David Seigel is the CEO of Meetup, author of Decide and Conquer, Professor of Management at Columbia University, and host of Keep Connected podcast. **He’s served as an influential leader at many organizations, including Investopedia, Seeking Alpha, and 1-800-Flowers. David and his team at Meetup are working to cure the loneliness epidemic by connecting people to each other. They’ve navigated major pivots throughout the pandemic as an in-person-first organization, and David has a lot to share about what he’s learned.

On the show today, Alan and David talk about how Meetup adjusted their tactics while remaining true to their mission. Later on, they discuss the power of community in our individual lives and at a business level. David also explains how an engaged community can decentralize your marketing for the better by serving as your most valuable brand ambassadors.

Listen in to learn more.

In this episode, you'll learn:
The most important aspect of pivoting
How to decentralize brand marketing
The power of community

Key Highlights
[03:00] David’s journey to Meetup
[06:30] How 9/11 led to the creation of Meetup
[08:45] Navigating the pandemic as an IRL-first organization
[12:30] Pivoting in the pandemic and beyond
[15:30] The benefits of virtual Meetups
[18:00] What you’ll find in Decide and Conquer
[21:00] Lessons David has learned about community
[24:00] How to decentralize brand marketing
[30:00] An experience that defines David
[33:00] David’s advice for his younger self
[35:00] What marketers should be learning more about
[38:00] The biggest opportunity for marketers today

Resources Mentioned:
David Siegel
Meetup
Decide & Conquer, book by David Siegel
Keep Connected podcast by Meetup and David
Kevin Ryan, former CEO at DoubleClick and investor in Meetup
Adam Neumann, founder of WeWork

Follow the podcast:
Listen in iTunes (link: http://apple.co/2dbdAhV)
Listen in Google Podcasts (link: http://bit.ly/2Rc2kVa)
Listen in Spotify (Link: http://spoti.fi/2mCUGnC)

Connect with the Guest:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmsiegel/
https://twitter.com/Davidmeirsiegel
https://twitter.com/Meetup

Connect with Marketing Today and Alan Hart:
http://twitter.com/abhart
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanhart
http://twitter.com/themktgtoday
https://www.facebook.com/themktgtoday/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketing-today-with-alan-hart/

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmsiegel/">David Seigel</a> is the CEO of Meetup, author of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Decide-Conquer-Decisions-Break-Leaders/dp/B09882KQ4C/?&amp;_encoding=UTF8&amp;tag=marketingto09-20&amp;linkCode=ur2&amp;linkId=eec0b7e06583202b43404228a02d98b6&amp;">Decide and Conquer</a>, Professor of Management at Columbia University, and host of <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/keep-connected-with-meetup-ceo-david-siegel/id1545712240">Keep Connected</a> podcast. **He&rsquo;s served as an influential leader at many organizations, including Investopedia, Seeking Alpha, and 1-800-Flowers. David and his team at Meetup are working to cure the loneliness epidemic by connecting people to each other. They&rsquo;ve navigated major pivots throughout the pandemic as an in-person-first organization, and David has a lot to share about what he&rsquo;s learned.
On the show today, Alan and David talk about how Meetup adjusted their tactics while remaining true to their mission. Later on, they discuss the power of community in our individual lives and at a business level. David also explains how an engaged community can decentralize your marketing for the better by serving as your most valuable brand ambassadors.
Listen in to learn more.
In this episode, you'll learn:
<ul>
<li>The most important aspect of pivoting</li>
<li>How to decentralize brand marketing</li>
<li>The power of community</li>
</ul>
Key Highlights
<ul>
<li>[03:00] David&rsquo;s journey to Meetup</li>
<li>[06:30] How 9/11 led to the creation of Meetup</li>
<li>[08:45] Navigating the pandemic as an IRL-first organization</li>
<li>[12:30] Pivoting in the pandemic and beyond</li>
<li>[15:30] The benefits of virtual Meetups</li>
<li>[18:00] What you&rsquo;ll find in Decide and Conquer</li>
<li>[21:00] Lessons David has learned about community</li>
<li>[24:00] How to decentralize brand marketing</li>
<li>[30:00] An experience that defines David</li>
<li>[33:00] David&rsquo;s advice for his younger self</li>
<li>[35:00] What marketers should be learning more about</li>
<li>[38:00] The biggest opportunity for marketers today</li>
</ul>
Resources Mentioned:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmsiegel/">David Siegel</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.meetup.com/">Meetup</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Decide-Conquer-Decisions-Break-Leaders/dp/B09882KQ4C/?&amp;_encoding=UTF8&amp;tag=marketingto09-20&amp;linkCode=ur2&amp;linkId=eec0b7e06583202b43404228a02d98b6&amp;">Decide &amp; Conquer</a>, book by David Siegel</li>
<li><a href="https://www.meetup.com/blog/category/keep-connected-podcast/">Keep Connected</a> podcast by Meetup and David</li>
<li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_P._Ryan">Kevin Ryan</a>, former CEO at DoubleClick and investor in Meetup</li>
<li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Neumann">Adam Neumann</a>, founder of WeWork</li>
</ul>
Follow the podcast:
<ul>
<li><a href="http://apple.co/2dbdAhV">Listen in iTunes</a> (link: <a href="http://apple.co/2dbdAhV">http://apple.co/2dbdAhV</a>)</li>
<li><a href="http://bit.ly/2Rc2kVa">Listen in Google Podcasts</a> (link: <a href="http://bit.ly/2Rc2kVa">http://bit.ly/2Rc2kVa</a>)</li>
<li><a href="http://spoti.fi/2mCUGnC">Listen in Spotify</a> (Link: <a href="http://spoti.fi/2mCUGnC">http://spoti.fi/2mCUGnC</a>)</li>
</ul>
Connect with the Guest:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmsiegel/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmsiegel/</a></li>
<li><a href="https://twitter.com/Davidmeirsiegel">https://twitter.com/Davidmeirsiegel</a></li>
<li><a href="https://twitter.com/Meetup">https://twitter.com/Meetup</a></li>
</ul>
Connect with Marketing Today and Alan Hart:
<ul>
<li><a href="http://twitter.com/abhart">http://twitter.com/abhart</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanhart">https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanhart</a></li>
<li><a href="http://twitter.com/themktgtoday">http://twitter.com/themktgtoday</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/themktgtoday/">https://www.facebook.com/themktgtoday/</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketing-today-with-alan-hart/">https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketing-today-with-alan-hart/</a></li>
</ul>

Alan Hart, marketer and advisor to the world's best marketers and companies, leads intimate conversations with the world's most dynamic chief marketing officers (CMOs) and business leaders. Alan goes further than other marketing podcasts to learn CMO strategies, tips, and advice. Alan and his guests reveal what makes a great brand, marketing campaign, or turnaround. Learn from the personal experience and rich stories of these marketing and business leaders so you can unleash your full potential.

Alan Hart, marketer and advisor to the world's best marketers and companies, leads intimate conversations with the world's most dynamic chief marketing officers (CMOs) and business leaders. Alan goes further than other marketing podcasts to learn CMO strategies, tips, and advice. Alan and his guests reveal what makes a great brand, marketing campaign, or turnaround. Learn from the personal experience and rich stories of these marketing and business leaders so you can unleash your full potential.

Go behind the scenes with the world best chief marketing officers and marketing thought leaders in business.

Marketing Today with Alan Hart

Alan B. Hart, host of Marketing Today, interviews the world's best chief marketing officers and business leaders. Listen in to learn their strategies, tips, and advice. What makes a great brand, marketing campaign, or turnaround? Learn from the experience and stories of these great marketing and business leaders so you can unleash your potential.

Alan B. Hart, host of Marketing Today, interviews the world's best chief marketing officers and business leaders. Listen in to learn their strategies, tips, and advice. What makes a great brand, marketing campaign, or turnaround? Learn from the experience and stories of these great marketing and business leaders so you can unleash your potential.

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