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During this episode, we speak with Ryan Schram, a leader in digital and influencer marketing and the Chief Operating Officer at IZEA Worldwide. Ryan speaks about the unique journey he and his colleagues took to disrupt an industry, form a new category and rise to the top. We discuss the celebrity influencers of today, the emerging role of the nano-influencer, as well as potential influencers of the future like artificial intelligence. Ryan highlights his \\u2018Top Three\\u2019 advisors and speaks about what it was like to grow up in a house that is filled with marketing and media juggernauts, what it\\u2019s like to work for, and partner with an industry visionary, and shares how spousal choice is critical for leaders beyond balancing work and home. And throughout the episode, Ryan shares several pieces of advice with the audience, including some of his most fundamental advice that was passed along at an early age from a Mad Men-esque character \\u2013 Always Be Fabulous.

As Chief Operating Officer, Ryan Schram provides day-to-day leadership and managerial oversight for IZEA \\u2013 championing the needs of its team members, clients, partners, and creators around the world.

Placing company culture and creativity at the center of his approach, Mr. Schram is responsible for the IZEA\\u2019s overall operational environment, including the Company\\u2019s client development, business development, marketing communications, human capital, and creator ecosystem organizations. He also leads the Company\\u2019s corporate business development growth strategy domestically and abroad. Schram was appointed to IZEA\\u2019s Board of Directors in November 2012.

Nearing two decades of experience in the consumer marketing and technology space, Ryan has an established track record of driving growth, efficiency and profitability for leading- edge companies. In addition to his responsibilities at IZEA, Schram has been actively involved as a board member, advisor, and mentor in leading marketing technology companies, including TechStars Mobility, StageLeap, ProfitStreams, and Stratos.

Prior to joining IZEA in September 2011 as the Company\\u2019s first-ever Chief Marketing Officer, Ryan served as Group Vice President at ePrize (now HelloWorld), the prominent digital engagement agency that was acquired by private equity firm Catteron Partners in August 2012. Previous to ePrize, Ryan held a variety of leadership positions at CBS/Westwood One and Clear Channel Media + Entertainment (now iHeartMedia). His work has been regularly featured in the Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, Entrepreneur, AdAge, and ADWEEK.

A proud Spartan, Ryan is a graduate of the Eli Broad College of Business at Michigan State University (B.A., Management).

Segment 1: Introduction

1:25\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 The Connecting World \\u2013 a story built on data in a world built on humans.

3:59\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 The journey of a \\u201cself-aware nerd\\u201d through integrated marketing, sales enablement, and executive leadership. (iHeartRadio. HelloWorld. IZEA (NASDAQ: IZEA).)

Segment 2: Brave Leadership & the \\u201cTop Three\\u201d

6:46\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Ryan\\u2019s \\u201cTop Three\\u201d: Bill Burton \\u2013 The professional product mover. Always \\u201cBe fabulous.\\u201d (Don Draper \\u2013 Mad Men.)

16:14\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Ryan\\u2019s \\u201cTop Three\\u201d: Ted Murphy \\u2013\\xa0 \\u201cThe most dangerous man in the room\\u201d \\u2013 a leader in the creator economy.

23:04\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Challenging each other is central to any professional dynamic.

25:30\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Ryan\\u2019s \\u201cTop Three\\u201d: Steve Schram \\u2013 Hold yourself accountable for maximizing the gifts that you have.

32:51\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Ryan\\u2019s \\u201cTop Three\\u201d: Jamie Schram \\u2013 Being a business pair.

37:18\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Hiring in the \\u2018shoulders up\\u2019 economy.

Part 3: Industry Disruption & Transformation

41:11\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 \\u201cAlways about the content, not the clutter.\\u201d

43:00\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 The roles of the macro influencers (celebrities & athletes) and the micro/nano influencers.

49:20\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Bots and artificial intelligence as influencers.

Part 5: Wrapping up

51:26\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 IZEA\\u2019s journey to going public.

54:30\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Advice on going public (and beyond): \\u201cBe curious, be brave enough to realize that it\\u2019s like getting a graduate degree every 1-2 quarters in something totally different.\\u201d

59:02\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 \\u201cDon\\u2019t confuse\\xa0 your title for your importance and the value you can bring to the team members you serve.\\u201d (Servant Leadership).

1:00:51\\xa0 \\u201cFailure is one of life\\u2019s great gifts.\\u201d \\u2013 Ted Murphy

1:02:06\\xa0 Follow IZEA and Ryan! (IZEAx 3.0. Influencer Insights.)

Contact Ryan:

• Ryan\\u2019s LinkedIn
• Ryan\\u2019s Twitter

Contact IZEA

• IZEA\\u2019s Twitter
• IZEA\\u2019s Instagram
• IZEA\\u2019s LinkedIn

Contact Gregg Garrett:

• Gregg\\u2019s LinkedIn
• Gregg\\u2019s Twitter
• Gregg\\u2019s Bio

Contact CGS Advisors:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Twitter