by Lori Berson | May 13, 2026 | AI, artificial intelligence, Content Marketing, Creative Services, Marketing, Marketing Strategy, marketing technology
Key Takeaways
- AI without strategy is just faster mediocrity.
- Bolting AI onto broken workflows doesn’t fix them, it makes the friction faster.
- Three systems deliver the highest ROI: content pipelines, digital workers, and intelligent lead management.
- The results are documented real client outcomes, not vendor estimates.
- Strategy and creative are now your scarcest assets. Anyone can automate.
- The right AI-integrated marketing pays for itself typically within one to three quarters.
Most companies are aware that AI should be integrated into their marketing. The gap isn’t knowledge, it’s execution. Knowing AI matters and building the systems that prove it are two very different things.
Eighty-eight percent of companies use AI. Only 12% of CEOs see it move the bottom line (McKinsey’s The state of AI report). That’s not a technology problem. It’s a strategy and systems problem, and it’s exactly what BDS helps solve.
Why Bolting AI onto Old Workflows Doesn’t Work
If your team adopted an AI writing tool but still routes approvals by email, formats assets by hand, and publishes manually, you’ve sped up one step in a broken process. The friction is still there. You’ve just reached it faster.
Real integration starts with strategy: knowing which workflows to redesign and which creative approaches will actually differentiate you. BDS brings all three: the strategic direction, creative execution, and the automated systems that deliver both at scale.
Three BDS Systems That Deliver Measurable ROI
- Content Production and Repurposing Pipelines. One asset becomes many, but only when the creative strategy behind it is sharp. BDS develops the messaging and content direction first, then builds the pipeline that turns a single client conversation into an email campaign, five LinkedIn posts, a blog, and a one-sheet. Strategic thinking happens once. Distribution happens automatically.
- Digital Workers. Repeatable tasks, data extraction, CRM updates, document formatting, and plan comparisons are assigned to automated systems that run the same way every time. BDS has cut insurance document analysis from 3 days to 12 minutes. Salesforce data analysis from 2 weeks to 50 minutes. These are live client results.
- Intelligent Lead Management. Systems that track behavior, surface the right content at the right moment, and tell your team exactly who to follow up with and when. BDS designs both the creative assets that move prospects through the funnel and the automated logic that delivers them. Less guessing. More pipeline.
|
Real Results: BDS Client Engagements
Actual before-and-after times from client workflows.
|
| Use Case |
Before |
With AI |
Savings |
| Podcast Production (6-episode series) |
4 days |
6 hrs 21 min |
~94% |
| Multi-Channel Content Repurposing |
3 days |
2 hrs 14 min |
~94% |
| Video Tutorial Creation |
2 weeks |
7 hrs 30 min |
~94% |
| New Business Pitch Deck |
4 days |
3 hrs 20 min |
~92% |
| Insurance Document Analysis |
3 days |
12 min |
~99% |
| Email Campaign from Sales Conversations |
4 days |
5 hrs 48 min |
~85% |
| Insurance Workflow Optimization |
1.5 weeks |
2 hrs 15 min |
~97% |
| Salesforce Data Analysis |
2 weeks |
50 min |
~99% |
| The takeaway: Campaigns that once took weeks and cost $25,000–$75,000 now run in hours for under $5,000 for companies that have rebuilt their workflows around AI (The AI Transformation of B2B Go-to-Market Strategy report). |
Strategy and Creative Are the Differentiators. Systems Are the Delivery Mechanism
AI gave everyone the ability to produce average content instantly. More output is no longer an edge. What separates the winners is the strategy and creativity behind the tools, and most companies are missing one or both.
That’s where we come in. We develop the brand positioning, the messaging architecture, and the creative direction that make the content worth producing. Then we build the systems that produce and distribute it at scale. Strategy without systems stalls. Systems without strategy just move faster in the wrong direction. BDS provides both under one roof.
The marketing we build pays for itself typically within one to three quarters. And it keeps delivering long after the engagement ends.
Want to See Your Numbers?
BDS will build you a custom Digital Worker Opportunity Report, a specific, quantified assessment of what AI integration could deliver for your business, based on your actual workflows and economics. No generic frameworks. Your operations, your opportunity.
You can reach Lori at lberson@bersondeanstevens.com or book a 15 minute call — no pitch, no pressure, just a conversation about what you need.
BersonDeanStevens (BDS) has developed creative, results-driven marketing strategies, content, campaigns, and programs for over 25 years. We also incorporate AI where it adds efficiency and lifts results. Whether you need a fractional CMO, assistance for an overloaded team, or need consulting from time to time, BDS is your go-to resource. Client list.
by Lori Berson | Feb 14, 2024 | Content Marketing, Marketing, Marketing Strategy
Gone are the days of text-heavy blog posts that leave your audience hungry for more. To captivate and engage in today’s digital landscape, you need to serve up an irresistible all-you-can-eat content buffet that’s not only high-quality but also innovative and engaging. This means breaking away from traditional formats and exploring new, creative ways to capture your audience’s attention.
Let’s explore the essential ingredients marketers can use to satisfy and delight their audience.
Visuals: Tantalizing the Eyes and Appetite
Forget boring stock photos. Whet their appetite with mouthwatering visuals like infographics, charts, videos, gifs, original graphics, and even AI-generated imagery. These eye-catching elements can transform your content from bland to brilliant and make complex information more digestible while adding flavorful brand flair.
With user-friendly tools like Canva and Adobe Express (both offer free versions), anyone can cook up amazing visuals.
Podcasts: Audio Amuse-Bouches
Podcasts are soaring in popularity, offering an intimate, screen-free way to connect with your audience. Strategically sprinkle podcast episodes across your menu to build brand awareness and deliver value through stories, educational content, discussions, and industry insights. These AI tools make it simple to turn text into captivating podcasts: Wondercraft, Riverside, and Adobe Podcast.
Remember to promote new episodes through email, newsletters, social media, and your blog for a multi-channel approach.
Interactive Content: Letting Your Audience Sample the Goods
Interactive content invites your audience to actively participate in the experience. Quizzes, games, calculators, image sliders, AR filters, interactive videos, and other digital tools provide value while capturing contact info.
For example, an interactive calculator provides personalized data guiding users through their buying journey while keeping them engaged. To get started, check out Okendo, Quizgecko, and Meiro.
User-Generate Content (UGC): Customer-Crafted Signatures
User-generated content offers authenticity and community. Highlight UGC-like social shares, video testimonials, and reviews to show you value your clients while improving engagement. Some easy-to-use tools include GatherUp, Boast, and TrustPilot.
Time To Dine on Captivating Content!
Like an artful chef, captivating content requires the right blend of visuals, audio, interactive elements, and UGC artfully presented across channels. Serve up your audience a journey that informs, entertains, and provides value. Do this, and your content will leave them satisfied and eager to come back for more.
For help with your content strategy and marketing, schedule a call or email Lori Berson at lberson@BersonDeanStevens.com.
BersonDeanStevens has been a recognized brand strategy and marketing leader for over 25 years. We work in partnership with you to differentiate your brand and achieve your business goals. Client list.
by Lori Berson | Aug 15, 2023 | Content Marketing, Marketing, Video, Video Marketing
Recent research indicates that nearly 75% of businesses utilize video marketing as an integral part of their sales and marketing strategy, primarily to enhance engagement. However, do viewers truly find these videos engaging? The latest Vidyard Video in Business Benchmark Report examines completion rates for business-related videos and provides insights into various video benchmarks.
Video Length Matters
The average duration of business-related videos on Vidyard’s platform has steadily increased over the years from 4 minutes in 2019 to slightly over 6 minutes in 2020, nearly 10 minutes (9:58) in 2021, and 15 minutes and 31 seconds last year. Notably, 60% of videos created for business purposes, such as supporting sales, marketing, and communication efforts, are 2 minutes or less in length. Among these, 35% are up to one minute long, and an additional 25% range from 1 to 2 minutes.
Interestingly, although the average video length has risen, there’s a trend toward shorter videos. Vidyard’s data shows an increase in the share of videos up to 10 minutes long and a decrease in the proportion of longer videos. The most notable shifts include a rise in videos lasting 2 to 4 minutes and a decline in those exceeding 20 minutes.
Engaging Viewers
Vidyard recommends that businesses aim for videos under 2 minutes in length (except for webinars). This is due to a significant drop in viewer engagement as videos become longer. In fact, videos lasting more than 2 minutes generally experienced either flat or decreasing completion rates compared to the previous year.
Completion rates were highest for videos lasting 1 minute or less (66%, up from 62%). Videos spanning 1 to 2 minutes also showed solid engagement, with an average completion rate of over 50% (56%, consistent with last year). For videos lasting 2 to 10 minutes, 50% of viewers watched until the end, a decrease from the previous year’s 55%. Videos lasting 20 minutes or more had a completion rate of 22%, down from 26% in 2021.
Additional Business Video Insights
Beyond video length and completion rates, the study offers various benchmarks for business-related videos on Vidyard’s platform in 2022. Here are some key findings:
- Video Creation: Video creation for business purposes increased by 29% year-over-year on Vidyard’s platform, with 72% of those videos being user-generated (created using Vidyard’s video tools).
- Industry Differences: The number of videos published by businesses varied by industry. Financial services (average of 934 videos per business) and high tech (917) were the most prolific, while communications businesses produced the fewest (103).
- Company Size Matters: Companies with over 5,000 employees published an average of 1,779 videos in 2022, a 55% increase from 2021. Those with 601 to 5,000 employees published 1,211 videos, marking a 22% increase. Smaller companies (600 or fewer employees) created fewer videos, with businesses having 0 to 30 employees publishing an average of 310 videos.
- Popular Video Types: The most common types of produced videos that marketers invested in are product demo videos (47%), followed by explainers (35%), recorded webinars (33%), and how-to videos (31%).
Video marketing for businesses is evolving, with shorter videos garnering higher engagement rates. Understanding these trends and benchmarks can empower businesses of all sizes to create effective and engaging videos tailored to their target audiences.
About the Data: The information for the report was collected from anonymized video creation data from a sample of Vidyard customers, representing 1.778 million videos. The data encompasses the time period of January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022.
Need assistance with your video production and marketing? Schedule a call or email Lori Berson at lberson@BersonDeanStevens.com.
BersonDeanStevens has been a recognized brand strategy and marketing leader for over 25 years. We work in partnership with you to differentiate your brand and achieve your business goals. Client list.
by Lori Berson | Aug 4, 2023 | AI, artificial intelligence, Content Marketing, Marketing
Generative AI has witnessed tremendous hype in recent years, capturing the imagination of marketers worldwide. However, as the initial excitement subsides, marketers are now adopting a more pragmatic and nuanced approach to this transformative technology. The five charts below shed light on how marketers are currently embracing Generative AI in their strategies.
1. Generative AI’s Evolutionary Journey
The first chart illustrates the evolutionary journey of Generative AI in the eyes of marketers. Initially, there was an overwhelming surge of interest, with 87% of marketers expressing excitement about the potential of this innovative technology. As the hype subsided, a sense of realism emerged, leading to a decline in enthusiasm. However, the good news is that 62% of marketers are still optimistic about Generative AI’s long-term value and are committed to exploring its practical applications.
2. Challenges and Barriers
Chart two highlights the primary challenges faced by marketers in adopting Generative AI. It is evident that concerns around data privacy and security continue to be significant barriers to widespread adoption. In addition, 56% of marketers are grappling with a lack of understanding about how to effectively integrate Generative AI into their existing strategies. However, with evolving best practices and a greater focus on data protection, these hurdles are expected to be surmountable in the near future.
3. Incorporating Generative AI Into Content Creation
The third chart showcases how marketers are leveraging Generative AI in content creation. From automating personalized product recommendations to generating engaging social media posts, 74% of marketers have successfully integrated Generative AI into their content creation process. This not only streamlines workflows but also improves customer engagement and conversion rates, reinforcing the technology’s value in driving marketing success.
4. Improving Customer Experience
Chart four highlights Generative AI’s impact on customer experience. By harnessing this technology, 68% of marketers report significant improvements in tailoring their offerings to individual customer preferences. Furthermore, 79% of marketers believe that Generative AI plays a pivotal role in enhancing overall customer satisfaction, leading to increased brand loyalty and advocacy.
5. ROI and Future Investments
The final chart illustrates marketers’ perceptions of Generative AI’s return on investment (ROI) and future investment plans. 82% of marketers who have implemented Generative AI report positive ROI, with an impressive 47% seeing a substantial return. Consequently, 65% of respondents are planning to increase their investments in Generative AI tools and technologies over the next year.
As the hype around generative AI fades, marketers are adopting a more realistic and pragmatic outlook on its applications. They now possess a deeper understanding of the technology’s capabilities and limitations. Although challenges remain in terms of implementation and consumer perception, the industry is optimistic about the potential benefits of generative AI in enhancing creativity and optimizing marketing efforts. With a majority of marketers planning to increase their investments in the technology, the future of generative AI in marketing looks promising, provided a careful and thoughtful approach is adopted.
Need assistance with your content marketing? Schedule a call or email Lori Berson at lberson@BersonDeanStevens.com.
BersonDeanStevens has been a recognized brand strategy and marketing leader for over 25 years. We work in partnership with you to differentiate your brand and achieve your business goals. Client list.
by Lori Berson | Jun 23, 2023 | artificial intelligence, Content Marketing, Marketing
In the ever-evolving world of email marketing, personalization and automation are taking center stage. According to a recent report by Litmus, email marketers are prioritizing these strategies to enhance their campaigns and boost engagement. In this article, we’ll explore the positive trends that are driving the industry forward, with a focus on personalization, automation, and the tools that empower marketers to succeed.
Elevating Engagement through Personalization
The power of personalization is being used to forge stronger connections with audiences. The report reveals that a majority (55%) of email marketers are prioritizing the expansion of personalization techniques, recognizing their potential to drive engagement. While personalizing subject lines may not significantly impact open rates, incorporating personalization within the body of the email has proven to yield higher click-through rates. By tailoring content to individual preferences, email marketers can create more meaningful and engaging experiences for their subscribers.
Automating for Efficiency and Effectiveness
Automation is another key focus for email marketers seeking to optimize their campaigns. Nearly half (48%) of the surveyed marketers plan to automate more aspects of their email programs. By automating tasks such as onboarding, post-purchase journeys, and customer reactivation, marketers can streamline production times and ensure consistent and timely communication with their audience. This increased efficiency allows marketers to dedicate more time to strategy and creativity, leading to improved overall results.
Addressing Key Priorities and Challenges
Beyond personalization and automation, email marketers have identified several other priorities for the year ahead. These include refining testing, measuring performance, and improving the return on investment (ROI) of their email programs. Deliverability, workflow optimization, and data management are also key areas of focus. While new email tools are not the primary investment priority, marketers recognize the need for continuous improvement and innovation in their strategies.
Survey Highlights
The report also sheds light on important insights from the surveyed email marketers. Only a quarter (24%) feel their email marketing programs are highly integrated with other channels, highlighting the potential for further integration and collaboration. Additionally, investing in the integration of email with other channels is a priority for 30% of respondents. Common bottlenecks in email production cycles include collecting feedback, content creation, and stakeholder buy-in. Interestingly, over a third of respondents admit to not measuring email ROI, suggesting an opportunity for increased data-driven decision-making. The most commonly used project management tools by the email marketers surveyed are Slack, Jira, Asana, and Trello.
The future of email marketing is bright, driven by the twin forces of personalization and automation. By leveraging these strategies effectively, marketers can enhance engagement, improve efficiency, and build lasting connections with their audiences. By staying agile and embracing innovative tools, email marketers can navigate the ever-changing landscape and continue to deliver impactful and personalized experiences that resonate with their subscribers.
To learn more, download the 2023 State of Email Workflows Report.
Need assistance with your email marketing? Schedule a call or email Lori Berson at lberson@BersonDeanStevens.com.
BersonDeanStevens has been a recognized brand strategy and marketing leader for over 25 years. We work in partnership with you to differentiate your brand and achieve your business goals. Client list.
by Lori Berson | Mar 6, 2023 | artificial intelligence, Content Marketing, Marketing
Edelman and LinkedIn recently conducted a survey of almost 3,500 management-level global business executives, which found that decision-makers are more likely to value thought leadership over traditional product-oriented marketing during an economic downturn.
The survey revealed that 55% of decision-makers would cut products and services that they consider “nice-to-haves” rather than “must-haves” during budget cuts. However, non-critical providers can increase their chances of winning business by demonstrating that they can help a prospect increase their profit margins, minimize losses, retain customers, and win market share.
To achieve this, thought leadership can play a strong role. 61% of decision-makers believe that an organization’s thought leadership can be more effective than traditional product-oriented marketing during an economic downturn. Additionally, 55% of decision-makers believe that non-critical providers must produce high-quality thought leadership to win their business during an economic downturn.
What elements make thought leadership effective?
Decision-makers expect non-critical providers to identify new opportunities or industry trends stemming from the economic downturn, give them information and insights that will make them more effective/successful in their job, and explain how the organization can help their business do well despite the economic downturn.
To increase the value of thought leadership, decision-makers look for content that is quick and easy to consume and absorb, with 51% rating this attribute as a top-1 box score. Additionally, 49% believe that it is crucial for thought leadership to reference robust research and strong supporting data. B2B buyers have previously stated that content including research and data is crucial, and vendors can improve their content quality by incorporating more research and data.
B2B marketers need to focus on thought leadership content during an economic downturn to demonstrate their value to decision-makers. By providing quick, easy-to-consume content that references robust research and strong supporting data, marketers can increase their chances of winning business during tough economic times.
To learn more, download the study.
About the Data: The results are based on a survey of 3,449 global business executives, using the LinkedIn platform to survey LinkedIn members. Respondents hailed from the US, Canada, UK, Singapore, Australia and India, and the majority (60%) work at companies with more than 200 employees.
Need assistance with your marketing content? Schedule a call or email Lori Berson at lberson@BersonDeanStevens.com.
BersonDeanStevens has been a recognized brand strategy and marketing leader for over 25 years. We work in partnership with you to differentiate your brand and achieve your business goals. Client list.
