Turning Mistakes Into Growth w/ Ben Dunford

Steve O’Brian, Executive Vice President of Marketing, and Vickie Valdez, Financial Services Solutions Marketing Director, both of Act-On Software, join Jim Flynn and Leslie Castillo on the IMCA Peer2Peer Podcast to explore why insurance marketing budgets still cluster at the top of the funnel when so much of the value comes after the sale. They break down what lifecycle marketing really means, diving deeper into moments throughout a policy that carry the most weight and ways that a renewal journey can begin long before the renewal date. Steve and Vickie share practical ideas and tips that will make you think differently about your next reminder email.Key takeaways from the episode include:· The biggest lifecycle miss is knowing the generic customer journey but not the specific one· A renewal journey must start well before the renewal date, with regular, useful communication· When in doubt, start with onboarding, and use a cross-department workshop to find the gapsThe Peer2Peer Podcast is in a partnership with IMCA, the insurance industry’s premier community and most trusted advocate for advancing marketing excellence.

Cara McFadyen, Head of Growth Marketing at Beazley Insurance, joins Jim Flynn and Leslie Castillo to talk about the importance of a strong marketing foundation. Interested in learning how discovery, governance, and process set organizations up for long-term marketing success? Listen to this episode of the IMCA peer2peer podcast.

Norma Smith, Executive Producer and Speech Coach at Wild Ivy Productions, joins Jim Flynn and Leslie Castillo to talk about "who starts the story" and what makes a presentation effective. Interested in learning how prep, tech, and coaching play a role in successful public speaking? Listen to this episode of the IMCA peer2peer podcast.

Ben Dunford, professor at Purdue University, joins Jim Flynn and Leslie Castillo to discuss the role of accountability and forgiveness in effective leadership. Interested in learning how leaders can turn mistakes into opportunities for growth during times of change? Listen to this episode of the IMCA peer2peer podcast from ONEFIRE.

Olga Collins, CEO of Worldwide Broker Network, joins Jim Flynn and Leslie Castillo to share her journey from risk management to leading a global insurance organization. She discusses strategic rebranding, digital growth, and how a culture of connectivity helped transform WBN into a recognized industry leader. Interested in learning how connection and strategy can strengthen a global insurance brand? Listen to this episode of the IMCA peer2peer podcast from ONEFIRE.

Jake Cash joins Jim Flynn and Leslie Castillo to talk about building stronger carrier-agent relationships, using technology more effectively, and embracing AI to support sustainable growth in the insurance industry. Interested in learning how relationships and innovation can work together to move insurance forward? Listen to this episode of the IMCA peer2peer podcast from ONEFIRE.

Emily Gruber, VP of Marketing and Communications at Dual North America, joins Jim Flynn and Leslie Castillo to share insights from leading a complex rebrand in the insurance industry. From strategic planning and internal alignment to visual identity and execution, Emily breaks down what it takes to successfully reposition a brand. Interested in leading a rebrand of your own? Listen to this episode of the IMCA peer2peer podcast from ONEFIRE.

Greg Phitidis, Brand Director at Free Brands, joins Leslie Castillo and Jim Flynn to discuss the pressing challenge of attracting talent to the insurance industry. In this episode, they explore recent research on Gen Z’s perceptions of insurance careers and the disconnect between what the industry offers and what younger generations are seeking. Interested in learning how to better position your organization to attract emerging talent? Listen to this episode of the IMCA peer2peer podcast from ONEFIRE.

Noelle Codispoti joins Jim Flynn and Leslie Castillo to discuss the critical importance of employee culture in the insurance industry. In this episode, they dive into today’s talent crisis, the difference between culture and mission/values, and how marketing plays a key role in authentically representing an organization’s culture. Interested in building a more positive and authentic workplace culture? Listen to this episode of the IMCA peer2peer podcast from ONEFIRE.

Richard Look, President of Vertibrands, joins Jim Flynn and Leslie Castillo to discuss how agency partnerships are evolving in the insurance marketing space. From the rise of hyper-specialists to the growing demand for measurable results and the influence of AI, this conversation explores what today’s clients expect and how agencies can build credibility, cultural alignment, and lasting relationships. Tune in to this episode of the IMCA Peer-to-Peer Podcast from ONEFIRE to learn how agencies can adapt and thrive.