Team SCG's AI Marketing Secrets: $3.5M Account Winner Reveals All

Forget everything you've heard about AI replacing creativity. The most successful marketers aren't using AI to do their jobs for them, they're using it to become dramatically better at the work only humans can do.

Savannah Dmytriw, VP of Marketing at Team SCG (one of commonsku's largest and most innovative distributors), recently shared her balanced approach to AI adoption that's helped her land a $3.5 million account while streamlining workflows that used to be "a thorn in her side."

As a Top 10 PPAI Influencer and the marketing mind behind one of the industry's most forward-thinking distributors, Savannah's insights on blending AI with brand creativity offer a roadmap for promotional professionals ready to harness AI without losing their human edge.

Start with Boundaries, Not Blind Faith

Savannah's first piece of advice might surprise you:
don't go all-in on AI.

"I have a boundary with my personal life and AI," she explains. "I use it as a professional tool, and that's where I draw the line."

This intentional approach extends to her work strategy. Rather than automating everything, Savannah identifies specific pain points where AI delivers maximum impact. 

"When you're marketing to marketers from different industries with different tastes and go-to-market strategies, it can be all over the place," Savannah notes. "AI helped us solve that without losing our creative vision."

Data Analytics Made Simple (Even for Non-Data People)

One of Savannah's most practical applications involves quarterly reporting for her graphics team. Here's her process:

1. Collect raw performance data throughout the quarter
2. Organize and visualize the data in graphs
3. Feed it to AI with prompts like: "What analytical statements can be made based on this data? What trends can we forecast?"

The results? AI helped her predict staffing needs ("If we continue this trajectory, Q2 2026 we'll need another graphic designer"), identify peak demand periods, and spot patterns she might have missed.

"Yes, I could absolutely figure those out myself, but rather than racking my brain, I have a little friend that can help me along with the process," Savannah shares.

Pro tip: This approach works for any data-heavy process from sales analytics to client performance metrics.

The Human Touch That AI Can't Replace

Despite being an AI advocate, Savannah maintains firm boundaries around human-centered activities.

Meeting notes remain manual: "I take notes as a practice of active listening. If I'm not actively listening in a meeting, my mind is all over the place and I don't understand what's actually needed next."

High-stakes creative work stays human: "I want to be hands-on with creative ideation, messaging, and positioning. Those are the things where the stakes are highest."

This balanced approach ensures AI enhances rather than diminishes the human connections that drive successful promotional campaigns.

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