#220 - Kris Rudeegraap: The Future of Gifting, AI, and Experiential Marketing

Kris Rudeegraap, Co-Founder and CEO of Sendoso, joins Drop The Mic to break down how experiential marketing, personalized gifting, and AI-driven strategies are transforming sales and customer engagement. Kris shares real-world stories and proven strategies that help businesses cut through the noise, create memorable experiences, and leverage direct mail in a digital-first world. From gifting a rack of ribs to sending rubber chickens — Kris explains why human connections still win deals. We dive into: 🎯 How to use gifting to stand out and close deals 📈 The rise of AI in marketing and direct mail 🎁 Why thoughtful experiences drive customer loyalty 💡 The future of experiential marketing, including drone delivery Whether you're in sales, marketing, or business development — this episode will inspire fresh ways to engage your audience and convert leads. Time Stamps: [02:30] - Experiential marketing stories: Helicopter rides & concerts [04:30] - The before, during, and after strategy for events [06:50] - Creating memorable booth experiences vs. being forgettable [08:50] - Kris explains Sendoso and how gifting changes sales [11:30] - Real-world examples: Real estate, enterprise sales, and client retention [13:00] - Why companies prefer Sendoso over Amazon for gifting [15:50] - The psychology of receiving physical gifts (reciprocity effect) [16:10] - Craziest gifts sent: Traeger grills, drones, and rubber chickens [17:30] - CRM integration and automating follow-ups after delivery [18:10] - How Sendoso and Kris’s team leverage AI in sales & marketing [20:30] - The truth about direct mail: Flat vs. dimensional mailers [22:20] - Using gifting in every stage of the marketing funnel [24:15] - Attribution, ROI, and why follow-up is everything [26:00] - AI’s future impact on direct mail and customer engagement [27:30] - Smart Gifting: How AI tailors messages and delivery [29:10] - Is drone delivery part of Sendoso’s future? [30:10] - Personal branding vs. business branding [30:50] - Sendoso’s global scale and Kris’s final thoughts CONNECT & SUPPORT: 🌐 Website: https://jayhunt.social 🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jayhuntofficial Sponsor: https://chatello.ai