Business Development, Content Strategy, Event Management, Fractional CMO
Katie Schrock
A Century of Legacy, and the Work It Takes to ...

This article explores leadership, legacy, and community-building lessons drawn from the 100th anniversary convention of the Dude Ranchers Association. Milestone events like a centennial celebration are more than moments of reflection. They are opportunities to assess relevance, trust, and alignment within an organization.

Drawing on firsthand experience supporting this historic event, the piece examines what it truly takes to gather ranchers and operators who run 24/7 businesses rooted in land, livestock, hospitality, and people. Leaving a ranch to attend a convention requires meaningful programming, thoughtful curation, and a deep respect for members’ time and responsibilities.

The article also addresses one of the most complex challenges facing guest ranches and Western businesses today: succession planning. When a brand is deeply tied to its people, separating identity from operations becomes essential for long-term sustainability.

Through insights on leadership, strategy, and storytelling, this piece offers perspective for organizations navigating growth, transition, and the responsibility of carrying a legacy forward.

A Century of Legacy, and the Work It Takes to Carry It Forward
Business Development, Content Strategy, Fractional CMO, Event Management, Social Media
Katie Schrock
Why Companies Are Desperately Seeking ...

Companies aren’t just looking for marketers anymore — they’re looking for storytellers. As traditional media declines and audiences crave authenticity, storytelling has become a strategic business advantage, especially in Western, agricultural, and event-based industries where culture and community drive connection.

Why Companies Are Desperately Seeking Storytellers
Content Strategy, Social Media
Katie Schrock
Behind the Call: What Meta Taught Me About ...

Nothing will boost your creator confidence like a Meta rep opening a call with: “So… how did you crack the code?” In this behind-the-scenes recap, I break down what Meta shared about the Edits app, trending Reels, real-time analytics, captions and “safe zones,” and why their best practice mirrors my own Instagram Trials Theory: test first, learn fast, and only then scale what works—without burning out or begging for likes.

Behind the Call: What Meta Taught Me About "Trials," Edits, and Smarter Reels
Business Development, Content Strategy, Event Management
Katie Schrock
The Secret to a Lasting Event Isn't Marketing - ...

Discover how Western Insights Media helped the Oregon Jamboree create a lasting legacy through the Pacific Northwest Stompeders - a fan engagement campaign for the 30th Anniversary that turned into a five-state movement and a blueprint for building community through events.

The Secret to a Lasting Event Isn't Marketing - It's Belonging
Business Development, Content Strategy
Katie Schrock
Stop Guessing, Trial Reels: The Instagram ...

Learn the 2025 Instagram Reels strategy that helped my personal Instagram reach over 2.5 million organic views in 28 days. Download the free Instagram Trial Reel Checklist to grow your western brand, your personal brand, your event or small business on social media.

Stop Guessing, Trial Reels: The Instagram Growth Strategy That Actually Works

western events

, , ,

A Century of Legacy, and the Work It Takes to Carry It Forward

, , ,
A Century of Legacy, and the Work It Takes to Carry It Forward

This article explores leadership, legacy, and community-building lessons drawn from the 100th anniversary convention of the Dude Ranchers Association. Milestone events like a centennial celebration are more than moments of reflection. They are opportunities to assess relevance, trust, and alignment within an organization.

Drawing on firsthand experience supporting this historic event, the piece examines what it truly takes to gather ranchers and operators who run 24/7 businesses rooted in land, livestock, hospitality, and people. Leaving a ranch to attend a convention requires meaningful programming, thoughtful curation, and a deep respect for members’ time and responsibilities.

The article also addresses one of the most complex challenges facing guest ranches and Western businesses today: succession planning. When a brand is deeply tied to its people, separating identity from operations becomes essential for long-term sustainability.

Through insights on leadership, strategy, and storytelling, this piece offers perspective for organizations navigating growth, transition, and the responsibility of carrying a legacy forward.

, , , ,

Empowering Small Teams with Big Tools: A Webinar Series for Marketers with Small Teams, Small Budgets and a Need for Efficiencies

, , , ,
Empowering Small Teams with Big Tools: A Webinar Series for Marketers with Small Teams, Small Budgets and a Need for Efficiencies

Western Insights Media is proud to present a 4-part webinar series designed specifically for rodeo committees, ag-based nonprofits, guest ranches, festivals, and small rural organizations. This free, hands-on training helps small teams use AI-powered tools to simplify marketing, save time, and increase impact. From designing content with Canva Pro to streamlining messaging with ChatGPT, scheduling with Metricool, and launching emails with Flodesk, each 40-minute session focuses on affordable, accessible tools that work for Western-based organizations with limited staff and budgets. Perfect for those juggling multiple hats—this series will help you do more with less and feel confident about your marketing strategy.

, , , , , ,

Influencers Unleashed - Join us at the Oregon Fairs Association

, , , , , ,
Influencers Unleashed - Join us at the Oregon Fairs Association

Join us October 17-19, 2024, at the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center for the Oregon Fairs Association's Annual Convention where the Western Insights Media team will present on Influencers Unleashed - the art of event amplification through strategic influencer partnerships. If you can't make the event, sign up to get a copy of the slides after the event and book a strategy meeting.

, , ,

CONFESSION: I'm Obsessed with Pinterest Again

, , ,
CONFESSION: I'm Obsessed with Pinterest Again

As a digital marketer, my obsession with Pinterest continues to grow as I continue to incorporate the platform into the strategy of many of my clients whose main digital focus' have been OTT, geofencing, blogging, influencers, commercials, print mediums, Meta Platforms, X, and TikTok. This might be the key that you've been looking for in your business strategy.

, , , , ,

Western Insights Media; Your One Stop Shop to a Western Industries Fractional Chief Marketing Officer

, , , , ,
Western Insights Media; Your One Stop Shop to a Western Industries Fractional Chief Marketing Officer

A fractional chief marketing office (CMO) is an outsourced marketing executive who performs the function of a CMO without your company having to commit to a full-time, in-house marketing leader. Western Insights Media prides themselves on being one of the leaders in western based events regarding out-of-the-box marketing combined with the utilization of traditional marketing methods to reach both your current and new audience demographic.