Shows
The BORN PodcastCalicutts Spice Co | Viscul CreativeIn this episode of the BORN Podcast, we hear from Jessica and Randall Hughes, co-founders of Viscul Creative and Calicutts Spice Co., who share how storytelling, heartfelt collaboration, and creative entrepreneurship shape their work. They reflect on transitioning from a full-service creative agency to project-based production, embracing food media as a powerful way to connect, and how their immigrant heritage inspired brand innovation. They also dive into the challenges of succession and growth, balancing creativity with business resilience, and evolving Calicutts from a retail storefront to a thriving online brand with a loyal audience of busy home...
2025-09-0448 min
The Progressive Agency PodcastHow to Improve Efficiency at Work, with Jessica HughesHow to improve efficiency at work? It’s about managing your time and focusing on your numbers and metrics, says agency owner Jessica Hughes. Hear insights about: Why Jessica decided to run an agency, and how early childhood experiences pushed Jessica and her husband Randall to consider specializing in food and beverage How Jessica and Randall’s passion has led to running their businesses differently and taught them how to improve efficiency at work How focusing on their business allowed Jessica and Randall to have a “light at the end of the tunnel” through the pandemic Why budgeting projects...
2021-08-0421 min
Fork & LensTeam Takeover: Creative CritiqueFor our final episode of 2020, we're taking it back to 2006 when Apple introduced its "Get a Mac" campaign. The idea of talking about the competition in advertising has been around for a long time, but Apple took a slightly different approach. The Viscul team talks through the now-iconic campaign, its impact, and if it still holds up in today's world. Have a listen!
If you haven't seen the campaign or need a refresher, here the entire series:
https://www.adweek.com/creativity/apples-get-mac-complete-campaign-130552/
2020-11-0322 min
Fork & LensLori Taylor: Putting a Spotlight on the Produce DepartmentLori Taylor is the Founder & CEO of The Produce Moms, a lifestyle media brand and community of passionate fresh produce advocates with a mission to inspire everyone, especially children, to eat more fruits and vegetables. For ten years, Lori sold fresh produce to over 300 grocery stores throughout the United States. Today, Lori and her team are fully focused on educating consumers about fresh produce. In today's episode, she and Jessica spotlight the produce department and talk about where these products we see every day may be coming from.
2020-10-2152 min
Fork & LensKasey Sheffer: Curating & Marketing a Private Brand LabelToday, we look at what 17 years of progressive experience in brand strategy, development, and deployment look like from Kasey's perspective. We dive into customers' needs and how to stay relevant in an ever-changing and developing market.
2020-10-1331 min
Fork & LensTeam Session: Client CollaborationIn today's episode we're talking with the Viscul team about collaboration. Specifically, how a client can interact with their agency partners and how important it is to keep the lines of communication open throughout the process.
2020-10-0722 min
Fork & LensRynn Caputo: Doing Good Through PartnershipsThere's nothing Rynn Caputo can't do. Today we discuss her journey from quitting her corporate job to starting Caputo Brothers Creamery, and the partnerships built along the way.
2020-09-2935 min
Fork & LensChad Harvey: Alignment MattersChad Harvey is a business coach and strategist who believes that every leader is on their own journey. In this episode, Chad talks about alignment and what impact that has on an organization as a whole.
2020-09-2241 min
Fork & LensBrenda Briggs: Quality Control When You Can't Control QualityGrowing, packing, and selling fruit can have its ups and downs. In this episode, we're talking with Brenda Briggs, VP of Sales & Marketing with Rice Fruit Company, about how they work to control quality for a product whose quality is also influenced by many external factors like weather. And, we take an inside look into what growing local really means to the people involved.
2020-09-1527 min
Fork & LensJohn Bowser: Media Channel TrendsNavigating the digital media landscape can be tricky, especially in the wake of the pandemic. Today we're talking John Bowser, President and CEO of Target Media USA, about his thoughts on the current media marketplace, what trends his company is starting to evaluate and how they plan to move new strategies forward to help their clients.
2020-09-0827 min
Fork & LensTeam Session: Creative CritiqueToday we're getting our team involved, and we're looking a campaign together that Ford recently ran for their truck lineup. In the advertising world, we're continually looking at the work that's all around us. How can we learn from what was created, how can we use similar ideas in the work we do, what's working, what's not? As we talk through this today, you'll get an inside look into how we analyze a campaign. We'll then talk about how we can bring some of these ideas to marketing food and beverage brands.
HERE ARE...
2020-09-0125 min
Fork & LensBuilding Trust: Part 2Part two is here! As we know, building trust with customers is essential. Last we spoke about how big brands can do this, and this week, we'll discuss how challenger brands can do the same. In many ways, challenger brands have a leg up with a smaller, sometimes more trusting audience, but they have a significant responsibility to get it right. Listen now!
2020-08-2517 min
Fork & LensBuilding Trust: Part 1Building trust with customers is something every brand needs to accomplish on some level. We're super excited to kick off this two-part series on doing just that. In this week's episode, we're talking through four ways in which big brands can build trust and form a stronger connection with their customers. Then, next week, we'll discuss how challenger brands can do the same. Stay tuned.
2020-08-1813 min
Fork & LensGregg Dorazio: Launching an eCommerce PlatformLaunching an eComm platform is no easy feat, especially for a large retailer in an extremely demanding environment. Gregg Dorazio is the eCommerce Lead with Giant Food, the leading grocery retailer in the Washington, D.C., and Baltimore regions. Today, we’re delving into how he and his team pivoted Peapod, their previously used and well-recognized platform to bring Giant Delivers and Giant Pickup to life for the current needs of the market.
2020-08-1123 min
Fork & LensBen Wenk: From Producer to ManufactureBen Wenk is a seventh-generation fruit farmer in Adams County, Pennsylvania. He and his family own Three Springs Fruit Farm and are makers of Ploughman Cider as well. In this episode, we talk about the farm's transition to retail through farmer's markets in the D.C. area and how listening to their customers has opened doors to manufacturing actual product lines.
2020-08-0435 min
Fork & LensTeam Session: Video Best PracticesWhen it comes to marketing food and beverage brands with video, the possibilities are endless. In this episode, the Viscul team has an open discussion around storytelling, when and how to introduce your logo, how long your videos can be, how to shoot for different platforms, and more.
2020-07-2829 min
Fork & LensMaking Your Agency an Extension of Your TeamRandall and Jessica are talking best practices to make an agency an extension of your in-house team. If you want a true partnership and a collaborative relationship, you can't keep your agency at arm's length. Instead, you need to keep them in the loop like another department in the organization.
2020-07-2121 min
Fork & LensCindy Poiesz: Knowing Your Growth StrategyCindy Poiesz started Supernola like many - through friends and family, farmers markets, trial and error. When she knew she had plateaued in her growth, there were two options - increase margins or seek out investors. Listen in as Cindy walks through her decision-making process based on her background in investment finance, how she acquired Gorilly Goods and developed Evolve Brands, moved operations from PA to WI, and landed a national account.
2020-07-1426 min
Fork & LensTeam Session: Creative ReviewIn today's creative review, our team is discussing Apple's Slofie campaign. Join us as we discuss the possible insights, technical moves as well as overall critique of the campaign and how it can apply to the food and beverage industry.
Links to content:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EE68bvpaIM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpOZ9oxNwMY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7r6XE7ODVDg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEc3aGjN228
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99rHpOIpqCA
2020-07-1024 min
Fork & LensToni Calderone: COVID Can't Stop MeSince the moment I met Toni Calderone, I knew she was a force and COVID proved me right. Join me as I sit down with the restauranteur and CEO of O.N.E. Hospitality, to discuss how she is not just survived but thrived over the past several months and planning for the future.
2020-07-1030 min
Fork & LensMeaningful Content: Part 2On Part 2 of Meaningful Content, Randall and I are discussing how to distribute meaningful content in the most cost-effective manner. How to address all of the mediums open to your audience and being purposeful.
2020-07-1014 min
Fork & LensTeam Session: Killing Your DarlingsCreativity applied to business can stir up many feelings for an artist. Often times, works of art need to be edited for clarity, differing perspectives, and so much more. Today, the team talks about what it is like when their darlings are removed by themselves, via internal review, and even by the client.
2020-07-0931 min
Fork & LensMeaningful Content: Part 1Don't put content out for quantity's sake. Content is still king and quality is queen. Join Randall and I today as we give our perspective on how to produce meaningful content to break through the noise.
2020-07-0915 min
Fork & LensOvercoming Fire Fighting & Mission CreepRandall and I spent years running around in a reactive state. Over the past two years, we have transitioned from being reactive to proactive - a mindset that takes work and planning but drastically reduces stress. Listen in to hear how we made the transition and how to do it yourself.
2020-07-0821 min
Fork & LensJohn MacDonald: Rebranding Two Companies in Four YearsJohn MacDonald, Director of Marketing Operations at The Giant Company, as well as the former CMO of Giant Food, joins us today to discuss rebranding. Over the past four years, John has played an integral role in transitioning the brands of both The Giant Company and Giant Food. Listen in on the journey traveled, lessons learned, and so much more.
2020-07-0841 min
Fork & LensSeth Sirbaugh: Preparing to Work with an AgencyWorking with an agency is as much about chemistry and strategy as it is about the portfolio. Join me as I discuss how to prepare yourself to work with an agency with a close friend, agency owner, and all-around talented creative, Seth Sirbaugh of Tribe. Seth and I break down what you should be looking for as well as how to prepare financially for the investment in strategic and stellar creative.
2020-07-0733 min
Fork & LensClaudia Williams: Authenticity Starts Inside the OrganizationAuthenticity has become a buzzword in marketing and branding over the years. However, before authenticity can make its way into external messaging, it needs to start at the relational level of co-workers, leadership, and employees internally. Join me as I discuss how this is possible with Claudia Williams, speaker, coach, and Vistage chair as well as the founder of Frientorship®.
2020-07-0727 min
Fork & LensFork & Lens: An IntroductionWelcome to the Fork & Lens podcast! Take a listen to find out what is in store as Managing Director, Jessica Hughes, and Creative Director, Randall Hughes, introduce themselves and their vision for the podcast.
2020-07-0705 min