AI-Powered Marketing: Ethics, Efficiency, and Innovation E47
The latest episode of AZ TechCast hosted by Steve Zylstra and Karen Nowicki, explores AI’s impact on marketing with guests Stephen Carradini from ASU, Renee Yeager from Yeager Marketing, and Spencer Lee from Intero Digital, emphasizing ethical considerations and regulatory challenges. Spencer and Stephen predict significant changes in digital marketing strategies and job opportunities due to AI in the next 5-7 years. The conversation underscores the need for businesses to navigate ethical and legal complexities while embracing AI’s transformative potential in marketing.
Discover actionable tips for integrating AI into your marketing efforts by listening to this episode
This episode highlights AI’s improvements in data analysis, content creation, and curation speed, leading to labor savings and increased client satisfaction. Spencer stresses the importance of integrating AI to enhance productivity, while Renee discusses challenges like skill development and privacy concerns. Stephen and Steve Zylstra predict significant changes in marketing strategies and job opportunities, emphasizing the importance of staying informed and adaptable in the evolving AI landscape.
Founded in 2009, Yeager Marketing is a Phoenix-based marketing agency that helps the world’s leading B2B technology companies streamline customer acquisition and accelerate growth. Tech is fast-moving and highly competitive. To excel in this environment requires the right mix of long-term strategy and near-term efficiency.
Yeager works with marketers across disciplines – from brand and messaging to content development to campaigns – to deliver differentiating go-to-market initiatives that help them engage target audiences. By leveraging practical, goal-oriented methods, coupled with tried and tested marketing strategies, award-winning creative implementation, and superior technology capabilities, Yeager delivers real results that are measurable and directly impact their client’s bottom line.
Renee Yeager is a visionary leader who empowers both her clients and teams to transcend the ordinary and reach for the extraordinary. Through her innovative approach, she crafts award-winning marketing solutions that deliver impactful business outcomes for companies across the technology landscape. Renee’s transformative leadership has elevated Yeager Marketing from a modest two-person venture to a three-time honoree on the prestigious Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies.
Prior to co-founding the agency in 2009, Renee showcased her expertise by spearheading B2B marketing teams at organizations such as Avnet, Viasoft, and Platinum Technology. Her influential contributions to the industry have earned her a coveted spot on the Forbes Agency Council since 2017.
Recognitions for her outstanding achievements include being crowned Executive of the Year by the American Business Awards, securing the title of Marketing Executive of the Year at the Best in Biz Awards, and receiving accolades for Individual Achievement from the MarCom Awards in 2023. Renee Yeager continues to set the bar high, leaving an indelible mark on the world of marketing and business.
Connect with Renee on LinkedIn and follow Yeager Marketing on Facebook, X and Instagram.
Intero Digital is a globally acclaimed digital marketing agency that helps businesses fulfill their potential by leveraging integrated digital marketing solutions executed by top industry talent.
Spencer Lee has over a decade of experience in digital marketing, with a focus on Email Marketing and Data Management, spanning everything from building businesses to data analysis and establishing relationships with household brands.
He is highly data-driven, with a proven track record of achieving reliable ROI for clients. For several years, Spencer has been a vocal advocate of the promise and potential AI presents across numerous use cases, and has lead the internal development of Intero Digital’s AI solutions.
Outside the office, his passions include: fatherhood, cooking, archery, photography and the martial arts.
Follow Intero Digital on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.
In Arizona State University’s Technical Communication program, students learn how to write, design, produce, and manage information for a variety of audiences, using a range of traditional and emerging technologies. Courses focus on principles and hands-on application, and are designed to help students build their problem-solving, writing, editing, and design abilities. 
The BS in technical communication is the only undergraduate technical communication degree program available in the state of Arizona. ASU’s MS programs in Technical Communication and User Experience are designed for professionals who wish to strengthen their professional credentials in these areas.
Stephen Carradini researches the implementation of emerging technologies into workplaces. His research looks for sustainable ways to organize and enhance work in the contemporary moment, near future, and beyond.
His theoretical lens of workplace communication allows for interpretation of current work habits and co-construction of future work habits with an eye toward personal, economic, and community well-being.
His current work focuses on how AI tools are implemented in the workplace and in civic spaces; he has done several studies on the impact of AI on employees and employers, particularly Generation Z employees. He is currently building a public information chatbot called Waterbot for the State of Arizona.
He teaches courses on online professional communication, digital ethics, and user experience.
Connect with Stephen on LinkedIn, Facebook and X.
About Your Hosts
Steve Zylstra serves as president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council, a role he assumed in 2007. He is responsible for strategy, operations, finance and policy development. Zylstra is a vocal spokesman for the value technology can provide in raising social and economic standards in Arizona.
Zylstra serves on numerous councils, committees and boards, was named “Leader of the Year, Technology,” by the Arizona Capitol Times, and “Most Admired Leader” by the Phoenix Business Journal. In addition, he was awarded an honorary doctorate of science in technology from the University of Advancing Technology in Tempe, Ariz.
Zylstra earned a bachelor’s degree in automotive engineering technology from Western Michigan University.
Karen Nowicki is a successful author, speaker and the creator of Deep Impact Leadership™ and SoulMarks Coaching™. She is a two-time recipient of the prestigious national Choice Award® for her book and personal development retreat. Karen was crowned the first-ever “Mompreneur of the Year” Award in 2010 for the southwestern states. She was recognized for her leadership, business acumen, and work-life balance.
Karen has been an expert guest on regional TV and radio shows, including Fox Phoenix Morning Show, Sonoran Living, Good Morning Arizona, The Chat Room, and Mid-Day Arizona. She has been a regular contributor to many print and online magazines – publishing articles and blogs for business and education.
In addition to working with private coaching clients, Karen is also the Owner & President of Phoenix Business RadioX. The Business RadioX Network amplifies the voice of business – serving the Fortune 500,000, not just the Fortune 500. Phoenix Business RadioX helps local businesses and professional associations get the word out about the important work they’re doing to serve their market, profession, and community.
Of all the experiences Karen has had the privilege of participating in over her vast career, she shares that Phoenix Business RadioX is a pinnacle adventure!
Connect with Karen on LinkedIn and follow Phoenix Business RadioX on Facebook and Instagram.
Leslie Cooper Marquez is a dynamic marketing professional with over 17 years of broad-based marketing, public relations and advertising experience in both in-house and agency environments.
Originally from Birmingham, AL, Leslie has honed her expertise across diverse sectors, including non-profit performing arts, legal marketing, mortgage technology, and residential mortgage marketing.
Leslie has been an integral part of the Arizona community for the past 5 years. Most recently, she served as the Marketing Director for Scottsdale-based mortgage technology firm, focusIT, Inc., and previously as the Director of Marketing for Ballet Arizona.
Beyond her professional commitments, Leslie is an active member of the community. She serves as a Sustainer with the Junior League of Phoenix, volunteers with the Distinguished Young Women of Arizona scholarship program and is an alumna of the esteemed Valley Leadership Accelerate class of 2019.
In her spare time, Leslie shares her passion for fitness as a dedicated barre instructor at TenPoint5 Central. Above all, she cherishes her roles as a devoted mother to a young son and a loving wife to her husband, David.
About Our Sponsor
The Arizona Technology Council, Arizona’s only statewide organization serving the technology sector, fosters a climate of innovation to enhance technology in Arizona.
A trusted resource in strengthening Arizona’s technology industry, the Council proactively eliminates impediments that companies face, accelerates the entrepreneurial mindset in the state’s expanding innovation ecosystem, and works to create a destination for companies to be, thrive and stay.
Follow Arizona Technology Council on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.
