In this episode, Mike Kepka sits down with TJ Packer —Founder and Creative Director at Crew Pictures — to unpack the true meaning of "results-driven, high-end film and video" for brands. TJ shares his unique perspective on balancing tangible ROI (like sales and leads) with the often-overlooked intangible results, such as client satisfaction and brand pride. They dive into how understanding your "why" drives powerful video strategy and why authentic storytelling still reigns supreme in capturing audience attention and building lasting connections.

🔗 Connect with Mike:

🌎 kepkahouse.com

💼 linkedin.com/in/mike-kepka-91721751

📸 instagram.com/kepka

🔗 Connect with TJ Packer:

🌎 http://crewpictures.com

💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjpacker/

📸 instagram.com/tjpacker/

💬 What results matter most to your brand's video content? Drop a comment below!

📢 Don't forget to LIKE & FOLLOW to stay updated on future episodes of The Curious Creative!

#VideoMarketing #ContentStrategy #BrandStorytelling

Welcome to a new half-hour chit-chat about what we love: Video strategies that promise real results for our clients! In this episode, we sat down with Vinny Mwano —digital strategy consultant and creator of the 8-second video formula — to discuss how to capture attention and drive action in today's fast-paced digital world.

This was a very insightful conversation. Vinny shares his views and ideas on crafting compelling short-form video content, the importance of understanding your audience, and how to create a communications journey that converts. And he dives into real-world examples and actionable strategies for brands looking to enhance engagement and achieve real results.

🔗 Connect with Mike:

🌎 kepkahouse.com

💼 linkedin.com/in/mike-kepka-91721751

📸 instagram.com/kepka

🔗 Connect with Vinny Mwano:

🌎 vinnymwano.com

💼 www.linkedin.com/in/vinnymwano

✉️ vinny@vinnymwano.com

💬 What's your biggest challenge in creating engaging video content? Drop a comment below!

📢 Don't forget to LIKE & FOLLOW to stay updated on future episodes of The Curious Creative!

In this episode, Mike Kepka sits down with Andrew Swanson —founder of Forerunner, a boutique video agency based near Nashville— to unpack how purpose-driven video strategy is redefining what it means to get results. From building video funnels that track conversions to proving ROI for nonprofits and beyond, Andrew shares how his creative-meets-analytical mindset helped one client boost landing page engagement by 70% and unlock real-time data on what actually works. They also swap stories about their creative roots, why storytelling still matters more than ever, and how to combine emotion with metrics to create content that’s not just pretty—but profitable.

🔗 Connect with Mike:

🌎 kepkahouse.com

💼 linkedin.com/in/mike-kepka-91721751

📸 instagram.com/kepka

🔗 Connect with Andrew Swanson:

🌎 forerunner.tv

💼 www.linkedin.com/in/andrewforerunner/

✉️ Andrew@forerunner.tv

💬 What’s your biggest challenge in video marketing? Drop a comment below!

📢 Don't forget to FOLLOW & SHARE to stay updated on future episodes of The Curious Creative!

In this episode, Mike sits down with Daniel Cohen and Michael Arking — the innovative duo behind Social Motion— to reveal how blending authentic storytelling with data-driven tactics transforms video content into measurable results. They share their insights on merging creativity with strategy, video strategies that drive engagement and sales & behind-the-scenes secrets to turning every frame into a revenue-driving asset – join the conversation and elevate your brand!

🔗 Connect with Mike:

🌎 kepkahouse.com

💼 linkedin.com/in/mike-kepka-91721751

📸 instagram.com/kepka

🔗 Connect with Daniel Cohen:

🌎 socialmotionfilms.com

💼 linkedin.com/in/daniel-cohen-86b09b118/

📸 instagram.com/socialmotionfilms/

🔗 Connect with Michael Arking:

🌎 socialmotionfilms.com

💼 linkedin.com/in/michaelarking/

📸 instagram.com/socialmotionfilms/

💬 What’s your biggest challenge in video marketing? Drop a comment below!

📢 Don't forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the NOTIFICATION BELL to stay updated on future episodes of The Curious Creative!

#TheCuriousCreative

#MikeKepka

#Socialmotionfilms

#MichaelArking

#DanielCohen

#VideoMarketing

#ContentMarketing

#Storytelling

In this episode Mike sits down with Matt Gustaferro, the creative force behind Hugo Creative, a DC-based video production company. Mike shares his fascinating journey from his years at The San Francisco Chronicle, where he documented the lives of eccentric characters, to his pivot into video production and strategy. He discusses the challenges of finding real, untold stories and how that experience shaped his approach to marketing content today.

💡 Key Takeaways from This Episode:

🔹 The art of making video content that actually drives results

🔹 Why authenticity is more than just a buzzword in creative marketing

🔹 Matt’s journey from photojournalism to leading a top video agency

🔹 How to blend emotion with data for truly impactful content

🔹 The importance of distribution & strategy—because great videos need the right audience.

🔗 Connect with Mike

🌎 kepkahouse.com

💼 linkedin.com/in/mike-kepka-91721751

📸 instagram.com/kepka

🔗 Connect with Matt:

🌎 hugo-creative.com

💼 linkedin.com/in/matt-guastaferro/

📸 instagram.com/hugo_creative

💬 What’s your biggest challenge in video marketing? Drop a comment below!

📢 Don't forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the NOTIFICATION BELL to stay updated on future episodes of The Curious Creative!

#TheCuriousCreative

#PositiveMischief

#MattGustaferro

#MikeKepka

#VideoMarketing

#DigitalMarketing

#ContentMarketing

#Storytelling

#CreativeProcess

In this episode of The Curious Creative, host Mike Kepka sits down with Brooks Patton, founder of Mother Wit, a creative video and strategy company based in Anchorage, Alaska. Brooks has built a reputation for disrupting traditional marketing strategies, particularly in military and government contracting, where innovation is often overlooked.

Brooks shares his game-changing approach to video marketing, including his work with military simulation company Plexus, where he helped reshape their messaging to compete with government-funded alternatives. His results-driven strategies focus on using emotional storytelling, awareness-based content, and engaging video experiences to drive real action—proving that marketing in these industries doesn’t have to be boring, outdated, or ineffective.

🔹 Key Takeaways from This Episode:

Innovating Military & Government Marketing – Why storytelling and emotional engagement matter in an industry known for jargon-heavy content.

From Awareness to Action – How Brooks crafts video campaigns that make high-level decision-makers pay attention and take action.

Measuring Success in a Data-Limited Industry – The challenges of tracking ROI in live environments and conferences vs. digital analytics.

The Power of Branding & Positioning – How Brooks is evolving his business by launching Contested High Ground, a niche agency dedicated to military and aerospace marketing.

Why AI Won’t Replace Creativity – Brooks’ thoughts on why AI tools are just that—tools—and why human experience, intuition, and storytelling will always set creative professionals apart.

Whether you're a marketing professional, military contractor, creative entrepreneur, or just someone fascinated by the evolution of digital storytelling, this episode delivers valuable insights on how to think bigger, bolder, and smarter in the ever-changing world of marketing.

🎧 Tune in now to learn how video strategy is transforming industries beyond entertainment!

#TheCuriousCreative #BrooksPatton #MilitaryMarketing #GovernmentContracting #VideoStrategy #DigitalStorytelling #ContentMarketing #MikeKepka #CreativeProcess #MarketingInnovation

In this episode of The Curious Creative, host Mike Kepka engages with Joe Wolfe, Head of Paid Social at Optidge, a leading digital marketing agency specializing in performance-driven campaigns. Joe shares his expertise in crafting impactful paid social strategies for high-profile clients, including the Telly Awards and luxury brands like Degs & Sal.

Joe takes us through:

The essentials of paid social media campaigns, from pre-launch strategy to ongoing optimization.

How to balance creative development with data-driven decision-making to maximize ROI.

The importance of authenticity in marketing and why relatable, user-generated content can outperform high-budget productions.

His journey working with notable brands and scaling their success through innovative marketing strategies.

🔹 Key Takeaways:

Authenticity Wins: Joe emphasizes how genuine storytelling connects with audiences and drives measurable results.

Simplify for Success: Learn why starting with a few well-crafted assets often outperforms launching with dozens of variations.

Test, Refine, Repeat: Discover how analyzing metrics and iterating creative strategies can optimize campaign performance.

DIY for Impact: Joe shares why rolling up your sleeves and creating content yourself can inspire clients and jumpstart success.

Whether you're a marketing professional or a creative looking to sharpen your digital strategies, this episode is packed with practical advice and inspiration.

#TheCuriousCreative #JoeWolfe #DigitalMarketing #SocialMediaStrategy #PaidSocial #VideoMarketing #MikeKepka #MarketingTips #Storytelling #CreativeProcess #Podcast #Optidge

In this episode of The Curious Creative, host Mike Kepka sits down with Ben Marcheski, a seasoned video marketing professional whose career spans major media networks like National Geographic, PBS, and Discovery. Now the Creative Director at FedWriters, Ben shares his fascinating journey from producing high-energy TV promos to developing results-driven video strategies for government agencies.

Ben discusses his early days in media, reflecting on the evolution from traditional Nielsen-based metrics to today’s multi-platform digital tracking. Moving into the government sector, he explains the complexities of promoting agency initiatives with limited budgets and without traditional user data. Despite these challenges, Ben’s expertise has helped agencies educate the public on key initiatives and drive measurable engagement.

🔹 Key Highlights:

The Shift to Digital: Ben details his transition from traditional TV promos to digital video strategies, navigating the shift from single-channel to multi-channel marketing.

Government Campaign Challenges: Learn about the unique hurdles of government marketing, where data collection is limited, yet success depends on impactful messaging.

Crafting Effective PSA Campaigns: Ben explores the importance of PSAs and how clear, strategic content can elevate public awareness and prompt action.

Leveraging Metrics and Results: Discover how Ben’s team utilizes available metrics and analytics to refine campaigns, maximizing reach and engagement with minimal resources.

Advice for Creatives: Ben encourages aspiring marketers to stay current with the latest technology and focus on strategic, results-driven content that resonates across multiple channels.

Whether you’re a video marketer, a public sector professional, or simply curious about the impact of video in today’s digital landscape, this episode provides actionable insights into creating video that informs, engages, and delivers real value.

#TheCuriousCreative #BenMarcheski #VideoMarketing #MikeKepka #GovernmentCampaigns #PublicAwareness #DigitalStrategy #CreativeProcess #FedWriters #ResultsDriven