Marketing is Momentum: Building Local Gravity in Franchise Growth with Katherine LeBlanc

Marketing is Momentum: Building Local Gravity in Franchise Growth with Katherine LeBlanc

In this episode of FranchisOR Bust, host Trevor Emerson sits down with Katherine LeBlanc, Fractional CMO and founder of Apollo CMO, to discuss the realities of franchise marketing and what it takes to build lasting momentum within a franchise system. Trevor and Katherine explore the relationship between franchisors and franchisees when it comes to marketing responsibilities, why corporate teams build the brand while franchisees build the business, and how local marketing plays a critical role in long-term success. Katherine shares her insights on creating "local gravity" by building community relationships, becoming knowable, likable, and trustable, and why franchisees must take an active role in growing their market. To learn more about Katherine and Apollo CMO, visit www.apollocmo.com/ [http://www.apollocmo.com/] or connect with Katherine on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherineleblanc/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherineleblanc/]. FranchisOR Bust is also a proud partner with LSM, a leading full-service digital advertising agency. At LSM, we understand the needs of business owners, and facilitating those needs is our top priority. LSM is a true partner, and we consider ourselves to be an extension of your team. With LSM by your side, you can trust that our dedicated team of specialists will be bold in the strategies we employ, always consider industry best practices, and take pride in the results we produce. Why? Because your goals are our goals, and your success is our success.

Why Franchise Marketing Gets Harder as You Grow with Steve Buors

In this episode of FranchisOR Bust, host Trevor Emerson sits down with Steve Buors, CEO and Co-Founder of Reshift Media, to discuss the challenges of digital advertising in franchise systems. Trevor and Steve explore the balance between franchisor brand consistency and franchisee local control, the impact of fragmented data, and why goal alignment is essential for scalable performance. Steve also shares how advertising strategies differ for emerging brands building their foundation versus established brands working through legacy systems and processes. The conversation also touches on the role of technology, automation, and AI in franchise marketing, while emphasizing that strong strategy, communication, and clear ROI still matter most. To learn more about Reshift Media, check out their website at www.reshiftmedia.com [http://www.reshiftmedia.com/] or follow them on Instagram @reshift.media. FranchisOR Bust is also a proud partner with LSM, a leading full-service digital advertising agency. At LSM, we understand the needs of business owners, and facilitating those needs is our top priority. LSM is a true partner, and we consider ourselves to be an extension of your team. With LSM by your side, you can trust that our dedicated team of specialists will be bold in the strategies we employ, always consider industry best practices, and take pride in the results we produce. Why? Because your goals are our goals, and your success is our success.

Why Influencer Marketing is the Next Franchise Growth Engine with Angela Olea and Liberty Bernal

In this episode of FranchisOR Bust, host Trevor Emerson kicks off Season 4 with Angela Olea (CEO & Founder) and Liberty Bernal (President & COO) of Sweet Influencers. Together, they explore how influencer marketing is transforming local marketing for franchise systems—and why it's becoming a powerful, scalable tool for growth. Drawing from their experience as franchisors, franchisees, and suppliers, Angela and Liberty share how Sweet Influencers connects brands with authentic local micro- and nano-influencers to drive real community engagement—often at a fraction of the cost of traditional influencer campaigns. They also discuss how protecting brand messaging, leveraging AI, and building a repeatable playbook helps franchisors and franchisees alike see measurable results. FranchisOR Bust is also a proud partner with LSM, a leading full-service digital advertising agency. At LSM, we understand the needs of business owners, and facilitating those needs is our top priority. LSM is a true partner, and we consider ourselves to be an extension of your team. With LSM by your side, you can trust that our dedicated team of specialists will be bold in the strategies we employ, always consider industry best practices, and take pride in the results we produce. Why? Because your goals are our goals, and your success is our success.

The PR Power Play: Growing Franchises the Smart Way with Heather Ripley

In this episode of FranchisOR Bust, host Trevor Emerson sits down with Heather Ripley, founder of Ripley PR, for a unique conversation on how public relations plays a critical role in franchise growth and long-term brand success. Heather shares her journey from working inside a major franchisor to launching an agency focused on serving the franchise and skilled trades industries. She dives into how strategic PR can drive franchise development, build credibility, and create momentum for both franchisors and franchisees—often serving as a more powerful and cost-effective lead generation tool than many paid channels. From managing brand messaging across franchise systems to understanding the evolving role of PR in the age of AI and modern search, Heather offers practical insights on why proactive reputation-building is essential—even when there's no crisis to manage. Whether you're looking to grow your franchise system, strengthen your brand presence, or better understand how PR supports long-term business success, this episode is packed with valuable perspective and actionable takeaways. FranchisOR Bust is also a proud partner with LSM, a leading full-service digital advertising agency. At LSM, we understand the needs of business owners, and facilitating those needs is our top priority. LSM is a true partner, and we consider ourselves to be an extension of your team. With LSM by your side, you can trust that our dedicated team of specialists will be bold in the strategies we employ, always consider industry best practices, and take pride in the results we produce. Why? Because your goals are our goals, and your success is our success.

Why Franchise Culture Is Everything with Ryan Parsons

In this episode of FranchisOR Bust, host Trevor Emerson engages in a compelling conversation with Ryan Parsons, the CEO of Evive Brands. With a long history in the franchising business, Ryan and his brother founded The Brothers That Just Do Gutters, offering insight into starting a business from the beginning, growing a local company, franchising, and more. Throughout this episode, Ryan discusses the lessons and experiences he has taken away from franchising, as well as the culture he has built in the companies he has been a part of. Discover valuable takeaways on entrepreneurship, leadership, and building a thriving franchise culture that you can apply to your own business journey. FranchisOR Bust is also a proud partner with LSM, a leading full-service digital advertising agency. At LSM, we understand the needs of business owners, and facilitating those needs is our top priority. LSM is a true partner, and we consider ourselves to be an extension of your team. With LSM by your side, you can trust that our dedicated team of specialists will be bold in the strategies we employ, always consider industry best practices, and take pride in the results we produce. Why? Because your goals are our goals, and your success is our success. To learn how we can help, go to lsm.works today.