2x CMO. 2 acquisitions. 3 books. 1 llama merch line.
Meet Kyle Lacy, current CMO of Jellyfish. Not only is he a renowned CMO and thought leader in marketing, but he’s also a family man who's managed to strike an enviable balance between his professional and personal life. He’s authored a couple of successful books and has over 45,000 LinkedIn followers, and Kyle stands out not just for his marketing brilliance but also for his down-to-earth insights on work-life balance. And his creativity for marketing (specifically merch drops) is one of the most memorable and impactful things he has brought to companies he has worked for.
In this episode, we’re diving into how to create swag that people actually want to wear (and buy), his “surprise and delight” brand philosophy, and the nitty-gritty of managing work-life balance (and/or guilt, to be honest). Here are a few of my favorite takeaways:
- Incorporating merch stores as a part of the sales cycle can surprise and delight prospects. It's more than just a revenue stream; it’s a differentiator.
- Unique and creative experiences resonate more than generic gifts. (Cue Kyle’s story on Lessonly’s golden llama.)
- Balancing work and family life is an evolving art. Kyle shares how he’s learned to shut off on weekends after experiencing burnout, including how to communicate with your kids about your work life to prevent guilt, build connection, and share teaching moments.
This episode is a goldmine for anyone grappling with the balance of ambition and family or looking to elevate their brand game to new heights. Let’s get into it.
Jump into the conversation:
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03:27) Wins & Losses in Writing 3 Books
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12:43) The Golden Llama: How to Create Great Merch
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27:38) Surprise and Delight in Sales
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29:09) The Role of Great Design in Client Experience
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37:15) Balancing Career and Family Life
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48:43) Communicating with Kids About Work
What is Reed Between the Lines?
Yo! I’m Devin Reed. And I’m on a mission to build a bigger and more inspired career as a marketer, creator, and entrepreneur.
I’ve spent 10 years in sales and marketing, become Head of Content for two billion-dollar tech companies and scaled my side hustle, The Reeder, to 6-figures — and now I’m ready to level up my creativity and earning power to hit the next level.
But I need more than tips, tricks, and dopamine hits. I want inspiration and expertise that’s going to help me reach my potential.
And damn it, I wanna have fun doing it. So I’m traveling America for candid, street-level conversations about creativity, marketing, and playing by your own rules. You’ll hear the stories behind the success: unfiltered conversations, vulnerable moments, and practical advice to help YOU grow your career, confidence, and income.
This is Reed Between The Lines. The show for people who want to achieve phenomenal results.