In this episode, Cole sits down with Robert Sawyer, the Creative Director of Experiential Marketing at Outside. They dive deep into the concept of marketing as a laboratory and how it can be a powerful tool in forging new models for outdoor gatherings. Robert shares insights from the inaugural Outside Festival, revealing the creative processes and challenges behind this innovative event.   Key Topics Covered: Marketing as a Laboratory: Robert discusses how marketing can be used as a space for experimentation, risk-taking, and innovation, particularly in the outdoor industry. The Power of Outdoor Gatherings: The episode explores the transformative impact of the Outside Festival, not just as an event, but as a movement to reconnect people with nature. Cultural Pain Points: Robert highlights the growing issues of loneliness and disconnection in modern society, and how outdoor experiences can serve as a remedy. Creating Magic Through Community: Discover the magic formula of "Nature + Community = Magic," and how it guided the creative direction of the festival. Behind the Scenes: Robert provides a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges and successes of organizing a large-scale outdoor event, including critical feedback and the lessons learned. The Role of Joy in the Outdoors: The importance of joy as a motivator for getting people outside and how it influences the creative strategy for future events. Learn More About the Outside Festival: Website: Outside Festival   About the Backcountry Marketing Podcast  This podcast is produced by Port Side Productions. We’re a video production outfit that believes great marketing is great storytelling and after 150+ podcast episodes with marketing pros and 9 years of producing commercials and documentaries outside, we've noticed a few things about what it takes to create video work that makes an impact. If you need help bringing your next video project to life, check out our website to learn more. If not, head over to the podcast website for more details, show notes, transcripts, recommended book readings, and other resources: