Marketing With Purpose Kit: Customer Connection in a Data-Driven World
A recent report by McKinsey found that companies leveraging customer analytics are 23 times more likely to outperform competitors in new customer acquisition.
Yet many brands still struggle to connect with their audience in meaningful ways, relying too heavily on data while overlooking human connection.
In this week’s Marketing With Purpose Kit from The Bliss Business Podcast, we’re joined by Liane Caruso, CMO at IMAGE Studios.
Liane brings deep expertise in franchise marketing, customer experience, and brand growth, and she shares how balancing data with genuine human connection can drive stronger loyalty, engagement, and business results.
🎙️ Hosted by Mike Liwski
🎧 Produced by Tullio Siragusa
🧭 In this episode, we cover:
• How to humanize customer experiences in a data-driven world
• The role of analytics in building—not replacing—authentic connections
• Practical strategies to personalize marketing without losing trust
• Examples of brands that combine data with empathy to fuel growth
🎧 Whether you’re leading a startup, scaling a franchise, or steering a corporate team, this conversation will inspire you to rethink customer connection in today’s data-driven era.
Liane Caruso
Fractional CMO
Liane Caruso, CFE, is a seasoned marketing strategist, brand builder, and connector in the franchising industry with over 20 years of experience leading growth for multi-location and franchise brands. As the founder of helloCMO, she serves as a fractional CMO for emerging and established franchisors, delivering data-driven strategies that accelerate development, elevate brand visibility, and improve franchisee marketing performance.
Liane currently serves as the fractional CMO for IMAGE Studios, a high-growth salon suite franchise, where she leads marketing strategy across franchise development, brand positioning, and local marketing support. She also represents IMAGE Studios as the host of their upcoming podcast, showcasing thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and the evolving world of beauty, wellness, and franchising.
She is the co-founder of Franchise Assembly, a peer-driven education and event platform behind the Let’s Grow! Franchise Growth Assemblies and Franchise Marketing Live. Through these programs, she brings together executive marketers, franchise development leaders, and supplier partners to exchange insights, share what’s working, and move the industry forward. She also leads multiple peer advisory groups under Hello Mastermind, cultivating a trusted space for top-tier franchising professionals to learn and grow together.
Known for her no-fluff, real-talk approach to marketing, Liane is passionate about helping brands adapt in a tech-first world. She’s a Certified Franchise Executive (CFE), a frequent podcast host and guest, and a publi… Read More
