Local Marketing Beat Podcast

What Restaurant Brands Get Wrong About Marketing (and How to Fix It)

In this episode of Local Marketing Beat, host Christian Hustle sits down with restaurant marketing expert and official "Expert Burger Taster", Rev Ciancio, to unpack the biggest mistakes restaurant brands make, and the simple fixes that actually work.From listings management and consistency to the role of AI in restaurant discovery, Rev shares two decades of real-world experience helping restaurants grow visibility, engagement, and loyalty in a crowded digital landscape.If you’re in restaurant marketing, this episode is packed with lessons on how to stay discoverable, build trust, and keep your marketing engine running without overcomplicating it.🧠 Key TakeawaysWhy mastering restaurant marketing is an ongoing challengeHow AI is changing restaurant discovery and consumer behaviorWhy listings management is the foundation of visibilityThe real reason consistency matters more than perfectionHow to make reputation and reviews work for youSimple frameworks for building engagement and trust onlineWhy social media is retention — not acquisitionHow to turn weekly newsletters into powerful marketing assets⏱️ Timestamps00:00 Introduction to Restaurant Marketing02:51 The Journey of an Expert Burger Taster05:45 The Evolution of Restaurant Discovery08:22 Consumer Behavior in Restaurant Selection11:34 The Importance of Listings Management14:18 Challenges in Restaurant Marketing17:10 Strategies for Visibility and Engagement20:05 Consistency in Marketing Efforts24:09 Conclusion and Resources🔗 ResourcesRead Uberall's report about the restaurant industry: https://get.uberall.com/lpo-report/Get free LPO Certification at academy.uberall.comSubscribe to Rev’s weekly LinkedIn newsletter: restaurantsgrow.tv

Unlocking the Power of Autonomous Marketing with AI Agents

In this episode, Christian Hustle sits down with Gwen Sioson from ActiveCampaign to unpack autonomous marketing, agentic AI and how to develop cross-channel campaigns that drive real revenue. We also explore how UB-I (Uberall’s AI agent) accelerates local discovery, engagement, and conversion for multi-location brands.📍 Chapters:00:00 Unlocking AI-driven growth02:36 What “autonomous marketing” means at ActiveCampaign06:01 Imagine → Activate → Validate framework08:39 How UBI + Active Intelligence work together11:54 Local engagement that turns visits into revenue14:21 Pro tips: offers, forms, and smart expiration dates19:09 Unified data and the HQ control center23:35 Key takeaways and next steps🔑 Key Takeaways:– Autonomous marketing shortens time-to-value– Data integration is essential for accurate targeting and measurement– Simple tactics like limited-time offers lift conversion– AI agents create and schedule campaigns, then learn from results💡 Learn more:Get LPO Certified at Uberall Academy: https://academy.uberall.com/Discover Location Performance Optimization: https://get.uberall.com/location-performance-optimization/Meet UB-I: https://get.uberall.com/ub-i/Learn more about ActiveCampaign: https://www.activecampaign.com/

Mastering Google Business Profiles & Local Visibility in the AI Era

Mastering Google Business Profiles & Local Visibility in the AI EraIn this episode of Local Marketing Beat, Christian Hustle sits down with Joy Hawkins, founder of Sterling Sky and one of the most respected voices in local SEO. Together, they discuss in detail what it takes to master Google Business Profiles (GBP) and stay visible in an AI-driven search landscape.You’ll learn:✅ The top 3 GBP factors that drive rankings and conversions✅ Why reviews, hours, and even your business name matter more than you think✅ How AI search engines like ChatGPT are changing local discovery✅ The hidden role of Reddit, awards, and niche content in shaping visibility✅ Myths and mistakes multi-location brands make—and how to avoid themFrom practical GBP optimization tips to future-facing AI predictions, Joy shares proven strategies that agencies, SMBs, and enterprise brands can put into action today.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction & Joy Hawkins’ background01:28 The shift from Google to AI-driven search03:02 Engagement tactics: calls, texts, and conversions04:57 Early results from ChatGPT for local businesses06:33 How reviews appear in AI Overviews07:41 Reddit’s growing role in reputation & visibility08:54 Conversion trends from AI vs Google leads10:20 Why awards and niche content influence AI rankings11:41 Balancing informational vs “money” content11:49 Top 3 factors for GBP rankings (name, hours, reviews)14:51 Overlooked GBP elements like services15:36 Data consistency, citations & AI quirks17:13 Could AI create a GBP competitor?18:50 Future of local discovery: calls, products, and bookings19:27 Tracking ROI across Google & AI engines21:13 The challenge of forecasting AI-driven leads21:59 Myths & misunderstood tactics (photos, industries)23:18 Visual industries and the power of photos24:25 Biggest opportunity now: managing reputation on Reddit25:50 Where to learn more: Sterling Sky resources & newsletter🔗 Learn more and level up with Uberall Academy: https://academy.uberall.com🔗 Discover Location Performance Optimization (LPO): https://get.uberall.com/location-performance-optimization/🔗 Sterling Sky:https://sterlingsky.ca #LocalMarketing #GoogleBusinessProfile #LocalSEO #AIsearch #SterlingSky #Uberall

GEO Evolved: Location Performance Optimization for Winning in AI Search

In this episode of Local Marketing Beat, Christian Hustle sits down with Luma Ghazaleh, Technical Product Manager at Uberall, to unpack how AI search is transforming SEO into Generative Engine Optimization (GEO).Luma explains why AI now acts as a librarian — summarizing, recommending, and citing content — and what this shift means for multi-location brands. They dive into the role of local pages, schema markup, digital footprints and share a real-world case study where GEO optimization delivered double-digit growth in calls and engagement within just 45 days.🔑 Key Takeaways:- GEO is the new frontier for AI-driven visibility- SEO remains foundational but must evolve- Local pages and schema markup are essential for multi-location brands- High-quality, descriptive content trains AI to recommend your brand- The future of search will prioritize authority and helpfulness📍 Chapters:00:00 Introduction to AI Search and GEO01:29 Transition from SEO to GEO05:58 Understanding GEO vs SEO09:05 Common Misconceptions in AI and GEO11:00 The Importance of Content in AI Search13:33 Key Platforms for Local Business Optimization15:32 Role of Locator and Local Pages17:24 Technical Aspects of Multi-Location Brands20:22 Case Study: GEO Optimization Success24:00 Tracking AI Impact on Business26:03 Recommendations for Multi-Location Brands28:12 Future of AI Search and Marketing Strategies💡 Learn more:Get LPO Certified at Uberall Academy: https://academy.uberall.com/Discover Location Performance Optimization: https://get.uberall.com/location-performance-optimization/Luma's latest articles:Why E-E-A-T Is Going to Become More Powerful in AI Search: https://uberall.com/en-us/resources/blog/why-e-e-a-t-is-criticalCan You Influence How Your Business Gets Found in ChatGPT and Other LLMs?https://uberall.com/en-us/resources/blog/how-to-leverage-chatgpt-to-improve-your-visibilityConnect with Luma on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/luma-abu-ghazaleh-147a8a8/

From Online Discovery to Booking: Tracking the Offline Journey That Starts Online

In this episode of Local Marketing Beat, Christian Hustle speaks with Chris Todd, CEO of CallTrackingMetrics, about how call intelligence is reshaping local marketing.Chris explains how businesses can unlock hidden customer insights from calls, connect offline conversations with online journeys, and use that intelligence to drive smarter marketing decisions. From attribution and personalization to AI-powered analytics, he shows how brands can turn every customer call into actionable data.They dive into the impact of AI on call tracking, how to balance automation with the human touch, and why measuring “what really converts” is the key to maximizing ROI in a multi-location world.🎥 Watch the UB-I Videohttps://youtu.be/DH4tSiIlXpw?si=CF8Orj5unRvxYeW🔗 Learn More and Level Up with Uberall Academyhttps://academy.uberall.com🔗 Discover What’s Driving Consumers’ Local Choiceshttps://get.uberall.com/consumer-report/?utm\_source=youtube\&utm\_medium=social\&utm\_campaign=all-cc-ent-st-2025-consumer-report\&utm\_content=en🔗 Discover Location Performance Optimizationhttps://get.uberall.com/location-performance-optimization/⏱ Timestamps00:00 – Intro01:12 – Why Call Tracking Still Matters in a Digital-First World03:45 – Turning Conversations into Data-Driven Insights06:21 – Connecting Offline and Online Journeys09:18 – How AI Is Changing Call Intelligence12:42 – Attribution: What Really Drives Conversions15:33 – Balancing Automation with Human Connection18:05 – Multi-Location Challenges and Opportunities20:17 – Final Advice: Make Every Call Count🏢 Follow Uberall on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/get-uberall/👤 Connect with Chris on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/christodd09/🎙️ Connect with Christian on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/christianarriola/Learn more about CallTrackingMetrics:https://www.calltrackingmetrics.com/Visit us at: https://www.uberall.com#calltracking #localmarketing #locationmarketing #LPO #attribution #AI #digitalpresence

How to Boost Visibility in AI-Search Through Social

In this episode of Local Marketing Beat, Uberall's Christian Hustle sits down with Celeste Gonzalez, Director of SEO Testing at RicketyRoo, to explore how AI search is reshaping local SEO and the customer journey.Celeste brings a fresh Gen Z perspective on instant gratification in search, TikTok and Instagram’s role in discovery, and what AI-driven results mean for local businesses. She breaks down why oversharing details is now critical, how “know before you go” insights can make or break conversions, and why SEOs must become the glue between teams in the AI era.From practical tips on making your business AI-ready to insights into how younger generations are using social platforms as search engines, this episode is packed with strategies for staying visible in a fast-changing landscape.🎥 Watch More Local Marketing Beat Episodeshttps://www.youtube.com/@Uberall🔗 Discover What’s Driving Consumers’ Local Choiceshttps://get.uberall.com/consumer-report/🔗 Discover Location Performance Optimizationhttps://get.uberall.com/location-performance-optimization/⏱ Timestamps00:00 – Intro01:23 – The Future of Local Search in the Age of AI03:10 – Why Consumers Expect Instant, Personalized Results05:21 – Strategies for Being Visible in AI Search07:45 – Who’s Really Using AI Search (and Who Isn’t Yet)09:15 – TikTok, Instagram & the Rise of Visual AI Search12:21 – How AI and Social Search Are Changing the Consumer Journey13:33 – From Search to Conversion: Closing the Gap15:42 – “Know Before You Go” and Why Small Details Matter17:31 – Where to Share Business Info: Website vs Social20:01 – Why SEOs Must Become the Glue Across Teams21:21 – Key Takeaway: Embrace Information Overload🏢 Follow Uberall on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/get-uberall/👤 Connect with Celeste on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/celestelili/🎙️ Connect with Christian on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/christianarriola/Visit us at: https://www.uberall.com#localseo #aisearch #localmarketing #locationmarketing #digitalpresence #tiktokseo #lpo

From Automation to Orchestration: Why Agentic AI Is the Next Leap

In this episode of Local Marketing Beat, Christian Hustle sits down with Ana Martinez, CTO at Uberall, to explore how brands can move beyond static automation into the era of agentic AI and dynamic orchestration.Ana shares her vision for AI as a “teammate” that can reason, plan, and act toward business goals, and explains how this shift will transform multi-location marketing. From embedding autonomous intelligence across workflows to maintaining human oversight and brand trust, she reveals how Uberall’s UB-I is setting the standard for the AI-native marketing platform.They dive into real-world use cases, the technical challenges of building guardrails for AI, and why brands that adopt early will have an unbeatable head start. The conversation also covers the future of AI search, the evolving customer journey, and how marketers can use agentic AI to scale without chaos.🎥 Watch the UB-I Videohttps://youtu.be/DH4tSiIlXpw?si=CF8Orj5unRvxYeW🔗 Learn More and Level Up with Uberall Academyhttps://academy.uberall.com🔗 Discover What’s Driving Consumers’ Local Choiceshttps://get.uberall.com/consumer-report/?utm\_source=youtube\&utm\_medium=social\&utm\_campaign=all-cc-ent-st-2025-consumer-report\&utm\_content=en🔗 Discover Location Performance Optimizationhttps://get.uberall.com/location-performance-optimization/⏱ Timestamps00:00 – Intro01:15 – From Automation to Agentic AI02:58 – AI as a Teammate, Not a Task Runner05:26 – Why Agentic Beats Traditional Automation07:12 – From Agentic AI to Orchestration08:24 – Inside Uberall’s UB-I and the Swarm of Agents10:24 – Surprising Use Cases from Early Adopters12:18 – Building Guardrails and Staying On Brand14:27 – Business Impact: Speed, Scale & Consistency15:39 – The Future of AI Search and the Death of the Search Box18:51 – Two Axes of AI Transformation for Marketers20:26 – Final Advice: Lead the AI Shift, Do Not Follow🏢 Follow Uberall on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/get-uberall/👤 Connect with Ana on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/anamartineznassi/🎙️ Connect with Christian on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/christianarriola/#AgenticAI #localmarketing #locationmarketing #LPO #AIsearch #marketingautomation #aitools #digitalpresenceVisit us at: https://www.uberall.com

Hyperlocal, Hyper Profitable: How to Nail Local Social Ads

In this episode of Local Marketing Beat, Christian Hustle chats with Sarah Cucchiara, VP of Client Success at Tiger Pistol, about how to make hyperlocal social advertising a high-ROI growth channel.Sarah shares her proven playbook for turning small local ad budgets into one of the top-performing marketing channels for franchises, multi-location brands, and SMBs. She explains why blending national awareness with local personalization drives both conversions and brand loyalty and how to avoid the common pitfalls that cause campaigns to flop.They discuss:* What defines a hyperlocal social ad and why it outperforms generic campaigns* How to balance brand control with local customization (without letting franchisees go rogue)* Media strategies for small budgets that still deliver strong ROI* AI’s role in targeting, creative production, and the future of social advertising* The keys to getting buy-in from local owners and increasing participation ratesFrom actionable tips to future-proof insights, this conversation is a must-watch for marketers looking to nail local social ads and drive measurable revenue.🔗 Learn More and Level Up with Uberall Academy:📚 https://academy.uberall.com🔗 Discover What's Driving Consumers' Local Choices:💡 https://get.uberall.com/consumer-report/🔗 Discover Location Performance Optimization:📍https://get.uberall.com/location-performance-optimization/⏱ Timestamps00:00 – Intro01:14 – Sarah’s Role at Tiger Pistol04:30 – What Makes an Ad “Hyperlocal”06:51 – National Awareness vs. Local ROI10:19 – Why Meta Rewards Local Ads12:43 – Pitfalls to Avoid in Local Advertising15:53 – Success Factors for Small Budgets20:35 – AI’s Growing Role in Local Social Ads23:56 – How to Connect with Sarah and Tiger Pistol🏢 Follow Uberall on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/mycompany/get-uberall/👤 Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahcucchiara/🎙️ Connect with Christian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianarriola/#localadvertising #socialads #hyperlocalmarketing #digitalmarketing #franchisegrowth #aiads #locationmarketing #localroiVisit us at: https://www.uberall.com

How To Be Ready for AI Search

In this episode of Local Marketing Beat, Christian Hustle chats with Partho Ghosh, VP of Product at Uberall, about how brands can prepare for the new age of AI-driven search. From optimizing structured data to navigating trust in generative AI results, Partho shares practical insights on what marketers must do now to stay visible and competitive.
They explore AI discoverability trends, the shifting local customer journey, and how Uberall's own AI assistant, Ubi, is designed to simplify and supercharge local marketing. The conversation also explores the LPO (Location Performance Optimization) framework, the role of emerging platforms like Bing and Reddit, and the future of search behavior.
🔗 Learn More and Level Up with Uberall Academy:📚 https://academy.uberall.com
🔗 Discover What's Driving Consumers' Local Choices:💡 https://get.uberall.com/consumer-report/?utm\_source=youtube\&utm\_medium=social\&utm\_campaign=all-cc-ent-st-2025-consumer-report\&utm\_content=en
🔗 Discover Location Performance Optimization:📍 https://get.uberall.com/location-performance-optimization/
⏱ Timestamps00:00 – Intro01:35 – AI’s Impact on Search and the Local Funnel04:30 – What Matters Most to AI Search Engines06:54 – Trusting AI: Risk vs. Reality09:00 – New Channels You Shouldn’t Ignore11:04 – LPO and Uberall’s Strategic Framework14:06 – What UB-I Is and Why It Matters17:33 – AI-Powered Content & Review Management20:17 – Where Marketers Should Start with AI22:48 – Why Saying "Thank You" to AI Might Help
🏢 Follow Uberall on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/get-uberall/👤 Connect with Partho on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/productpartho/🎙️ Connect with Christian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianarriola/
#aisearch  #localmarketing  #locationmarketing  #lpo  #seo  #structureddata  #aitools  #digitalpresence  
Visit us at: https://www.uberall.com

Future Trends in AI for Local Marketing (with Greg Sterling, Near Media)

In this episode of Local Marketing Beat, host Christian Hustle is joined by Greg Sterling — analyst and co-founder of Near Media — to unpack the rapidly evolving relationship between AI and search. They dive deep into how tools like ChatGPT are reshaping the consumer journey, what recent consumer behavior data reveals, and how brands can prepare for the next wave of local marketing disruption.▶️ From Google's AI Overviews to ChatGPT's growing role in discovery, this conversation offers a strategic look at future trends in AI for local marketing.Whether you're a multi-location brand, franchise marketer, or digital strategist, this episode offers actionable insights on building brand awareness, adapting to consumer expectations, and navigating the blurred lines between search and AI.🔑 What You’ll Learn:Why AI is transforming how consumers search and make decisionsHow Google is adapting to the rise of conversational AIWhy local search is still a Google stronghold (for now)The importance of multi-channel visibility beyond GoogleHow brands can stay competitive in an AI-driven landscape⏱ Timestamps00:00 – Introduction & Welcome to Greg SterlingChristian sets the stage for a deep dive into AI, search, and consumer behavior.01:47 – The Evolution of AI and SearchGreg reflects on how AI tools have disrupted Google’s dominance and changed user expectations.02:54 – Consumer Behavior Insights from Recent ResearchWhat Greg’s surveys reveal about how U.S. consumers are using AI vs. Google.06:13 – Why AI Isn’t Winning Local Search (Yet)Consumers try local search with AI — but often go back to Google.07:26 – The Spectrum of AI and Search UsageAI and Google aren't mutually exclusive: consumers are blending tools based on their needs.10:11 – Product Research, Comparison & AI EfficiencyHow AI is better suited for product research and general queries — with real-world examples.13:27 – The Role of Agents and Transactional AICould AI eventually replace the entire research-to-purchase flow?15:24 – How Brands Can Prepare for AI-Driven DiscoveryWhy brand strength and multi-channel visibility are more important than ever.19:21 – The Growing Importance of Non-Google PlatformsFrom Yelp to TripAdvisor and TikTok — AI is pulling data from everywhere.23:31 – Short-Form Video & Content Consumption ShiftsHow TikTok and Shorts are driving top-of-funnel discovery — and what that means for brands.25:00 – Speculating on the Next 24 MonthsGreg’s informed predictions on where AI and digital discovery are heading.27:12 – The Risk of Content Being Bypassed by AIHow AI layers might obscure your brand — and what marketers need to understand.30:44 – Final Thoughts & Where to Find Greg OnlineChristian wraps the conversation and Greg shares how to follow his work at Near Media and Dialogue.📌 Key Sound Bites:"AI is changing the consumer journey.""People really like AI and ChatGPT.""Local search was way down at the bottom."🔗 Learn More and Level Up with Uberall Academy:📚 https://academy.uberall.com🔗 Discover What's Driving Consumers' Local Choices:💡 https://get.uberall.com/consumer-report/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=all-cc-ent-st-2025-consumer-report&utm_content=en🏢 Follow Uberall on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/get-uberall/👤 Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregsterling/🎙️ Connect with Christian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianarriola/#ai #localmarketing #searchtrends #consumerbehavior #digitalmarketing #localseo #localsearch Visit us at: uberall.com