SPIRIT MEDIA- Emmy-Nominated TV, LIVE & Virtual Event Director (Over 10K Productions), Video Producer, Marketing Strategist, Author / Trainer: 7DRM-The 7 Disciplines of Relationship Marketing, NDE & Leadership Speaker❤️

On January 28th, 1999 while on a flight to Nashville, I died… and it may have been the greatest thing that ever happened to me. 

For over 30 years, I’ve worked as a television and live event director with global icons like the Black Eyed Peas, Gwen Stefani, Maroon 5, Kenny Chesney, and visionary producers like Mark Burnett (Survivor, The Voice, Shark Tank). 

I've partnered with world leaders and Fortune 500 brands — but everything changed after my near-death experience.

From that moment, Spirit Media was reborn.

Now, we harness the power of video and LIVE event production to move hearts, inspire action, and transform lives with award-winning storytelling experiences. 

What we create:

🎬 Brand Films • Explainers • Investor Videos

🎬 Live & Virtual Events • Fundraisers • Capital Campaigns

🎬 Sales Kick-Offs • Award Shows • Speaker Coaching

We’ve helped clients raise and generate hundreds of millions — all by strategically blending the power of story with a heart for genuine relationships and lasting impact.

❤️ www.SpiritMedia.com

Additionally, I am the author of 7DRM- The 7 Disciplines of Relationship Marketing. 

This isn’t just the story of my near-death experience — it’s the discovery of the 7DRM Marketing and Messaging Strategy, a breakthrough system that has transformed organizations by bringing clarity, confidence, and impact to their message. It can do the same for you.

Start your transformation: Grab free resources, the book (or audiobook), and check out our workshops and speaking topics at 7DRM.com.

Want to connect and discover how we might work together? 

DM me here on LinkedIn or our marketing coordinator, Lisa@spiritmedia.com.

I believe in you ❤️

Bill Dolan (Spirit Media)

THE DAY I DIED, I DISCOVERED I WASN'T LIVING.

From the outside, my life looked successful.

But after I died, I saw the truth with brutal clarity:

I wasn't leading my life.

I was following traffic.

Fast lane.

Eyes on the car ahead.

Wiping fog off the windshield and calling that "vision."

I thought I had clarity.

Have you ever seen where a baby gets glasses and can see for the first time?

That was me!

I WAS LIVING A LIFE OF CONFORMITY WHILE WEARING A CONFIDENCE COSTUME.

The real breakthrough came when I stopped copying other people's formulas for success and started asking the scarier questions:

❤️ Who am I actually?

❤️ Why am I really here?

❤️ What impact am I uniquely designed to make?

Here's the truth:

WE ALL KNOW HOW TO IMITATE SUCCESS.

But fulfillment? That has your name on it.

Chasing happiness without clarity is like living on cotton candy. It looks sweet, feels exciting, and leaves you empty, exhausted, and hungry for more.

CLARITY DOESN'T COME FROM THE CROWD.

It comes from your core.

If you've ever felt successful but not fulfilled, you might be standing on diamonds you've never been taught to see.

Are you ready to discover those diamonds?

Register for the Discover Your Brand Soul Webclass, March 4th at 1:00 pm Pacific, link in the comments.

I believe in you!

With Much Love – Bill ❤️

____________________________

On January 28, 1999, I died.

And in that moment, death gave me a front-row seat to life's greatest truths—truths that reshaped my life, leadership, and business forever.

❤️

Bill Dolan 

Emmy-Nominated Video & Live Event Director | Author | Keynote Speaker 🎬❤️🎬 I help companies and nonprofits grow, inspire and tell their BRAND STORY through compelling brand VIDEOS and impactful LIVE EVENT experiences.

AN EXPENSIVE VIDEO WON'T SAVE YOUR BUSINESS BUT A CHEAP VIDEO CAN DESTROY YOUR BUSINESS.

I've directed for 30+ years. Worked with Black Eyed Peas, Gwen Stefani, Fortune 500 brands. Here's what I know:

You can spend $100K on a brand film and get ZERO engagement if the story doesn't land.

You can have cinematic footage but without understanding your Brand Soul, it's just pretty pictures.

You can hire top directors, but if the narrative arc is weak, budget doesn't matter.

Look at Super Bowl ads?

How many do you actually remember?

Expensive or inexpensive productions mean nothing without:

🎬 Your brand story
🎬 Emotional connection
🎬 A memorable takeaway

That's why I'm excited to bring you our updated Brand Story Webclass on March 18th.

I wanted to add MORE value. More frameworks. More practical tools that you can use immediately.

In the webclass, you'll learn the framework I use to uncover the secret inside your Brand Soul, how to refine your brand story, and the key to unlocking your greatest career, brand, business.

Join me March 18th. And let's uncover the diamonds in your brand story.

Register: 
https://lnkd.in/giZxr6VU

I believe in you! With Much Love – Bill ❤️

Emmy-nominated director who died January 28, 1999 and came back with a mission: help you tell stories that matter.

YOUR FAVORITE GURU IS LIKELY A FAKE!

Here's why:

Too many unverified experts claim they have the framework to change your life with nothing more profound than what you'll find on ChatGPT.

Virtually all gurus fall in to one of three categories.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰 - Studies content endlessly, quotes sources like an authority, but has zero lived experience.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗴𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 - A human news feed pumping out tactics and trends they've never actually practiced.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁 - Not only mastered their craft but lived it, navigated real-life settings, and delivers real actionable value.

So how do you spot the difference?

REAL EXPERTISE ISN'T ABOUT KNOWLEDGE. IT'S ABOUT REAL- LIVED EXPERIENCE.

Here's what I've learned:

🎬 The brain outsources decisions to people that we believe we can trust and make our lives simple.

🎬 A good salesperson can give the illusion of trust.

🎬 The best experts don't just regurgitate. They translate their mastery into understandable frameworks that produce lasting results.

That's what true expertise does.

So be careful who you choose to be your next guru.

I believe in you!

With Much Love – Bill ❤️

------------------------------------------------------------

Learn the secret to uncovering the goldmine in your own BRAND STORY.

Join me March 4 at 1 PM Pacific and learn the framework for great storytelling so you can master your story and build your brand, your business, and your influence.
𝗵𝘁𝘁𝗽𝘀://𝘄𝘄𝘄.𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺/𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀𝗼𝗼𝗻-𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲❤️

No alternative text description for this image

YOUR BRAIN DECIDES IF YOU'RE WORTH LISTENING TO IN 100 MILLISECONDS.

And that's why some of the most talented people get ignored.

For over 30 years I've worked in the television and entertainment space and here's the pattern...

RESONATING MESSAGE + CAPTIVATING MESSENGER

                                   = STAR POWER

Without this combination, brilliant brands $personal or corporate$ drift into a distracting sea of noise.

The solution is simpler than you think.

1) 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲: Uncover the unique power of your brand story.

2) 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿: Develop the charisma style to amplify it.

3) 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆: Be faithful to show up, be present, and share your story with passion and conviction.

4) 𝗔𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Partner with those who share your purpose and mission and build an unstoppable team that changes the world.

Your Brand Soul is when your story, your presence, and your purpose all point in the same direction.

THIS IS THE SECRET TO BECOMING MAGNETIC AND UNIGNORABLE.

JOIN ME MARCH 19 for a FREE Webclass where I'll teach this exact framework that's helped clients build their careers, their brands, and their businesses.

Registration link in the comments.

You deserve to be seen and never ignored… I believe in you.

With Much Love – Bill ❤️


Emmy-nominated director | Survived death 1/28/99 | Author of 7 Disciplines of Relationship Marketing | Creator of the Discover Your Brand Soul Masterclass

THE SECRET TO BEING MAGNETIC...

It's making others feel seen.

As a television and entertainment director $especially in corporate environments$, I've learned something powerful:

The most engaging people don't just execute a vision.

They're the ones who make you feel like a valued partner in creating it.

When I work with a camera operator and ask, "What angle do you see?" they lean in. When I ask talent, "How would you say this?" they own it.

Suddenly, they're not just executing my vision.

They're co-creating it.

This is the IKEA effect in action.

Behavioral research shows we value what we help build.

When people participate in creating something, they care more.

They protect it.

They champion it.

Because you championed them.

The magnetic quality of being an engaging leader doesn't mean people simply look at you.

What makes them magnetic is making others feel seen, heard, and valued.

Being ENGAGING is one of the 10 qualities that will make you unignorable and it will amplify the power of your brand story.

Ready to learn more?

Join me March 19 for my FREE Discover Your Brand Soul Webclass where I'll reveal all 10 qualities that make you unignorable and help you build your career, your brand, and your business.

Registration link in the comments.

You deserve to be seen and never ignored… I believe in you.

With Much Love – Bill❤️

Emmy-nominated director | Survived death 1/28/99 | Author of 7 Disciplines of Relationship Marketing | Creator of the Discover Your Brand Soul Masterclass

CONSISTENCY MAY BE KILLING YOUR BRAND.

Especially if you're consistently mediocre.

We've all seen the death recipe before...

Post #1 (mildly impressed).

Post #2 (less impressed).

Post #3 (question whether to open).

Post #4 (ignore entirely).

Post #5 (your mediocre brand has become cemented in the mind of the viewer).

I've worked with some of the greatest thought leaders including Ken Blanchard, John Maxwell, Robert Kiyosaki, Barbara Corcoran, and Bobby Brown.

THEIR SIGNATURE BRAND IS CONSISTENT VALUE.

The question is, do you know and live your brand value?

So whether you're trying to make your first million or even billions, knowing your signature brand and bringing it to life is the key to advancing your career, your brand, and your business.

That's why on March 18, I'm teaching this exact framework in my Discover Your Brand Soul Webclass.

The same system that converts for my clients.

Link to register in the comments.

I believe in you!

With Much Love – Bill ❤️

Emmy-nominated director | Survived death 1/28/99 | Author of 7 Disciplines of Relationship Marketing | Creator of the Discover Your Brand Soul Masterclass

AUTHENTICITY WON'T SAVE YOUR BRAND.

Because most people are performing authenticity, not living it.

In television and entertainment, we fully accept that actors step into roles that aren’t truly theirs. With costumes, makeup, and props, they become the character we’re eager to cast.

But while those costumes come off at the end of the day in entertainment, in business we often forget to take them off — and slowly begin believing the character is who we really are.

REAL AUTHENTICITY ISN'T A PERSONALITY TRAIT THAT YOU WEAR OR SPRAY ON.

It's INTEGRITY—from the Latin "integer," meaning WHOLE NUMBER.

Not a fraction. Not divided. CONSISTENT UNDIVIDED AUTHENTICITY.

And here's the truth: we're ALL peeling away veils of social conditioning, fear, and echoes of self-doubt.

This isn't about just "being real".

It's about intimate self-discovery.

When I died in 1999. That experience taught me that: authenticity isn't a social media filter. It's what's left when everything else is stripped away.

Your VALUES and CHARACTER don't just shape your message.

They reveal your BRAND STORY.

That's what I'm teaching March 18th in my FREE Discover Your Brand Soul Webclass.

So you can discover your brand story that is authentically you.

Register using the link in the comments.

You deserve to be seen and never ignored… I believe in you.

With Much Love – Bill ❤️
_______________________________
Emmy-nominated director | Survived death 1/28/99 | Author of 7 Disciplines of Relationship Marketing | Creator of the Discover Your Brand Soul Masterclass

IS CHASING GOALS HURTING YOU?

There's a really good chance that your goals are more likely to lead you to distraction than destiny.

Here's what I learned after my death:

Goals without missions are just dopamine hits disguised as progress.

You check the box.

You feel good.

Then you wonder why you still feel empty.

Here's the difference:

🎬 Your MISSIONS are an expression of your purpose.

🎬 Your GOALS, then, should be the accountability and activation of your MISSIONS.

WHEN YOUR MISSIONS ARE AN EXPRESSION OF YOUR PURPOSE, EVERY GOAL TRANSFORMS FROM A CHECKBOX INTO A SACRED DUTY.

Suddenly you have:

❤️ Clarity on roles

❤️ Accountability that matters

❤️ Timelines that serve something bigger

❤️ Focus that cuts through noise

This is what I teach in my book 7DRM - 𝘛𝘩𝘦 7 𝘋𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘪𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘙𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 and my upcoming Discover Your Brand Soul Masterclass.

Missions and goals without purpose just make busy.

So ask yourself:

Are your goals rooted in your missions?

Let me help you uncover the root behind your purpose and missions because it is the foundation of discovering the power in your brand story.

Join me for my FREE Discover Your Brand Soul Webclass on March 18th at 1pm Pacific, link to register in the comments.

You deserve to be seen and never ignored… I believe in you.

With Much Love – Bill ❤️

Emmy-nominated director | Survived death 1/28/99 | Author of 7 Disciplines of Relationship Marketing | Creator of the Discover Your Brand Soul Masterclass

MOST BRANDS ARE LYING TO YOU.

But let's be real.

This isn't a moral indictment.

It is a product of our own self-deception.

When brands try to express themselves, we often spend more time copying, conforming, and camouflaging in hopes of becoming something you will like (and buy).

This actually works a little bit...

Unless you want to uncover and live up to your highest brand value.

This is the standard set by some of the most iconic, trusted, and respected global brands such as:

Apple
Lexus
Patagonia
Nike
Lego
BMW
IKEA
Hermes
Chanel
Ralph Lauren
Prada
Gucci

These brands not only have a powerful brand story and culture, they are magnetic brands because people know what they stand for and people aspire to be like these brands.

HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE MAGNETIZED TO YOU AND ASPIRE TO BE LIKE YOUR BRAND?

The gap between those iconic brands and yours?

It's not budget or industry.

It's clarity.

You don't really know your brand story and what you actually stand for yet.

That's why I created the Discover Your Brand Soul Masterclass.

By the end, you'll strip away the BS and find what's actually true about you, learn how to own it, and ultimately live it out loud.

Register now, link in the comments.

Because once you truly know your brand soul, you can never be ignored again.

I believe in you!

With Much Love – Bill ❤️
____________________________
Emmy-nominated director | Survived death 1/28/99 | Author of 7 Disciplines of Relationship Marketing | Creator of the Discover Your Brand Soul Masterclass

BEING PRESENT IS A SMALL SKILL WITH A PROFOUND BENEFIT.

It's that subtle signal your brain sends before your mouth opens.

And most people have no idea what signal they're sending.

After 30+ years directing television, I've watched casting decisions happen in seconds. Before anyone speaks a word.

The same "casting" happens in every business relationship.

The brain isn't asking "Are you talented?"

It's asking:

🎬 Are you really present?
🎬 Are you here for the right reasons?
🎬 Do you really hear my wants and needs?
🎬 Are you worth my attention?

That judgment lands in 100 milliseconds. Posture. Energy. Tone. Eye contact. All of it computes before your first word.

Presence isn't about beauty. It's about believability.

In casting, presence can get you the callback.

In business, it gets you the meeting, the trust, and the potential deal.

But here's what most people miss:

PRESENCE OPENS THE DOOR. CHARACTER KEEPS PEOPLE BELIEVING IN YOU.

Presence is a signal we display.

The character behind your Brand Soul is what you radiate.

AND YOU CAN'T FAKE EITHER FOR LONG.

The world is casting you every single day. What signal are you broadcasting?

That's exactly what we work on together in the Discover Your Brand Soul Webclass, Thursday March 19 at 1pm.

If you're ready to be seen, respected, and never ignored, register with the link in the comments.

I believe in you.

With Much Love – Bill ❤️

Emmy-nominated director
Survived death 1/28/99
Author of 7 Disciplines of Relationship Marketing
Creator of the Discover Your Brand Soul Masterclass

Most brands are DYING a very uncomfortable death.

That splashing and gulping sound is the terrified gasping in the red ocean of noise and brand confusion.

Many organizations feel this but they don't know how to fix it.

They look and model themselves after other mediocre brands only to realize that they are attaching themselves to sinking ships.

BUT THERE IS HOPE FOR YOUR BRAND.

After spending 30+ years helping global artists and Fortune 500 brands define their video and dynamic brand strategy, I can tell you the difference between brands that thrive and brands that barely survive:

🎬 Thriving brands know their WHY
🎬 Thriving brands tell stories that MOVE people
🎬 Thriving brands build lasting relationships

Struggling brands? They live in the rat-race of transactional marketing, chasing the latest tool, trend, and tactic.

READY TO LEARN THE SECRET TO UNCOVERING THE GREAT BRAND THAT LIVES WITHIN YOU?

On March 18th, I'm hosting my Discover Your Brand Soul Webclass.

This is the exact framework I've used to help clients raise millions through strategic storytelling.

You'll walk away knowing how to:

• Build your honest and unique brand story
• Bypass logical defenses with emotional connection
• Apply a storytelling framework that moves people to action

Register using the link in the comments.

I believe in you!

With Much Love – Bill ❤️

Emmy-nominated director | Survived death 1/28/99 | Author of 7 Disciplines of Relationship Marketing | Creator of the Discover Your Brand Soul Masterclass

MISS THE ORDER = MISS THE MARK

We've all heard the saying, "Ready! Set! Go!"

Here's what I see constantly: leaders with the right ingredients, the right budget, the right team... and they still fail. Know why? They're skipping steps...

Or at least shortcutting the process.

After my death, I was ready to step into a higher calling in television and media. With that push, I committed to changing the game and discovered a mind-blowing framework that can transform...

MARKETING INTO MOVEMENTS.

But one of the basic keys is getting actions in the right order $and don't skip the steps$.

Think of it like nitroglycerin. You can have all the right ingredients, but if you don't put them in the right order and proportions, nothing explodes.

So before you introduce the next power campaign, honor this foundational LAUNCH SEQUENCE.

🎬 Strategy

🎬 Positioning

🎬 Brand Soul

🎬 Messaging

🎬 Messengers

🎬 Story Structure

🎬 Distribution

🎬 Multiplication

🎬 Refinement

🎬 Repeat

The sequence matters and understanding each step will play a critical role in you business success.

Want some help in understanding the structure and how to launch your next campaign?

Join me in my Discover Your Brand Soul Webclass March 19, 1pm, where I can help you map out the exact sequence for your next campaign.

Link to register in the comments.

You deserve to be seen and never ignored… I believe in you.

With Much Love – Bill ❤️

Emmy-nominated director. Survived death 1/28/99. Author of 7 Disciplines of Relationship Marketing. Creator of the Discover Your Brand Soul Masterclass.

JESUS BUILT THE GREATEST AMBASSADOR NETWORK IN HISTORY.

After my death, I did extensive research on the greatest influencers and world-changers in history.

The thing that shocked me, when I got to the life of Jesus, was that he was not conducting traditional "alter-calls" (pursuing follower counts).

He was building an army of ambassadors.

Everyone of his disciples were champions for the message.

They each would:

❤️ Repeat the message passionately.

❤️ Speak to the specific targeted audiences.

❤️ Expand ethnic and geographic reach.

❤️ Put their life on the line for their beliefs (11 of the 12 were killed for their faith).

Do you and your brand story have passionate ambassadors?

This is one of the strategic models I'll be sharing in my FREE Discover Your Brand Soul Webclass, Thursday March 19th, 1pm.

If you're ready to be seen, heard, respected and never ignored, link to register in the comments.

I believe in you!

With Much Love – Bill ❤️

Emmy-nominated director . Survived death 1/28/99 . Author of 7 Disciplines of Relationship Marketing . Creator of the Discover Your Brand Soul Masterclass

YOUR CHARISMA WILL EITHER AMPLIFY OR UNDERMINE THE POWER OF YOUR STORY.

It is not a performance.

It's emotional presence.

We follow energy before we follow logic.

Here's what I mean:

Two leaders say the exact same thing.

One speaks flatly, delivering facts without feeling.

The other speaks with warmth, conviction, and calm confidence.

The second leader feels more trustworthy — instantly.

Why?

After 30+ years in television and entertainment, I've watched casting directors make split-second decisions about people. They're reading energy. Believability. Presence. Role-fit.

And here's the truth: we all do this.

We "cast" people every day — deciding in moments whether someone is a leader or follower, expert or amateur, trustworthy or risky.

It's the warmth and conviction you project that literally encourages people to embrace or reject you and your story.

This isn't about being loud or performing.

It's about genuine connection. It's about bringing your full presence to every interaction.

Combined with a powerful story, I can teach you how to elevate your authentic charisma energy and experience the authority and respect you deserve.

Want to unlock this in yourself?

Join me for my FREE Discover Your Brand Soul Webclass on March 19th at 1pm Pacific, link to register in the comments.

You deserve to be seen and never ignored… I believe in you.

With Much Love – Bill ❤️

Emmy-nominated director | Survived death 1/28/99 | Author of 7 Disciplines of Relationship Marketing | Creator of the Discover Your Brand Soul Masterclass

YOU CAN'T TELL A GREAT STORY…

Until you learn how to start one.

One of the joys of working with some of the great masters of storytelling has been learning how to bend and twist the classic story arc.

But even if your framework is fabulous, how you start will determine whether anybody sticks around to hear the rest of the story.

Here are 5 classic story starts that may get you on the right foot:

🎬 The Bold Declaration
- Unapologetically state your core beliefs (a powerful statistic helps)

🎬 The Mystery Hook
- Start with an unresolved contradiction or puzzle

🎬 The Shocking Confession
- Admit something vulnerable, surprising, and human

🎬 The Universal Truth
- Use a big relatable insight but then personalize it

🎬 The Contrarian Take
- Start with something that feels wrong and then reveal why it's true

Are you tired of being ignored?

Learn the power of great story starts and the secret to uncovering the goldmine in your own story.

Join me March 4 at 1 PM Pacific and learn the secrets of great storytelling so you can master your story and build your brand, your business, and your influence.

Link to join the waitlist in the comments.

I believe in you!

With Much Love – Bill ❤️

____________________________
On January 28, 1999, I died. And in that moment, death gave me a front-row seat to life’s greatest truths—truths that reshaped my life, leadership, and business forever.

That experience, combined with over 30 years in the television, entertainment, and marketing world, is what inspired my new series: Discover Your Brand Soul.

If you’re ready to STOP BEING IGNORED! Discover the brand story that reveals your unique identity, message and authority. Finally lead, market and communicate with clarity, confidence and real impact.🎬❤️🎬

Join the waitlist for our FREE Discover Your Brand Soul Webclass on Wednesday, March 4th at 1:00 PM Pacific.
𝗵𝘁𝘁𝗽𝘀://𝘄𝘄𝘄.𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺/𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀𝗼𝗼𝗻-𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲❤️

STEVE JOBS REPUTATION WAS DESTROYED.

After building APPLE computers he was kicked out of his own company and was publicly humiliated.

But he still wanted to change the world.

Steve Jobs built NeXT but the systems wouldn't sell.

But he still wanted to change the world.

Steve Jobs eventually built PIXAR, one of the greatest animation studios in history.

He started changing the world through story.

Steve Jobs made a triumphant return to lead APPLE.

He introduced a series of revolutionary products that are still changing the world today.

DO YOU WANT TO CHANGE THE WORLD?

The story we may be struggling to live may just be the path.

🎬 Your purpose directs you.

🎬 Your passion will drive you.

🎬 Your struggle will refine you.

🎬 Your journey will equip you.

🎬 Your determination will define you.

THIS IS THE ESSENCE OF YOUR BRAND SOUL.

No matter your journey, my mission is to help you realize the fullest of your destiny.

If you're ready to step into your authority so that you are never ignored, register for my FREE Discover Your Brand Soul Webclass. Thursday March 19th, at 1pm.

Link to register in the comments.

You deserve to be seen and never ignored… I believe in you.

With Much Love – Bill ❤️

Emmy-nominated director, Survived death 1/28/99, Author of 7 Disciplines of Relationship Marketing, Creator of the Discover Your Brand Soul Masterclass

WANT TO KNOW SOMETHING YOU'VE NEVER DONE AND IT'S LITERALLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR YOU TO DO?
...

Look yourself directly in the eye.

You haven't.

No one has.

At best, you've seen a reflection.

You know what Stan Lee used to say (the architect of Marvel)?

"INSIDE EVERY FLAWED HUMAN BEING IS A SUPERHERO WAITING TO EMERGE."

I think about that every Monday morning.

Not because Mondays are bad. But because most of us are living in what I call a house of mirrors.

You look at yourself through one mirror and you see your failures.

Another mirror shows your fears.

Another shows what everyone else thinks you should be.

And after years of distorted reflections, you start to believe that's who you really are.

But here's the truth I learned after I died:

You were born for MORE.

The question isn't "How do I get through another Monday?"

The question is: WHY ARE YOU ALIVE TODAY?

What if the superhero inside you is just waiting for you to wake up?

To cut through the distortions and discover the gold mine just waiting for inside YOUR BRAND STORY?

That's what we're doing in the Discover Your Brand Soul Webclass.

Not to escape dread. But to discover the power to build your authentic brand, business and authority.

In less than 90 minutes, I'll share the framework that's helped create movements worth billions.

Because I believe there's a superhero in you.

Register now. Let's do this together.

Link in the comments.

I believe in you!

With Much Love – Bill ❤️

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On January 28, 1999, I died. And in that moment, death gave me a front-row seat to life’s greatest truths—truths that reshaped my life, leadership, and business forever.

That experience, combined with over 30 years in the television, entertainment, and marketing world, is what inspired my new series: Discover Your Brand Soul.

If you’re ready to STOP BEING IGNORED! Discover the brand story that reveals your unique identity, message and authority. Finally lead, market and communicate with clarity, confidence and real impact.🎬❤️🎬

Join the waitlist for our FREE Discover Your Brand Soul Webclass on Wednesday, March 4th at 1:00 PM Pacific.
𝗵𝘁𝘁𝗽𝘀://𝘄𝘄𝘄.𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺/𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀𝗼𝗼𝗻-𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲❤️

YOUR BRAND ISN'T BROKEN.

Your story just isn't landing. And it's costing you more than you think.

I've directed Fortune 500 brands and global artists for 30 years.

But what's the difference between brands that actually break through versus the ones that disappear?

It's not budget. It's not talent.

It's whether they know their Brand Soul.

Most companies throw content at the wall hoping something sticks. They post features. Benefits. Product shots. Then wonder why engagement flatlines.

Here's what I learned after dying in 1999 and helping clients close deals worth billions:

Most brands live in a distorted house of mirrors. They copy and camouflage their message to what they think people will buy, instead of being honest about who they are and how they can uniquely help.

The fix? The Clarity Compass.

It's Passion + Gifting + Experience aligned into ONE CLEAR STORY:

🎬 Your breakthrough moment
🎬 Your audience's deepest pain point
🎬 A narrative arc that creates dwell time
🎬 One takeaway they can use TODAY

And the results of our team implementing a strategic dynamic brand story to their media and events, speak for themselves.

Non-Profit Organizations: $1M+ campaigns.
Homeopathic Medicine: $20M+ sale.
Merchant Services: $150M sale.
Cyber Security: $700M sale.
Semi-Conductors: $22B merger.

Five industries. One framework. Billions in outcomes.

That's why I'm hosting my FREE Discover Your Brand Soul Webclass on March 18th.

You'll learn the exact framework that's helped some clients make their first million while helping others make billions.

Not theory.

Real storytelling strategy that converts.

Link to register for the Discover Your Brand Soul Webclass in the comments.

I believe in you!

With Much Love – Bill ❤️

Emmy-nominated director | Survived death 1/28/99 | Author of 7 Disciplines of Relationship Marketing | Creator of the Discover Your Brand Soul Masterclass

MARKETING RENTS ATTENTION. MEANING MOVES INTO YOUR HEART.

I spent 30 years in television chasing eyeballs. Then I died and realized I'd been measuring the wrong thing.

People will forget your slick message.

But they will always remember how you made them feel... especially, about themselves.

Studies in organizational psychology confirm what I've witnessed on every set, every campaign, every brand story:

Shared meaning predicts engagement, commitment, and long-term loyalty in ways simple tactics never will.

Here's what that looks like in practice:

🎬 Stop selling features. Start serving transformation.

🎬 Stop chasing eyeballs. Start changing real lives.

🎬 Stop stealing attention. Start giving value.

This is part of discovering your Brand Soul, and your Brand Story, so that you bring every touchpoint into harmony, and deliver the outcomes your audience craves.

That's what shared meaning does.

❤️ Your clients become partner-ambassadors.

❤️ Your work becomes a shared legacy.

Your brand story becomes something your audience actually believes in.

Want to get more clarity about your brand story?

Join me Thursday March 19th, at 1pm, for my FREE Discover Your Brand Soul Webclass, and let's uncover the power in your brand story.

You deserve to be seen and never ignored… I believe in you.

With Much Love – Bill ❤️

Emmy-nominated director, Survived death 1/28/99, Author of 7 Disciplines of Relationship Marketing, Creator of the Discover Your Brand Soul Masterclass

View event: How to Turn Your Story Into a Strategic Advantage Webclass

How to Turn Your Story Into a Strategic Advantage Webclass

Brand Skipper at Steelhead👩🏼‍💻 | Making a Splash with UX Expertise, Consumer Psychology and Social Media | Personal Branding Visionary | Disability, Accessibility & Inclusion Advocate

My mother has always been extremely crafty, a skill I continue to admire. When I was little, we created beautiful homemade gifts, like cookie jars and little fairy houses, which ignited a creative fire in me to express my imagination in everything!

I continuously shine this creativity in marketing by being extremely resourceful, brainstorming creative marketing solutions with a buffet of statistics and measurable goals, building brand awareness, streamlining efficiency, and giving lead generation a power boost. 

My lead generation wisdom continues to pile up while serving SaaS start-ups to enterprises and SMBs across the globe. With just a few questions, we can uncover areas of opportunity with minimal marketing spend to keep your margins up and spend down.

How do I do this? By leveraging consumer psychology principles. When I was in high school, I remember a little black box that my parents added to their fancy new TV with endless channels... a major improvement from trying to decipher the static interference in our "Farmer 15" options. I knew the little box tracked my consumer behavior and was overwhelmed with curiosity while trying to imagine what data it compiled regarding my viewing behaviors...

I have since become obsessed with user experience design principles and optimizing workflows to amplify marketing messaging while expediting the sales process! I even took the UX certification program offered by Neilsen Norman Group.

My average day is far from vanilla, including personal brand development for executives and celebrities, managing brand portfolios, participating in speaking opportunities across the world, and being an active mother and advocate for those living/managing a career with chronic illness 💪

⚠️ Did you know LinkedIn limits your connections to 30,000? I've hit my MAX!

Please FOLLOW or send me a customized connection request to let me know why you would like to connect... and I'll make sure to make some space for you 💥

Chantel Soumis

There are moments at conferences where you collect tote bags and business cards and then there are moments that collect you as you recollect your thoughts in a decompression pod...

At my first Annual Leadership Conference with the International Franchise Association, I was asked to facilitate a case study discussion. 

What I didn't realize, as a bright-eyed first-timer holding down a table among hundreds, was that the leaders behind the case study were sitting right there with me.

When Morgan Kline, CEO of Burn Boot Camp Boot Camp, revealed herself and later walked on stage, I felt that electric jolt of awe. And then came the line that has been echoing in my mind ever since:
“Your standards are going to get you where you want to go. Are the people around you lifting you up?”

But that was not the only moment.
Also sitting at my table was Amber B. COO at Boot Camp. I had no idea. Out of hundreds of tables at this event, she was at mine. When she revealed herself, I felt everything at once.

Shock.
Seen.
A little scared.
A lot of pressure.

And then Amber offered words of wisdom that hit just as hard:
“Make sure you understand who you are bringing on the bus.”

Who are you entrusting with leadership?

Who is on your directory?

Who is sitting at your strategy table?

Are these people fighters in the trenches with you?

Will they lift you when the standards feel heavy?

Will they protect the mission when it would be easier to dilute it?


That metaphor of the bus is deceptively simple. A company is not just a logo and a P&L. It is a vehicle and every seat matters.

The wrong person drains momentum.
The right person multiplies it.

In franchising especially, where culture is oxygen, this question is everything. We can talk about AI, optimization, systems, scale. But if the people on the bus are not aligned with your standards, the machine will never outrun misalignment.

What struck me most was this:
These leaders didn't hide.
They leaned in.
They listened as strangers dissected their story.
That kind of leadership is not performative, it's grounded.

It made me reflect deeply on intention.

Are we intentional about our standards?

Are we intentional about who we surround ourselves with?

Are we intentional about being the lift for someone else?

Distraction is easy.
Intention is deliberate.
Servant leadership isn't loud, it's consistent.

I walked into that conference as a facilitator and I walked out with two questions that feel like compass points:

Are the people around you lifting you up?

And who are you bringing on the bus?

Those questions are powerful enough to build a company around.

Thank you for trusting me to facilitate Amy Perkins, CFE and thank you for powering the CSI strategy Carl Udler 👏

#Inspired #Grateful

Fractional CMO at SIYL + TIYL | I Build Marketing Programs Powered by AI, UX, Consumer Psychology & Data | Marketing Mentor | Event Planner & Host | International Leadership, Marketing & Personal Branding Speaker

At #IFA26 a panelist, Kyla Dufresne, (Founder of Foxybox) said something that has been echoing in my heart since ALC Monday, "when you take care of your communities, they will take care of you."

She was speaking to brands and leaders with scale and systems and territory maps, but the truth of it feels personal.

Because community isn't a growth strategy or a line item in a marketing budget.

It's the hands that catch you when you fall.

I can't count on my hands and toes the number of times my community has carried me.

Like the warm intros at local events when I was trying to rebuild momentum or the quiet encouragement from someone who saw potential in me before I was brave enough to claim it (shout out to my girl Emily Bissen)...

Even food banks during seasons when pride had to step aside and survival mattered more.

Those moments don't leave you. They shape and humble you.
They remind you that none of us are self-made, no matter how polished our LinkedIn headlines look.

We are woven into something bigger.

Neighborhoods, small business corridors, nonprofits, churches, coffee shops, group chats, chambers and late-night text threads...

We are beneficiaries of that ecosystem long before we are contributors. The question is not whether community matters but what we are doing to strengthen the one that strengthened us.

When was the last time you gave back without calculating the ROI? 

When was the last time you volunteered not for visibility but because someone needed your skill set?

When was the last time you stepped into a room and offered your expertise to someone who could not afford it but desperately needed it?

Community isn't built in grand gestures. It's built in consistent, small acts of care. It is built in showing up when it is inconvenient. In donating time when you are tired. In mentoring when your calendar feels full. In remembering what it felt like to need help and choosing to be the help.

If you are a franchisor, your franchisees are your community. If you are a franchisee, your customers and neighbors are your community.

If you are a leader, your team is your community.

If you are simply a human navigating this wild, beautiful world, the people around you are your community... and they are watching how you show up.

Take care of them.
Pour into them.
Invest in them.

Not because it will come back to you, but because it is the right thing to do.

The beautiful irony is that it almost always does come back. In referrals. In loyalty. In prayers. In meals dropped off. In opportunities and prayers whispered your way. In hands reaching out when you need them most.

Community really is everything.
We are not separate from it, we are responsible for it.

What are you doing to make your community the place you want it to be? Who can you mentor? Where can you serve. Where can you give without expecting applause.

Because when we take care of our communities, they do far more than take care of us...
They remind us who we are.

My favorite day of the year is tomorrow... LinkedIn Local Madison's FIRST session of the year! 

Can't wait to be surrounded by exemplary humans from around Southern Wisconsin 🩷

Tomorrow's focus: Coffee & Creativity

Come caffienate with us at the beautiful Serendipity Labs and learn how to get creative in a fun and inclusive setting!

See you soon!

Landed early for IFA and made a very on-brand detour to the Atomic Museum to nerd out properly 🤓

There is something wildly humbling about standing in a room that tells the story of atoms being split and realizing… this tiny invisible thing can power cities or rewrite history! 

Science loves drama.

You probably know this already about me... I will happily trade small talk for quantum physics, neuroscience, or a deep dive into how the human brain lights up when it encounters novelty. 

And what better city than Las Vegas to talk about harnessing power responsibly?

Fellow IFA-ers, I cannot wait to see you soon! Let’s talk franchising, AI, consumer psychology, brand energy… and maybe a little particle theory over coffee.

Who’s in?

I want to speak at your event 👉 I’ve had the privilege of speaking on more than 1,000 stages over the years from Seattle to Singapore.

Boardrooms. Ballrooms. Conferences. Workshops.
You name it!

My favorite moment happens every single time... that split second when the room shifts.

Heads start nodding.

Eyes widen.

People lean forward in their chairs...

You can almost hear the collective click when an idea lands.

Those “wow… I never thought about it that way” moments are what I live for!

Because great talks shouldn’t feel like lectures, they should feel like a jolt of energy.

My sessions are designed to be high-energy, practical, and a little unexpected.

I love weaving together business strategy, neuroscience, and pop culture so people don’t just learn something… they actually feel it.

Think less “corporate training video” and more TED Talk meets a Marvel origin story.

Topics I Love Speaking About:

🎨 Cultivating Creativity
How to unlock the ideas hiding in plain sight and build cultures where creativity actually thrives.

🤖 AI-Powered Personal Branding
How to use AI tools to amplify your voice, scale your influence, and stand out in a noisy digital world.

✨ Mindset Magic
The neuroscience of belief, resilience, and rewiring your brain for growth.

🤝 Relationship Building
Why your network really is your net worth and how authentic connection fuels opportunity.

📈 Back-to-Basics Marketing
Because sometimes the best strategy isn’t the newest tool… it’s mastering the fundamentals.

And yes… there will be laughs along the way!

I believe learning sticks best when people are having fun, so expect pop culture references, real stories from the trenches, and the occasional moment where the room collectively goes:

“Wait… that actually makes tons of sense...”

Because when people leave inspired, energized, and ready to act?

That’s when the REAL magic starts!

Pls share with your associations, organizations and event planners searching for a speaker sure to leave a lasting impression and elevate your event!

#motivationalspeaker #youbringtheaudience #ibringthehair

I was waiting for my connection to Madison munching on chocolate Flipz while slowly peeling through the pages of my Scientific American magazine to get the scoop on the latest advancements.

Amidst the many exciting updates I stopped at a piece about how AI is improving coaching and learning support for readers with dyslexia.

And I couldn’t help but think about my son.

He lives with Tourette syndrome.
Alongside that came dysgraphia, insomnia, ADD and autism.
And earlier on, dyslexia.

Watching him grow into a resilient pre-teen has been one of the most humbling experiences of my life.

It wasn't smooth...

There were nights of frustration over handwriting that wouldn’t cooperate and moments when words seemed to scramble themselves mid-sentence.

There were days when comprehension felt like climbing a hill that other kids appeared to sprint up effortlessly.

And there were moments I recognized something familiar.

I can recall days in my own childhood where comprehension felt harder than it should have. Where I needed to reread things twice. Maybe three or four times.

That’s why stories about AI being used to support dyslexic learners move me deeply.

Not because technology is flashy but because friction is exhausting.
When AI can:
- personalize reading pacing
- offer speech-to-text tools
- adjust comprehension supports in real time
- remove the shame of “falling behind”

…it doesn’t replace effort but it certainly restores dignity.

My son has not needed to be “fixed.”

He needed tools, encouragement, and room to build resilience instead of absorbing labels.

And he has!
The resilience I’ve watched form in him is steel wrapped in empathy, so when I read about AI being used for good, for learners wired differently, I don’t see automation.

I see ACCESS, confidence, and fewer tears at the kitchen table.

And I cannot wait to see what this next generation becomes when we stop forcing uniformity and start supporting neurodiversity with intention.

Technology is at its best when it expands potential and I’ve already seen what potential looks like when a child refuses to give up.

Let's talk about what you're doing with your INNOVATION FUND >> Not sure what this is? Keep reading because it's a goldmine of new business.

Traditional marketing departments are going to advertise and participate exactly where your competitors are. 

Your innovation fund should bring ideas to the table where your ICP (ideal customer profile) hangs out and your competitors would never think to show up at.

Think of it like knowing the secret password to a speakeasy while your competitors are still waiting in a two-hour line for the tourist trap down the street. You’re getting better service and higher-quality connections because you knew which nondescript bookshelf to pull...

(ask me about the trapdoor in my house - you'd never guess 😜)

Tip: Your competitors focus on where your ICP works. YOU should focus on where they escape. High-level decision-makers don't just consume business content; they have specific, high-intent hobbies.

Other ideas?
> Micro Influencers
> Digital Shadowing
> Handwritten Mailers

Auditing and understanding your ICP has never been more important.

What is your favorite innovation fund expense?

#marketing #advertising #GTMstrategy

This was such a fun conversation! Every time Laura and I connect fireworks of ideas start going off. 

#Franchising

Leadership Architect 🔆 Helping Owners Build a Pathway to Absenteeism 🔆 Mastermind Experiences in Raleigh & Charlotte, NC 🔆 Let’s Connect!

If you’re scaling multi-units and hiding behind corporate marketing… this conversation is for you.

This session of the Leadership Execution Toolkit is 🔥 I’m live with Chantel Soumis, Fractional CMO at Stay in Your Lane, and we’re breaking down:

AI + Human Authority = Scalable Trust. Here’s what we get into — tactically:

✔️ Why “shaking hands and kissing babies” still outperforms paid ads
✔️ How one networking event per week can become a lead engine
✔️ The personality assessments that unlock authentic authority
✔️ How to use AI as an ambient journal to create content without sounding robotic
✔️ Why your comments may outperform your actual posts
✔️ How to track word-of-mouth so personal branding becomes measurable
✔️ The simple gifting strategy (yes… stickers + magnets) that drives referrals

And here’s the truth:

AI doesn’t replace authenticity.
It amplifies it.

The franchisees who win in this next season will:

• Know who they are
• Train on AI properly
• Track everything
• Show up locally as humans first

This is about building trust in your market, not chasing trends. 

Stay connected with me as I get to bring together people I trust — experts who are strong in character and strategy — and put their brilliance in your hands through my Leadership Execution Toolkit.

Want to learn how I help multi-unit franchisees put this into action? Book a free call with me: https://lnkd.in/ghN2YeuJ

👇 Connect with Chantel on LinkedIn https://lnkd.in/e9ap6FvX
🔔 Subscribe to my newsletter so you don’t miss what’s next: https://lnkd.in/eFXihtNy

Let’s execute and build great businesses, leaders!

Please LIKE, ♻️ SHARE, or COMMENT to help us expand our reach

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The Battle

Bill Dolan (Spirit Media)

Chantel Soumis

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taplio

The Battle

Bill Dolan (Spirit Media)

Chantel Soumis

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Bill Dolan (Spirit Media)'s LinkedIn Performance

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Performance ScoreBill Dolan (Spirit Media)'s LinkedIn Performance