In Episode 95 of the Digital Velocity Podcast, Erik Martinez sits down with Kristin Chambers — social media strategist, agency owner, and founder of Meerkat Media Group — to explore artificial intelligence and its role in social media marketing.

With over a decade of experience helping brands navigate the rapidly evolving digital marketing landscape, Kristin shares where human creativity must stay in the loop to build trust and brand loyalty.

Listeners will learn:
• How AI personalization is changing what users see — and why authenticity still wins
• The real-world benefits and limits of AI-generated copy, images, and social ads
• Practical steps for training AI tools on your brand voice while keeping content genuine
• How to balance automation and human oversight to build trust in an era of misinformation

Kristin also offers tactical advice for marketers and small teams on batching content, using tools like Canva, ChatGPT, and Hey Orca, and developing a responsible AI policy that empowers creativity rather than replacing it. Her key takeaway: use AI as an accelerator, not a substitute — because the brands that stay authentic will be the ones audiences trust most.

For direct-to-consumer marketers and digital brand leaders, this episode offers a roadmap to navigate the future of AI-powered social media with clarity, strategy, and heart.

In Episode 94 of the Digital Velocity Podcast, Erik Martinez sits down with Brady Skye—award-winning filmmaker, creative director at Meerkat Media Group, and producer of the Amazon documentary 'Beyond the Ruins'—to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming video storytelling, brand authenticity, and the future of marketing creativity.

Brady draws from his experience in both filmmaking and commercial production to discuss how AI can enhance, but not replace, human creativity. From automated editing and voiceovers to concept generation and translation, he breaks down the tools reshaping production workflows—while warning against the loss of emotional depth that defines great storytelling.

Listeners will learn:
• Why AI is a powerful assistant editor, not an artistic replacement
• How to balance creative efficiency with emotional authenticity
• Why audiences—and platforms like YouTube and Google—are demanding real, human content
• Practical ways small and midsize brands can use video to tell their story and stand out from giants like Amazon
• How to avoid 'analysis paralysis' and use AI tools with purpose, not obsession

For direct-to-consumer brands and marketing leaders, this episode delivers actionable insights into building genuine connections in a content-saturated world. As Brady reminds us, 'Your office is really your website now'—and video storytelling is your most powerful storefront. Whether you’re producing your first brand video or scaling creative operations, this conversation reveals how to blend technology, art, and authenticity to move audiences and build lasting brand trust.

In Episode 93 of the Digital Velocity Podcast, Erik Martinez sits down with Ginger Grant, a seasoned data strategist, to explore how artificial intelligence and machine learning are reshaping the fundamentals of business analysis and decision-making.

Ginger shares her unique perspective on the crucial distinctions between generative AI and machine learning, highlighting why accuracy, data quality, and the right questions matter more than ever. She explains why companies must address messy, fragmented data before they can effectively harness AI, and how grounding models in proprietary data unlocks more reliable business insights.

Listeners will gain insights into:
• Why machine learning has a more immediate impact than generative AI for business-critical tasks
• The persistent challenge of data organization and the dangers of Excel-driven reporting
• How companies like Goldman Sachs are grounding AI models in proprietary data to achieve accuracy
• Why dashboards and rote reporting are ripe for automation—and where humans remain indispensable
• How leaders can encourage AI adoption without stoking fear of job loss, through training and intentional change

For direct-to-consumer marketers and cross-industry leaders alike, Ginger offers actionable guidance on how to move beyond data collection toward true business impact. From defining success metrics to ensuring critical thinking remains at the core of analysis, this episode is a must-listen for executives and marketers preparing to navigate the future of AI-driven decision-making.