Content Sutra Ep. 7: Michael Brenner on the Future of Content Marketing

When Contently co-founder Shane Snow and I decided to start the Content Sutra podcast, Michael Brenner was at the top of our interview list. In the brief history of content marketing, he’s become somewhat of a legend. Over the past decade, he’s changed the way big businesses approach content at SAP, co-founded Business2Community, and established a loyal following as one of the content marketing industry’s most prolific bloggers.

Over the past few months, Brenner has been busy as usual: He co-authored The Content Formula: Calculate the ROI of Content Marketing & Never Waste Money Again, and left NewsCred to start his own venture, Marketing Insider Group.

Last week, Brenner called into the podcast to discuss the state of content marketing, why most marketers need Sixteen Candles-style makeovers, and what brand Ben Carson would be. Listen below or download the episode on iTunes.

Highlights:

(2:00) Michael discusses how content marketing has evolved during his decade in the business and names his favorite brand storytellers.

(17:10) We dive into “marketing’s marketing problem,” how to fight against the plague of self-promotional content, and the secret to content marketing ROI.

(34:10) Finally, we play a lightning round of a new game, asking Michael to name the brand he most associates with each political candidate.