Nick Cicero

I started college at Nazareth University as a trumpet-playing music major. My world was rehearsals, performances, and sheet music. I had no business background, no tech experience, no startup dreams.

But then something unexpected happened.

💡 Social media was exploding—Facebook, Twitter, YouTube.

Most people just used these platforms. I became obsessed with how they worked.
I didn’t just see content—I saw patterns, behaviors, opportunities.

❓ Why do some videos go viral while others flop?
❓ Why are some creators amassing huge followings while others struggle?
❓ And why isn’t anyone measuring this?

That curiosity completely changed my life.

I didn’t wait for a class to teach me. I didn’t ask for permission.
I started learning, experimenting, building.

And that’s what being a changemaker is all about.

What Actually Makes a Changemaker?

It’s NOT just having a great idea.
A lot of people have the same great ideas.

The difference? Execution.

💡 Changemakers don’t wait—they act.
💡 They don’t ask for permission—they figure it out.
💡 They don’t get stuck on setbacks—they keep moving forward.

That’s how I went from a music major to building analytics tools for the biggest media companies, sports teams, and brands.

I built Delmondo, one of the first social video analytics platforms.

🔥 We launched the first branded Snapchat series with Marriott Rewards.
🔥 We helped Oprah bring the first Instagram video to TV.
🔥 We built TikTok analytics before brands even realized they needed them.

Eventually, Delmondo was acquired by Conviva, and I kept building.

Full Circle Moment: The Nazareth Changemakers Podcast 🎙️

Now, Nazareth University is celebrating 100 years of developing leaders and changemakers.

So when President Beth Paul invited me on the Changemakers Podcast, I knew I had to say yes. Because Nazareth changed my life—not just through education, but by teaching me how to think differently.

🔹 President Paul on Changemakers:
“Nazareth was founded by people who saw the world’s needs, imagined new possibilities, and took action.”

🔹 My take:
“A lot of people have big ideas. But changemakers execute. They block out the noise, focus on the goal, and make things happen.“

🎧 Listen to our full conversation here: Podcast Link

Did you know just how many corporate connections there are to the iconic 1964 TV special by Rankin/Bass?

You know Dasher and Dancer, Prancer and Vixen… but do you recall the greatest hashtag#contentmarketing story of all? Yes, I’m talking about Rudolph 🎄

In the spirit of the holiday season—and the mantra “Stop thinking like advertisers. Start thinking like content creators.”—let’s break down how Rudolph became one of the most iconic examples of content marketing in history. 🦌

🎁 In 1939, Montgomery Ward needed a holiday promotion. Instead of ads, they created Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, a free storybook for families. It wasn’t a sales pitch—it was a story about belonging and individuality.

By 1949, millions of copies had been distributed and turned it into a song by Gene Autry selling 2.5 million copies in its first year alone. People weren’t singing about Montgomery Ward—they were singing about Rudolph. The story transcended its origins and became culture.

💡 In the 1960s, General Electric (GE) had a bigger idea: The GE Fantasy Hour. Instead of hard selling products, they funded family-friendly holiday programming to build emotional currency with viewers. Leveraging the now-iconic holiday story they sponsored the creation of the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer stop-motion TV special in 1964.

✅ The glowing red nose: A subtle nod to GE’s lighting expertise (and actually their product).

✅ Smart integration: GE ran complementary holiday-themed ads for lights and appliances alongside the special.

🧠 Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass weren’t just storytellers—they were ad agency veterans who knew how to blend creativity with branding. They partnered with Japan’s legendary hashtag#advertising agency dentsu and MOM Production for their pioneering “Animagic” stop-motion technique. This global partnership delivered more than content—it delivered art.

Some will say, “It was easier back then.” Fewer channels. Less noise.
Wrong. Even in the ‘60s, people hated ads. Rudolph succeeded not because there was less competition, but because it wasn’t an ad—it was a story.

Ads Are Forgotten. Stories Live Forever.

🔑 The Rudolph Playbook for Brands Today

1. Invest in storytelling: Great stories outlast campaigns. Rudolph has been running for 60 years. Will your content?
2. Empower great creators: Rankin/Bass, MOM Productions and Dentsu created something extraordinary. Trust your storytellers.
3. Create shareable moments: The song became cultural currency long before TikTok trends.

Rudolph’s journey—from a department store booklet to a global icon—is a masterclass in content marketing. It’s proof that the best brands don’t fight for attention. They earn it by creating something worth remembering.

Will your content light the way—or end up on the Island of Misfit Ads?

Happy Holidays!