It’s not every day that a former radio DJ ends up running an AI marketing agency. But my story, and Avenue9’s story, is proof that the future of marketing is about evolution, reinvention, and keeping humans at the center of technology.
https://rebllabs.ai/On the recent Rebl Marketing Podcast, I had the chance to share how I went from spinning records on Kansas City radio to helping SMBs leverage AI tools to personalize, automate, and predict marketing in ways we couldn’t dream of even a few years ago.
Here are some of the biggest takeaways for small and midsize business leaders.
Reinvention Is a Marketing Superpower
I started in web design, became a radio personality, wrote a LinkedIn book for salespeople, and eventually landed in sales training and marketing. Each pivot taught me something new about how people connect, buy, and respond to messages.
And when AI came on the scene, I realized something important: marketing is changing again, and businesses that adapt will thrive. Reinvention isn’t just part of my career, it’s part of the marketing playbook.
AI Isn’t About Replacing Humans
When most people hear “AI in marketing,” they picture bots spamming inboxes. That’s the wrong approach. AI is not here to replace humans; it’s here to amplify what makes us human.
Think Iron Man, not Terminator. AI should give you superpowers: faster workflows, better insights, and more personalized communication. But the voice, the creativity, and the empathy? That has to come from you.
Context Is Everything
One of my biggest lessons for SMBs: AI is only as smart as the context you give it. At Avenue9, we use what I call “context engineering.” We interview your founder, top salesperson, and best clients, then feed those stories and insights into a custom GPT.
The result? AI that doesn’t sound like a robot, but like you. Authentic, on-brand, and persuasive.
From Personas to Personalization
Traditional marketing relied on personas: “CTOs care about this, CFOs care about that.” But not every CTO thinks the same way. With AI-powered tools like Humanic, we can now predict individual DISC personality profiles from LinkedIn and tailor messaging to each person.
The impact? Campaigns with 300% to 3,000% higher engagement. Because when you talk to people like people, they listen.
What SMB Leaders Should Take Away
If you’re running marketing for a small or midsize business, here’s what this all means for you:
- Reinvention is required. The tools and playbook are changing; don’t get left behind.
- Keep it human. Automate tasks, not relationships.
- Leverage context. AI without story = generic noise.
- Personalize at scale. Use AI to speak to individuals, not just personas.
At the end of the day, AI doesn’t eliminate the need for good marketing; it multiplies the impact of great marketing.
Ready to Reinvent Your Marketing?
At Avenue9, we specialize in helping SMBs and marketing directors put the human first in AI marketing, so you can scale your message without losing your voice.
👉 If you’re ready to personalize your campaigns, stand out from the noise, and embrace what’s next, let’s talk.
