Episode 10 - From San Francisco to San Antonio: Franklin Morris's Tech and Marketing Journey

The Boost

Introduction:

In this insightful episode of "The Boost," host Pablo Calvo welcomes Franklin Morris, VP of Marketing at Alloy AI, to discuss the evolving dynamics of the tech and marketing landscapes, particularly in the context of post-pandemic adjustments and the strategic choice of San Antonio over Austin for technology professionals. Franklin shares his journey through the tech world, from startups in San Francisco to mentoring at Geekdom in San Antonio, highlighting companies' challenges and strategies in their early stages.
Hosts:

• Pablo Calvo: Linkedin
• Leon Hitchens: Linkedin & X

Guest:

• Franklin Morris: Linkedin

Find Us:

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBoostChannel
• Website: https://theboost.fm

Key Points Discussed:

1. Franklin’s Background:
   • Franklin has an extensive background in creative writing and marketing, transitioning from content creation to strategic marketing roles in various tech companies.
   • His journey took him from Austin to San Francisco and eventually back to Texas, settling in San Antonio for its potential in the tech ecosystem and family-friendly environment.
2. Challenges for Startups:
   • Franklin discusses common pitfalls for startups, such as developing solutions without a clear problem and the difficulties of changing consumer behaviors.
   • Marketing often comes in too late when the product-market fit isn't adequately addressed from the start, leading to higher costs in customer acquisition.
3. The Role of Marketing:
   • The conversation shifts to how marketing should integrate deeply with product development to ensure the product addresses a genuine need.
   • Franklin stresses the importance of understanding customer usage and interaction with products, which is often overlooked but crucial for marketing strategy.
4. Data-Driven Decision Making:
   • At his current company, Alloy AI, Franklin works to provide actionable insights to consumer goods companies, streamlining the collection and analysis of retail data to improve supply chain decisions and prevent stock issues.
5. AI and Marketing:
   • The discussion covers the integration of AI in marketing, emphasizing that AI is not a panacea but a tool to enhance decision-making if used with high-quality data.
   • Franklin advocates for a balanced approach to adopting AI, focusing on real problems that AI can effectively address.

Conclusion:

Franklin Morris's journey through the tech landscape illustrates the critical role of strategic marketing and data analytics in the growth and success of tech startups. His insights provide valuable lessons on adapting to market needs, the strategic use of AI, and the importance of a solid understanding of customer interactions with products.