From a Twitter page for college confessions to a Midwest-wide marketing engine, Scott Burak and Bryce Bortscheller have turned internet culture into a career — and reshaped how brands speak to rural America in the process.
In this episode, we sit down with the co-founders of Map Dot Media, the agency behind viral platforms like Iowa Chill and Midwest Vs. Everybody, to explore their journey from UNI dorm rooms to campaigns with Coors Light, John Deere, and Iowa Pork Producers.
They reveal how a cow breaking through a barn wall (seriously) sparked their first viral moment, why authenticity trumps polish in meme marketing, and what it takes to turn a loyal regional audience into a profitable brand. You'll hear how they’ve balanced humor and heart, built community through content, and are now running festivals, brand activations, and an internship pipeline that’s shaping the next wave of Midwest creatives.
Whether you're a farmer, marketer, content creator—or someone who's ever laughed at “Duck, Duck, Gray Duck”—this conversation is packed with insights on building brands, telling stories, and keeping it real in a world full of filters.