Kickframe Newsletter
Savvier founder Greg Shortall on using AI in marketing, plus observations from running AI training
I’m really enjoying these mini-interviews with people sharing practical ways for marketers to use AI. Last week I met with Greg Shortall, founder of Savvier, an AI tool built for marketing teams. It was interesting to hear about his path from agency creative roles early in his career to launching this platform that helps with many of those same creative tasks. He shares an awesome tip at the end of our chat, comparing generative AI to a game of Plinko.
Greg is offering subscribers 20% off three months of Savvier with the code KICKFRAME. For Team accounts, email sales@besavvier.com with ‘KICKFRAME’ in the subject line and your number of team members. Thanks Greg!
Observations From Running AI Training
A few years ago, I’d walk into a training room and everyone was curious about AI. People were fascinated by their first experiences with ChatGPT, making funny images, and just seeing what it could do. Today, these rooms feel different. Our feelings about AI are more complicated. It isn’t just AI boomers and AI doomers either. Research suggests some of the heaviest users are also the most anxious about where this is all going. If you’re thinking about getting an AI training initiative off the ground in 2026, here are a few things that I’d suggest - designing from the learner’s perspective:
Meet them where they are. AI worries people. While you want the training focused on professional application, leave room for people to raise concerns about job loss or the broader effects on society. You don’t need to provide all the answers. You just want to avoid letting these feelings sit there as an elephant in the room, as it will sink your session.
Orient the training around growth. Most AI initiatives lead with efficiency. Efficiency is a real benefit, but nobody wants to spend a full day learning how to do ten days of work in five. Focus instead on enhancing craft, on new capabilities, on the things people haven’t had the time or resources to try. That’s a clearer answer to “what’s in it for me,” and it’s a lot more motivating.
Create a space that feels safe. Adult learners need to be engaged, so make any sessions that you’re designing as hands-on and interactive as possible. When it comes to AI, people need to feel safe asking questions and experimenting in front of their peers. That extends past the session as well, to whether your culture celebrates smart experimentation or quietly shames people for using AI at all.
AI in Charts
How Canada Uses Claude (Anthropic): Canada ranks 8th globally in Claude.ai traffic. Within Canada, usage concentrates in provinces with large professional, scientific, and technical services sectors, with Ontario alone at 43.9% of conversations.
How Americans Use AI (Pew): Generations differ on AI. Pew found younger Americans use it the most and view it the least positively: 63% of adults under 50 use chatbots, yet about four in ten under 30 say AI will be bad for them personally.
Global AI Jobs Barometer (PWC): While the headlines focus on job losses, PwC found the opposite pattern in postings for roles requiring AI skills, up 69% against 9% growth in the overall jobs market.
Cool Beans
The Greatest Music: Thanks to AI, we can stop arguing about the greatest albums, songs, and artists. This site pulls together data from hundreds of lists, all of which appear to be published by Marvin Gaye fans.
Optimizing Energy: Would you rather have air-powered clothing that puts itself on you, or an autonomous robot toilet that comes to you? Impossible decision.
Optimizing Summertime: Being outside in Toronto in the summer can be tough when it’s hot and buggy. Not anymore: now you can climb into a new human refrigerator or unleash micro-drones shoot the insects out of the air.
Kickframe Toolbox Refresh
Last week I shared that I updated Kickframe.com using Lovable. Well, I can’t stop / won’t stop vibe-coding so I updated my Kickframe Toolbox website using Claude Code and Claude Design. As someone without a technical background, I’m still amazed at how capable these tools are for building digital products. If you’re looking for practical planning resources, check out the Kickframe Toolbox. All of the templates are free to download in a variety of editable formats.
