsbullseyes.com.

• Follow the show on LinkedIn!

• Learn more about Collideascope and Creative Mill at their respective websites.

• Connect with Curtis and Tom on LinkedIn.

• Check out our newsletter, Amplify and Aim!