The Agile Brand with Greg Kihlström®: Expert Mode Marketing Technology, AI, & CX

Intuit Mailchimp's Head of Email Product discusses removing friction from martech

Fri, 29 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

What's the hidden tax your organization pays every time a creative asset moves from a design tool to a marketing platform, and how can you shorten the time to gain important insights about how your campaigns perform?

Agility requires more than just speed. It demands that we eliminate the friction between our systems and processes so teams can move from concept to customer with minimal translation errors and maximum impact. It also means that we need to find the best ways to understand campaign performance without requiring everyone in marketing to be a data scientist.

We're going to discuss:

- the persistent gap between creative design and marketing execution

- the value that AI-based capabilities can add to the understanding of analytics and performance

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Ose Amiegheme, Head of Email Product at Intuit Mailchimp.

About Ose Amiegheme

Ose Amiegheme is a product leader building the future of creation and growth tools.

Today, he leads product for Intuit Mailchimp’s Email and omnichannel campaigns creation experiences, shaping how small businesses create content, launch campaigns, and grow across channels.

Previously, he led advertising products at TikTok supporting multi-billion-dollar revenue businesses and helped launch products spanning GenAI creative tooling, campaign optimization, and advertiser control systems.

Before TikTok, Ose spent four years at Adobe helping build Adobe Express, where he worked across editor experiences, AI-assisted creation, and products used by millions of creators globally. His career has followed a consistent theme of building products that empower creators and marketers to tell their story in a way that feels genuine but also standout.

Outside of work, Ose is a huge soccer fan and he is excited for the upcoming soccer World Cup.

Ose Amiegheme on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ose-amiegheme/ / https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyejones/

---------- Resources ----------

Intuit Mailchimp: https://mailchimp.com/

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703

Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74

Reach your customers with Reddit. Spend $500 in ad spend, get $500 back in ad credit! Learn more: https://advertalize.com/r/491818c79fb1873f

Don't miss We Make Future - the International Festival of Innovation in AI, Tech, and Digital Marketing, June 24-26 in Bologna. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/c80991afff416bb2

The most influential minds in software, AI, and engineering leadership will be at WeAreDevelopers World Congress North America, September 23-25 in San Jose. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/60a7299222a7bcf1

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lean Startup author Eric Ries on building a brand for the long term

Wed, 27 May 2026 19:13:26 GMT

In an era of relentless pressure for quarterly growth, is it even possible for a large brand to stay true to its core mission, or is compromising a brand’s values just an inevitable part of achieving scale?

Agility requires more than just reacting quickly to market changes. It requires a resilient, long-term mission that acts as a north star, ensuring that every pivot and experiment builds enduring value, not just short-term gains.

Today, we're going to talk about the tension that every marketing leader feels: the conflict between the relentless demand for measurable, short-term results and the need to build a brand with a durable, long-term mission. We’ll explore how the very systems designed to measure success can sometimes corrupt a company's purpose, and how a new definition of value can create a strategic advantage that outlasts fleeting market trends.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Eric Ries, Author of The Lean Startup, and the new book, Incorruptible.

About Eric Ries

Over the last two decades, Eric Ries’s ideas about continuous innovation, long-term thinking, governance, and market reform have reshaped company building and management practices. He is the creator of the Lean Startup method, and the author of the New York Times bestseller The Lean Startup; The Leader’s Guide; and The Startup Way. As a founder, he has put his own ideas into practice with The Long-Term Stock Exchange (LTSE); Answer.AI, an AI R&D lab; the Lean Startup Co, which teaches and supports the implementation of Lean Startup; Virgil, a legal services startup; and IMVU, where the ideas that became the Lean Startup method were forged. On his podcast, The Eric Ries Show, he talks to guests including world-class technologists, thought leaders, and executives working to build profitable companies for the long-term benefit of society. He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife and three children.

Eric Ries on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eries/

---------- Resources ----------

The Lean Startup: https://www.leanstartup.co

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703

Get Incorruptible by Eric Ries: https://amzn.to/4dERCRy

Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74

Reach your customers with Reddit. Spend $500 in ad spend, get $500 back in ad credit! Learn more: https://advertalize.com/r/491818c79fb1873f

Don't miss We Make Future - the International Festival of Innovation in AI, Tech, and Digital Marketing, June 24-26 in Bologna. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/c80991afff416bb2

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

RGP Chief Strategy & Experience Officer Jennifer Jones on the human experience of digital transformation

Mon, 18 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

What if the biggest obstacle to delivering a world-class customer experience isn't your technology or your strategy, but the very way your teams are structured and enabled to work?

Agility requires creating an internal environment that can fluidly adapt to—and even anticipate—the needs of the external customer.

Today, we're going to talk about: the often-overlooked foundation of successful business transformation: the human experience.

We’ll explore:

Why the employee experience isn't just an HR initiative but a direct driver of customer outcomes
How designing systems around the way people actually think—not just how we’re organized on a chart—is critical.
The practical application of a human-centered lens to business processes
Why so many large-scale changes fail when they don't properly connect the dots between people, processes, and technology.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Jennifer Jones, Chief Strategy & Experience Officer at RGP.

About Jennifer Jones

Jennifer Jones is Chief Strategy & Experience Officer at RGP, a global professional services firm, where she leads enterprise strategy and experience end-to-end—aligning go-to-market, customer and employee experience, and operating models to accelerate growth and retention. She is responsible for translating strategy into execution across the business, partnering across sales, delivery, finance, technology, HR, and talent to remove friction, strengthen adoption, and drive measurable outcomes.

Jennifer also leads global marketing and communications, shaping RGP’s market voice, positioning, and demand generation engine. Previously, she served as Chief Marketing Officer, where she unified the company’s brand, go-to-market strategy, and growth programs to support its evolution into a differentiated, execution-focused consulting firm.

With more than 28 years of experience, Jennifer is known for closing the gap between vision and execution. She has led large-scale transformations across brand, customer and employee experience, service design, and AI-enabled operating models—helping Fortune 500 organizations modernize in ways that drive adoption, unlock value, and deliver sustained impact. Her work is grounded in human-centered design, ensuring transformation is not only strategic, but people-focused, actionable and enduring.

Jennifer Jones on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifergardnerjones/

--------Resources--------

RGP: https://rgp.com/

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703

Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74

Reach your customers with Reddit. Spend $500 in ad spend, get $500 back in ad credit! Learn more: https://advertalize.com/r/491818c79fb1873f

Don't miss We Make Future - the International Festival of Innovation in AI, Tech, and Digital Marketing, June 24-26 in Bologna. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/c80991afff416bb2

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Resident Expert: Bill Staikos on the CX landscape in 2026

Fri, 15 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

As a leader, you often spend so much time on the strategies and tactics that keep your brand growing that it’s difficult to keep up with what’s going on in the background with the platforms and the companies behind them.

That’s why I’m always glad to talk with our guest today, who is both focused on the business of CX as well as the business behind CX and the SaaS platforms driving so many customer experiences. I’m excited to talk again with our Resident Expert on the CX and MarTech platform landscape.

We talked right at the beginning of 2026 as a look back at last year. Now that we’ve had a quarter behind us in 2026, it’s time to talk about how this year is shaping up and what we can expect in the months ahead.

To help me discuss these topics, I'd like to welcome, Bill Staikos, Founder at Be Customer Led.

About Bill Staikos

Bill Staikos is a senior customer experience executive with over 20 years of leadership across financial services, consulting, and technology. He has held senior roles at American Express, Freddie Mac, JP Morgan, and BNY Mellon, where he led global initiatives to transform client and employee experiences. A former SVP at Medallia, Bill helped organizations turn insights into measurable outcomes.

Recognized as a LinkedIn Top Voice and one of the Top 50 Global CX Influencers, Bill is also the founder of the Be Customer-Led podcast and is now preparing to launch The Multimodal Experience. Known for his pragmatic, impact-driven approach, Bill advises leading brands, including Apple, Bank of America, Marriott, and T-Mobile, on connecting customer experience to business growth.

Bill Staikos on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billstaikos/

Resources

Be Customer Led: https://becustomerled.com/

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703

Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74

Reach your customers with Reddit. Spend $500 in ad spend, get $500 back in ad credit! Learn more: https://advertalize.com/r/491818c79fb1873f

Don't miss We Make Future - the International Festival of Innovation in AI, Tech, and Digital Marketing, June 24-26 in Bologna. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/c80991afff416bb2

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

University of Phoenix Chief Strategy Officer Ruth Veloria on higher education and the workforce of the future

Wed, 13 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

With the half-life of professional skills shrinking every year, is the traditional model of corporate learning and development fundamentally broken, and what role should employers play in the new era of continuous education?

Agility requires a workforce that can adapt and acquire new skills as quickly as the market changes. This means the old models of education and professional development must be re-engineered for a world that demands continuous learning integrated with professional life.

Today, we're going to talk about the evolution of higher education, specifically how online programs are being redesigned from the ground up to meet the complex needs of working adults. We'll explore how concepts we often discuss in customer experience—like personalization and flexibility—are being applied to learning to help professionals advance their careers without putting the rest of their lives on hold.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Ruth Veloria, Chief Strategy and Customer Officer at University of Phoenix.
About Ruth Veloria

Ruth Veloria is Chief Strategy and Customer Officer at the University of Phoenix, where she leads strategic vision, customer experience innovation, and the use of student data to support progress, graduation, and career success. She joined the University in 2009 and has held roles including chief customer officer and executive dean of the Business School, with prior strategy experience at Booz Allen, BCG, and Charles Schwab. Veloria holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from New College at the University of Oxford and a master’s in management from the Kellogg School at Northwestern University.

Ruth Veloria on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthveloria/

Resources

University of Phoenix: https://www.phoenix.edu/

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703

Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74
We’re proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658
Reach your customers with Reddit. Spend $500 in ad spend, get $500 back in ad credit! Learn more: https://advertalize.com/r/491818c79fb1873f

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MarketingOps CEO Mike Rizzo on Marketing Operations as a strategic driver of growth

Mon, 11 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Most leaders see Marketing Ops as the team that keeps the trains running on time, essentially the plumbers of the marketing department. But what if I told you they’re actually positioned to be the architects of your company’s most durable competitive advantage?

Agility requires moving beyond the transactional nature of campaigns and technology. It demands building a durable, responsive ecosystem around your brand, one that can listen and adapt not just quarterly, but constantly.
Today, we're going to talk about how to reframe the marketing operations function from a cost center or tactical execution engine into a strategic driver of growth. And we’ll explore a powerful, and perhaps counterintuitive, way to do it: by building a genuine community, not just as a marketing channel, but as the core of your go-to-market strategy.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Mike Rizzo, CEO at MarketingOps.

About Mike Rizzo

Mike Rizzo is a career marketing operations professional passionate about using a people-first approach to building scalable and efficient solutions to the challenges faced by marketing, business operations, and client success teams.

With his extensive background in marketing Mike helped build, launch, manage and optimize Mavenlink's first user community and Client Advisory Board programs.

In 2017 he also founded the growing community of MO Pros - a place where thousands of Marketing Operations Professionals connect, collaborate and help elevate the practice of Marketing Ops. He is also the co-host of the podcast called Ops Cast.
As the founder of MarketingOps.com, Mike is taking a community-led approach to building a platform purpose-built to elevate Marketing Operations Professionals.

Mike Rizzo on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aharze/

Resources

MarketingOps: https://www.marketingops.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703

Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74

Reach your customers with Reddit. Spend $500 in ad spend, get $500 back in ad credit! Learn more: https://advertalize.com/r/491818c79fb1873f

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tealium's Zack Wenthe on the hidden challenge of AI-driven commerce

Fri, 08 May 2026 09:22:00 GMT

As you race to adopt AI-powered shopping experiences, are you creating a new data black box that will make your customer journey less understood, not more?

Agility requires not just the speed to adopt new channels like generative AI, but the foresight to ensure these new touchpoints don't become blind spots in your customer journey. It demands that our data strategy evolves as quickly as our customer-facing technology.

Today, we're going to talk about the hidden challenge of AI-driven commerce. As major brands roll out compelling shopping experiences on platforms like Google's Gemini, they risk creating a new data black box. When customer interactions happen inside these AI environments, the insights from those conversations can become disconnected from the overall customer journey, making it difficult to measure impact and act on what you've learned.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Zack Wenthe, Director of Product Marketing & Customer Data Evangelist at Tealium. Zack, welcome to the show!

About Zack Wenthe

Zack Wenthe is a seasoned product marketing and customer data expert, currently serving as Director of Product Marketing & Customer Data Evangelist at Tealium, where he helps brands unlock the power of unified customer insights and drive meaningful engagement through data-driven strategies with the power of value-add storytelling in product marketing. He’s a prolific speaker, writer, and storyteller in the martech space, known for breaking down complex ideas into practical, revenue-focused narratives.

Zack Wenthe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zackwenthe/

Resources

Tealium : https://tealium.com/products/tealium-for-AI/

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703

Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74
We’re proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658
Reach your customers with Reddit. Spend $500 in ad spend, get $500 back in ad credit! Learn more: https://advertalize.com/r/491818c79fb1873f

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#856: CRMC Keynote Speaker Kaihan Krippendorff on making sure your brand is a disruptor not disrupted

Thu, 07 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

When you look at your five-year strategic plan, how much of it is dedicated to defending your current market share versus actively making it obsolete?
Agility requires more than just reacting quickly to market shifts; it demands the foresight and structure to initiate those shifts yourself.

This episode is brought to by CRMC. Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more about CRMC 2026, June 1-3 in Frisco Texas at www.thecrmc.com
Today, we're going to talk about the accelerating pace of change being driven by forces like artificial intelligence and digitization. These changes are creating a clear divide in the market, sorting brands into two distinct camps: the “Disruptors” and the “Disrupted.” We'll explore the patterns that separate these two groups and discuss practical frameworks for how established organizations can learn to shape the future, rather than be shaped by it.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Kaihan Krippendorff, Founder at Outthinker, and keynote speaker at CRMC, taking place June 1-3 in Frisco Texas.

About Kaihan Krippendorff

Kaihan Krippendorff is the Founder of Outthinker, a global think-tank of chief strategy, growth, transformation, and innovation officers shaping the future of business. He has been recognized by Thinkers50 and Global Gurus as one of the world’s top 20 business thinkers. A sought-after keynote speaker and strategic advisor, Kaihan works with CXOs from the world’s most admired companies, helping them to drive transformation, reduce risk, and chart their path to long-term growth and success.

Kaihan Krippendorff on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaihankrippendorff/

Resources

Outthinker: https://kaihan.net/

This episode is brought to by CRMC. Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://www.thecrmc.com

Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74
We’re proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658
Reach your customers with Reddit. Spend $500 in ad spend, get $500 back in ad credit! Learn more: https://advertalize.com/r/491818c79fb1873f
Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#855: Fullstory President Jason Wolf on moving from observation to actively assisting digital customers

Wed, 06 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

What's the bigger blind spot for most brands’ digital experience: knowing that a customer is struggling, or understanding why and being able to help them in that exact moment? Agility requires not just identifying customer friction quickly, but having the tools to resolve it in the moment. It’s about shortening the gap between insight and action to create better experiences, faster.
Today, we're going to talk about a strategic evolution in digital experience management: moving beyond passively observing user behavior to actively intervening and guiding users toward success, directly within the product. We’ll explore how this shift is being accelerated by strategic acquisitions and how it empowers product, marketing, and CX teams to solve problems in real time.
To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Jason Wolf, President at Fullstory.

About Jason Wolf

Jason Wolf is an accomplished technology executive with over two decades of experience driving strategic growth and operational excellence across the technology sector. As President of Fullstory, Jason leads sales, customer success, support, professional services, partnerships, and revenue operations.
Before joining Fullstory, Wolf served as Ping Identity’s Chief Revenue Officer, leading an international team that cemented the company’s position in intelligent identity solutions that make digital experiences secure and seamless. Preceding his time at Ping Identity, Wolf spent over 15 years at SAP, where he held several executive positions, ultimately culminating in his role as CRO, overseeing the business's spending management and network line. His career also includes valuable experiences at Pfizer Pharmaceuticals and as a consultant for Ernst and Young.

Jason Wolf on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-wolf-ismatsap/

Resources

Fullstory: https://www.fullstory.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703

Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74
We’re proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658
Reach your customers with Reddit. Spend $500 in ad spend, get $500 back in ad credit! Learn more: https://advertalize.com/r/491818c79fb1873f

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#854: PGA TOUR's Zach Carlson on creating an amazing fan experience

Mon, 04 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

In an era dominated by high-definition home entertainment and endless digital distractions, what does it take to convince a fan that a live, in-person experience is not just worth their time and money, but is something they can't afford to miss?

Agility requires not just having a plan, but building a system to listen and respond to your audience in real time. It’s about turning feedback from a retrospective report into an in-the-moment action plan.

Following the recent Qualtrics X4 Summit in Seattle, we're going to talk about what it takes to engineer a world-class fan experience. We'll explore how a legacy brand moves beyond the traditional event model to create personalized, memorable moments, and how they use real-time data not just to measure satisfaction, but to proactively shape the fan journey from the moment someone buys a ticket to long after they've left the course.
To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Zach Carlson, Director of Fan Engagement at PGA TOUR.
About Zach Carlson

As a Director of Fan Engagement - Decision Sciences at PGA TOUR, I leverage my consumer research expertise and project management skills to gather feedback and insights from various stakeholders, including fans, players, and employees. I have over 10 years of experience in applying data-driven marketing and research strategies to support business decisions and optimize outcomes.
I am passionate about enhancing the fan experience and creating value for the PGA TOUR brand and partners. I built and managed the PGA TOUR Fan Council, a research community of over 12,000 fans who help us identify what golf fans want and shape the products and experiences we create. I also lead the implementation of @Qualtrics CX and EX solutions throughout the organization to measure and improve customer and employee satisfaction and loyalty. I enjoy working with cross-functional teams and communicating effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences.

Zach Carlson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacharyjcarlson/

Resources

PGA TOUR: https://www.pgatour.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703

Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74
We’re proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658
Reach your customers with Reddit. Spend $500 in ad spend, get $500 back in ad credit! Learn more: https://advertalize.com/r/491818c79fb1873f
Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#853: Sköna CEO Jenny Sagström on design consistency in high-growth brands

Fri, 01 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

In the race for B2B growth, we often prioritize speed over everything else. But what's the real cost when your brand starts to look like a collection of spare parts cobbled together by different teams?

Agility requires a strong, foundational framework to enable speed without sacrificing coherence. It's about empowering teams to move quickly and independently, while still ensuring every customer touchpoint feels like it comes from one unified brand.

Today, we're going to talk about why brand and design consistency is often the first casualty of high-growth B2B environments, and paradoxically, one of the most critical assets to protect. We'll explore how that fragmentation happens, from different teams launching products to rapid hiring, and discuss why building a consistent brand isn't just a "nice-to-have"—it's a direct line to building trust and long-term value with your customers.
To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Jenny Sagström, CEO at Sköna.

About Jenny Sagström

Jenny is cofounder and CEO of Sköna, a B2B creative agency that’s been building brave brands for innovative technology companies since 2004. Jenny entered the agency world in 1998 with Kraftverket in her native Stockholm, Sweden, shortly after graduating with a BA in Economics and International Relations from the University of Reading. In 2000, she moved to the San Francisco Bay Area to work at Corsi & Partners, where she was responsible for a multitude of clients, including the Oakland Raiders.
Since founding Sköna, Jenny has helped lead it from a two-person shop to a flourishing global business, where she currently oversees strategy, account management, and global expansion. An occasional public speaker, article writer, and podcaster, she spends her spare time skiing, tinkering with (and even completing!) DIY projects, and enjoying the company of her husband and two daughters.

Jenny Sagström on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennysagstrom/

Resources

Sköna: www.skona.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703

Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74
We’re proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658
Reach your customers with Reddit. Spend $500 in ad spend, get $500 back in ad credit! Learn more: https://advertalize.com/r/491818c79fb1873f

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#852: Zoom Room CEO Mark Van Wye on agile dogs and agile brands

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

What if your most visible, most exciting product wasn't your real product at all, but was actually a Trojan horse for building a much deeper, stickier customer relationship?

Agility requires more than just a willingness to change; it demands a deep understanding of what truly motivates your customer, allowing you to evolve your model in service of their emotional outcomes, not just their transactional needs.

Today, we're going to talk about how a brand can embody the very principle it sells, turning a core service into a flywheel for customer retention, emotional engagement, and scalable business growth.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Mark Van Wye, CEO at Zoom Room.

About Mark Van Wye

Mark Van Wye is the CEO of Zoom Room, the nation’s premier dog training franchise, and the author of the #1 bestselling Puppy Training in 7 Easy Steps. He’s a systems architect who saw white space in the $100 billion pet industry and positioned dog training as behavioral infrastructure for modern life. A lifelong builder of scalable learning environments, he taught adults to code at eleven, developed a national learning platform for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and has spent his career designing environments – physical and digital – that scale without losing their human edge.
Mark Van Wye on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoomroom/

Resources

Zoom Room: https://www.zoomroom.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703

Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74
We’re proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#851: CRMC Keynote Speaker David Avrin on customer loyalty and being easy to do business with

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

What if the key to customer loyalty isn't about creating memorable, delightful moments, but about being utterly forgettable in the best possible way?

Agility requires more than just rapid campaign execution; it demands a deep-seated ability to re-evaluate and re-engineer core processes in response to shifting customer expectations.
Today, we're going to talk about the powerful, and perhaps counterintuitive, idea that the greatest predictor of customer loyalty isn't satisfaction or delight, but simply how easy you are to do business with. We'll explore why reducing customer effort is a critical competitive advantage and how enterprise brands can identify and eliminate the points of friction that drive customers away.
To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, David Avrin, CX Keynote Speaker and Author at Ridiculously Easy International, and keynote speaker at CRMC, taking place June 1-3 in Frisco Texas.

About David Avrin

One of the most in-demand Customer Experience speakers and consultants in the world today, David Avrin, CSP, Global Speaking Fellow, has shared his content-rich, entertaining and actionable presentations with enthusiastic audiences across North America and in 28 countries around the world. David helps organizations better understand and connect with their changing customers and clients to help future-proof their businesses.

David's insights have been featured on thousands of media outlets around the world. He is also the author of seven books including the acclaimed: It's Not Who You Know, It's Who Knows You!, Why Customers Leave (and How to Win Them Back), The Morning Huddle, and his newest book, Ridiculously Easy to Do Business With.

David Avrin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidavrin/

Resources

Ridiculously Easy International: https://www.davidavrin.com/

This episode is brought to by CRMC. Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://www.thecrmc.com

Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74
We’re proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658

Get the book: Ridiculously Easy to Do Business With by David Avrin: https://share.google/iwUGAonakI63ZU2vR
Ridiculously Easy Intl. website: https://www.ridiculouslyeasy.com/
Get the new research report David mentioned: The Frequency of Customer Friction: https://www.ridiculouslyeasy.com/research
Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#850: Newell VP of E-commerce Tambi Younes on expanding the operational limits of ecommerce capabilities

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

What's the real cost of only having the bandwidth to focus on your top-performing products?
Agility requires systems and processes that not only respond to change but also proactively manage complexity across an entire portfolio. It’s about creating the capacity to act on every opportunity, not just the most obvious ones.

Today, we're going to talk about a critical breaking point for large consumer brands: the operational limits of ecommerce execution. When you’re managing thousands of products across countless digital shelves, manual processes don't just slow you down—they force you to leave opportunity on the table. We’ll explore how automation and AI are moving teams from being reactive firefighters on their top SKUs to strategic drivers of growth across their entire catalog.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Tambi Younes, Vice President of E-commerce at Newell.

About Tambi Younes

Tambi Younes is the vice president of e-commerce at Newell. Younes has spent nearly a decade with Newell, holding a series of product experience and DTC leadership roles. Most recently, he was senior director of product, UX and digital experience, where he spearheaded AI solutions within the global DTC digital platform and led an approach to product design centered on user research and customer insights. Prior to that, he was director of e-commerce, DTC, where he led a 12-person team that worked on merchandising, promotional and assortment strategies. He also drove strong growth on Amazon as senior manager of global e-commerce for the company’s baby and parenting brands, optimizing digital marketing, product visibility and channel strategy to gain market share.

Tambi Younes on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tambi/

Resources

Newell: https://www.newellbrands.com/

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703

Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74
We’re proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658
Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#849: Siteimprove CEO Nayaki Nayyar on what it means to take a holistic view of digital experience

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

In the rush to implement AI across the customer experience, are we at risk of creating more digital barriers than we're breaking down?

Agility requires a holistic view of the entire digital experience. It's the ability to see not just how individual channels are performing, but how they work together to serve every potential customer, inclusively and intelligently.

Today, we're going to talk about what it takes to build that holistic view. We'll explore how brands can unify their performance analytics to move beyond traditional SEO, the dual role of AI in both creating personalized content and ensuring it’s accessible, and why inclusivity is becoming one of the most powerful levers for brand growth.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Nayaki Nayyar, CEO at Siteimprove.
About Nayaki Nayyar

Nayaki Nayyar is an accomplished technology executive with a proven track record of driving growth, innovation, and market leadership in enterprise SaaS for over 25 years. As the CEO of Siteimprove, she spearheads the company’s vision and strategy, accelerating its market leadership in Agentic Content Intelligence powered by Siteimprove.ai platform.
In her prior role as the CEO of Securonix, she guided the company’s strategic shift into AI with the launch of Securonix EON, an AI-powered cyber-security platform. Under her leadership, Securonix secured its position in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for SIEM for five consecutive years, driving significant growth and product innovation to address evolving global cybersecurity threats.
Nayaki brings deep expertise in scaling businesses organically and through strategic acquisitions. As President and Chief Product Officer at Ivanti, she established the company’s cybersecurity and endpoint management strategy, growing revenue from $500M to $1.2B and doubling the total addressable market from $30B to $60B in just two years. She also played a pivotal role in launching the Ivanti Neurons Platform and driving expansion through acquisitions. As BMC Software’s President of Digital Service and Operations Management, Nayaki led its transformation into AI-driven enterprise solutions with the BMC Helix suite, a strategic evolution that contributed to BMC’s $8.2B exit in 2018.
Nayaki serves on the boards of TD Synnex and Corteva Agriscience and is a graduate of the Stanford Executive Program. She holds a B.E. in Mechanical Engineering from Osmania University and an M.S. in Computer Science from the University of Houston. Recognized among the "Top Women in Technology in the U.S." by Technology Magazine in 2022, she is a respected leader shaping the future of enterprise technology in the AI era.

Nayaki Nayyar on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nayakinayyar/

Resources

Siteimprove: https://www.siteimprove.com/

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703

Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74
We’re proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658
Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#848: CRMC Keynote Speaker Paul Epstein on building deep connections for greater customer loyalty

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

What if your brand’s success wasn't dependent on a winning product or favorable market conditions, but on your ability to connect with customers on a human level, one story at a time?

Agility requires moving beyond a reliance on market trends or product performance as the primary drivers of success. It demands a deeper, more resilient connection with customers, built on understanding their individual needs and stories.

Today, we're going to talk about building a playbook for customer loyalty that isn't dependent on market wins or a perfect product. We’ll explore the idea that every customer has a unique story, and that shifting from broad, impersonal campaigns to a strategy of deep, individual connection is the key to creating not just customers, but lifelong fans.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Paul Epstein, CEO & Founder at Win Monday and keynote speaker at CRMC, taking place June 1-3 in Frisco, Texas.

About Paul Epstein

PAUL EPSTEIN is a former NFL, NBA, and Super Bowl chief sales officer, celebrated for creating the San Francisco 49ers Talent Academy and Leadership University, now two-time bestselling author and award-winning speaker named one of SUCCESS magazine’s top thought leaders that get results. When not on stage, Paul is the Founder & CEO of WIN MONDAY™, a leading habit-building company that drives high-performance, momentum, and growth for championship cultures across the globe.

Paul Epstein on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulepsteinspeaks/

Resources

Win Monday: https://paulepsteinspeaks.com/

This episode is brought to by CRMC. Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://www.thecrmc.com

Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74
We’re proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#847: Acquia CMO Jennifer Griffin Smith on MarTech that delivers beyond the hype

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Now that AI can generate endless content, what is the true strategic value of a human-led content strategy?

Agility requires more than just adopting the latest tools; it demands a foundational strategy that allows you to integrate new capabilities without disrupting the core customer experience. This means being able to distinguish between a promising innovation and a distraction.

Today, we're going to talk about moving beyond the hype cycle to build a marketing technology ecosystem that actually delivers. We'll explore how to treat content orchestration not as a task but as a core strategic discipline, how to make AI a practical asset rather than a science project, and why so many CMOs are re-evaluating what they truly need from their platforms and partners.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Jennifer Griffin Smith, CMO at Acquia back to the show.

About Jennifer Griffin Smith

A well-respected international marketing executive, Jennifer Griffin Smith has more than 20 years of experience managing go-to-market strategies and corporate communications for public and private technology companies. She focuses on the needs of customers and partners in the ever-changing digital world, ensuring that Acquia solutions deliver exceptional value today and in the future, and that all programs and communications are addressing the unique needs of customers.

Jennifer leads the global marketing organization, including product marketing, GTM programs for customers and new business, brand, and marketing communications. With her extensive experience as a B2B marketing practitioner, Jennifer is passionate about new ways to grow awareness, improve marketing ROI, and create high-performing, award-winning teams.Before joining Acquia, Jennifer held CMO positions at Brightcove, Alfresco Software (acquired by Hyland), Software AG, Workhuman (formerly Globoforce), Avid Technology, and Progress Software. She has also held senior European marketing roles at Microsoft, PeopleSoft, and Information Builders.

Jennifer Griffin Smith on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifergriffinsmith/

Resources

Acquia: https://www.acquia.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#846: Red Points' Daniel Shapiro on brand protection in a deepfake world

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

In an age of AI-powered deepfakes and sophisticated counterfeits, is your brand's core identity becoming more of a liability than an asset online?

Agility requires moving beyond just building a brand to actively and continuously protecting its integrity in a digital landscape where threats evolve at the speed of AI. This isn't just a defensive tactic; it's a core component of maintaining customer trust and lifetime value.

Today, we're going to talk about the often-overlooked other side of brand building: brand protection. In our rush to create amazing customer experiences and leverage new technologies, we're also creating new vulnerabilities for counterfeiters, impersonators, and fraudsters to exploit, ultimately eroding the trust and lifetime value we work so hard to build.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Daniel Shapiro, SVP of Brand Relationships & Strategic Partnerships at Red Points.
About Daniel Shapiro

Daniel Shapiro leads strategic partnerships at Red Points, working closely with ecommerce platforms, websites, IP firms, and key industry stakeholders. Prior to joining Red Points, Daniel held senior roles at Macy’s and eBay, where he served as Senior Manager of Brand Protection. At eBay, he led international teams in the global disruption of counterfeit networks.
With deep expertise in brand protection, digital enforcement, and strategic alliances, Daniel helps organizations navigate the complex landscape of online IP abuse while driving scalable brand protection outcomes.

Daniel Shapiro on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielbshapiro/

Resources

Red Points: https://www.redpoints.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703

Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74
We’re proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#845: Bright Data Chief Product Officer Ariel Shulman on why access to real-time web data is critical in the age of autonomous AI

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

We talk endlessly about the power of AI models, but what happens when the public web data they rely on is incomplete, outdated, or just plain wrong?

Agility requires not just reacting to market changes, but anticipating them by having a clear, real-time view of the world. This means having the infrastructure to see the digital landscape as it truly is, not just how it's presented in curated reports.

Today, we're going to talk about the foundational element that will determine the winners and losers in the age of AI: access to high-quality, real-time web data. As AI agents become more autonomous and LLMs more integrated into our workflows, the quality of the public web data they consume is no longer an academic concern—it's a critical business imperative that impacts everything from competitive intelligence to dynamic pricing and customer experience.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Ariel Shulman, Chief Product Officer at Bright Data.
About Ariel Shulman

Ariel Shulman is Chief Product Officer at Bright Data, the world's #1 web data infrastructure company for AI & BI. With more than 20,000 global customers, including 14 of the top 20 LLM labs, Bright Data powers 100 million daily AI agent interactions. Ariel is an accomplished executive with extensive experience in technology management, business development, marketing, and strategy. Since joining Bright Data in 2021, Ariel has leveraged his networking, security, and Internet expertise to drive innovation to access high-quality public web data solutions at scale. He now serves as CPO, responsible for Bright Data’s AI-integrated product suite that leads innovation.
Fluent in English, French, Spanish, and Hebrew, with professional experience across multiple countries, Ariel plays a pivotal role in shaping Bright Data's global positioning.

Ariel Shulman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arielshu/

Resources

Bright Data: https://www.brightdata.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703

Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74
We’re proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and

Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#844: adMarketplace's John Nitti on GEO and the future of paid search

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

For over two decades now, many marketers have built their careers on mastering Google and paid search. What if the playbook you spent your entire career perfecting is about to become obsolete?

Agility requires not just adapting to new technologies, but a willingness to fundamentally question and reimagine the foundational channels you've built your business on. It demands that we look beyond incremental improvements and prepare for architectural shifts in customer behavior.

For years, the search landscape has been relatively stable, but generative AI is rewriting the rules of how consumers find information and how brands can connect with them at the moment of intent. Today, we’re going to explore what this means for the future of advertising, the new commercial opportunities emerging, and how brands can find customers on new surfaces beyond the traditional search engine results page.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, John Nitti, Global Chief Business Officer at adMarketplace.
About John Nitti

John Nitti is a versatile and proactive change agent with 25+ years of experience working in the technology, telecom, financial services, media, sports, and entertainment industries. With a specialization in customer-centric marketing, asset monetization and business development strategies, he excels in boosting growth and enhancing brand equity. John is known for pioneering transformative marketing and tech models, driving competitive advantages, revenue growth, and organizational efficiency. His impressive track record includes managing relationships with top-tier executives in sports, entertainment, and technology sectors, including NFL, NBA, and NHL commissioners, as well as the CEOs of Google, Microsoft, The Walt Disney Company, Amazon, and Live Nation.
Nitti has joined adMarketplace leadership team as their Global Chief Business Officer and recently pent time at xAi/ X Corp as their Global Head of Revenue Operations and Ad Innovation for the X media platform. In these roles, he has/will developed, drive and executed a comprehensive commercial and advertising innovation strategy to deliver business outcomes. Focusing on go-to-market strategy and monetization for ad/ search monitization, programmatic, data licensing , Ai implementation and new product offerings.

John Nitti on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnnitti/

Resources

adMarketplace: https://www.admarketplace.com/

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703

Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74
We’re proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#843: Pega's Matt Healy on the hidden costs of outdated technology

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

What if the biggest obstacle to your AI strategy isn't the algorithm, but the 20-year-old software your team is forced to use every day?

Agility requires not just a willingness to adopt new strategies like AI, but also the courage to dismantle the legacy systems that hold your people and processes captive.

Today, we're going to talk about the hidden costs of outdated technology. While many leaders are focused on implementing the next generation of AI, new research suggests that the legacy systems still running in the background are not just inefficient—they're actively eroding employee morale, productivity, and could even be a major factor in employee turnover.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Matt Healy, Sr. Director, Product Strategy & Marketing at Pega.
About Matt Healy

Matt Healy, Senior Director of Product Marketing, leads product marketing and strategy for Pega Platform. He helps engage with enterprises to bring new solutions to life that enable faster legacy transformation, accelerated development, AI & automation at scale to unlock business agility, operational efficiency, and developer effectiveness.

Matt Healy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattbhealy/

Resources

Pega: https://www.pega.com

Pega provides the leading AI-powered platform for enterprise transformation. The world’s most influential organizations trust Pega’s technology to reimagine how work gets done by automating workflows, personalizing customer experiences, and modernizing legacy systems. Since 1983, Pega’s scalable, flexible architecture has fueled continuous innovation, helping clients accelerate their path to the autonomous enterprise. Learn more at Pega.com

See the research from Pega mentioned on the show: https://www.pega.com/about/news/press-releases/new-research-uncovers-hidden-toll-ineffective-workplace-technology

Also make sure to register for PegaWorld 2026, June 7-9 in Las Vegas, where the future of AI-led business will be built. Learn more and register here: https://www.pega.com/events/pegaworld

Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74

We’re proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#842: Braze Chief Product Officer Kevin Wang on how AI has forever changed product development

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

With AI promising to accelerate everything, is the most important role for a leader now to be the one who knows when to hit the brakes?

Agility requires a balance between the rapid adoption of new technologies and the strategic wisdom to know which ones will actually deliver customer value. It's less about moving fast and more about moving in the right direction.

Today, we're going to talk about how AI has permanently changed product development. But while it enables teams to tackle more problems faster than ever, the real challenge has shifted to keeping pace with rising customer expectations. This new landscape requires a shift in product leadership—from simply adopting trends to discerning real value, and using human judgment and creativity to decide where AI can make the biggest impact, and where it’s just noise.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Kevin Wang, Chief Product Officer at Braze.

About Kevin Wang

Kevin Wang is the Chief Product Officer at Braze, where he leads the definition of Braze’s product roadmap and R&D efforts, as well as managing and scaling the Product Management and Product Design teams. Kevin joined Braze as its fifth employee in 2012, helping to build the first product sold to customers and the early engineering team. He’s since held a variety of roles across product management, engineering, engineering management, and technical recruiting. Prior to Braze, Kevin was a consultant at Accenture focusing on the energy sector. Kevin holds a B.S. in Brain & Cognitive Sciences from MIT.

Kevin Wang on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-wang-96131916/

Resources

Braze: https://www.braze.com/

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703

Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74
We’re proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#841: NiCE CMO Michelle Cooper on the most common mistake brands make with AI and CX

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

We've all been sold the dream of AI transforming the customer experience, but what if the most common approach is actually making it worse?

Agility requires more than just implementing new technology; it demands a deep understanding of the human interactions that technology is meant to support. It’s about adapting your tools and processes to enhance human judgment, not just automate it.

Today, we're going to talk about moving beyond the hype of AI in customer experience. We'll explore how to ground an AI strategy not in the technology itself, but in the real, human moments that define a brand, and discuss why empowering your frontline team might be the most critical, and overlooked, component of a successful CX transformation.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Michelle Cooper, CMO at NiCE.

About Michelle Cooper

Michelle Cooper on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleleecooper/

Resources

NiCE: https://www.nice.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703

Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#840: Adobe's Hannah Elsakr on what happens after the hype: operationalizing AI at enterprise scale

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Is generative AI on track to become the biggest productivity unlock for marketers since the internet, or will it forever be stuck in endless pilot projects and one-off experiments?

Agility requires moving beyond isolated experiments and embracing the systemic redesign of core creative and marketing workflows. It's about building the operational muscle to not just adopt new technology, but to integrate it into the very fabric of how your brand creates value.

Today, we're going to talk about what happens after the initial hype cycle of generative AI. We're moving past the novelty of prompting for images and into the far more complex challenge of operationalizing AI at enterprise scale. This isn't just about adding a new tool; it's about re-architecting the entire creative supply chain and redefining the role of human judgment in a world of content abundance.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Hannah Elsakr, VP of New GenAI Business Ventures at Adobe.

About Hannah Elsakr

Hannah Elsakr serves as Vice President of GenAI New Business Ventures at Adobe, where she leads efforts at the intersection of technology, creativity, and marketing. She launched Adobe Firefly Enterprise businesses, starting with Firefly Services for creative automation and Firefly Foundry, Adobe’s GenAI deep-tuning managed service, enabling brands to adopt commercially safe generative AI. Previously, she led Corporate Development and served as Chief of Staff to Adobe’s CEO and Chair, Shantanu Narayen.

Hannah is also Board President for the Adobe Foundation, which creates positive change through support for creative and digital literacy, social equity and opportunity, and active engagement in the communities where we live and work.

Hannah has experience leading global businesses in ecommerce & marketplaces, consumer products, SaaS, and advisory services. Prior to joining Adobe, she was the Vice President at eBay with P&L responsibility for eBay’s Canada, Latin America, and U.S. Exports businesses as well as business operations. Hannah previously held leadership roles at eBay, Del Monte Foods, Avon Products, McKinsey & Co., and J.P. Morgan.
Hannah holds a Bachelor of Science degree in applied mathematics with computer science from MIT and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Hannah Elsakr on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannahelsakr/

Resources

Adobe: https://www.adobe.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703

Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#839: Medallia's Courtney Shealy on moving contact centers from cost center to strategic asset

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

What if your company’s most valuable source of competitive intelligence and brand insight isn’t a market research report, but your contact center?

Agility requires more than just reacting to customer issues; it demands the ability to listen, understand, and act on the collective voice of the customer to proactively shape the business. This means transforming points of friction into opportunities for innovation.

Today, we are live at Medallia Experience 2026 in Las Vegas, and we're going to talk about transforming the contact center from a reactive, cost-focused operational hub into a proactive, strategic engine for growth. We'll explore how to unlock the wealth of insights from customer interactions to drive innovation, create more empathetic experiences, and deliver tangible value across the entire enterprise.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Courtney Shealy, SVP, Global Presales at Medallia.
About Courtney Shealy

With 25 years in SaaS and CX, Courtney brings deep expertise in leading global sales engineering and strategy teams. She has a proven track record of connecting customers to innovation that drives measurable business outcomes. For the last 15 years, she’s focused on transforming CX adoption into an engine for revenue growth, efficiency, and stakeholder value. At Medallia, Courtney leads the Center of Excellence that helps customers maximize their CX investments—modernizing programs with AI, breaking free of outdated foundations, and accelerating results.

Courtney Shealy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtney-mcmahan-shealy-9b3251/

Resources

Medallia: https://www.medallia.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703

Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#838: BrandShield CEO Yoav Keren on the dark side of digital engagement

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

What if your biggest competitor this holiday season isn't another brand, but an army of AI-powered scammers stealing your customers and destroying your brand equity before you even know they exist?

Agility requires not only building a brand that can pivot with market trends, but also one that can defend its value and customer trust against threats that evolve just as quickly.

Today, we're going to talk about the dark side of digital engagement, including the rapidly growing threat of brand impersonation, counterfeit goods, and AI-driven scams that target the customers marketers work so hard to attract. This isn't just an IT security issue; it's a fundamental threat to customer experience, brand trust, and revenue.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Yoav Keren, CEO and Co-founder at BrandShield.
About Yoav Keren

Yoav Keren has 24 years of experience in financial management, marketing, and business development. He is currently a member of the anti-counterfeiting committee at INTA and was formerly a Council Member at ICANN. Yoav was a senior advisor to a minister in the Israeli government and was the head of the Technology branch of the Israeli military’s Information Security Department. He holds an MBA from the Kellogg & Recanati business school (Northwestern University & Tel-Aviv University) and a BA in Economics and Physics from the Tel-Aviv University.

Yoav Keren on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yoavkeren/?originalSubdomain=il

Resources

BrandShield : brandshield.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703

Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#837: Domo Chief Design Officer Chris Willis on what to do about the trust deficit in enterprise AI

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Imagine your biggest AI-powered marketing decision is challenged by your CEO or legal team. Could you, right now, defend both the outcome as well as how the AI arrived at that conclusion?

Agility requires more than just speed; it demands the confidence to act on insights decisively. That confidence is impossible if the tools making the recommendations operate like an unexplainable black box.

Today, we're going to talk about the growing trust deficit in enterprise AI. While we’re all chasing the speed and convenience automation promises, many leaders are realizing that fast answers are useless—and even dangerous—if you can’t verify or defend the logic behind them. We’ll explore how to move beyond 'black-box' systems to build an AI strategy grounded in transparency, credibility, and true, defensible decision-making.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Chris Willis, Chief Design Officer & Futurist at Domo.

About Chris Willis

Chris Willis is Chief Design Officer at Domo, where he brings more than 25 years of design and product leadership to the company’s data, analytics, and AI platform. Since joining Domo early in its history, he has played a key role in shaping the platform’s design strategy, helping make complex data more accessible and useful for customers across industries. Before Domo, Chris co-founded HOUR Detroit magazine and Footnote.com (now Fold3.com), which was acquired by Ancestry.com, and worked as an award-winning illustrator, journalist, and author. His experience blends design thinking, technology, and emerging trends to drive innovation and build tools that solve real business problems.

Chris Willis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cwillis

Resources

Domo: https://www.domo.com/

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703

Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Balancing marketing at a global scale with cultural intelligence with Katherine Melchior Ray

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

As AI makes it easier than ever to reach a global audience, is it also making it easier to fail on a global scale?

Agility requires more than just speed; it requires situational awareness. For global brands, this means having the cultural intelligence to understand the nuances of local markets and adapt your strategy in a way that builds trust, not erodes it.

Today, we're going to talk about a critical paradox facing modern marketers: as technology and AI make global expansion seem easier than ever, the risk of cultural missteps and brand damage has never been higher. We'll explore why cultural intelligence is becoming the most vital, and perhaps most overlooked, asset for building brand value, and how getting it right is the key to unlocking sustainable growth in a world that is both interconnected and deeply, culturally distinct.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Katherine Melchior Ray, UC Berkeley, co-author of the new book, Brand Global, Adapt Local: How to Build Brand Value Across Cultures

About Katherine Melchior Ray

Katherine Melchior Ray lectures on international marketing and leadership at UC Berkeley Haas School of Business, CA. With twenty-five-years spent building the world's best consumer branding across continents, she brings expertise from her time as a senior executive at Nike, Nordstrom, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Hyatt, Shiseido and Babbel. She has guest lectured at Stanford, Wharton, Brown and Portland State University.
She has been interviewed and featured on CBS 60 Minutes, CNN, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and numerous media internationally. She also has been profiled in The Wall Street Journal in an article entitled, "Hyatt Executive Has a Spare Evening Gown in Her Bag," and was voted one of the "Most Compelling Women in the Travel Industry" by Premier Traveler magazine. She can be heard on various podcasts and blogs related to global marketing and leadership, culture and diversity, women's empowerment, and the future of work.

Katherine Melchior Ray on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherinemelchiorray/

Resources

Get a copy of Katherine and Nataly's book: Brand Global, Adapt Local: How to Build Brand Value Across Cultures: ⁠https://amzn.to/481wUJm

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703

Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://ratethispodcast.com/agile
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#835: Qualtrics' Jordan Harper on using synthetic panels to get real insight

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

What if the most honest and insightful feedback you could get about your customers didn't come from an actual customer at all?

Agility requires not just the ability to pivot quickly, but the foresight to know *which way* to turn. That foresight is built on a foundation of deep, unbiased insights, which are becoming increasingly difficult to get through traditional means.

We are in Seattle at the Qualtrics X4 Summit, and today, we're going to talk about a fundamental shift in how we gather customer insights. We'll explore the diminishing returns of traditional research and dive into the potential of synthetic panels—AI models trained to represent audiences without the fatigue, bias, or social desirability that can skew human responses. It's a move from merely confirming what we think we know to discovering what's truly possible.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Jordan Harper, Principal AI Thought Leader, Edge Center of Excellence at Qualtrics.

About Jordan Harper

With a career spanning nuclear physics, software engineering, digital transformation, and customer experience strategy, Jordan brings a fresh perspective to technology’s role in understanding people and markets. He has advised global brands, led innovation programs, and built products across industries from financial services to fast-casual dining.Drawing on this diverse background, Jordan excels in working with clients to help them realize how AI-powered synthetic research can not only deliver faster and more cost-effective results, but also introduces surprising benefits and fresh perspectives into a market researcher's toolkit.

Jordan Harper on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanharper/

Resources

Qualtrics: https://www.qualtrics.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703

Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#834: Encore CEO Michael Gants on the importance of the paywall experience

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

What if the most expensive moment in your customer acquisition funnel is also your most ignored opportunity?

Agility requires seeing a user’s “no” not as a final endpoint, but as a data point that signals a need for a different path. It demands that we pivot in real-time to offer alternative forms of value, rather than simply writing off the investment and the relationship.

Today, we're going to talk about one of the biggest blind spots in the subscription economy: the paywall. For most apps, this is a binary, all-or-nothing moment where up to 95% of hard-won users say "no" and are effectively treated as a lost cause. We’ll explore why that moment of decline isn’t the end of the customer journey, but potentially the most valuable opportunity to build a different kind of relationship and unlock new revenue.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Michael Gants, Founder and CEO at Encore.

About Michael Gants

Michael Gants is the Founder and CEO of Encore, an iOS SDK that helps subscription apps monetize the 90–95% of users who decline the initial paywall.
Michael studied economics at Harvard College, where he graduated as a John Harvard Scholar, and later earned his MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business. His career spans consumer product development, growth strategy, and venture capital, with a focus on sustainable, user-first monetization.

Before Encore, Michael founded Yaw, an AI-powered shopping assistant. He has also worked in innovation consulting at Innosight (Clay Christensen’s firm) and sourced early-stage ML investments as a Venture Fellow at Hyperplane. He brings a behavioral lens to product monetization, drawing on his background in consumer psychology and his experience building products that align business incentives with user value.

Through Encore, Michael works with mobile app teams to rethink what happens when a user says “no” to a subscription: turning that moment from a dead end into a monetization and retention opportunity.

Michael Gants on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelgants/

Resources

Encore: https://www.encorekit.com/?ref=agile

This episode is brought to you by Encore, an iOS SDK that helps subscription apps monetize paywall declines.

More than 90% of users decline a subscription paywall. And most apps treat that moment as the end of the customer journey. Encore turns those declines into revenue by presenting brand-safe partner offers that keep users engaged and improve lifetime value.
Learn more at https://www.encorekit.com/?ref=agile

Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#833: Qualtrics' Ali Henriques on accelerating the speed to insights with synthetic research

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

What if the biggest risk to your next global campaign isn’t the market, but the months you’ll spend waiting for research to tell you what the market wants?

Agility requires not just moving quickly, but making high-confidence decisions at the speed of the market. It demands that our ability to learn and validate is no longer the primary bottleneck to our ability to act.

We are in Seattle at the Qualtrics X4 Summit, and today,we're going to talk about how to overcome the speed to insights bottleneck. We'll explore a fundamental shift in market research, moving away from slow, traditional cycles and toward a world where synthetic data and AI can give us near-instantaneous insights, allowing us to simulate customer behavior and de-risk major decisions before they even launch.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome back to the show, Ali Henriques, Executive Director of Market Research at Qualtrics.

About Ali Henriques

Ali, a market research practitioner, leads research innovation for Qualtrics Edge, which comprises of AI-powered tools and solutions, wrapped in human-powered services. With nearly 2 decades of market research experience, Ali spearheads thought leadership for Edge, guiding the innovation pipeline for transformative research tools and supporting our legacy services business to deliver 10,000 projects per year.

Ali Henriques on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ali-henriques-2581683/

Resources

Qualtrics: https://www.qualtrics.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703

Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#832: Akeneo CEO Romain Fouache on building and maintaining trust while scaling up AI adoption

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

What if the biggest risk in the AI era isn't falling behind the technology, but getting ahead of your customers' trust?

Agility requires a constant feedback loop between technological innovation and customer sentiment. It demands that we not only deploy new tools like AI, but also actively listen and adapt to how our customers are actually experiencing them.

Today, we're going to talk about the delicate balance brands must strike in the age of AI. It’s not just about implementing the latest generative AI tools into the shopping experience; it’s about doing so in a way that builds, rather than erodes, the customer trust and loyalty you’ve worked so hard to create.
To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Romain Fouache, CEO at Akeneo.
About Romain Fouache

Romain is as passionate about technology as he is about solving the customers’ biggest problems and brings more than 20 years of experience scaling category defining B2B technology companies. Most recently, he led operations and sales as COO and then CRO of the leading AI software vendor Dataiku. Romain is a graduate from Ecole Centrale Paris and holds an MBA from NYU Stern.

Romain Fouache on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/romain-fouache/

Resources

Akeneo: https://www.akeneo.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703

Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#831: CSG's Megan Lukitsch on radical simplicity in CX

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

What if the ultimate goal of customer experience isn't to create a memorable moment, but to deliver an outcome so seamless and intuitive that the customer doesn't remember the experience at all?

Agility requires brands to pivot from building complex, memorable journeys to engineering simple, almost invisible pathways to customer outcomes.
Today, we're going to talk about a counterintuitive but powerful idea: that the future of customer experience is not about creating more elaborate experiences, but about radically simplifying them to the point where they become forgettable—in a good way. We'll explore how focusing on effortless outcomes and leveraging AI to enable simplicity can become a measurable growth strategy.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Megan Lukitsch, Vice President of Global Sales, CX at CSG.

About Megan Lukitsch

As Vice President of Global Sales, CX at CSG, Megan Lukitsch brings 25+ years of experience helping global brands transform customer engagement, drive retention, and modernize CX strategy. A leader in enterprise communications and digital transformation, Megan has led initiatives across AT&T, Verizon, ShoreTel, 8x8, and now CSG, consistently delivering measurable impact at the intersection of technology and experience.

Megan Lukitsch on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganlukitsch/

Resources

CSG: https://www.csgi.com/

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703

Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#830: Design Systems + Systems Thinking: How to Build a Design Language Your Whole Organization Can Actually Use

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

If your brand guide is a book of laws that everyone ignores, how do you create a shared belief that people both follow and actually want to embrace?

Agility requires a shared understanding that’s more than a set of rules; it's a way of thinking that allows teams to make consistent decisions, even when they’re not in the same room.

Today, we're going to talk about Design Systems and Systems Thinking, and specifically, how to build a design language your whole organization can actually use. We'll explore why so many design systems fail by focusing on components instead of conviction, and how rooting a brand in a core, shared belief allows it to scale without breaking.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Jenna Kennedy, Client Strategy at The Office of Experience, and Chris Taylor, Head of Brand Experience at DDN.

About Jenna Kennedy and Chris Taylor

Jenna Kennedy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennabkennedy/

Chris Taylor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-taylor-3961b277/

Resources

The Office of Experience and DDN: https://www.officeofexperience.com

This episode is brought to you by The Office of Experience, a design-driven, digital-first, vertically integrated and collaborative agency that believes in the power of ideas and the strength of people.
Learn more at https://www.officeofexperience.com

Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

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#829: ActiveCampaign CEO Jason VandeBoom on AI as foundation versus feature

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

If you had to start your business over from scratch today, would you build it the same way, or would you build it entirely around an AI core?

Agility requires more than just adapting to change; it demands a willingness to proactively dismantle what's working today in order to build what's necessary for tomorrow. It’s about challenging the very playbook that brought you success, especially when a fundamental shift like AI arrives.

Today, we're going to talk about the playbook for building a unicorn-level business in one era, and the courage it takes to reinvent that playbook for the next. We’ll discuss the difference between using AI as a feature versus using it as a foundation, and how leadership and team structure need to evolve to not just survive, but thrive, during this shift.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Jason VandeBoom, Founder & CEO at ActiveCampaign.

About Jason VandeBoom

Jason founded ActiveCampaign in 2003 and continues to lead the company as Founder and CEO. Under his leadership, ActiveCampaign has become the leading intelligent marketing automation platform, supporting over 180,000 businesses across 170+ countries.

Now with over 700 employees across offices in the USA, Europe, Australia, Costa Rica, and Brazil, Jason has transformed ActiveCampaign from a side project to support his studies into a $250m+ ARR privately-owned leader in marketing automation.

Jason also serves on the board of the Future Founders Foundation, a Chicago-based organization dedicated to empowering the next generation of business leaders and entrepreneurs.

Jason VandeBoom on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jvandeboom/

Resources

ActiveCampaign: https://www.activecampaign.com/

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703

Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

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#828: From eTail: Building a long-term creator strategy with Wendy Wildfeuer from Motom

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

In a world of fleeting social trends, how do you build a creator strategy that drives measurable, long-term revenue instead of just chasing momentary spikes in engagement?

Agility requires not just launching campaigns, but building systems that can learn and adapt in real-time based on actual consumer behavior and sales data.

Today, we're going to talk about the evolution from influencer marketing to true creator commerce. This isn't just about paying for posts anymore; it's about building scalable, data-driven ecosystems where creators become a genuine extension of your sales and merchandising teams, directly impacting the bottom line.

We are here at eTail Palm Springs, and to help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Wendy Wildfeuer, Co-Founder at Motom.

About Wendy Wildfeuer

Wendy Wildfeuer is a leading expert in the creator economy and social commerce, helping brands and retailers turn creator marketing into scalable, sustainable revenue through Motom’s white-label creator storefront solution, Anchor. Wendy’s career spans leading marketing and monetization for iconic teen brands such as dELiA*s, Alloy, and Gossip Girl. She also played a pivotal role in the rise of YouTube influencer networks and spearheaded NBCU’s first original digital IP production deal for brands with Broadway Video, creators of Saturday Night Live.

A recognized innovator at the intersection of retail, tech, and media, Wendy brings extensive expertise as brands look to take back control of the shopper journey in a rapidly evolving digital landscape, where social commerce is a critical pillar of a unified commerce strategy.

Resources

Motom: https://company.motom.me

Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code AGILE at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://aglbrnd.co/r/c43e68ce5cfb321e
The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703

Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#827: From eTail: Attentive CMO Keri McGhee on getting past AI hype to make the right strategic investments

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

We’re all being told to "embrace AI or be left behind," but what if the biggest risk isn't ignoring AI, but implementing it poorly and alienating the very customers we're trying to attract?

Agility requires not just the speed to adopt new technologies like AI, but the wisdom to discern where they create genuine value versus where they simply add complexity. It’s about constantly testing, learning, and refining your approach to serve the customer, not just the algorithm.

Today, we are here at eTail Palm Springs hearing about all the latest in e-commerce and retail, and we're going to talk about moving past the hype cycle of AI and getting down to the practical realities of how it's actually changing consumer behavior, and what that means for marketing leaders trying to make smart investments. We’ll get into the nuance of what to automate versus what to keep human, and how to use these powerful tools to build customer relationships, not just transactional efficiency.
To help me discuss this, I'd like to welcome Keri McGhee, CMO at Attentive.

About Keri McGhee

Keri McGhee is the Chief Marketing Officer at Attentive, the AI-powered SMS and email marketing platform helping leading
brands deliver 1:1 personalized, real-time messaging experiences at scale.
As CMO, Keri leads strategic global marketing to elevate the Attentive brand and drive growth across every stage of the
customer journey. She oversees product marketing, revenue marketing, brand and content strategy, events, and partner marketing, ensuring Attentive’s story connects deeply with marketers around the world. With a focus on creativity, innovation, and measurable
impact, Keri champions marketing that blends data-driven insights with storytelling to inspire and empower brands to build more personal, lasting customer relationships.

Keri McGhee on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keri-mcghee/

Resources

Attentive: https://www.attentive.com

Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code AGILE at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://aglbrnd.co/r/c43e68ce5cfb321e
The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703

Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#826: From eTail: RTB House's Jaysen Gillespie on performance marketing in an era of signal loss and consumer uncertainty

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WIth consumers increasingly skeptical of advertising, what's the real difference between a brand that's being genuinely helpful and one that's just being creepy?

Agility requires brands to not just react to consumer behavior, but to anticipate it with smarter technology. It’s about shifting from broad assumptions to a nuanced understanding of intent, especially when economic uncertainty changes the rules of engagement.

Today we are here at eTail Palm Springs, and we're going to talk about the evolution of performance marketing in an era of signal loss and consumer uncertainty. As traditional methods like third-party cookies fade away, marketers need new tools and strategies that are not just incrementally better, but fundamentally different in their approach to engaging customers and driving results.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome back to the show Jaysen Gillespie, Global Head of Analytics and Product Marketing at RTB House.
About Jaysen Gillespie

Jaysen Gillespie is a seasoned product and analytics leader with over 15 years in Adtech and data science. As VP of Global Product Commercialization and Analytics at RTB House, he’s known for translating insights into simple narratives that marketers can actually use. Whether guiding global teams or speaking on stage, Jaysen has a knack for making performance results understandable and immediately relevant. His focus is always on what drives real business outcomes, not just what looks good on a dashboard. For him, data is only powerful when it leads to smarter decisions and measurable impact.

Jaysen Gillespie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaysengillespie/

Resources

RTB House: https://www.rtbhouse.com

Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code AGILE at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://aglbrnd.co/r/c43e68ce5cfb321e
The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703

Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#825: From eTail: Zeta Global Chief Growth Officer Ed See on the expanding (and more demanding) role of the CMO

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

As a marketing leader, is your primary job to persuade human customers, or are you now preparing to negotiate directly with their AI agents?

Agility requires marketing leaders to not only react to market changes, but to become the primary architects of that change within the enterprise. It’s about transforming the marketing function from a cost center into the accountable growth engine for the entire business.

Today, we are recording from eTail Palm Springs, and we're going to talk about the expanding, and frankly, more demanding role of the CMO. It's a topic that’s front and center here at eTail, where many are discussing how marketing leaders must evolve beyond traditional brand stewardship to become true architects of change—driving cross-functional growth, owning the P&L impact of their investments, and steering the organization through continuous transformation.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Ed See, Chief Growth Officer at Zeta Global.
About Ed See

As Chief Growth Officer, See leads the charge in accelerating the company’s growth strategy. His priorities include deepening CMO and c-suite engagement, demonstrating the transformative potential of Zeta’s AI-driven solutions, and helping businesses achieve measurable, high-impact marketing outcomes.

Bringing 30 years of practice to Zeta, Ed was most recently a Partner in McKinsey & Company’s Growth Marketing & Sales practice, focused on helping companies drive growth through modern marketing. While at McKinsey, he worked with large companies to identify growth opportunities and increase the value of their relationships with customers and consumers. His expertise includes digital strategy, digital marketing, growth and marketing analytics, segmentation, and advertising and marketing technology. Over the course of his career, Ed has advised some of the world’s major brands on how to apply new capabilities, analytics, and technology to improve their marketing and sales performance. Prior to joining McKinsey, Ed was a partner at Deloitte and held leadership roles at several other companies. 

Ed See on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ed-see-496857/

Resources

Zeta Global: https://www.zetaglobal.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

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#824: From eTail: Furniture.com CMO Dan Bennett on how to win the high-consideration purchase

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 05:00:00 GMT

What if the biggest friction point in your customer's journey isn't your checkout page, but the overwhelming paradox of choice you’ve intentionally created for them?

Agility requires not just reacting to consumer behavior, but proactively re-architecting the entire purchase journey based on what the data tells you they *truly* need, even before they know it themselves.

Today, we are here at eTail Palm Springs, and we're going to talk about tackling one of the biggest challenges in e-commerce: the high-consideration purchase. We'll explore how brands can move beyond simply offering endless options and instead use AI and behavioral data to create a guided, trust-based experience that actually simplifies decision-making and leads to conversion.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Dan Bennett, CMO at Furniture.com.

About Dan Bennett

Dan Bennett is Chief Marketing Officer and founding team member at Furniture.com, where he’s reshaping furniture retail through AI, data, and an open marketplace model. Since 2022, Dan has helped scale the company to 80+ employees across two offices, connecting millions of shoppers with hundreds of brands.
Before Furniture.com, he was CMO at Packable, a Carlyle-backed e-commerce platform that grew into Amazon’s largest third-party marketplace partner and reached a $2 billion valuation. Earlier, Dan spent over a decade leading digital and brand strategy at McCann and Grey, driving growth for global names like P&G, Facebook, Microsoft, and Nike.
Dan brings a focus on clear priorities, fast execution, and building teams that fuel sustainable growth.

Dan Bennett on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bennettdaniel/

Resources

Furniture.com: https://www.furniture.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

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#823: Hostinger CEO Daugirdas Jankus on scaling from a local player to a global force

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Agility requires a business to both react to market shifts while also building a foundational platform that allows it to scale globally without losing its local touch. It's about having the core infrastructure in place to seize opportunity, wherever it appears.

Today, we're going to talk about the principles of scaling a business from a local player to a global force. We'll explore how the role of a brand's primary digital asset—its website—is evolving from a simple storefront into a dynamic engine for customer experience and growth, and how to stay responsive in rapidly shifting markets.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Daugirdas Jankus, CEO at Hostinger.

About Daugirdas Jankus

Daugirdas Jankus focuses on driving global growth and uncovering new opportunities in the fast-evolving digital landscape. With more than a decade of experience in sales, marketing, and business development, he brings a strong track record of scaling business operations worldwide. His insights span the transformation of locally established businesses into global players, the impact of shifting markets, and the evolving role of websites for both individuals and companies.

Daugirdas Jankus on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daugirdas-jankus/

Resources

Hostinger : https://www.hostinger.com/1

This show is brought to you by Hostinger, a global all-in-one operating layer for businesses building and running online products. The company combines web hosting, domains, email, website and web-app creation, and business tools in a single environment, with artificial intelligence embedded across its products and operations. Hostinger develops its AI capabilities in-house, enabling rapid product iteration, automation of complex technical tasks, and AI-driven customer support.
Start your online success now: https://www.hostinger.com/

Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code AGILE at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://aglbrnd.co/r/c43e68ce5cfb321e

Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

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#822: From eTail: NoFraud Head of CX Breanna Moreno on customer loyalty, post-purchase abuse, and the moments after a sale

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Most brands are investing millions in creating seamless, generous customer experiences. But what if a small fraction of your customers are exploiting that generosity, forcing your best, most loyal customers to unknowingly pay an 'abuse tax' through higher prices or stricter policies?

Agility requires moving beyond static, one-size-fits-all policies and embedding real-time intelligence into the moments that matter. It's about empowering teams to adapt not just to who the customer is, but what they intend to do right now.

Today, we are here at eTail Palm Springs and we're going to talk about a massive, and often invisible, threat to brand profitability and customer loyalty: post-purchase abuse. While brands have spent years optimizing the path to purchase, the moments that happen after the sale—returns, refunds, and support interactions—have become a significant source of margin leakage, pitting the goals of the CX team against the financial health of the business.
To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Breanna Moreno, Head of CX at NoFraud.

About Breanna Moreno

Breanna Moreno is CX Architect at NoFraud, where she helps ecommerce brands reduce post-purchase fraud and policy abuse while empowering customer experience teams to operate more strategically. With more than 13 years of experience building and scaling high-growth CX organizations, Breanna previously served as Vice President of CX and the first employee at True Classic, leading the support function through rapid DTC expansion and transforming it from a reactive cost center into a data-driven driver of brand performance. Today, she brings that brand-side perspective to NoFraud, serving as a bridge between fraud prevention technology and the frontline teams responsible for protecting revenue, loyalty, and customer trust.

Breanna Moreno on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/breanna-moreno-183a8459/

Resources

NoFraud: https://www.nofraud.com/

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703

Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code AGILE at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://aglbrnd.co/r/c43e68ce5cfb321e

Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
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Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

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#821: From eTail: CommerceIQ's Himanshu Jain and Bill Schneider on delaying the gap between strategy and execution

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 05:00:00 GMT

What if the biggest bottleneck in your commerce strategy isn't the strategy itself, but the time it takes your team to actually perform the actions to execute it?
Agility requires not just having the right insights, but also the operational capacity to act on them at the speed the market demands.
Today, we're going to talk about a critical bottleneck many brands face: the delay between data-driven insight and real-world execution. Commerce teams are often drowning in data but struggle with the manual, time-consuming work of implementing changes, whether it’s updating product pages or optimizing media spend. This has led to a major shift, where brands are looking beyond traditional agency models and toward a new paradigm of 'agentic AI'—using automated agents to handle execution, freeing up human experts to focus on what they do best: strategy.
We are here at eTail Palm Springs, and to help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Himanshu Jain, Co-Founder and Head of Product, and Bill Schneider, VP Product Marketing at CommerceIQ.

About Himanshu Jain

Himanshu Jain is the Cofounder and Head of Product at CommerceIQ, a Series D agentic AI company based in the Bay Area. CommerceIQ is a leader in retail technology, having raised $200M from SoftBank and Insights Partners, and serving 10 of the top 12 CPG brands globally. He builds vertical AI and autonomous agent platforms that help the world’s largest consumer brands win across ecommerce and omnichannel retail. Over the past decade, he has repeatedly taken AI products from zero to product–market fit, scaling them into multi-million-dollar businesses across retail media, pricing, supply chain, and digital shelf. With deep roots in machine learning, SaaS and enterprise strategy, he operates at the intersection of advanced AI systems and measurable commercial impact.

Himanshu Jain on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-schneider-b32a6a/

About Bill Schneider

Bill has 20+ years of experience in product marketing and communication roles building and leading product marketing and external communications . In addition to his deep knowledge of the product marketing role, Bill has has a wealth of experience working for SaaS growth companies in analytics, mobile engagement, shopper marketing, and identity verification.

Bill Schneider on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-schneider-b32a6a/

Resources

CommerceIQ: www.commerceiq.ai

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703

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#820: From eTail: Stitch Fix's Noah Zamansky on bringing back the fun of shopping and integrating agentic AI into retail

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Consumers aren’t lacking for choice. Instead, they’re usually drowning in a sea of options, and it’s up to brands to find ways to go beyond simply removing friction and bring back the joy in shopping.
Adding AI, and agentic AI into the mix can unlock new opportunities, but also brings with it new challenges. We’re going to talk a little about all of it.
We are recording here at eTail Palm Springs, and hearing from leading brands and the platforms and companies they rely on to innovate in retail. To help me discuss these topics, I’d like to welcome back to the show Noah Zamansky, VP Product, Tech, & Design, Client Experience at Stitch Fix

About Noah Zamansky

Noah Zamansky serves as the Vice President of Product and Client Experience at Stitch Fix, where he leads cross-functional teams spanning Product, Design, Engineering, Algorithms, and Platform Development. A seasoned leader, Noah has a proven track record of shaping product vision and strategy, designing exceptional user experiences, and spearheading the launch of new business ventures. Before joining Stitch Fix, Noah held the role of Senior Director of Product Management at eBay, overseeing Fashion and Vertical Experiences.

Noah Zamansky on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nzamansky/

Resources

Stitch Fix: https://www.stitchfix.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703

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#819: Recurrent CEO Andrew Perlman on the role of traditional media companies when there are 1.1 billion active content creators

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

With over a billion creators projected to be active in the next decade, is the traditional distinction between a brand, a publisher, and a creator in need of an updated definition?

Agility requires not just reacting to new platforms, but fundamentally rethinking who creates your content and how you build an authentic community around it. It's about moving from a campaign mindset to an ecosystem mindset.

Today, we're going to talk about the seismic shift in the media landscape, driven by the explosive growth of the creator economy. We’ll explore how the very definition of a creator is evolving from a short-term influencer to a long-term brand builder, and what opportunities and challenges this presents for established brands that are trying to earn and keep their audience's attention.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Andrew Perlman, Co-Founder and CEO at Recurrent.

About Andrew Perlman

Andrew Perlman is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Recurrent. Perlman co-founded the company in 2018 with the acquisition of The Drive. Over a span of three years, he oversaw the acquisition of nearly 25 noteworthy brands, including Task & Purpose, Popular Science, Dwell, and Donut, and in the process, introduced Recurrent as the new parent company for the digital media portfolio. In 2022, Perlman rejoined the organization from his role on the board as the Head of M&A and Corporate Development before he assumed the role of CEO in 2023. Previously, Andrew spent over six years as the Chief Executive Officer of XpresSpa, FORM Holdings, and its predecessor company, Vringo, where he led the overall business operations and strategy as well as capital raising. During his tenure, he also oversaw five acquisitions and the NASDAQ listing of the company. Andrew has also served as Vice President of Business Development at EMI Music, SVP of Music and Digital at Classic Media, and held roles at early mobile content companies.

Andrew Perlman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adperlman/

Resources

Recurrent: https://recurrent.io/

Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code AGILE at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://aglbrnd.co/r/c43e68ce5cfb321e
The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703

Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

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#818: Informatica's CMO Jim Kruger on data as the foundation for innovation

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

What if the biggest barrier to your AI-powered future isn't the algorithm, but the state of your data from five years ago?

Agility requires more than just fast decision-making; it demands a foundational trust in the data that fuels those decisions. It’s about having the right information, accessible and reliable, to pivot not just your campaigns, but your entire strategy.

Today, we're going to talk about the often-overlooked foundation of marketing agility and AI innovation: the data infrastructure itself. We’ll explore how the role of the CMO is shifting from a master of messaging to a master of data strategy, and what it takes to lead a marketing organization when the quality of your data directly determines the success of your most ambitious technology investments.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Jim Kruger, CMO at Informatica.
About Jim Kruger

Jim currently serves as the Executive Vice President/Chief Marketing Officer at Informatica. He has 20+ years of B2B and B2C marketing experience in the areas of cloud, SaaS, services, and hardware solutions. Jim is a results-oriented, high-integrity leader with strong business acumen and an inclusive team-building vision. His top focus as a leader is to drive accountability and make every team member feel valued for their contribution.
At Informatica, he leads the global marketing organization with the charter to accelerate cloud growth, expand into new markets and industry verticals, and lead the company's brand momentum.

Jim Kruger on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimkruger1/

Resources

Informatica: https://www.informatica.com

Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code AGILE at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://aglbrnd.co/r/c43e68ce5cfb321e
The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703

Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#817: Canva's Emma Robinson on the power of visual communication in B2B marketing

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

With B2B marketers drowning in data and automation, have we forgotten that our buyers are still human beings who are moved more by compelling visuals than by another line on a spreadsheet?

Agility requires not just the speed to react, but the insight to know what to react with. It demands a seamless connection between creative ideation and performance data, allowing teams to not only launch campaigns quickly but to make them smarter over time.

Today, we're going to talk about the often-underestimated power of visual communication and design-led thinking in B2B marketing. We’ll explore why creativity isn't just a 'nice to have' but a core driver of engagement and business results, how neuroscience backs this up, and how new platforms are enabling marketing teams to scale high-quality creative while directly measuring its impact on the bottom line.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Emma Robinson, Head of B2B Marketing at Canva.

About Emma Robinson

Emma Robinson is the Head of B2B Marketing at Canva, where she drives customer-centric strategies that showcase the impact of design at scale across enterprise organizations. She brings more than 20 years of global B2B marketing experience and has held leadership roles at Salesforce, Google, Medallia, and ThoughtSpot. Having worked across the UK, Asia Pacific, and the US, she’s known for building high-performing teams and bringing innovative, high-impact go-to-market strategies to life. Emma brings deep expertise in customer advocacy, lifecycle marketing, and insight-led content, and is a strong champion for the power of brand and creativity in B2B. Her work is instrumental in positioning Canva as the visual communication platform for the modern workplace.

Emma Robinson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-robinson-mtkg/

Resources

Canva: https://www.canva.com/about/

Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code AGILE at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://aglbrnd.co/r/c43e68ce5cfb321e
The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/
Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

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#816: Shipt's Courtney Owumi on achieving and demonstrating CX ROI

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

What if your most persistent customer complaint wasn't a flaw to be fixed, but a key that could unlock an entirely new business model?

Agility requires not just the ability to pivot, but the organizational courage to act on customer insights—even when those insights challenge your most fundamental business assumptions. It’s about being willing to dismantle something that works in order to build something that works better.

Today, we're going to talk about CX that pays off and how both achieving and demonstrating ROI is key to becoming a truly insights-driven organization. We'll explore how a major brand listened to a difficult truth from its customers and completely transformed its marketplace strategy, turning a major pain point into a massive competitive advantage. And we’re doing it live from Las Vegas at the Medallia Experience 2026 event here at the Wynn Resort.
To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Courtney Owumi, VP of Consumer Experience and Membership Engagement at Shipt.
About Courtney Owumi

Courtney Owumi is a seasoned marketing executive with over a decade of experience in consumer insights and loyalty marketing strategy. She currently serves as the Vice President of Consumer Experience & Membership Engagement at Shipt, where she leads Product Marketing, Consumer Insights & Strategy, and Membership Engagement to deliver a best-in-class experience for Shipt members and provide extended value for Target Circle 360 members. Prior to her time at Shipt, Courtney served on Target’s corporate strategy team, and prior to that worked in management consulting, focusing on e-commerce fulfillment strategy for retail clients. Her expertise spans across corporate strategy, retail, consumer packaged goods, and the gig economy, reflecting her versatility and forward-thinking mindset.

Courtney Owumi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneyowumi/

Resources

Shipt: https://www.shipt.com

Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code AGILE at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://aglbrnd.co/r/c43e68ce5cfb321e

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

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#815: CIBC's Stephanie Leheta on moving from silos to enterprise scale CX

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

What happens when you tie a quarter of every employee’s variable compensation not to sales targets, but to customer experience metrics?

Agility requires more than just speed; it demands a shared purpose that translates into a unified system for listening, learning, and acting at an enterprise scale. It's about connecting every function of the business to the client's reality in real-time.

Today, we are here at Medallia Experience at the Wynn Resort in Las Vegas, and we're going to talk about what it takes to transform a massive organization by moving client experience from a siloed function to the core of the enterprise operating model, tying it directly to employee compensation and billions in revenue growth.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Stephanie Leheta, Sr. Director, Client Experience Strategy at CIBC.

About Stephanie Leheta

Stephanie Leheta on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-leheta-mba-ccmp-pmp-ccxp-435a8113/

Resources

CIBC: https://cibc.com/

Medallia: ⁠https://www.medallia.com

Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code AGILE at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/agile

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

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#814: United Rentals' Alyse Fuller on driving real impact without being overwhelmed by data

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

What if one of your most valuable CX analysts isn't even a person?

Agility requires not just collecting data, but closing the gap between insight and action at scale. This means empowering every level of the organization, from the frontline to the C-suite, with the right information at the right time to make smarter, faster decisions.

Today, we're going to talk about moving beyond the score. We'll explore how Generative AI is shifting the discipline of customer experience from a reactive, score-chasing exercise to a proactive, problem-solving engine. We’ll get practical about how a very lean team at a massive organization can leverage these tools to drive real business impact, especially when faced with an overwhelming amount of data.

We are here in Las Vegas at Medallia Experience 2026 and to help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Alyse Fuller, Customer Experience Program Manager at United Rentals.

About Alyse Fuller

Alyse specializes in seeking solutions that elevate the customer journey across every touchpoint. She believes in coordinating insights from customers with ideas from internal teams to drive customer experience (CX) improvements that align with broader organizational goals. By translating real-world experiences into actionable strategies, she contributes to the responsive, efficient, and customer-centric culture at United Rentals.

Alyse Fuller on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alysefuller/

Resources

United Rentals: https://www.unitedrentals.com/

Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code AGILE at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/agile

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

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#813: Big Game Ads Recap: Zappi CMO Nataly Kelly shares the winners and losing advertisers

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Did your brand just spend $7 million on a 30-second ad that alienated or ignored half its potential audience?

Agility requires a willingness to challenge long-held assumptions—like the idea that a celebrity and a massive budget are all you need for a winning Super Bowl ad. It demands that brands move from gut feelings to data-driven insights to understand what truly resonates with their audience.

Today, we're going to talk about the biggest advertising event of the year: the Super Bowl. Millions of dollars are spent, careers are made, and brands have one 30-second shot to capture the zeitgeist. But beyond the spectacle and the morning-after buzz, what actually drives results? We'll dig into the data behind the ads, exploring which brands successfully connected with key audiences, what the data says about using celebrities, and how the smartest brands think about the Super Bowl not as a single event, but as a strategic play in a much larger game.
To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Nataly Kelly, CMO at Zappi.
About Nataly Kelly

Nataly Kelly is Chief Marketing Officer at Zappi, based in Boston, MA. Previously she served at HubSpot as Vice President of Marketing, Vice President of International Operations and Strategy, and Vice President of Localization.

Nataly Kelly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalykelly/

Resources

Zappi: https://www.zappi.io

Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code AGILE at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/agile
The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Get the Zappi Lessons in Advertising: Super Bowl LX report: https://www.zappi.io/web/learnings-from-super-bowl-ads-2026/
Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://www.thecrmc.com/

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://advertalize.com/r/faaed112fc9887f3
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Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

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#812: Capillary Technolgies' Jim Sturm on customer loyalty as enterprise strategy

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

In a world without third-party cookies, is your customer loyalty program your most valuable asset, or your biggest missed opportunity?

Agility requires a fundamental shift from viewing loyalty as a transactional rewards program to embracing it as a dynamic, data-driven engine for the entire customer experience. It demands that brands are able to listen, predict, and adapt to customer needs in real time.

Today, we're going to talk about the evolution of customer loyalty from a simple marketing tactic to a core enterprise strategy. With the erosion of traditional data sources and the rise of AI, the way brands build lasting relationships is undergoing a radical transformation, and we’re going to explore what it takes to win in this new landscape.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Jim Sturm, President of North America at Capillary Technologies.

About Jim Sturm

Jim Sturm is Capillary's President of North America. He holds a bachelor’s degree in science from the State University of New York. He joined Capillary Technologies in January 2021 and is responsible for leading global strategy, driving revenue growth, and managing high-performing sales teams to achieve business targets. Prior to Capillary, he was associated with Brierley + Partners, Inc. as their president and chief executive officer.

Jim Sturm on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-sturm-4447a15/

Resources

This episode is brought to you by Capillary Technologies, a global leader in AI-powered loyalty and customer engagement. Trusted by 400+ brands—including 19 Fortune 500 companies—Capillary helps retailers and consumer brands drive customer retention and repeat purchases through personalized loyalty programs and experiences. Learn more at https://www.capillarytech.com/

Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code AGILE at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/agile

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

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#811: Sesimi CEO Andy Baker on connecting marketing strategy with frontline execution

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Is your brand's biggest vulnerability a traditional competitor, or your organization’s inability to execute your strategy consistently across every single customer touchpoint?

Agility requires more than just a fast-moving central team. It requires creating a resilient system that empowers distributed teams to execute flawlessly while adapting to local needs.

Today, we're going to talk about that critical, and often broken, link between marketing strategy and frontline execution. It's the ‘last mile’ problem where brilliant campaigns can fall apart in the hands of local dealers, franchisees, or regional managers, leading to inconsistent customer experiences and wasted resources. We'll explore how to bridge this gap, moving from one-off campaigns to a cohesive marketing system.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Andy Baker, CEO & Founder at Sesimi.

About Andy Baker

Andrew Baker is the Founder and CEO of Sesimi, a global brand management and creative automation platform designed to help distributed organisations deliver consistent, compliant and high-impact marketing at scale. Since founding Sesimi in 2010, Andrew has shaped the company’s vision, product and global footprint, building both a world-class team and an international partner network to support enterprise customers around the world.

Under Andrew’s leadership, Sesimi has delivered large-scale SaaS solutions across four continents for some of the world’s leading automotive brands and other complex, multi-location organisations. His deep expertise in aligning marketing strategy with real-world execution has been instrumental in Sesimi’s international growth and the platform’s ability to solve persistent challenges around brand governance, localisation and creative production.

Before founding Sesimi, Andrew built a strong foundation in finance and commercial strategy, beginning his career at KPMG, GE Finance and Sallie Mae. He later transitioned into advertising, leading a boutique agency responsible for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles in Australia — work that involved developing and delivering Tier I, II and III retail campaigns across all media channels. It was through this experience, addressing the operational complexity of brand and campaign execution across dealer networks, that the idea for Sesimi was born.

Andrew holds a Master of Finance and a Bachelor of Business from RMIT University, and brings more than two decades of experience building and leading high-performing teams — both locally and remotely — to support enterprise-grade customers in rapidly evolving markets.

Andy Baker on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-baker-87775038/

Resources

Sesimi: www.sesimi.com

Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code AGILE at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/agile

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://www.thecrmc.com/

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://advertalize.com/r/faaed112fc9887f3

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

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Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

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#810: Bynder's Luke Roberts on brand and content governance in a 1:1 omnichannel world

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

What if the biggest threat to your brand’s integrity isn't a competitor, but the sheer volume of unmanaged, ungoverned, and untraceable content your own teams are creating every single day?

Agility requires more than just speed; it demands a solid foundation of control and intelligence. It's the ability to create, adapt, and deploy content at the pace of the market without sacrificing governance, consistency, or compliance.

Today, we're going to talk about the content paradox facing modern enterprises. While the demand for personalized, omnichannel experiences is causing content creation to accelerate at an unprecedented rate, the systems to manage, govern, and measure its impact often can't keep up. We'll explore how to turn this content chaos into a competitive advantage, the role of AI not just as a creation tool but as a workflow agent, and why the future of marketing will be measured in outcomes, not output.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Luke Roberts, Global Director, Digital Strategies & Growth at Bynder.

About Luke Roberts

Luke Roberts serves as Global Director of Digital Strategies and Growth at Bynder, a global leader in AI-powered enterprise DAM. With nearly two decades of experience across local, regional, and global roles at Mazda Corporation, he brings first-hand experience in complex content ecosystems and digital transformation. Today, Luke helps brands overcome content complexity and deliver exceptional content experiences at scale with strategically deployed AI-powered DAM.

Luke Roberts on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-roberts-5ba3941a

Resources

Bynder: https://www.bynder.com/en/

The 2026 State of DAM Report is available here.

Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code AGILE at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/agile

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://advertalize.com/r/faaed112fc9887f3

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

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#809: Jacquard Chief Product & Growth Officer Toby Coulthard on sounding verifiably human in an AI world

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

As every brand rushes to adopt generative AI, what if the greatest competitive advantage is no longer about speed and scale, but about sounding uniquely, verifiably human?

Agility requires moving beyond the hype of new technology to strategically apply it for true differentiation. It’s about being smart and selective, not just fast.

Today, we're going to talk about a paradox at the heart of modern marketing. Generative AI has promised unprecedented scale and personalization, but for many, it's delivering a sea of sameness where brand voice gets lost. We’ll explore how to break free from this generic output, moving from a reactive "test and learn" model to a predictive one, and discuss the critical balance of combining AI's power with essential human expertise to maintain brand soul, safety, and performance across countless channels.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Toby Coulthard, Chief Product & Growth Officer at Jacquard.

About Toby Coulthard

Toby Coulthard is Chief Product & Growth Officer at Jacquard.

Toby Coulthard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toocou/

Resources

Jacquard: https://www.jacquard.com/

Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code AGILE at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/agile

Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://www.thecrmc.com/

Check out The Array, Jacquard's podcast: https://www.jacquard.com/the-array-podcast-series/

Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code AGILE at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/agile

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Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

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#808: Resident Expert: Bill Staikos on the market activity in 2025 MarTech & CX platforms and what 2026 will bring

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

As a marketing leader, you often spend so much time on the strategies and tactics that keep your brand growing that it’s difficult to keep up with what’s going on in the background with the platforms and the companies behind them.

While agility requires a flexible technology stack, it also requires a leadership mindset that can distinguish market noise from genuine strategic opportunity, and filter out the hype to understand the shifts that can impact customers and the bottom line. The ability to pivot your people, processes, and platforms in response to major market shifts is no longer a nice to have, but rather a competitive advantage.

Today, I’m excited to talk with our 2026 Resident Expert on the CX and MarTech platform landscape. We’re going to focus on the business and business opportunities that mergers, acquisitions, and big moves in the market provide to these platforms’ customers. Our focus today is going to be a recap of market activity in 2025 with an eye towards what to expect in 2026.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Bill Staikos, Founder at Be Customer Led.
About Bill Staikos

Bill Staikos on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billstaikos/

Resources

Be Customer Led: https://becustomerled.com/

Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code AGILE at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/agile

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

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#807: AI21 Labs CMO Sharon Argov on navigating promise vs. reality with AI adoption

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

With every board member and CEO demanding a generative AI strategy yesterday, how much of the conversation is about creating real business value versus simply not being left behind?

Agility requires more than just speed; it demands a fundamental shift in how we approach problem-solving and storytelling, especially when a technology like AI re-writes the rulebook.

Today, we're going to talk about the real tension that exists between the incredible promise of generative AI and the practical, often messy reality of enterprise adoption. We'll explore how to bridge the gap between deeply technical products and the clear, compelling narratives that actually convince customers and boards to invest.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Sharon Argov, CMO at AI21 Labs.

About Sharon Argov

Sharon Argov on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharonargov/

Resources

AI21 Labs : https://www.ai21.com/

Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code AGILE at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/agile

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

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#806: NiCE Cognigy VP of Marketing Alan Ranger on agentic customer service

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

We've spent years trying to make our chatbots sound more human, which is great. But what if the larger goal should have also been to make them as useful as possible while we’re at it?

Agility requires more than just adopting the latest technology; it demands a fundamental rethinking of customer engagement, moving from reactive responses to proactive problem-solving.

Today, we're going to talk about the next evolution of AI in customer service. As more companies turn to automation to manage scale and efficiency, the real challenge isn’t just implementing a chatbot; it’s ensuring that technology actively solves problems and enhances the customer relationship, rather than just deflecting tickets.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Alan Ranger, VP Marketing at NiCE Cognigy.
About Alan Ranger

Alan Ranger is VP of Marketing at NiCE Cognigy, the global leader in enterprise AI agents. With over 30 years of experience in tech, Alan has led growth strategies at both startups and public software companies. At NiCE Cognigy, he helps organizations adopt AI that delivers real business value reducing costs while improving customer satisfaction. Prior to NiCE Cognigy, Alan led global market development at LivePerson, where he helped double revenues. He now leads NiCE Cognigy’s expansion in the US and UK and works closely with clients to deploy AI that scales.

Alan Ranger on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aranger/

Resources

NiCE Cognigy: https://www.cognigy.com

Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code AGILE at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/agile

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

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#805: Omnissa CMO Renu Upadhyay on balancing AI innovation with org chart disruption

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 05:00:00 GMT

What if the biggest risk to your marketing AI strategy isn't the technology itself, but the org chart it's fracturing?

Agility requires more than just speed; it demands a framework of trust and collaboration. When it comes to AI, this means your ability to innovate is directly tied to your ability to partner effectively across the organization, especially with IT and security.

Today, we're going to talk about a critical tension point in the modern enterprise: Marketing is moving at the speed of AI, adopting powerful, often low-code tools to drive results. But this speed creates new complexities and risks, disrupting traditional roles and processes. Success is no longer just about having the best tech stack; it’s about forging a strategic partnership between the CMO and IT leaders to balance innovation with governance, and productivity with security.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Renu Upadhyay, Chief Marketing Officer at Omnissa.

About Renu Upadhyay

Renu Upadhyay is SVP & CMO at Omnissa, leading global marketing strategy, demand generation, product and solution marketing and brand to establish Omnissa as the leading digital work platform company.

Renu is an experienced technology marketer with a deep understanding of products, industry, and customers spanning mobile, wireless networking and collaboration solutions across large and mid-size organizations.

Prior to Omnissa, she served as vice president of Marketing for VMware’s End-user Computing (EUC) business. In that role, she led marketing strategy and was responsible for customer messaging, demand, content marketing, sales and technical enablement, and product pricing strategy. She oversaw marketing programs and campaigns for EUC’s comprehensive portfolio of solutions including employee engagement programs.

Prior to VMware, Renu held senior product marketing roles at leading companies including Good Technology, Cisco Systems and AT&T Wireless.

Renu Upadhyay on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renuupadhyay/

Resources

Omnissa: https://www.omnissa.com/

Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code AGILE at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/agile

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

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#804: GenLayer CEO Albert Castellana on AI's accountability gap

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 05:00:00 GMT

When an AI agent makes a decision that costs your company millions in a lawsuit, who do you fire?

Agility requires both the speed to adopt new technologies like AI agents, as well as the foresight to build the guardrails that prevent that speed from driving your brand off a cliff.

Today, we're going to talk about the hidden crisis brewing behind the AI revolution: the accountability gap. As companies race to replace roles with autonomous AI agents, a critical question is being ignored: when an agent makes a biased, unethical, or simply wrong decision that harms a customer or an employee, who is actually responsible? This isn't a future problem; it's happening right now, and it poses a massive threat to brand trust, customer relationships, and legal standing.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Albert Castellana, Co-Founder & CEO at GenLayer.

About Albert Castellana
Albert Castellana is Co-Founder & CEO at GenLayer. A serial crypto entrepreneur since 2013, Albert has co-founded and led major blockchain projects including Radix DLT, NEM.io, BadgerDAO, and StakeHound, reaching over $25B in combined market value. Albert brings extensive experience in decentralized finance and governance. Albert’s leadership is driven by firsthand insight into how existing legal systems fall short for digital assets, fueling his passion to create a trustless, global arbitration layer.

Albert Castellana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/acastellana/

Resources

GenLayer: https://www.genlayer.com

Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code AGILE at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: ⁠https://incogni.com/agile⁠

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

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#803: Apollo.io CMO Marcio Arnecke on agentic Go-To-Market approaches

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 05:00:00 GMT

For years, we've heard about AI transforming software development. But what if that same level of agentic, AI-driven collaboration could be applied not just to writing code, but to writing your entire go-to-market playbook?

Agility requires that your go-to-market teams operate at the speed of insight, not at the speed of manual data entry and fragmented workflows. This means empowering them with tools that don't just provide data, but automate action based on strategic intent.

Today, we're going to talk about the concept of an 'agentic' go-to-market platform, where AI doesn't just assist, but actively collaborates with sales and marketing teams to automate entire workflows, from strategy to execution.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Marcio Arnecke, Chief Marketing Officer at Apollo.io.
About Marcio Arnecke

As Apollo.io's Chief Marketing Officer, Marcio Arnecke brings a visionary approach to scaling high-growth B2B SaaS marketing in the AI-driven sales landscape. With over two decades of experience driving revenue acceleration across global markets, he has consistently transformed early-stage technology companies into market-defining brands. His expertise in AI-powered go-to-market strategies uniquely positions him to accelerate Apollo's mission of empowering sales teams through intelligent data and automation.

Previously, he played a pivotal role in scaling marketing functions at SaaS giants like Intercom and Zendesk, where he drove remarkable growth from $40M to $1.7B, culminating in a successful IPO that raised $100 million in 2014. Leveraging his comprehensive background in demand generation, product marketing, and strategic storytelling, Marcio is focused on positioning Apollo as the go-to AI sales platform for SMB and mid-market teams.

His approach combines data-driven insights with targeted narrative strategies, translating Apollo's technological capabilities into practical business value. Drawing from his global experience across Silicon Valley and international markets, Marcio aims to expand Apollo's brand and demonstrate how AI can meaningfully improve sales engagement for growing businesses. Marcio holds advanced degrees from Stanford University's Graduate School of Business and Golden Gate University, complemented by a BS in Business Administration from Universidade Feevale in Brazil.

Marcio Arnecke on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcioarnecke/

Resources

Apollo.io: https://www.apollo.io

Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code AGILE at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/agile

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

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#802: eTail's Lena Moriarty on e-commerce in the year ahead

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 05:00:00 GMT

What happens when your best customer is no longer a person, but an AI agent acting on their behalf?

Agility requires not just adapting to new technologies, but fundamentally rethinking the customer journey when those technologies change the very definition of a customer. It demands a proactive stance on what’s next, rather than a reactive one.

Today, we're going to talk about the seismic shifts happening in e-commerce, fresh off the floor of NRF 2026, and what it all means for the year ahead. We’ll explore the real-world impact of AI on the customer experience, the rise of agentic commerce, and how marketing leaders can prepare for a future that’s arriving faster than anyone expected.
To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome back Lena Moriarty, Head of Marketing at eTail.

About Lena Moriarty

Lena Moriarty is the Head of Marketing at eTail, the conference community designed to power your growth 365 days a year. At eTail, she takes charge on all things omnichannel marketing and strategy, from point A to point Z.

Lena Moriarty on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/lenamoriarty

Resources

eTail Palm Springs: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

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#801: Brandlight CEO Imri Marcus on GEO, AI browsers, and the new search experience

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 05:00:00 GMT

For the last two decades, marketers have lived by the decisions one company has made and the experience customers have with that company’s search bar (and in many cases, browser). But what happens when Google is dethroned by an AI?

Agility requires not just adapting to new channels, but fundamentally rethinking the entire customer discovery journey when the rules are rewritten overnight. It’s about moving from optimizing for keywords to influencing AI-driven conversations.

Today, we're going to talk about the rise of AI browsers and Generative Engine Optimization, or GEO. Whether it’s using ChatGPT or Perplexity to search the web or with tools like OpenAI’s Atlas browser, we’re seeing a convergence of search, shopping, and conversation that could fundamentally change how brands are discovered, evaluated, and purchased, creating a new battleground for customer data and attention.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Imri Marcus, CEO and Co-Founder at Brandlight.

About Imri Marcus

Imri Marcus is the CEO and Co-Founder of Brandlight AI, the strategic data and influence partner for Fortune 500 enterprises navigating the shift to AI-driven consumer discovery. A serial entrepreneur with multiple successful exits in the media and AI sectors, Imri is now focused on empowering the world’s leading brands to own their narrative in this new, zero-sum marketing channel. Imri earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Reichman University and splits his time between Tel Aviv and New York.

Imri Marcus on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/imri-marcus-89074a79

Resources

Brandlight: https://www.brandlight.ai/

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

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#800: Five9 VP of CX Jenn Edwards on building great customer experience when behavior shifts

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 05:00:00 GMT

When 62% of your customers are making decisions based on deals and discounts, is investing in premium customer experience a luxury you can still afford, or is it the only thing that can actually save you?

Agility requires brands to move beyond seasonal planning and into a state of continuous listening. It’s about having the insight and infrastructure to pivot your customer experience strategy in real-time based on economic signals and shifting consumer priorities.

Today, we're going to talk about decoding the often-conflicting signals consumers sent during the last holiday season. Five9 posted some of their findings in a report that we’ll link out to in the show notes.

We'll explore how deep-seated economic pressures are reshaping shopping habits, and how AI is moving from a back-office tool to a front-line differentiator that can deliver both the savings customers crave and the experiences that build loyalty.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Jenn Edwards, VP of Customer Experience at Five9.
About Jenn Edwards

Jenn Edwards is an accomplished professional in customer experience and marketing, currently serving as the VP of Customer Experience at Five9. With a robust background that includes roles such as Marketing and Customer Experience Advisor at JME Consulting and Co-Founder of Community Art Collaborative, Jennifer has demonstrated strong leadership and innovative thinking. Previously, Jennifer held the position of Americas Field Marketing Leader at Cisco and served as VP Global Demand at WalkMe™. Educationally, Jennifer holds a Master of Science in Telecommunications Management from UCL and a Bachelor of Science in Marketing/International Business from Manhattan College.

Jenn Edwards on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifermaciveredwards/

Resources

Five9: https://www.five9.com/

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://www.thecrmc.com/

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://ratethispodcast.com/agile
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

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#799: ISM President Dave Simon on maximizing retail media network investments

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Retail Media Networks are generating billions of dollars, but not all brands benefiting from them equally.

Agility requires more than just shifting budgets to the newest channel; it demands a fundamental rethinking of how internal teams collaborate and how technology is applied to the unique environment of retail.

Today, we're going to talk about the nuanced reality of Retail Media Networks. They represent one of the biggest shifts in marketing, but many brands are finding that the playbook from traditional digital advertising doesn't quite translate. We'll explore why simply plugging in programmatic tools isn't the silver bullet it's promised to be, how to navigate the internal budget battles between trade and media teams, and what it really takes for AI to deliver on its potential in a retail context.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Dave Simon, President of In-Store Marketplace at ISM.
About Dave Simon

David Simon, EVP of Advertising for Mood Media and President of Vibenomics and In-Store Marketplace (ISM), is a seasoned ad tech executive with extensive experience driving programmatic advertising growth across mobile app, CTV and web platforms. As former Chief Revenue Officer at Fyber, he led the mobile app ad monetization platform from $100 million to $500 million in revenue before its acquisition by Digital Turbine. His career spans leadership positions at Moloco, Jounce Media, Verizon Media, Vidible (acquired by AOL), Turn, Right Media and Yahoo. Simon specializes in programmatic strategy, marketplace development and bridging supply-demand gaps in retail media advertising.

Dave Simon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjsimon/

Resources

ISM: https://instoremarketplace.com/

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

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#798: Phill Agnew of the Nudge Podcast on the psychology of successful marketing and CX

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 05:00:00 GMT

In a world obsessed with Martech optimization and AI, is the most overlooked competitive advantage simply understanding how the human brain actually works?

Agility requires more than just adapting to new technologies; it requires a deep, empathetic understanding of the timeless human behaviors that drive customer decisions.

Today, we're going to talk about the intersection of marketing and human psychology. We'll explore how understanding cognitive biases and behavioral science isn't just an academic exercise, but a critical tool for creating more effective customer experiences, more persuasive messaging, and ultimately, a more resilient and agile brand.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Phill Agnew, Host of Nudge Podcast at Nudge Podcast.
About Phill Agnew

Phill Agnew hosts Nudge, the UK's #1 marketing podcast. It's a critically acclaimed behavioural science show that has featured world-renowned guests such as Richard Shotton, Rory Sutherland, Tali Sharot, Jonah Berger, Dan Pink, and Chris Voss. With a knack for demystifying complex psychological concepts, Phill translates cutting-edge behavioural science into actionable insights for marketers, business leaders, and everyday professionals. His podcast has been downloaded by hundreds of thousands across the globe, establishing Phill as a trusted voice in behavioural marketing.,Yes,This has been completed

Phill Agnew on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phill-agnew/

Resources

Nudge Podcast: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://www.thecrmc.com/

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://ratethispodcast.com/agile
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

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#797: Vitam CMO Lisa Avvocato on AI's Growing Role from Search to Transaction

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 05:00:00 GMT

With AI like ChatGPT now handling the customer journey from search to potentially the entire transaction, are we about to witness the end of the brand website as the primary point of conversion?

Agility requires not just reacting to new technologies like AI, but proactively redesigning the core operating model of the marketing organization. It demands a shift from mastering a set of fixed channels to building a flexible system that can learn, test, and scale with entirely new platforms for discovery and engagement.

Today, we're going to talk about how AI is fundamentally rewriting the playbook for marketing—from how customers discover brands in the first place, to the very nature of content creation, and the operational realities of building a team and a tech stack that can keep up. It's a topic filled with both existential threats and massive opportunities.
To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Lisa Avvocato, Chief Marketing Officer at Vitam and former VP of Marketing and Community at Sama.

About Lisa Avvocato

Lisa Avvocato on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lisaavvocato

Resources

Vitam: https://thevitam.com/

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#796: Shutterstock's Allison Sitzman on how to counter the marketing impact gap

Fri, 09 Jan 2026 05:00:00 GMT

What if I told you that for every new dollar you’ve added to your marketing budget in the last two years, your actual impact on customers has gone down?

Agility requires moving beyond the muscle memory of simply increasing ad spend. It demands a continuous reassessment of what truly connects with customers and a willingness to pivot creative strategy based on real-time cultural and emotional insights.

Today, we're going to talk about a paradox that's likely keeping many marketing leaders up at night: the massive increase in global ad spend versus the startling drop in marketing impact. It's what Shutterstock's latest research calls the "impact gap," and we'll explore why the old playbook of just spending more is broken, and what the new drivers of success—like emotional connection, cultural relevance, and AI-powered personalization—actually look like in practice.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Allison Sitzman, Vice President of Brand Strategy at Shutterstock.

About Allison Sitzman

Drawing on over 20 years of experience, Allison Sitzman is a strategic marketing leader who helps brands navigate inflection points, translating customer insight into growth and differentiation. Allison leads Shutterstock’s Brand Strategy organization, overseeing the global brand portfolio. She is responsible for defining and evolving Shutterstock’s positioning, audience strategy, and brand architecture. Allison’s leadership is focused on meaningful connection, business growth, and the consistent expression of the company’s purpose to fuel great work. Beyond her marketing leadership, Allison is deeply committed to building inclusive, high-performing teams. She previously co-chaired Cox Automotive’s women’s employee resource group and now serves as co-executive sponsor of Shutterstock’s LGBTQ+ employee resource group, advocating for belonging, empathy, and emotionally intelligent leadership across creative and marketing organizations.

Allison Sitzman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsitzman/

Resources

Shutterstock: https://www.shutterstock.com

Read the Shutterstock report: The Impact Gap: Uncovering the Hidden Drivers That Make Creativity More Powerful

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#795: Resident Expert: Novi CEO Kimberly Shenk on how agentic AI changes buyer's journey

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 05:00:00 GMT

This episode is brought to you by Novi. Novi is the infrastructure powering brand growth in AI commerce. By connecting brands, certification bodies, and major retailers, Novi ensures verified product data is accurate, consistent, and surfaced where shoppers and AI models search, turning credibility into authority, visibility, and conversion. Learn more at noviconnect.com

As we look ahead to the next holiday season, will your marketing strategy even matter if an AI agent is making the final recommendation for the consumer?

Agility requires more than just the latest AI tools. It sometimes requires fundamentally re-engineering how your brand earns visibility and trust in an algorithm-driven world. It demands a shift from winning clicks on a search page to becoming the definitive answer for an AI agent.

Today, we're going to talk about how agentic AI is quietly becoming the new gatekeeper between brands and consumers, radically changing e-commerce discovery and purchase behavior, especially in the CPG and retail space.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Kimberly Shenk, CEO at Novi, our Resident Expert on AI-Driven Commerce. Kimberly, welcome to the show!

About Kimberly Shenk

Kimberly Shenk is co-founder and CEO of Novi, a technology company that helps CPG brands and retailers ensure consumers can easily discover and select their products when using AI assistants to shop. A serial tech entrepreneur, Shenk has led data science teams at early and midstage startups such as Eventbrite, Domino Data Labs and NakedPoppy, where she was a co-founder and Head of Product. Before transitioning to the private sector, Shenk served as a United States Air Force Captain for five years, holding the chief data scientist position at the Pacific Air Force headquarters in Hawaii. She holds a BS from the U.S. Air Force Academy and an MS in data science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). In 2025, she was named to the Inc. Female Founders 500 list for a second time.

Kimberly Shenk on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberlyshenk/

Resources

Novi: https://www.noviconnect.com/

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://www.thecrmc.com/

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://ratethispodcast.com/agile

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#794: LiveRamp CMO Jessica Shapiro on building brand trust while automating at scale

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 05:00:00 GMT

With AI poised to generate nearly infinite content, personalization, and experiences, is the single most important thing marketers should be focused on actually something that can’t be automated at all?

Agility requires not just adopting new technologies, but knowing when and how to double down on timeless human principles. It’s about integrating the power of AI without losing the soul of the brand.

Today, we're going to talk about the unexpected paradox of the AI revolution. As artificial intelligence becomes more capable of creating, personalizing, and automating customer interactions at scale, the most critical differentiator for a business isn't a better algorithm, but a stronger, more trusted brand. We’ll explore why brand is becoming the essential human edge in an increasingly automated world, and how leaders can harness AI not to replace their brand, but to amplify it.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Jessica Shapiro, Chief Marketing Officer at LiveRamp.
About Jessica Shapiro

Jessica Shapiro is Chief Marketing Officer at LiveRamp (NYSE: RAMP), where she leads global marketing strategy and execution. With deep experience guiding companies through critical growth inflection points, she is known for building brands, shaping categories, and aligning marketing with business strategy.
Over the past two decades, Jessica has held senior marketing leadership roles at Microsoft, Starbucks, and SAP—helping established brands navigate change, scale new offerings, and grow in competitive markets. Her expertise spans brand development, go-to-market strategy, communications, and demand generation. Jessica holds a BA from Brown University and an MBA from the University of Washington.,Yes,This will be completed shortly

Jessica Shapiro on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicamshapiro/

Resources

LiveRamp: https://liveramp.com/

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/
Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://www.thecrmc.com/

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://ratethispodcast.com/agile
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#793: PAN Communications CMO Mark Nardone on 2026 predictions and staying ahead of GEO

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 05:00:00 GMT

What if the foundation of your digital strategy, your corporate website, is becoming less important than the conversations happening about your brand in places you don't control?

Agility requires a fundamental shift in mindset, moving beyond just broadcasting your message on owned channels to actively shaping the narrative across an entire ecosystem you don't fully control.

Today, we're going to talk about how generative AI is creating a new layer between your brand and your customers, changing how they discover information and what they trust. We'll explore the surprising new balance of power between owned media and earned media, and what it means for your PR, content, and SEO strategies moving forward.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Mark Nardone, CMO at PAN.

About Mark Nardone

Mark has been a driving force at PAN since its inception. As part of the executive team, Mark oversees operations and leads strategic growth initiatives across business development and marketing.
Mark’s acumen sparked PAN’s positioning as a brand-to-demand agency forged in PR. With more B2B brands seeking a modern, energetic, agile partner to connect the dots between brand awareness, demand acquisition, and growth, Mark saw an opportunity for PAN to meet those needs on a global scale through integrated, data-driven marketing and PR grounded in real-world impact.
Passionate about all things AI and CX, Mark is active in Harvard’s Office of Technology Department Expert-in-Residence (XIR) program and the thought leadership realm. You can find his insights on the DMNews Podcast, Heinz Marketing Radio, PR News, Agile Brand, and Evan Kirstel LinkedIn Live. When he’s not discussing the latest marketing and PR trends, Mark enjoys golfing and spending time with his wife and two kids.

Mark Nardone on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-nardone-807560/

Resources

PAN: https://www.pancommunications.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/
Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://www.thecrmc.com/

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://ratethispodcast.com/agile
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#792: Replay: Increasing speed to insights with Sid Banerjee, Medallia

Fri, 02 Jan 2026 05:00:00 GMT

As the year wraps up, we are replaying some of our favorite conversations from 2025, including this one!
What could your CX teams do to strategically move your brand forward if they weren’t tethered to dashboards?

Agility requires CX teams to move beyond reactive reporting and embrace proactive insight delivery. In an era where insights are instantly available through conversational AI, the strategic role of CX is about to shift—big time.
Today we’re going to talk about how AI is reshaping customer experience by freeing CX teams from dashboards, static reports, and manual data analysis—and allowing them to lead strategically with real-time intelligence.
About Sid Banerjee

Sid currently serves as the Chief Strategy Officer at Medallia. He has nearly 30 years of experience building companies and solutions focused on customer experience, business intelligence, and AI-powered technologies. He was the Founder, CEO, Chairman, and Chief Strategy Officer at Clarabridge, and most recently served as Chief XM Strategy Officer at Qualtrics. He has held leadership roles at MicroStrategy, Claraview, Ernst & Young, and Sprint. He holds a BS/MS in Electrical Engineering from MIT.

Sid Banerjee on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sidbanerjeewdc/

Resources

Medallia: https://www.medallia.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://ratethispodcast.com/agile
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#791: Replay: Lovesac CEO Shawn D. Nelson on building a resilient brand in an uncertain world

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 05:00:00 GMT

As the year wraps up, we are replaying some of our favorite conversations from 2025, including this one!
What if bankruptcy, a global financial crisis, and other hurdles along the way aren’t the end of your brand, but instead a way to help you define what it truly is?
Agility requires a willingness to experiment and adapt, not just in your technology stack, but also in your organizational structure and the very culture of your company. It also demands a deep understanding of your customer and a commitment to delivering personalized experiences.
Today, we're going to talk about building a resilient brand in the face of uncertainty, balancing the need for both efficiency and innovation, and the critical role of company culture in achieving long-term success. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Shawn D. Nelson, CEO at Lovesac.

About Shawn D. Nelson

Shawn D. Nelson is the author of Let Me Save You 25 Years: Mistakes, Miracles, and Lessons from the Lovesac Story. He is the founder and CEO of the Lovesac Company, which designs, manufactures, and sells such furniture as modular couches and bean bag chairs. Nelson holds a BA in Mandarin Chinese from the University of Utah and a Master’s degree in Strategic Design and Management from Parsons, The New School for Design in New York City, where he later became an instructor.

Shawn D. Nelson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawndnelson/

Resources

Lovesac: https://www.lovesac.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://ratethispodcast.com/agile
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#790: Replay: Building stronger customer relationships using AI with Noah Zamansky, Stitch Fix

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 05:00:00 GMT

As the year wraps up, we are replaying some of our favorite conversations from 2025, including this one!
AI can create immersive, human-centric experiences that not only drive sales but also foster enduring brand relationships in a rapidly evolving market.
Today we’re going to talk about how AI-driven personalization allows retailers to move beyond generic experiences, crafting unique interactions that resonate with individual preferences and behaviors, thereby enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty.
I’m thrilled to be joined by Noah Zamansky, Vice President of Product, Tech and Design, Client Experience at Stitch Fix here at eTail Boston.

About Noah Zamansky

Noah Zamansky is VP of Product, Client Experience at Stitch Fix He was previously with eBay where he was the Senior Director of Product Management for Fashion & Vertical Experiences. Noah is a seasoned leader who has shaped product vision, strategy and experience as well as helped launch new lines of business. He is a strong collaborator with an ability to bring stakeholders and perspectives together to create the best result.

Noah Zamansky on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nzamansky/

Resources

Stitch Fix: https://www.stitchfix.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://ratethispodcast.com/agile
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#789: Replay: What happens to your KPIs when both CLV and Customer Acquisition Costs rise? With Jamie Domenici, Klaviyo

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 05:00:00 GMT

As the year wraps up, we are replaying some of our favorite conversations from 2025, including this one!
Customer lifetime value is a critical KPI, but with customer acquisition costs rapidly rising, what can brands do to successfully build long-term value for the business?
Agility requires seeing past vanity metrics to the durable value hidden in customer relationships. When customer acquisition costs climb and privacy affects easy targeting, only nimble brands—those that align teams, data, and KPIs around lifetime value—stay ahead.
All of this (and a few more things) are discussed in the recently-released Klaviyo B2C Report. To discuss it, I’d like to welcome Jamie Domenici, CMO at Klaviyo.

About Jamie Domenici

Jamie is Chief Marketing Officer at Klaviyo, the only CRM built for consumer brands. She has served as the Chief Marketing Officer since August 2023. With more than 20 years of experience in SaaS Marketing, Jamie has become a pioneer in SMB Marketing and a champion for small businesses. Prior to Klaviyo, Jamie served as the CMO of GoTo, a provider of SaaS and cloud- based remote work tools for collaboration and IT management, and before that, she held various marketing leadership positions at Salesforce for over ten years. Jamie holds a B.A. in International Relations from California State University, Chico. Jamie lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and two daughters.

Jamie Domenici on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdomenici/

Resources

Klaviyo: https://www.klaviyo.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://ratethispodcast.com/agile
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#788: Year-end review with Greg Kihlström, The Agile Brand

Wed, 24 Dec 2025 05:00:00 GMT

In this episode I’m going to do something a little different. As we wind down for the year, we’re going to be running some of our favorites from 2025 until the new year begins.
Let’s take a look back at some of the overall themes discussed and point out a few highlights for me. I won’t be able to highlight everything of course but I found 5 themes really interesting. And, I won’t lie - I had a little help from AI in doing this. But that’s also kind of the point. We have all been using AI to do things to make our work easier, and I thought that poring through 150+ episodes recorded over 12 months is a perfect thing to have AI help me with.
About Greg Kihlström

Greg Kihlström is a best-selling author, speaker, and entrepreneur, and serves as an advisor and consultant to top companies on marketing technology, marketing operations, and digital transformation initiatives. He has worked with some of the world’s top brands, including Adidas, Coca-Cola, FedEx, HP, Marriott, Nationwide Insurance, Victoria’s Secret, and Toyota.
He is a multiple-time Co-Founder and C-level leader, leading his digital experience agency to be acquired in 2017, successfully exited an HR technology platform provider he co-founded in 2020, and led a SaaS startup to be acquired by a leading edge computing company in 2021. He currently advises and sits on the Board of a marketing technology startup.
In addition to his experience as an entrepreneur and leader, he earned his MBA, is currently a doctoral candidate for a DBA in Business Intelligence, and teaches several courses and workshops as a member of the School of Marketing Faculty at the Association of National Advertisers. He has served on the Virginia Tech Pamplin College of Business Marketing Mentorship Advisory Board, the University of Richmond’s CX Advisory Board, and was the founding Chair of the American Advertising Federation’s National Innovation Committee. Greg is Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certified, is an Agile Certified Coach (ICP-ACC), and holds a certification in Business Agility (ICP-BAF).

Greg Kihlström on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Resources

The Agile Brand Podcast: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://ratethispodcast.com/agile
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#787: Tray.ai's Stephen Stouffer on AI adoption and why marketers should care about the integration layer

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 05:00:00 GMT

Why are so many companies spending billions on AI, only to see their most ambitious projects stall out before they ever impact the customer experience?

Agility requires more than just a fast-moving marketing team. It requires the foundational ability to connect disparate systems and data sources, allowing new technologies like AI to be implemented and scaled, not just piloted.
Today, we're going to talk about the single biggest, and often overlooked, blocker to enterprise AI adoption: the integration layer. While everyone is focused on the models and the applications, the legacy infrastructure underneath is preventing companies from moving beyond small-scale experiments.

We'll explore why a modern, integration-first approach is no longer a 'nice-to-have' for IT, but a strategic imperative for any brand that wants to turn AI hype into a real competitive advantage.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Stephen Stouffer, Director of Automation Solutions at Tray.ai.
About Stephen Stouffer

Stephen Stouffer is Director of Automation Solutions at Tray.ai, bringing over a decade of experience in markops, revops, and digital transformation. Starting his career as a web developer, Stephen has grown through various marketing technology roles, both in-house and in-agency, and he’s particularly known for his work in marketing automation and AI implementation.,Yes,This will be completed shortly

Stephen Stouffer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenstouffer/

Resources

Tray.ai: tray.ai

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://ratethispodcast.com/agile
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#786: Thrad CEO Andrea Tortella on advertising in your conversational AI

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 05:00:00 GMT

What if the most valuable part of your next conversation with an AI wasn't the answer it gave, but the ad it served?

Agility requires more than just adopting new platforms; it demands a complete re-imagination of how brands provide value within them. It challenges us to move from interruption to integration, ensuring our presence is not only seen but welcomed.

Today, we're going to talk about a potentially significant shift in digital marketing: the collision of conversational AI and advertising. As large language models become the new interface for information and interaction, brands are facing a critical question—how do you participate in that conversation authentically and effectively, without destroying the user experience? We’ll explore how to navigate this new frontier not as intruders, but as valuable contributors.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Andrea Tortella, CEO at Thrad.
About Andrea Tortella

Andrea Tortella on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-tortella

Resources

Thrad: https://www.thrad.ai/

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://ratethispodcast.com/agile
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#785: Avaya CTO David Funck on building persistent memory of the customer with AI

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 05:00:00 GMT

What if every AI interaction with a customer built upon the last, instead of starting from scratch every single time, or at least having it feel that way?

Agility requires not just reacting quickly to customer needs, but learning continuously from every interaction to anticipate the next one. This means our technology, especially our AI, can't operate with amnesia; it must have a persistent, shared memory.

Today, we're going to talk about breaking down the silos between our AI systems. We'll explore a concept that promises to give our AI a persistent memory, allowing different models and platforms to share context and build a truly continuous, intelligent customer experience.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, David Funck, Chief Technology Officer at Avaya.

About David Funck

David Funck is the Chief Technology Officer at Avaya, bringing more than 30 years of experience in enterprise communications, cloud transformation, and contact center innovation. David has held senior technology leadership roles at Edify, Aspect Software, and Alvaria, where he served as CTO and led the transition of legacy platforms to modern, cloud-based architectures.
Before becoming CTO at Avaya, David served as the company’s Chief Architect, where he was responsible for advancing Avaya’s technology strategy and leading the Innovation Incubator and AI/ML initiatives. David joined Avaya through the acquisition of Edify, where he was CTO and played a key role in developing AI-native contact center solutions.
David’s expertise spans full-stack architecture, multi-cloud deployments across leading hyperscalers, and leading global development teams to deliver enterprise-scale solutions. He is known for driving high-impact product innovation, closing strategic customer contracts, and guiding companies through complex technical transformations.,

David Funck on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-funck

Resources

Avaya : https://www.avaya.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#784: Monday.com Global Creative Director Robbie Ferrara on clarifying the benefits of AI

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 05:00:00 GMT

What if the biggest risk in deploying AI isn't the technology itself, but how your team is able to understand its most significant benefits?

Agility requires more than just adapting your technology stack; it demands a flexible brand narrative and a creative approach that can evolve with customer sentiment and cultural shifts. This is particularly true when tackling a topic as hyped and misunderstood as artificial intelligence.

Today, we're going to talk about what it takes to break the mold of traditional B2B marketing, particularly in the age of AI. We'll explore how brands can move beyond feature-focused messaging to create genuine emotional resonance and build a brand that feels both innovative and human.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Robbie Ferrara, Global Creative Director at monday.com.

About Robbie Ferrara

As Director of Creative at Monday.com, Robbie leads the creative vision for the brand, shaping global marketing strategies, defining messaging, and spearheading mass advertising campaigns that drive brand growth and engagement.
Robbie oversees the in-house creative department and manage relationships with creative agencies and production partners to deliver impactful global campaigns. He also plays a critical part in evolving Monday.com’s creative identity and driving its position as one of the fastest-growing tech brands in the world.
Prior to monday.com, Robbie held creative leadership roles at Prime Video and Amazon.

Robbie Ferrara on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robbieferrara/

Resources

monday.com: www.monday.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Take a look a the Monday.com marketing campaign: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Hkcw_j8js0

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

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#783: Typeface CMO Jason Ing on the paradox of hyper personalization and brand consistency

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 05:00:00 GMT

What happens when your brand has a million different voices speaking to a million different customers? Is that the pinnacle of personalization, or is it just brand chaos?

Agility requires both the speed to personalize content for every individual as well as the control to ensure every one of those interactions faithfully represents the core brand.

Today, we're going to talk about resolving one of the biggest paradoxes in modern marketing: achieving hyper-personalization at massive scale, without sacrificing brand governance and consistency. We’ll explore how generative AI is moving from a creative novelty to a core operational engine for enterprise marketing, enabling brands to craft unique stories for every customer, while ensuring they all sing from the same hymn sheet.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Jason Ing, CMO at Typeface.
About Jason Ing

Jason Ing is the Chief Marketing Officer at Typeface, where he leads global marketing and drives the shift toward AI-powered content creation. Over the past two decades, he has built high-performing marketing teams and launched enduring, customer-obsessed campaigns at brands including Procter & Gamble, Xbox, Amazon Prime Video, AWS, and Gusto. Known for systematically scaling teams, programs, and go-to-market motions, Jason has a track record of delivering marketing strategies that not only drive impact in the moment but continue to perform years later. At Typeface, he helps modern marketers rewire how their teams work—so they can move faster, scale smarter, and unlock AI’s full potential.

Jason Ing on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ingjason/

Resources

Typeface: https://www.typeface.ai

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

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#782: Salesforce Marketing Cloud CMO Bobby Jania on the end of "Do Not Reply" marketing

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 05:00:00 GMT

What if the most damaging phrase in your marketing isn't a four-letter word, but three simple ones: "Do Not Reply"?

Agility requires more than just moving fast; it requires breaking down the walls between departments to respond to customer needs in the moment they happen. It’s about empowering every part of the organization to act as one cohesive brand, turning every interaction into a meaningful conversation.

Today, we're going to talk about the end of an era: of one-way, impersonal, "do not reply" marketing. We’ll explore the shift from siloed campaigns to unified, real-time conversations, and what it takes to empower every single employee, from sales to service, to be an extension of the marketing team to build trust and drive growth.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Bobby Jania, CMO Marketing Cloud at Salesforce.

About Bobby Jania

Bobby Jania is an experienced marketing professional currently serving as CMO of Marketing Cloud at Salesforce since June 2014, where a focus on building personalized customer journeys has been paramount. Prior to Salesforce, Bobby held multiple strategic roles at Responsys, emphasizing the importance of integrated digital marketing strategies, and spent nearly a decade at Cypress Semiconductor, where responsibilities included leading innovations in programmable system-on-chip solutions and managing global marketing efforts. Bobby's career began with a role as a Teaching Assistant at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, which laid the groundwork for a passion for technology and marketing. Bobby holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering from the same institution.

Bobby Jania on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbyjania/

Resources

Salesforce : https://www.salesforce.com/marketing/

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

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#781: CommerceIQ CMO Sai Koppala on retailer resilience through intelligent operations

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 05:00:00 GMT

What if the biggest threat to your brand’s profitability isn’t the next tariff or supply chain disruption, but an outdated playbook that forces you to choose between raising prices on loyal customers or sacrificing your margins?
Agility requires more than just reacting quickly to market changes; it requires the intelligence to anticipate them and automate the optimal response.

Today, we're going to talk about how leading retail brands are navigating complex economic pressures like tariffs and inflation—not by resorting to the old tactics of deep discounts or across-the-board price hikes, but by deploying AI to create a more resilient and intelligent operation. We'll explore how AI is helping brands maintain pricing stability, turn insights from major shopping events into real-time strategy, and fundamentally shift teams from staring at dashboards to taking automated, margin-protecting actions.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Sai Koppala, CMO at CommerceIQ.

About Sai Koppala

Sai brings over 20 years of marketing and strategy experience. Before CommerceIQ, he was Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer at SheerID and held leadership roles at Apigee (acquired by Google) and SAP. He holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management and a Master's in Electrical Engineering from Arizona State University.

Sai Koppala on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/koppala/

Resources

CommerceIQ: https://www.commerceiq.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#780: Third-party partner experience and security with Haider Iqbal, Thales

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 05:00:00 GMT

What if the biggest threat to your brand’s agility and security isn't a competitor, but the welcome mat you lay out for your own partners?

Agility requires not just the ability to move quickly, but the confidence to do so securely. It’s about building a foundation of trust that enables seamless collaboration without introducing unnecessary risk.

Today, we're going to talk about a critical, yet often overlooked, aspect of brand agility: the digital experience we provide to our third-party partners. From marketing agencies to technology vendors, these relationships are essential, but the very processes meant to enable them—like onboarding and system access—can often be the source of massive friction, security risks, and a fundamental breakdown of trust.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Haider Iqbal, Director, Identity & Access Management at Thales.
About Haider Iqbal

Haider is a technology leader and strategist with a career that spans consulting, sales, acquisitions, and product marketing across multiple regions. He has guided multimillion-dollar sales efforts, played a key role in a $100 million identity-sector acquisition, and now leads product marketing for Thales’s IAM business. With roots in management consulting and a track record of translating complex technology into business growth, Haider brings both breadth and depth of expertise. Driven by a mindset of constant learning and unlearning, he is passionate about building technology that is inclusive, trustworthy, and safe for future generations. Outside of work, Haider can often be found on a cricket pitch, volleyball court, or golf course, with very occasional success.

Haider Iqbal on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haideriqbal/

Resources

Thales: https://www.thales.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#779: Denodo CMO Ravi Shankar on why good data is critical to AI success

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 05:00:00 GMT

What if the multi-million dollar AI initiative you're championing is being silently sabotaged, not by a competitor, but by your own data infrastructure?
Agility requires more than just fast decision-making; it requires a data foundation that can deliver insights at the speed of business, without the traditional delays of moving and duplicating information. This ability to access and act on real-time, comprehensive data is what separates brands that lead from those that follow.
Today, we're going to talk about the silent killer of AI projects.
While everyone focuses on the glamour of AI models and algorithms, the reality is that most enterprise initiatives stall or fail at the data layer. We’ll be discussing why even modern data warehouses can create new roadblocks, and how a different approach to data management can make your enterprise data truly AI-ready.
To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Ravi Shankar, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Denodo.
About Ravi Shankar

Ravi Shankar is the Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Denodo. He is responsible for Denodo’s global marketing efforts, including product marketing, demand generation, field marketing, communications, social marketing, customer advocacy, partner marketing, branding, and solutions marketing.,Yes,This will be completed shortly

Ravi Shankar on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ravishankardevaraj/

Resources

Denodo: https://www.denodo.com/en/document/analyst-report/denodo-lakehouse-roi

This episode is brought to you by Denodo. Powered by logical data management, the Denodo Platform accelerates data integration, management, and delivery for all your business’s data needs.

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#778: Intuit Mailchimp's Diana Williams on moving from fragmentation to holiday sales success

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 05:00:00 GMT

During the chaos of the holiday season, is it possible for small retailers to turn their fragmented customer data into a perfectly timed, personalized marketing, or are they destined to just add to the noise?

Agility requires not just collecting customer data from every channel, but having the insight and tools to act on it in the moments that matter most. It’s the ability to translate a customer signal into a relevant experience, instantly.
Today, we're going to talk about how small and mid-sized retailers can punch above their weight during the critical holiday season.

We'll explore the challenge of turning fragmented customer data from online browsing, email clicks, and even in-store visits into a cohesive strategy that drives precision-targeted campaigns, creates loyal customers, and, most importantly, delivers measurable ROI in a complex, multi-channel world.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Diana Williams, VP of Product Management at Intuit Mailchimp.

About Diana Williams

Diana Williams is VP of Product Management at Intuit Mailchimp. She is a dynamic leader who excels at turning concepts into revenue-generating products in fast-paced environments. Her experience includes launching e-commerce and business platforms, with expertise in product strategy and accelerating high-quality product execution. Previously, she held leadership roles at technology startups and companies like Meta and eBay. She resides in the Bay Area.

Diana Williams on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianalwilliams/

Resources

Intuit Mailchimp: https://www.mailchimp.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#777: Cisco's Chang Chang on how AI is turning the contact center into a profit center

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 05:00:00 GMT

Is your contact center ready to become a profit center?

Agility requires not just adopting new technologies like AI, but also fundamentally rethinking how we structure our teams, measure success, and interact with customers. It demands a willingness to experiment, learn, and adapt quickly in a constantly evolving landscape.

Today, we're going to talk about how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the contact center, transforming it from a cost center into a driver of customer loyalty and revenue growth.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Chang Chang, Senior Director, Product, Cloud CX Solutions at Cisco's Webex Customer Experience Solutions.

About Chang Chang

Chang Chang, Senior Director, Product, Cloud CX Solutions, Cisco's Webex Customer Experience Solutions.

Chang is a senior director of product management in the Webex Customer Experience Solutions business at Cisco. With over 14 years of product leadership experience, Chang has held key roles at Intuit and Mighty Audio (an early-stage startup), as well as a management consultant at PwC. Chang holds an MBA from UCLA Anderson.

Chang Chang on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/changjonathanj/

Resources

Cisco's Webex Customer Experience Solutions: https://www.webex.com/

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#776: Black Friday Special: Zappi CMO Nataly Kelly on the high-stakes world of holiday advertising

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 05:00:00 GMT

In a world drowning in data, is the 'big creative idea' for a holiday campaign an endangered species, or is it more critical than ever?

Agility requires not just moving fast, but moving with confidence. It's the ability to validate creative instincts with real-world data, ensuring that your biggest bets are also your smartest ones.

Today, we're going to talk about the high-stakes world of holiday advertising and the delicate balance between creative magic and data-driven methodology. We’re going to talk about one such campaign for John Lewis, a popular British Department store whose holiday ads are a cultural event in the UK, where the stakes can be high.

And they aren’t alone. The holiday season is the equivalent of the Super Bowl for many brands, where a single campaign can define the entire year. Yet, for every heartwarming success story, there are countless others that miss the mark. So how do brands de-risk their biggest creative investments and ensure their message will actually resonate with consumers?

About Nataly Kelly

Nataly Kelly is Chief Marketing Officer at Zappi, based in Boston, MA. Previously she served at HubSpot as Vice President of Marketing, Vice President of International Operations and Strategy, and Vice President of Localization.

Nataly Kelly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalykelly/

Resources

Zappi: https://www.zappi.io/

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Watch the John Lewis "Where Love Lives" Ad: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1bRlnyQeDk

Zappi Report: Lessons in Advertising: Christmas 2025: https://email.zappistore.com/hubfs/Zappi%20Christmas%20Advertising%202025.pdf

Zappi Report: The Connected Insights Imperative: https://www.zappi.io/web/connected-insights-imperative-report/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

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#775: ZICO Coconut Water Founder Mark Rampolla on brand integrity and the courage to make tough decisions

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 05:00:00 GMT

For most entrepreneurs, the exit is the goal, as well as the end of at least that part of their story. But what if the end is actually a new beginning?

Agility requires a deep understanding of your brand's core purpose and the conviction to protect it. This often means having the courage to reverse a decision that was once seen as the ultimate success.

Today, we're going to talk about brand integrity, the founder's paradox of building a company to sell, and what happens when you get a second chance to reclaim the brand you created. We'll explore the delicate balance between corporate scale and entrepreneurial soul, and how a brand's purpose can be its most resilient asset.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Mark Rampolla, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Groundforce Capital.

About Mark Rampolla

Mark Rampolla is a visionary entrepreneur and the founder of ZICO Coconut Water, a brand that helped create the now $8 billion global coconut water category. After growing ZICO into one of the fastest-growing beverages worldwide, Mark sold the company to Coca Cola in 2013. He then transitioned into investing, co-founding PowerPlant Partners, where he played a key role in the plant-based food movement, including the success of Beyond Meat.

In 2020, Mark made a bold move by repurchasing ZICO from Coca Cola with a group of investors, including Jesse Itzler and tennis star Naomi Osaka. Now, through GroundForce Capital, Mark manages $500 million in assets, focusing on health, wellness, and sustainability investments. His journey reflects a deep commitment to innovation and positive change in the consumer goods industry.

Mark Rampolla on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marksrampolla/

Resources

Founder Groundforce Capital: https://www.markrampolla.co/

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#774: Seel CRO Laura Huddle on seeing customer returns as an opportunity

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 05:00:00 GMT

What if the most dreaded part of your customer's journey: the return, was actually your biggest untapped opportunity for growth?
Agility requires brands to re-examine every part of the customer journey, especially the challenging post-purchase phase, and find hidden opportunities to adapt and strengthen customer relationships. It demands we turn operational liabilities into strategic assets.

Today, we're going to talk about something that many retailers see as a pure cost center: customer returns. Instead, we’ll explore how a smart, data-driven post-purchase strategy can actually become a powerful engine for customer retention and lifetime value. We'll look at the data trends shaping retail, how to navigate the complex pressures on merchants today, and why this often-overlooked part of the business might be the key to unlocking future growth. Joining me to discuss this is Laura Huddle, CRO at Seel.

This show is sponsored by Seel, the AI-powered post-purchase platform that helps retailers turn returns into revenue while giving shoppers a more seamless, trusted experience. For more information, go to ⁠www.seel.com⁠.

About Laura Huddle

Laura Huddle is the CRO of Seel, a Lightspeed Ventures and Foundation Capital backed startup that is creating the next generation e-commerce insurance experience. Previously, she led world-class sales, marketing, and account management teams across the globe at tech industry disruptors Eventbrite's (NYSE: EB), Deliveroo (LSE: ROO), Smartcar (a16z, NEA, Energize Capital) and Belong . She was one of the first employees at Eventbrite and was a lot of "firsts": first product manager, first product marketer, first category marketer, first Head of APAC Sales, etc. In addition, she taught product management at UC Berkeley, founded her own consultancy, and helped grow Myspace into the world's most popular website.,Yes,This will be completed shortly

Laura Huddle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurahuddle/

Resources

Learn more about Seel: https://www.seel.com

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

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#773: Building loyalty and trust through focused innovation with Lindsey Kling, Coterie

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 05:00:00 GMT

How can your brand build genuine loyalty that translates into long-term business value when customer expectations continually evolve?

Agility demands a deep understanding of your customer, a willingness to experiment, and the ability to pivot quickly when needed.

Today, we're going to talk about building loyalty and trust through focused innovation, specifically within the competitive landscape of the baby care market.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Lindsey Kling, SVP Brand Marketing + Partnerships at Coterie.

About Lindsey Kling

Lindsey has 15 years of experience in scaling brands from startup to unicorn status, leveraging her expertise in strategic partnerships and marketing to drive growth and innovation in competitive markets. Prior to Coterie, she served as Head of Partnerships at Away where she built and led the partnerships function, forging brand-defining deals with partners such as Serena Williams, American Express and United Airlines. Before Away, Lindsey led the partnerships strategy for Uber and Uber Eats, developing foundational alliances that contributed to the brand's growth and ascent to a $100b valuation.
Lindsey is a graduate of New York University and resides in Northern California with her husband and two children, Blaire and Asher.

Lindsey Kling on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindseykling/

Resources

Coterie: https://www.coterie.com/

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#772: Contentful CMO Elizabeth Maxson on AI-augmented human creativity in marketing

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 05:00:00 GMT

With increased AI Adoption, is the most valuable skill for a modern marketer empathy with customers, or is it successfully prompting?

Contentful, in partnership with Atlantic Insights, The Atlantic’s marketing research division, recently conducted a study of over 425 marketing decision makers including 103 CMOs. This study, “When Machines Make Marketers More Human,” challenges the notion that AI will replace many marketing functions and instead demonstrates how AI can amplify marketers’ effectiveness, creativity and impact.

Today, we're going to talk about how AI is reshaping the very definition of a modern marketer. We'll explore the shift from simply automating tasks to augmenting human creativity, the rise of the ‘full stack’ marketer, and what skills are becoming non-negotiable in an AI-driven world.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Elizabeth Maxson, CMO at Contentful.

About Elizabeth Maxson

Elizabeth Maxson is the Chief Marketing Officer of Contentful, a content management platform trusted by more than 4,200 companies around the world. Elizabeth brings nearly two decades of integrated marketing leadership to the role and is focused on driving marketing strategies that leverage AI and personalization to help brands deliver personalized and scalable content to their audiences.

Prior to Contentful, Elizabeth served as the Chief Marketing Officer at Tableau, a Salesforce company, where she led go-to-market strategy, drove end-to-end marketing initiatives, and spearheaded strategic technology partnerships, launching critical relationships with industry giants such as AWS, Google, Alibaba, Apple, and many others. In addition to her role at Tableau, Elizabeth has also served as the Head of Marketing at Quip, another Salesforce acquisition. She holds a BAA in Facility Management and Marketing from Central Michigan University.

Elizabeth Maxson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emaxson/

Resources

Contentful: https://www.contentful.com

Read the report: What Happens When Machines Make Marketers More Human?

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Contentful, in partnership with Atlantic Insights, The Atlantic’s marketing research division, conducted a new study, When Machines Make Marketers More Human, challenging the notion that AI will replace many marketing functions and instead demonstrates how AI can amplify marketers’ effectiveness, creativity and impact. They surveyed 425 marketing decision makers, including 103 CMOs, across industries, company sizes, and regions to show how forward-thinking marketing leaders are incorporating AI into their critical infrastructure. Get the report here

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#771: Design Systems as a Digital Transformation Catalyst with Nigel Dennis, The Office of Experience

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 05:00:00 GMT

What if the very system you invested in to create brand consistency and efficiency is now the biggest thing slowing down your digital transformation and costing you innovation?

Agility requires more than just speed; it demands a shared language and a foundational framework that allows teams to build, test, and innovate without being crushed by the weight of their own complexity.

This episode is brought to you by The Office of Experience, a design-driven, digital-first, vertically integrated and collaborative agency that believes in the power of ideas and the strength of people.

Today, we're going to talk about design systems. But probably not in the way you're used to thinking about them. We’re moving past the idea of a design system as just a rulebook or a library of components, and exploring how it can become a true catalyst for digital transformation—a tool that breaks down silos, accelerates business outcomes, and fundamentally changes how teams work together.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Nigel Dennis, Creative Director at The Office of Experience.

About Nigel Dennis

Nigel Dennis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nigelevandennis/

Resources

The Office of Experience: https://www.officeofexperience.com

This episode is brought to you by The Office of Experience, a design-driven, digital-first, vertically integrated and collaborative agency that believes in the power of ideas and the strength of people.

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#770: Constant Contact CEO Frank Vella on how B2B marketers and SMBs can partner for success

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 05:00:00 GMT

Is the increasing investment in marketing by SMBs a sign of growth and optimism, or is it masking a deeper struggle with confidence and effectiveness?

Agility requires not only adapting to the rapid pace of technological change but also understanding the core challenges faced by your customers, like SMBs struggling to measure marketing ROI. It also demands a willingness to simplify complex tools and processes, empowering businesses to achieve more with less.

Today, we're going to talk about the evolving landscape of marketing for small and medium-sized businesses, the challenges they face, and how B2B marketers can become essential partners in their success. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Frank Vella, CEO at Constant Contact.
About Frank Vella

I am the CEO of Constant Contact, a comprehensive digital and ecommerce marketing platform that makes it simple and effective for a business to market or sell their idea in today’s complex online marketing world. We strive to anticipate our customers’ needs and provide them with the tools and support they need to improve their businesses. Because when they succeed, we succeed.
Prior to joining Constant Contact, I built best-in-class operations at various sized tech firms across the globe, including top-tier companies like Microsoft, GE Capital, HP Enterprise and Xerox. I have led companies through growth, transformation and successful exits while remaining focused on building a terrific culture and keeping a company's product and presence ahead of the crowd. I’m a proud Canadian expat now living in New York City, and in my free time I enjoy traveling with my family.

Frank Vella on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-vella/

Resources

Constant Contact: https://www.constantcontact.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#769: Zoom CMO Kim Storin on why growth problems are often brand problems

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 05:00:00 GMT

In a world obsessed with conversion rates and customer acquisition costs, have we forgotten the one thing that actually makes both of them better?
Agility requires more than just the ability to react quickly to market signals. It demands a stable, strategic core—a brand—that provides the necessary context and direction to ensure your pivots are purposeful, not just panicked.

Today, we're going to talk about a fundamental truth that many organizations are wrestling with: what looks like a growth problem is often a brand problem. When acquisition costs are climbing and churn is a constant threat, the default response is often to double down on performance marketing. But in crowded markets, that's a race to the bottom. We’ll explore why brand is the ultimate lever for creating sustainable demand, pricing power, and the kind of loyalty that performance channels simply can't buy.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Kimberly Storin, CMO at Zoom.

About Kim Storin

Kimberly Storin is the CMO at Zoom, where she leads global marketing and communications. Prior to Zoom, Kim held marketing leadership roles at various tech companies, from SaaS start-ups to Fortune 50 companies, and was an M&A consultant at Deloitte earlier in her career.

She lives in Austin, is deeply involved with the Austin philanthropic community through the Austin Community Foundation, and serves on the Advisory Board for Women in Revenue.

Kim Storin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberlystorin/

Resources

Zoom: www.zoom.us

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#768: Infios Chief Innovation Officer Eugene Amigud on use-case driven success with AI

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 05:00:00 GMT

How can large organizations embrace the speed and adaptability of a startup while navigating the complexities of established processes and legacy systems, especially in the rapidly changing world of AI-driven consumer experiences?

Agility requires adopting new technologies while fundamentally shifting how teams operate, experiment, and learn from data. It demands a cultural evolution that embraces change and empowers individuals to respond quickly to market demands.

Today, we're going to talk about the transformative potential of AI-powered shopping and the significant implications it has for brands, retailers, and the entire supply chain. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Eugene Amigud, Chief Innovation Officer at Infios.

About Eugene Amigud

As Chief Innovation Officer, Eugene is leading Infios’s transformation of intelligent supply chain execution, creating a differentiated set of solutions for warehousing, transportation and order management that help businesses turn supply chain volatility into a competitive advantage. His career is marked by purposeful innovation, customer-centric design and a focus on measurable business impact, delivering adaptable solutions that meet businesses where they are - regardless of size or complexity – and equipping them with the innovative edge to thrive in an everchanging world.

Before joining Infios, Eugene founded Yantriks, pioneering a microservices-based order management platform adopted by some of the world’s largest retailers. He also drove advancements in order management and supply chain execution at Blue Yonder and IBM. With over 25 years of experience, Eugene consistently delivers adaptable solutions that enable enterprises to rapidly deploy new capabilities and realize business value faster.

Eugene holds a master’s degree in software engineering from Harvard Extension School and a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Based in the U.S., he works with organizations and partners worldwide.

Eugene Amigud on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eugene-amigud-a054992/

Resources

Infios: https://www.infios.com/en?_gl=1*tszg0*_up*MQ..*_gs*MQ..&gclid=CjwKCAjw_fnFBhB0EiwAH_MfZld1UyefOsqEBs3kGimP6qfyNQvUpQ-ejrgPcQCqt45G0VOwg6PwABoCKNQQAvD_BwE&gbraid=0AAAAAog9AS9c2QH86yGM6ujUe-E13sbIZ

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#767: Krisp.ai Co-Founder Arto Minasyan on voice AI and the customer experience

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 05:00:00 GMT

What if your customers could talk directly to your brand, without scaling your your customer service teams to a 1:1 capacity?

This episode is brought to you by Krisp.ai, the all-in-one voice AI that makes every conversation sound professional. With industry-leading noise cancellation, real-time accent conversion, accurate transcription, and smart call summaries, Krisp helps teams and individuals stay clear and productive. Trusted worldwide and powering over 75 billion minutes of conversations each month, Krisp is the easiest way to elevate every call. Try it free at krisp.ai.

Agility sometimes requires fundamentally rethinking the core business assumptions around how we fund growth, build teams, and create value.
Today, we're going to talk about the strategic decisions that underpin the AI revolution. It's not just about the technology itself, but about the crucial choices leaders make around how to finance innovation, how to structure teams, and how to stay ahead of the curve on what’s actually possible versus what’s just hype.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Arto Minasyan, Co-Founder & President at Krisp.ai.

About Arto Minasyan

Arto Minasyan is a visionary entrepreneur and co-founder of Krisp.ai and 10Web, two successful VC-backed startups that collectively raised $28 million and achieved profitability. He leads teams of around 300 professionals across both companies, driving innovation and operational excellence. Under his guidance, Krisp was honored as one of TIME’s Best Inventions of 2020, while 10Web’s AI Website Builder has powered over one million websites. Arto frequently shares insights on balancing venture capital with bootstrapping, advancing AI voice technology, and building diverse global tech teams beyond Silicon Valley.

Arto Minasyan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/artominasyan/

Resources

Krisp.ai: https://www.krisp.ai

This episode is brought to you by Krisp.ai, the all-in-one voice AI that makes every conversation sound professional. With industry-leading noise cancellation, real-time accent conversion, accurate transcription, and smart call summaries, Krisp helps teams and individuals stay clear and productive. Trusted worldwide and powering over 75 billion minutes of conversations each month, Krisp is the easiest way to elevate every call. Try it free at krisp.ai.

Register now for Sitecore Symposium, November 3-5 in Orlando Florida. Use code SYM25-2Media10 to receive 10% off. Go here for more: https://symposium.sitecore.com/
Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#766: Square CMO Lindsey Irvine on connecting with customers through community-driven storytelling

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 05:00:00 GMT

As we’re increasingly inundated with AI-generated content and algorithm-driven ads, what’s more powerful: yet another new technology, or the authentic voice of the small business owner on the corner?

Agility requires not just reacting to market shifts, but deeply understanding the very fabric of the communities you serve and having the conviction to amplify their voices over your own. It’s about finding strength not in shouting louder, but in listening closer.

Today, we're going to talk about how a brand can cut through an increasingly crowded market by turning its most loyal customers into its most powerful advocates. We'll explore the strategy of reasserting brand relevance through authentic, community-driven storytelling, and what it takes to execute this when competitors are focused on features and scale.
To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Lindsey Irvine, Chief Marketing Officer at Square.

About Lindsey Irvine

Lindsey Irvine is the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) at Square, the technology company that makes commerce and financial services easy and accessible. With nearly two decades of experience in marketing, strategy, and leadership across both large enterprises and fast-growing startups, Irvine is responsible for overseeing Square’s global marketing efforts, driving brand awareness, customer engagement, and market growth around the world, all in service of the company's mission to empower businesses and entrepreneurs worldwide.
Before joining Square, Irvine was CMO at Benchling, pioneer of the R&D Cloud powering the biotechnology industry. Prior to that, she spent nearly a decade at Salesforce, where she held several leadership roles, including global CMO for MuleSoft, and played a key part in developing go-to-market strategies across IoT, industry verticals, and cloud solutions. She is credited with driving high-impact global marketing strategies and helping position Salesforce as a leader in the enterprise software space.

Lindsey Irvine on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindseyirvine/

Resources

Square: https://squareup.com/us/en

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#765: Hexagon AB's George Chang on building a unified system of marketing measurement

Mon, 10 Nov 2025 05:00:00 GMT

When it comes to your digital experience, how often does a ‘great idea’ from a senior leader’s gut feeling get completely dismantled by actual user data?
Agility requires the willingness to be wrong and the systems to prove it quickly. It’s about building a culture that values learning over being right and relentlessly iterates based on real human behavior, not internal assumptions.

Today, we're going to talk about moving beyond ‘best practice’ and intuition to build a truly data-driven digital experience. We'll explore how to create a disciplined conversion rate optimization program where usability testing, A/B experimentation, and personalization aren’t just separate tactics, but a unified system, especially within a powerful platform like SitecoreAI, to build experiences that adapt to customer needs, not just our assumptions about them.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, George Chang, Senior Director, Digital Experience & Technology Corporate Marketing at Hexagon AB.
About George Chang

George Chang is the Senior Director of Digital Experience at Hexagon, leading digital transformation efforts to modernize web experiences, streamline operations, and drive business impact. With 25+ years of experience in development, marketing technology, content strategy, and digital platforms, he brings a unique ability to turn technical insights into strategic impact. A 9-time Sitecore MVP, George is an active voice in the DX community, advocating for scalable, user-centric experiences.

George Chang on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgechang/

Resources

Hexagon AB: https://www.hexagon.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#764: Closing the gap between brand promise and brand experience with Mark Wagner, Horizontal Digital

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 05:00:00 GMT

What if your brand's voice is drifting off-key in the ears of your customers, and you're the last one to know?

Agility requires more than just rapid execution; it demands a real-time, nuanced understanding of customer sentiment and the ability to translate that intelligence directly into action.

We are here at Sitecore Symposium in Orlando, Florida, and today we're going to talk about closing the gap between brand promise and customer perception. In an era of endless customer reviews, social media posts, and feedback channels, how can a large organization truly listen at scale and ensure its voice remains consistent and effective?

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Mark Wagner, Senior Director of Strategy at Horizontal Digital.
About Mark Wagner

With over 20 years of experience in digital product strategy, design, and innovation, I am a Senior Digital Experience and Product Strategist at Horizontal Digital, a leading digital consultancy specializing in serving and delivering amazing solutions for clients, their customers, and their employees. I am a highly collaborative, strategic client partner tirelessly focused on helping solve the things that keep our clients up at night.
My core competencies include digital experience and product strategy, customer experience strategy, Lean UX, agile product design and delivery, service design, and user research. I specialize in financial services, diversified, commerce, and B2B products and services that are people-centered and purpose-built for both business and customer value. As part of my large portfolio of noteworthy accomplishments, I am most passionate about solving complex digital transformation challenges, delivering needle-moving digital products, and fostering collaboration and inclusion.

Mark Wagner on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrkwgnr/

Resources

Horizontal Digital: https://www.horizontal.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#763: Pega CTO Don Schuerman on how AI can pay down tech debt and accelerate digital transformation

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 05:00:00 GMT

Pega provides the leading AI-powered platform for enterprise transformation. The world’s most influential organizations trust Pega’s technology to reimagine how work gets done by automating workflows, personalizing customer experiences, and modernizing legacy systems. Since 1983, Pega’s scalable, flexible architecture has fueled continuous innovation, helping clients accelerate their path to the autonomous enterprise. Learn more at Pega.com
What if the most valuable use of AI in the enterprise is actually the often overlooked yet incredibly costly work of untangling decades of legacy code and process documents?

Agility requires the ability to adapt and evolve, but for many enterprises, that ability is trapped inside decades of legacy systems and byzantine processes. What if the same AI that's creating the new could also be the key to understanding and modernizing the old?

Today, we're going to talk about moving beyond the hype we’re so used to hearing about AI and into the practical, high-impact world of agentic AI. We’ll explore how this approach can help large organizations finally tackle their technical debt, not by ripping and replacing, but by understanding and redesigning from the inside out, fostering a new level of collaboration between business and IT along the way.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Don Schuerman, CTO at Pega.

About Don Schuerman

As CTO and Vice President of Marketing & Technology Strategy at Pegasystems, I see my role as being a "Chief Translation Officer" – bridging the gap between cutting-edge technology and real-world business value. With 25 years of experience in orchestration and AI technology, I'm passionate about translating complex technical concepts into meaningful solutions that drive digital transformation for global organizations.
My approach to technology leadership has been shaped by an unexpected source: 20 years of improv comedy at ImprovBoston's Mainstage. The skills I honed there – active listening, storytelling, and thinking on my feet – now help me connect with both technical teams and business leaders. It's where I also met my wife, proving that sometimes the best partnerships form when you say "yes, and..."
At Pega, I lead the intersection of technology and go-to-market strategy across our enterprise AI decisioning and workflow automation platform. My focus is two-fold: translating the power of technology into tangible value for our Fortune 500 clients, while ensuring our technology roadmap reflects the evolving needs of these organizations. I believe that inclusivity is a key ingredient of innovation and am honored to service as Executive Sponsor of the Pride@Pega Employee Resource Group.

Don Schuerman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donschuerman/

Resources

Pega: https://www.pega.com

Pega provides the leading AI-powered platform for enterprise transformation. The world’s most influential organizations trust Pega’s technology to reimagine how work gets done by automating workflows, personalizing customer experiences, and modernizing legacy systems. Since 1983, Pega’s scalable, flexible architecture has fueled continuous innovation, helping clients accelerate their path to the autonomous enterprise.

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#762: Scaling a brand while maintaining local differentiation with Renaud Delaquis, Coastline Academy

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 05:00:00 GMT

With customer expectations constantly evolving, how can large organizations avoid using obsolete methods and instead embrace agility to thrive and drive meaningful growth?

Agility requires both adapting to change and anticipating it in the first place. It demands a willingness to experiment, learn, and iterate quickly, especially when it comes to connecting with your target audience in new and innovative ways.

Today, we're going to talk about the challenges and opportunities of scaling a brand nationwide while maintaining a strong local presence. It's a balancing act that requires a deep understanding of both digital innovation and grassroots tactics. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Renaud Delaquis, Head of Product Marketing at Coastline Academy.
About Renaud Delaquis

Renaud Delaquis is the Head of Product Marketing at Coastline Academy, the nation’s largest driving school. With a strong background in e-commerce, digital marketing, product scaling, and SEO, Renaud leads the company’s marketing and growth strategies. Specializing in developing and executing marketing plans across a variety of paid and organic channels, Renaud has helped Coastline achieve rapid growth in a slow-moving industry. His experience creating grassroots marketing campaigns at scale in a business spanning over 500+ cities gives him unique insight into both local and national marketing.

Renaud Delaquis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renaud-delaquis/

Resources

Coastline Academy: https://coastlineacademy.com/

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#761: Treasure Data CEO Kaz Ohta and CMO Karen Wood on the AI-driven reinvention of marketing

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 05:00:00 GMT

What if the very foundation of your marketing cloud, the one you've spent years building, is at worst actually giving your AI amnesia, and at best missing key opportunities to connect with your customers?

Agility requires more than just reacting quickly; it demands an intelligent foundation that can anticipate customer needs and empower your teams to act on them with confidence and precision.

Today, we're going to talk about the AI-driven reinvention of marketing. For years, marketing clouds have promised a unified view of the customer and personalized engagement, but many leaders are still struggling with fragmented systems, disconnected data, and unpredictable costs. Now, the demands of AI are exposing the foundational cracks in that legacy architecture, forcing a fundamental shift in how we think about the relationship between data, intelligence, and execution.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Kaz Ohta, CEO and Karen Wood, CMO at Treasure Data.

About Kaz Ohta and Karen Wood

Kaz Ohta is CEO & Co-Founder of Treasure Data.
Karen Wood is Chief Marketing Officer at Treasure Data.

Kaz Ohta and Karen Wood on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kazukiohta/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/thekarenwood/

Resources

Treasure Data: https://www.treasuredata.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Register now for Sitecore Symposium, November 3-5 in Orlando Florida. Use code SYM25-2Media10 to receive 10% off. Go here for more: https://symposium.sitecore.com/
Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

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#760: Nestlé's Daniel Damasio on successful marketing transformation that is both global and local

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 04:00:00 GMT

When customers continually demand hyper-local relevance, is the concept of a "global brand" an asset or a liability?

Agility requires not just the ability to pivot, but the intelligence to know *when* and *how* to pivot based on real-time customer understanding. This means moving beyond global assumptions and empowering local teams with the data to make smarter, faster decisions.

Today, we are here at Treasure Data’s CDP World in Las Vegas, and we're going to talk about one of the biggest challenges facing any multinational company: how to maintain brand consistency and operational efficiency on a global scale, while delivering the locally relevant, personalized experiences that actually build relationships with customers. It's a classic battle between standardization and personalization, and the key to winning often lies in how you unify and activate your data.
To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Daniel Damasio, Senior CRM Analyst at Nestlé.

About Daniel Damasio

Daniel Damasio is Senior CRM Analyst at Nestlé.

Daniel Damasio on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-damasio-674190150/

Resources

Nestlé: https://www.nestle.com

Treasure Data: https://www.treasuredata.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Register now for Sitecore Symposium, November 3-5 in Orlando Florida. Use code SYM25-2Media10 to receive 10% off. Go here for more: https://symposium.sitecore.com/

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

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#759: Transcend's Phyllis Fang on personalization utilizing data privacy by design

Thu, 30 Oct 2025 04:00:00 GMT

With AI making it easier than ever to generate content, and consumers demanding more privacy than ever, is the promise of true 1:1 personalization now an impossible myth?

Agility requires both adaptation to new AI-based tools and methods while also navigating the complex and shifting landscape of consumer trust and data privacy. It's about being responsive to both the opportunity and the responsibility.

Today, we're going to talk about the central paradox facing marketers: the mandate for deep, AI-powered personalization is growing at the exact same time that access to the data that fuels it is becoming more restricted by privacy regulations and consumer skepticism. We’ll explore how brands can bridge this gap, build trust, and turn privacy from a compliance hurdle into a competitive advantage.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Phyllis Fang, Head of Marketing at Transcend.

About Phyllis Fang

Phyllis Fang is Head of Marketing at Transcend, the leading privacy infrastructure company. Before joining Transcend, Phyllis held senior marketing roles at Uber, where she drove the company's safety products. Her work included launching features like the Door-to-Door Safety Standard, which went live in 70+ countries during the Covid-19 pandemic. Earlier in her career, Phyllis worked across digital and product marketing for e-commerce and consumer applications. Phyllis graduated from UC Berkeley and is based in San Francisco.

Phyllis Fang on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pdfang/

Resources

Transcend: https://transcend.io/

This show is brought to you by Transcend, the privacy infrastructure company that unleashes growth for the world’s leading brands. Unlike legacy tools which create manual bottlenecks, Transcend embeds data and consumer preference governance directly into business systems–so teams can confidently and quickly activate data for AI, personalized experiences, customer engagement and growth at scale and with reduced risk. Learn more at www.transcend.io.

Read Transcend's report: Hidden in Plain Sight: How Consent and Preference Data Are Driving Enterprise Growth: https://transcend.io/hidden-in-plain-sight-report

Register now for Sitecore Symposium, November 3-5 in Orlando Florida. Use code SYM25-2Media10 to receive 10% off. Go here for more: https://symposium.sitecore.com/
Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

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#758: Lovesac CEO Shawn D. Nelson on building a resilient brand in an uncertain world

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 04:00:00 GMT

What if bankruptcy, a global financial crisis, and other hurdles along the way aren’t the end of your brand, but instead a way to help you define what it truly is?

Agility requires a willingness to experiment and adapt, not just in your technology stack, but also in your organizational structure and the very culture of your company. It also demands a deep understanding of your customer and a commitment to delivering personalized experiences.
Today, we're going to talk about building a resilient brand in the face of uncertainty, balancing the need for both efficiency and innovation, and the critical role of company culture in achieving long-term success. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Shawn D. Nelson, CEO at Lovesac.
About Shawn D. Nelson

Shawn D. Nelson is the author of Let Me Save You 25 Years: Mistakes, Miracles, and Lessons from the Lovesac Story. He is the founder and CEO of the Lovesac Company, which designs, manufactures, and sells such furniture as modular couches and bean bag chairs. Nelson holds a BA in Mandarin Chinese from the University of Utah and a Master’s degree in Strategic Design and Management from Parsons, The New School for Design in New York City, where he later became an instructor.

Shawn D. Nelson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawndnelson/

Resources

Lovesac: https://www.lovesac.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Register now for Sitecore Symposium, November 3-5 in Orlando Florida. Use code SYM25-2Media10 to receive 10% off. Go here for more: https://symposium.sitecore.com/
Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

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#757: Funnel CEO Fredrik Skantze on the evolution of marketing measurement

Mon, 27 Oct 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Marketing is quickly evolving - is your team agile enough to navigate the waters of evolving customer expectations, best practices in marketing measurement, and the rise of AI?
Agility requires more than just quick reactions; it demands a proactive understanding of emerging trends and the ability to adapt your strategies, processes, and tech stack accordingly. It's about building a brand that can continuously learn and evolve.
Today, we're going to talk about navigating the complexities of modern marketing measurement and the critical role data plays in building an agile brand, especially as AI rapidly transforms the landscape. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Fredrik Skantze, CEO & Co-Founder at Funnel.

About Fredrik Skantze

Fredrik Skantze is the CEO and Co-Founder of Funnel, the marketing intelligence platform offering customers such as Adidas, Sony and Samsung advanced marketing data, analytics and visualization. An alumnus of MIT and Stanford, Fredrik is a serial entrepreneur and co-founded Funnel over ten years ago. In that time, the platform has become a global frontrunner in marketing intelligence, serving some of the world’s best-known brands, e-commerce companies, media agencies, b2b businesses, mobile apps and gaming companies.

Fredrik Skantze on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fredrikskantze/

Resources

Funnel: https://funnel.io/

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Register now for Sitecore Symposium, November 3-5 in Orlando Florida. Use code SYM25-2Media10 to receive 10% off. Go here for more: https://symposium.sitecore.com/
Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

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#756: Eagle Eye CRO Jeff Baskin on maximizing your retail media network strategy

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Are retailers leaving money on the table by treating retail media networks as just another advertising channel, rather than a strategic lever for growth and profitability?
Agility requires a willingness to adapt and evolve strategies in response to real-time data and changing consumer behaviors. It also demands a commitment to iterative testing and optimization, allowing brands to continuously refine their approach to retail media.
Today, we're going to talk about how advanced AI is transforming retail media networks, enabling more targeted, personalized, and ultimately, profitable campaigns.
To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Jeff Baskin, Chief Revenue Officer at Eagle Eye. Jeff, welcome to the show!
About Jeff Baskin

Jeff Baskin is an accomplished senior executive with a proven track record in the origination and management of strategic partnerships with multi-million dollar revenue outcomes. 4x successful exits including IPO and private equity acquisitions. P&L ownership and revenue responsibilities of over $150M. He builds and leads highly functional teams that deliver growth and high margins. He is a results driven leader with start – up, turn around and public company experience. A proven leader who has led teams in sales, business development, marketing, customer success, product implementation, solution engineering and all aspects of revenue generation.
Jeff has a 25+ year portfolio of success in a diverse set of roles and a unique ability to manage cross functional relationships, analyze KPIs and navigate complex business deals to create long term partnerships. He has created deals with companies across many different verticals including omni-channel retail, grocery, restaurant / hospitality, sports and entertainment both direct and through channel partnerships.

Jeff Baskin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffbaskin/

Resources

Eagle Eye: https://www.eagleeye.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

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#755: Sitecore CMO Michelle Boockoff-Bajdek and Microsoft's Talisha Padgett on designed intelligence for marketing

Thu, 23 Oct 2025 04:00:00 GMT

In the race to adopt AI, how do we avoid creating a sea of sameness and alienating the very customers we're trying to connect with?

Today, we're going to talk about the intentional design of our marketing future. We’ll explore how leading brands are moving beyond the hype of AI to build practical, collaborative frameworks between humans and machines, shifting from outdated customer segments to real-time signals, and ultimately, creating experiences that are not only efficient but deeply empathetic and relevant.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Michelle Boockoff-Bajdek, CMO at Sitecore and Talisha Padgett, GM MArTech, AI & Automation at Microsoft, who will be doing a fireside chat at the upcoming Sitecore Symposium, November 3-5 in Orlando Florida. We’re going to get a sneak preview today of some of the topics they’ll be discussing.

About Michelle Boockoff-Bajdek and Talisha Padgett

Michelle Boockoff-Bajdek on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellebb/

Talisha Padgett on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/talishapadgett/

Resources

Sitecore: https://www.sitecore.com

Register now for Sitecore Symposium, November 3-5 in Orlando, Florida. Use code SYM25-2Media10 to receive 10% off. Go here for more: https://symposium.sitecore.com/

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

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#754: Robin Ross on what happens to retail when your best customers are AI agents

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 04:00:00 GMT

What if your perfectly crafted brand message, your multi-million dollar ad campaign, and your carefully designed user experience are completely ignored by your next customer... because your next customer is a machine?

Agility requires not just adapting to changing customer behaviors, but completely rethinking the very definition of a "customer interaction." It means building the technical and strategic flexibility to engage with autonomous agents as effectively as we do with people.

Today, we are at MAICON - the Marketing AI Conference - in Cleveland, Ohio, and we're going to talk about a concept that’s moving from science fiction to strategic planning: agentic commerce. This is the world where AI agents don't just help us, they act for us. On one hand, brands are using internal agents to optimize their own operations. But the more disruptive side, and our main focus today, is when consumers deploy their own AI agents to research, negotiate, and purchase on their behalf. This shift could fundamentally change everything from marketing and branding to the very nature of e-commerce.

About Robin Ross

I’m a marketing and strategy executive with 20+ years of experience driving growth through data, loyalty, and digital transformation. I’ve led initiatives that expand membership, strengthen customer engagement, and scale innovation across functions.
My expertise includes marketing analytics, loyalty programs, digital transformation, and applying AI and data to accelerate decision-making. I focus on simplifying complexity, aligning teams, and building systems that deliver measurable results.
I thrive at the intersection of strategy and execution—partnering with leaders to clarify goals, design customer-centric programs, and turn them into business impact.

Robin Ross on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robin-ross-activateinsight/

Resources

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Register now for Sitecore Symposium, November 3-5 in Orlando Florida. Use code SYM25-2Media10 to receive 10% off. Go here for more: https://symposium.sitecore.com/

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

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#753: Wrike CMO Christine Royston on building marketing teams for agility

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Is your marketing organization built for disruption or doomed to be disrupted?

Agility requires both rapidly responding to market changes while also anticipating and shaping your products or services to map to evolving customer expectations. This means embracing new technologies and strategies while maintaining a laser focus on delivering value.

Today, we're going to talk about how leading marketing organizations are leveraging AI and collaborative work management to not only survive but thrive in today's dynamic landscape. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Christine Royston, Chief Marketing Officer at Wrike.
About Christine Royston

Christine Royston serves as Wrike’s Chief Marketing Officer and is responsible for overseeing the global marketing program, driving a customer-first strategy, and focusing on enterprise growth. Christine joined Wrike with more than 20 years of B2B enterprise marketing experience. She most recently served as Vice President and Global Head of B2B Marketing for Udemy and Vice President and Head of Marketing at Bitly.

Christine has also held senior leadership roles at Dropbox, Imperva, and Salesforce. She holds a B.A. from the University of Virginia and an International MBA in Global Marketing from the University of South Carolina Darla Moore School of Business. ,Yes, this will be completed shortly

Christine Royston on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christineroyston

Resources

Wrike: https://www.wrike.com/

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Register now for Sitecore Symposium, November 3-5 in Orlando Florida. Use code SYM25-2Media10 to receive 10% off. Go here for more: https://symposium.sitecore.com/
Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

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#752: Microsoft Azure Core CTO Marcus Fontoura on innovation and the platform mindset

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Is your organization truly agile, or are you still clinging to outdated processes and siloed teams instead of a platform mindset?
Agility requires a fundamental shift in mindset, embracing collaboration, rapid iteration, and a willingness to adapt to change. It demands a commitment to not just talking about silos, but meaningfully breaking them down, while fostering a culture of shared ownership across the organization.
Today, we're going to talk about the power of a platform mindset in driving innovation and achieving true agility within large organizations. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Marcus Fontoura, Technical Fellow at Microsoft, as CTO for Azure Core at Microsoft, and author of the book “A Platform Mindset: Building a Culture of Collaboration”

About Marcus Fontoura

Marcus Fontoura has spent more than 20 years in big tech companies and has been at the forefront of industry-shaping technology innovations, from computational advertising to cloud computing to fintech. He is currently a Technical Fellow at Microsoft, where he works on cloud computing infrastructure.
His new book, A Platform Mindset: Building a Culture of
Collaboration (8080 Books, Feb. 11, 2025), shares how companies can expand and scale processes to bring about competitive advantages.
Learn more at fontoura.org.

Marcus Fontoura on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcusfontoura/

Resources

Microsoft: https://www.microsoft.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Get Marcus' book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Platform-Mindset-Building-Culture-Collaboration/dp/B0DSY849P8
Register now for Sitecore Symposium, November 3-5 in Orlando Florida. Use code SYM25-2Media10 to receive 10% off. Go here for more: https://symposium.sitecore.com/
Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

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#751: Traject Data CEO Rochelle Thielen on the role of data in retail

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 04:00:00 GMT

In today's hyper-competitive retail landscape, is it even possible to build a sustainable brand without a thorough, real-time understanding of your customer and your market?

Agility requires more than just fast reactions; it demands proactive insights driven by robust, real-time data. It's about anticipating the next move, not just responding to the last one.

Today, we're going to talk about the critical role of real-time data in navigating the complexities of modern retail, from combating fraud and unauthorized sellers to personalizing the customer journey and staying ahead of the competition.
To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Rochelle Thielen, CEO at Traject Data.

About Rochelle Thielen

Rochelle Thielen is the CEO of Traject Data, where she champions the vital role of data aggregation in driving transformative advancements in AI, machine learning, and software development.

Rochelle Thielen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rochelle-thielen/

Resources

Traject Data: https://www.trajectdata.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Register now for Sitecore Symposium, November 3-5 in Orlando Florida. Use code SYM25-2Media10 to receive 10% off. Go here for more: https://symposium.sitecore.com/
Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#750: MOO's Corin Mills on the strength of physical marketing in the digital age

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 04:00:00 GMT

With all the fragmentation in the media landscape, how can brands cut through the digital noise and create meaningful connections with their customers... without resorting to yet another intrusive pop-up ad?
Agility requires not only adapting to changing consumer behaviors but also proactively anticipating them. It demands a willingness to experiment with new channels and tactics, even those that might be considered “traditional"
Today, we're going to talk about the surprising resurgence of physical marketing in the digital age and how it can be a powerful tool for building brand loyalty and driving business growth. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Corin Mills, Brand Marketing & E-commerce Director at MOO.

About Corin Mills

Corin Mills is the Brand Marketing & E-Commerce Director at MOO, specializing in data-driven marketing strategies that revitalize brand experiences and foster meaningful organizational change. With over 15 years of extensive brand management experience driving business transformation across multiple sectors and international markets, his passion for impactful branding drives MOO’s success in bridging the gap between quality design and human connection. As former Head of Brand and Comms at Currys, his transformative approach centers on genuine collaboration and inclusive leadership at all levels of business. With previous success at major brands including EE, Tesco, Currys, Google, Orange, and AXA, Corin brings unique cross-industry perspective to discussions about e-commerce strategy and optimization. Corin holds a BSc in Product Design from Brunel University of London.

Corin Mills on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/corin-mills-a2678211/

Resources

MOO: https://www.moo.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Register now for Sitecore Symposium, November 3-5 in Orlando Florida. Use code SYM25-2Media10 to receive 10% off. Go here for more: https://symposium.sitecore.com/
Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

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#749: Data Axle CEO Andrew Frawley on using identity resolution for stronger customer relationships

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Are you building a brand that's building customer relationships—and the data behind them—to last or one that's just trying to keep up with today’s omnichannel consumer?

Agility requires not just reacting to change but anticipating it and even shaping it. It demands a deep understanding of your customer and the ability to adapt your strategies in real-time.

Today, we're going to talk about the critical role of data reliability and identity resolution in building an agile brand. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Andrew Frawley, CEO at Data Axle.

About Andrew Frawley

Andrew (Andy) Frawley, with over 30 years of operational experience, including 25 years in senior leadership, has excelled in diverse industries such as agency, marketing services, software, and professional services. As a seasoned leader, he specializes in SaaS, Digital Marketing, CRM, Big Data, and Marketing Automation. As the CEO of Data Axle, Andy is dedicated to further developing industry-leading client solutions and delivering world-class services to Data Axle clients.

A published author of “Igniting Customer Connections” (2014), Andy is a sought-after speaker on various business and technical topics related to Digital Marketing, Product Innovation, Agency Innovation, Customer Analytics, Big Data, and Customer Value Management. During his distinguished career, he has advised many clients, ranging from small digital businesses to the largest global marketing organizations. Andy’s breakthrough thinking and methodologies, including ROE2, Cliquity, Continuous Customer Management, and Value in Play, have guided organizations in delivering tangible ROI from their customer and marketing investments.

Andrew Frawley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyfrawley/

Resources

Data Axle: https://www.data-axle.com/

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Register now for Sitecore Symposium, November 3-5 in Orlando Florida. Use code SYM25-2Media10 to receive 10% off. Go here for more: https://symposium.sitecore.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

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#748: Markup AI CEO Matt Blumberg on creating a winning AI-supported content strategy

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 10:35:00 GMT

How can large organizations harness the power of AI for content creation while simultaneously mitigating the risks that come with exponentially scaling content volume and velocity?

Agility requires adaptation to new ways of working as well as adapting governance and oversight processes to maintain brand integrity and manage risk in the new paradigm that AI has helped to create. It also requires the ability to quickly react and adjust content strategies in response to real-time performance data and market shifts.

This episode is brought to you by Markup AI. AI can create content, but Markup AI’s Content Guardian AgentsSM perfect your content. Markup AI instantly scans, scores, and rewrites any content to enforce your standards for brand voice, terminology, and compliance, giving you the confidence you need to scale your use of AI. Learn more at www.markup.ai.

Today, we're going to talk about navigating the exciting but often treacherous landscape of AI-driven content creation. The sheer volume of content being generated presents unprecedented challenges for maintaining quality, consistency, and brand integrity.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Matt Blumberg, CEO at Markup AI.

About Matt Blumberg

Matt is the CEO of Markup AI and has more than 30 years of leadership in scaling global disruptive technology businesses. Matt is passionate about the power of language — being precise with it, using it to move people, and ensuring brands maintain a consistent voice with it — and he is equally passionate about the power of technology to change lives for the better.

Before launching Markup AI, Matt successfully launched and led brands and companies including Acrolinx, MovieFone.com division of 777-FILM (acquired by AOL), Return Path (#2 on Fortune Magazine’s “Best Companies to Work for” list and later acquired by PSG/Validity), the nonprofit Path Forward, and Bolster, a disruptive platform for executive search in the tech industry.

Additionally, Matt is the author of a blog (Startup CEO), a podcast (The Daily Bolster), and three acclaimed books on startup leadership (Startup CEO, Startup CXO, and Startup Boards), further underscoring his expertise and commitment to innovation. Matt is based in New York City.

Matt Blumberg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blumbergmatt/

Resources

Markup AI: https://markup.ai/

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Register now for Sitecore Symposium, November 3-5 in Orlando Florida. Use code SYM25-2Media10 to receive 10% off. Go here for more: https://symposium.sitecore.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#747: Shutterfly's Chip Lewis on building a strong content strategy by listening to customers

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Is your content strategy guided more by hunches than data?
Agility requires being nimble enough to adapt everything from a single post to key components of your content strategy based on how real customers are interacting and engaging.
Today, we are in New York City at Contentsquare’s CX Circle and we're going to talk about listening to what your customers want and how they interact with your content to help a brand create the strongest possible content strategy.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Chip Lewis, Director of Web Analytics at Shutterfly.

About Chip Lewis

Chip Lewis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ulianau/

Resources

Shutterfly: https://www.shutterfly.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Register now for Sitecore Symposium, November 3-5 in Orlando Florida. Use code SYM25-2Media10 to receive 10% off. Go here for more: https://symposium.sitecore.com/
Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#746: Microsoft's Kelly Soligon on personalizing the DTC customer experience

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 04:00:00 GMT

In a world saturated with marketing messages, how can brands cut through the noise and create truly resonant experiences that go beyond transactions to create genuine, long-term customer relationships?

Agility requires a willingness to constantly adapt and evolve your strategies based on real-time data and customer feedback. It also demands a culture of experimentation and a commitment to iterating quickly on what you learn.

Today, we are in New York City at Contentsquare’s CX Circle and we're going to talk about leveraging AI and personalization to drive success in direct-to-consumer marketing. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Kelly Soligon, VP of Consumer Digital Direct Sales at Microsoft. Kelly, welcome to the show!

About Kelly Soligon

Kelly Soligon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ksoligon/

Resources

Microsoft: https://www.microsoft.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Register now for Sitecore Symposium, November 3-5 in Orlando Florida. Use code SYM25-2Media10 to receive 10% off. Go here for more: https://symposium.sitecore.com/
Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#745: Digital experience analytics and VOC with Dave Anderson, Contentsquare

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Is your brand agile enough for the changing expectations of your customers in a world increasingly driven by AI?

Agility requires more than just fast reactions; it demands proactive adaptation, continuous learning, and a willingness to embrace emerging technologies. It also requires understanding how these technologies can transform customer experience and drive business value.

Today, we are in New York City at Contentsquares CX Circle and we're going to talk about the convergence of digital experience analytics and the power of voice of the customer insights, particularly in light of the increasing impact of AI.
We'll also dive into how these insights can drive a more agile and customer-centric approach to brand building.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Dave Anderson, VP of Product Marketing at Contentsquare.

About Dave Anderson

Dave Anderson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveando/

Resources

Contentsquare: https://www.contentsquare.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Register now for Sitecore Symposium, November 3-5 in Orlando Florida. Use code SYM25-2Media10 to receive 10% off. Go here for more: https://symposium.sitecore.com/
Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#744: Journey management and driving business results with Mark Smith and Raymond Gerber, Institute for Journey Management

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 04:00:00 GMT

The customer journey guides the lifetime value of our most important audiences, yet how do we ensure that we are planning, mapping, managing, and optimizing these journeys effectively?

Agility requires a deep understanding of your customer's journey and the ability to adapt your strategies and tactics in real-time. It also demands a willingness to experiment, learn, and iterate quickly, embracing change as an opportunity rather than a threat.

Today, we're going to talk about the exciting new Institute for Journey Management and how it's helping businesses unlock the power of customer-centricity in a complex and ever-changing world.
To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Mark Smith and Raymond Gerber from the Institute for Journey Management.

About Mark Smith and Raymond Gerber

Raymond Gerber
Raymond Gerber is Co-Founder of the Institute for Journey Management (I4JM) and Founder of JourneyCentric-CX, where he helps enterprises operationalize customer journeys to drive measurable value. With over 25 years of experience, including leadership roles at Qualtrics, Thunderhead (acquired by Medallia), Pegasystems, and Chordiant, Raymond has been at the forefront of journey orchestration, analytics, and AI-driven engagement. He holds 5 patents in journey analytics and customer experience innovation and has guided multiple SaaS organizations through successful acquisitions.
Mark Smith
Mark Smith is Co-Founder of the Institute for Journey Management (I4JM) and Founder of Journey-Smiths, a boutique consultancy helping companies drive value from journey technology. Mark has over 30 years of experience in customer analytics and engagement, including leadership roles at Kitewheel, CSG, Portrait Software and Quadstone - guiding a series of software start-ups to over $100M in exits. He has steered customer analytic products to recognized market leadership positions since the late 1990s, and became a pioneer in the new domains of journey analytics and orchestration in 2013. By training Mark is a statistician, with a PhD from the early days of AI and distributed computing. However he fights against the statistician stereotype and has focused on customer and market alignment for products throughout his career.
The Institute for Journey Management is a new industry association with a mission to unite journey management ecosystem members. It brings together business leaders, practitioners, implementers and vendors in a collaborative, non-profit initiative to develop shared knowledge of the business benefits possible from journey management.

Resources

Institute for Journey Management: https://www.i4jm.org/

This episode is brought to you by Kinetic Data. Self-service without compromise. Build powerful self-service experiences across your entire organization without sacrificing speed, flexibility, security, or control. https://kineticdata.com/

Register now for Sitecore Symposium, November 3-5 in Orlando Florida. Use code SYM25-2Media10 to receive 10% off. Go here for more: https://symposium.sitecore.com/
Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#743: Always-on collaboration between AI and marketing with Devin Kunysz, Salesforce

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Are marketers ready to relinquish some control and embrace a future where autonomous agents handle complex tasks and act as always-on collaborators?

Agility requires adapting to change while also anticipating it, and being ready to adapt when new ways of doing things mean better outcomes for customers and the brand.
Today, we're going to talk about how marketers can bring agentic marketing to life with actionable data, cross-departmental workflows, and autonomous AI agents that handle complex tasks and act as always-on collaborators. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Devin Kunysz, Senior Director, Industry GTM, Consumer Goods & Retail at Salesforce. Devin, welcome to the show!

About Devin Kunysz

Devin Kunysz on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devinkunysz/

Resources

Salesforce: https://www.salesforce.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Register now for Sitecore Symposium, November 3-5 in Orlando Florida. Use code SYM25-2Media10 to receive 10% off. Go here for more: https://symposium.sitecore.com/
Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#742: Making frictionless payments a reality with Peter Galvin, NMI

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 04:00:00 GMT

How do we future-proof the digital payment experience so it becomes invisible to customers—yet keep it working harder than ever for brands?
Agility requires a deep understanding of how technology can simplify the customer journey without compromising security or trust.

Today we’re going to talk about the future of secure digital payments, how in-app and frictionless experiences are redefining customer loyalty, and why platform providers need to take the in-app payment shift seriously.
To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Peter Galvin, Chief Marketing Officer at NMI.
About Peter Galvin

Peter is Chief Marketing Officer at NMI and is a 20-year veteran of global technology organizations, specializing in promoting innovative enterprise and Cloud-based software companies to leadership positions. He previously served as Chief Marketing Officer at Entrust and Proofpoint, as well as Chief Strategy & Marketing Officer for nCipher (formerly Thales e-Security). Peter has also served in senior marketing leadership roles at leading technology companies including Openwave, Inktomi (acquired by Yahoo) and Oracle. He’s passionate about skiing and travel, and enjoys cooking and spending time with his family.

Peter Galvin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petergalvin/

Resources

NMI: https://www.nmi.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Register now for Sitecore Symposium, November 3-5 in Orlando Florida. Use code SYM25-2Media10 to receive 10% off. Go here for more: https://symposium.sitecore.com/
Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#741: Managing your brand reputation in real-time with Jeff Hahn, Hahn Agency

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 04:00:00 GMT

AI, real-time marketing, and influencer partnerships can be amazing ways to reach customers, but how do you manage the risk they could potentially bring to your brand and reputation—in an instant?

Agility requires a willingness to adapt quickly to changing market conditions and customer expectations. It also demands the ability to experiment, learn, and iterate on strategies in real-time.

Today, we're going to talk about navigating the evolving PR landscape and how AI is impacting communications strategies, particularly in the realm of influencer marketing and brand reputation. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Jeff Hahn, Principal at Hahn Agency, and author of the book Breaking Bad News: 12 Essential Crisis Communication Tools.

About Jeff Hahn
Jeff Hahn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-d-hahn/

Resources

Hahn Agency: https://hahn.agency/

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Register now for Sitecore Symposium, November 3-5 in Orlando Florida. Use code SYM25-2Media10 to receive 10% off. Go here for more: https://symposium.sitecore.com/
Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#740: Navigating Build vs. Buy with Luv Kapur, Bit

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 04:00:00 GMT

This episode is brought to you by Bit. In the age of AI, don’t just generate code - compose software. Bit helps you create and reuse independent components to build reliable, scalable applications. Stop rebuilding and start shipping with the AI-powered composition platform at www.bit.dev
Agility requires a nuanced understanding of not just the technology at hand, but also the internal capabilities and collaborative potential within an organization. It demands a willingness to adapt strategies, embrace change, and prioritize value delivery above rigid adherence to traditional models.
Today, we're going to talk about navigating the increasingly complex "build vs. buy" dilemma in the age of AI, and how an inner-source approach can offer a compelling alternative. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Luv Kapur, Staff Engineering Lead at Bit.

About Luv Kapur

Luv Kapur is a technology leader pioneering the future of enterprise development tools at Bit, where he leads core platform initiatives that bridge open-source innovation with enterprise-grade solutions.
Previously, at the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP), Luv architected and led the development of a comprehensive fintech platform that powers custom trading systems managing over $100 billion in annual transactions. His leadership was instrumental in successfully integrating the Bit platform across HOOPP, scaling it to empower over 10 teams and 100 developers.
Throughout his career, Luv has specialized in building high-performance platform teams that accelerate enterprise software delivery. At both enterprise organizations and now at Bit, he focuses on creating developer tooling that makes modern development practices accessible at scale – transforming how large teams approach component reuse, dependency management, and AI-assisted development.

Luv Kapur on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luvkapur/

Resources

Bit: https://www.bit.dev

This episode is brought to you by Bit. In the age of AI, don’t just generate code - compose software. Bit helps you create and reuse independent components to build reliable, scalable applications. Stop rebuilding and start shipping with the AI-powered composition platform at www.bit.dev

Try ZipRecruiter for FREE at ⁠ZipRecruiter.com/audio

Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#739: Doing Gen Z marketing right with Smita Wadhawan, Constant Contact

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Is your brand's marketing strategy feeling a little… seasoned? In today's social media landscape, clinging to outdated tactics can mean clinging to what was hot just last week. If you feel like it's time to inject some youthful energy into your approach, how can you do it authentically?

Agility requires a willingness to experiment, learn, and adapt quickly. It also demands a deep understanding of your audience and the platforms they engage with.

Today, we're going to talk about how SMBs can capture the lightning-in-a-bottle energy of Gen Z marketing without looking like they're trying too hard. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Smita Wadhawan, CMO at Constant Contact.

About Smita Wadhawan

Smita Wadhawan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smitawadhawan/

Resources

Constant Contact: https://www.constantcontact.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Try ZipRecruiter for FREE at ⁠ZipRecruiter.com/audio

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#738: Building marketing strategy when change is the constant with Heidi Bullock, Tealium

Mon, 22 Sep 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Successful marketers are able to anticipate and act on opportunities and trends, but what happens when the next 10 days can be as difficult to predict as the next 10 years?

Agility requires not only rapid responses to changing market conditions, but also the ability to anticipate and proactively shape those conditions to your advantage. It's no longer enough to react; you have to predict and influence.
Today, we're going to talk about navigating the uncertainties of the current digital advertising environment and maximizing ROI when forecasting feels like gazing into a crystal ball.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Heidi Bullock, CMO at Tealium.

About Heidi Bullock

Currently the CMO of Tealium, a customer data platform (CDP) provider, Heidi Bullock is an experienced marketing executive who has built a 20+ year career working at both global enterprise technology companies and start-ups. Prior, she was the CMO of Engagio, where she was responsible for the go-to-market strategy, product marketing, internal sales, corporate communications and ABM initiatives. Before Engagio, Heidi was the Group Vice President of Global Marketing at Marketo. Heidi has contributed to key thought leadership guides, including the Clear and Complete Guide to ABM Analytics and the Definitive Guide to Account-Based Marketing, Lead Generation, Content, Mobile Marketing, and Engaging Email. Heidi is a frequent speaker and guest lecturer for B2B marketing.

Heidi Bullock on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hbullock/

Resources

Tealium: https://www.tealium.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Try ZipRecruiter for FREE at ZipRecruiter.com/audio

Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#737: Unlocking sustainable growth using AI with Bryan Gernert, Resonate

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Is artificial intelligence just another shiny toy for marketers, or is it the key to unlocking true agility and sustainable growth in today's turbulent landscape?

Agility requires not only rapid adaptation to change, but also the ability to anticipate future trends and proactively adjust strategies. This means leveraging data and technology, like AI, in ways that empower marketers to make smarter decisions, faster.

Today, we're going to talk about how AI-driven consumer intelligence can help marketers navigate the current era of socioeconomic uncertainty and drive meaningful ROI. Many are looking for solutions to evolving challenges, from inflation's impact on consumer behavior and evolving data privacy laws to demonstrating actual ROI and connecting with target audiences. AI presents a powerful opportunity to meet these needs head-on.
To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Bryan Gernert, CEO at Resonate.
About Bryan Gernert

Bryan Gernert is CEO at Resonate. A proven business leader, Bryan Gernert has led businesses through periods of significant transformation and growth. He has applied his management expertise to businesses in several industries, with emphasis on information technology and services.
Before joining Resonate, Bryan served as Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Americas for Cybertrust. In the five-year period leading up to the sale of Cybertrust to Verizon for approximately $500 million, Bryan's region more than doubled its annual revenues from $36 million to $80 million. He was an instrumental player on the executive team that orchestrated, negotiated and completed the transaction with Verizon.
Previously, at Digex, Incorporated, a global web hosting and managed services provider, Bryan grew a start-up company into a business with an annual revenue run rate of $240 million. During his tenure, he helped Digex raise over $1.3 billion through an IPO and secondary offering and was part of the team that sold Digex to WorldCom in a $5.7 billion transaction.

Bryan Gernert on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-gernert-28824b/

Resources

Resonate: https://www.resonate.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#736: Taking ROI models from confusion to clarity with Carlos Manalo, The Office of Experience

Thu, 18 Sep 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Are your marketing investments driving real business value, or are you simply throwing money at the latest trends?

Agility means being able to react to change while knowing which strategies, processes, and technologies are ultimately moving the needle and driving real business outcomes.

Today, we're going to talk about taking ROI models from confusion to clarity, specifically in the B2B e-commerce space. We'll explore how to build models that truly reflect business value, avoid common pitfalls, and unlock exponential growth. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Carlos Manalo, Co-CEO and Co-Founder at Office of Experience.

About Carlos Manalo

Carlos is co-founder & co-CEO of OX. He leads his team with nearly 20 years of grit and seasoning in the interactive and integrated multichannel space. As a customer-centered experience strategist by training, Carlos believes that enhanced customer satisfaction and loyalty is achieved through clarifying strategic intent and uncovering opportunities in the user journey. By merging the benefits of analysis and interaction, he creates experiences that drive alignment, progress and evolution. His focus on performance-driven engagements has allowed Carlos to be a true 360-degree partner, building user-centered experiences for some of the world’s leading brands.

Carlos Manalo on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlosmanalo/

Resources

Office of Experience: https://www.officeofexperience.com

This episode is brought to you by The Office of Experience, a design-driven, digital-first, vertically integrated and collaborative agency that believes in the power of ideas and the strength of people.

Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#735: Creating a winning personalization and testing approach with Muqtadaa Miandara, Upbound Grou

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 04:00:00 GMT

When it’s a struggle for marketers to even keep up with the latest trends, are brands truly keeping pace with their customers, or are they stuck playing catch-up with outdated strategies and technologies?

Agility requires a willingness to experiment, learn, and adapt quickly. It also demands a deep understanding of your customer and the ability to anticipate their evolving needs.

We are here today in New York City at Opticon25 and seeing and hearing some amazing things about the future of martech and how AI will shape the role of marketing in the months and years to come.

Today, we're going to talk about building an agile brand in the age of digital transformation, focusing on the power of experimentation, personalization, and continuous improvement. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Muqtadaa Miandara, Principal, Digital Growth at Upbound Group.
About Muqtadaa Miandara

Muqtadaa Miandara on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/muqtadaa/

Resources

Upbound Group: https://www.upbound.com/

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#734: Focusing on the marketing that matters with Tara Corey, Optimizely

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 04:00:00 GMT

With so much noise around AI, changing customer expectations, and the ever-evolving martech landscape, how can marketing leaders avoid the noise to focus on what truly drives long-term value?

Agility requires not only adapting to change but also anticipating it. It demands a willingness to experiment, learn, and iterate quickly, especially when it comes to leveraging new technologies and understanding evolving customer behaviors.

We are here today in New York City at Opticon25 and seeing and hearing some amazing things about the future of martech and how AI will shape the role of marketing in the months and years to come.

We're going to talk about the evolving role of the marketing leader in a world increasingly shaped by AI, automation, and the demand for personalized experiences. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Tara Corey, SVP of Marketing at Optimizely.

Tara Corey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taracorey/

Resources

Optimizely: https://www.optimizely.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#733: Agentic AI delivering business value with Rupali Jain and Kevin Li, Optimizely

Fri, 12 Sep 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Marketers' roles are changing, but their goals are still the same: reach and engage customers, meeting them where they are, and for better or worse, often needing to do more with less while delivering greater value.

Agility requires both adapting to change quickly while also having the wisdom to know which changes truly matter. It demands a delicate balance between embracing new technologies and staying laser-focused on core business objectives.

Today, we are here in New York City at Opticon25. We are going to talk about the growing role of AI for both marketers and consumers, how organizations can leverage an agentic platform to create better internal and external customer experiences, and how marketers can both do more with less while delivering exponentially greater value. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Rupali Jain, Chief Product Officer and Kevin Li, SVP Product at Optimizely.

About Rupali Jain
Rupali Jain is the Chief Product Officer at Optimizely. Previously she has held product leadership roles at several SaaS software companies, including Microsoft's PowerBI and Qualtrics. Throughout her two-decade career, Rupali has shared Optimizely's vision of prioritizing the end user's daily needs. Rupali is committed to advancing practical, growth-driving applications of AI and machine learning to help marketers take control of their workflows, experiment at scale, and deliver digital experiences that meet and exceed customer expectations

Rupali Jain on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rupali/⁠

About Kevin Li
At Optimizely (previously Episerver before rebrand), I describe my job as a "tale of two mirrors" with one being a telescope and one being a microscope. On the telescope side of product strategy, I own long-term strategy covering build/buy/partner, M&A (thesis, due diligence, etc.), new product launches (SaaS CMS, Personalization, etc.), analyst relations (leader in 11 categories across Gartner, Forrester, and IDC), etc. On the microscope side of product operations, I own the product commercialization process, product operations, product analytics, documentation, and competitive intelligence.

Kevin Li on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinsyli/

Resources

Optimizely: https://www.optimizely.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#732: Using AI to see video content with Meenal Nalwaya, Reka

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 04:00:00 GMT

This episode is brought to you by Reka, a developer of industry-leading, multimodal, AI models that enable individuals and organizations to deploy generative AI applications.
Agility requires brands to utilize technology like AI in new and innovative ways to better understand information and interact with their customers, giving them what they want, when and how they want it.

To help me discuss this topic and some of the recent announcements from Reka, I’d like to welcome Meenal Nalwaya, Head of Product at Reka.

Meenal Nalwaya on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meenalnalwaya/

Resources

Reka: https://www.reka.ai

This episode is brought to you by Landrum Talent Solutions, a national recruiting firm specializing in marketing and HR positions. https://www.landrumtalentsolutions.com

Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#731: Automation and innovation with Karthik Ramakrishnan, Tapestry

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Being strategic means asking the right questions and meaningfully applying the learnings. How do you do this while innovating and outpacing the competition?

Agility requires a willingness to experiment and adapt quickly to changing market conditions and customer preferences. It also demands breaking down silos and fostering collaboration across teams.

Today, we're going to talk about how leading brands are leveraging automation and AI to drive efficiency and optimize their merchandising and trading capabilities in today's complex retail environment.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Karthik Ramakrishnan, Director, Planning Systems and RPA at Tapestry.

About Karthik Ramakrishnan

Karthik Ramakrishnan is a seasoned IT professional with 20+ years of experience in leading, architecting, consulting and delivering novel IT solutions. Karthigeyan has worked in the Retail IT industry spanning different functional areas ranging from warehouse management, planning, merchandising, customer service, automation and Gen AI. He has global consulting experience in various markets encompassing Europe, India, South America and the U.S. At Tapestry, he leads the Planning and Automation space. He is passionate about Gen AI and enjoys leveraging Gen AI to not just solve problems but identify new opportunities that are yet to be unearthed. He has a degree in Chemical Engineering from Anna University, Chennai and loves applying reactor design principles to technology solutions.

Karthik Ramakrishnan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karthikram007/

Resources

Tapestry: https://www.tapestry.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150

UIPath: https://www.uipath.com
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#730: Chasing perfection when agility is what's needed with Tom Schmitt, CEO of Radial

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Is the pursuit of the "perfect" customer experience actually holding brands back from achieving true agility?

Agility requires a willingness to embrace calculated risks and adapt quickly to changing market dynamics. It also demands a shift in mindset, from a focus on rigid planning to iterative experimentation and continuous learning.

Today, we're going to talk about how brands can navigate the ever-evolving retail landscape by prioritizing agility and leveraging technology to enhance the customer experience. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Tom Schmitt, CEO at Radial.
About Tom Schmitt

As Chief Executive Officer, Tom oversees the leadership of Radial North America’s Managing Committee, bringing his strategic vision and operational expertise to our team. Tom joins Radial with over 20 years of executive leadership experience in supply chain logistics.

Most recently, Tom led commercial growth and rigor for Nikola Corporation serving as Chief Commercial Officer. Prior to Nikola, Tom spent 12 years at FedEx and serving as CEO of FedEx Supply Chain; leading Forward Air Corporation as President, Chairman and CEO; leading Canadian parcel and freight corporation Purolator as CEO; and also heading up the global Contract Logistics business as a management board member for DBSchenker. In addition, Tom has served on several Boards of organizations focused on various aspects of the supply chain. Tom holds an MBA as a Baker Scholar from Harvard Business School as well as a Bachelor of Arts in European Business Administration, First Class Honors, from Middlesex University.

Tom Schmitt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tschmitt1965/

Resources

Radial: https://www.radial.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands
Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150"

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#729: The mindset shift needed for AI integration success with Rafael Flores, Treasure Data

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Is the hype around AI in marketing justified, or are we setting ourselves up for another "tech bubble" disappointment?

Agility requires not only embracing new technologies like AI, but also a fundamental shift in mindset, processes, and even organizational structure. It demands a willingness to experiment, learn, and adapt quickly to the ever-changing marketing landscape.

Today, we're going to talk about how AI is poised to revolutionize marketing, from personalization and customer engagement to the very structure of the SaaS market itself. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Rafael “Rafa” Flores, Chief Product Officer at Treasure Data.
About Rafael Flores

As an accomplished technology executive and proud immigrant from Honduras, I specialize in scaling SaaS companies from startup to high-growth enterprises. My career is built on my family's deep-rooted principles: valuing education, treating others with equal respect regardless of background, and uplifting younger talent—because I was once that little boy with big dreams.

Throughout my career, I have led transformative initiatives at some of the most recognized names in the technology landscape:
Meltwater: Played a pivotal role in the company's successful IPO, showcasing expertise in product innovation and market readiness.
Datanyze: Led strategic initiatives that culminated in a successful acquisition by ZoomInfo, enhancing data intelligence capabilities.
ARM Holdings: Spearheaded innovation in Retail SDK and IoT solutions, advancing the company's technology ecosystem and driving new business opportunities.

6sense: Led all automation, data, and AI-products, fostering a culture of collaboration and inclusion, while delivering data-driven solutions that empower GTM team(s) to sell effectively.
Treasure Data: Orchestrated a landmark $600M acquisition by ARM and secured record-breaking Customer Data Platform (CDP) funding. Today, I am back leading Treasure Data through a transformative era of intelligence and automation fit for scale, while returning to an organization that feels like home—rich with talent, poise, and a passion for progress.

I am also a devoted father of three beautiful children and grateful for the unwavering support of my wife—a registered nurse who embodies strength and compassion. My core expertise lies in defining and executing product strategies, roadmaps, and key performance indicators (KPIs). I possess deep knowledge of CDPs, data management, privacy frameworks, and SaaS go-to-market (GTM) applications, scaling solutions for businesses ranging from agile SMBs to Global 2000 enterprises.

Rafael Flores on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ref2019/

Resources

Treasure Data: https://www.treasuredata.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#728: The marketing jobs market and AI's role in the job search with Sue Keith, Landrum Talent Solutions

Thu, 04 Sep 2025 04:00:00 GMT

This episode is brought to you by Landrum Talent Solutions, a national recruiting firm specializing in marketing and HR positions.
My guest today has been keeping us up to date with the current state of hiring for marketers on a quarterly basis, and there is surely never a dull moment.
Today we’re going to look at how marketing and communication execs are responding to the latest developments, plus the role of AI in both hiring and job seeking.
To take a look at the latest here, I’d like to welcome back to the show Sue Keith, Corporate Vice President at Landrum Talent Solutions.

About Sue Keith

Sue Keith is Corporate Vice President at Landrum Talent Solutions. With deep expertise in navigating complex labor markets, Sue has a front-row seat to the evolving dynamics of marketing roles, hiring trends, and the broader implications of AI and economic uncertainty.

Sue Keith on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suekeith/

Resources

Landrum Talent Solutions: https://www.landrumtalentsolutions.com

This episode is brought to you by Landrum Talent Solutions, a national recruiting firm specializing in marketing and HR positions. https://www.landrumtalentsolutions.com

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands
Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150"

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#727: Growing sales in uncertain times with Chris Cubba, Snipp

Wed, 03 Sep 2025 04:00:00 GMT

What happens when your best sales strategy from a year ago is now driving customer attrition instead of acquisition?

Agility requires brands to rethink how they create consumer value in real time, especially when traditional strategies no longer work as consumer behavior shifts unpredictably.

Today we’re going to talk about driving sales growth amidst economic uncertainty—something every brand leader is trying to figure out right now.
To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Chris Cubba, Chief Revenue Officer at Snipp.

About Chris Cubba

Christopher Cubba is a seasoned executive with over two decades of expertise in the loyalty and promotions industry, focusing on the CPG, Retail, and Technology sectors.
In his previous agency, Cubba was pivotal in scaling the business through its private equity transaction in 2016 and its eventual acquisition by a strategic buyer in 2021.

Currently serving as the Chief Revenue Officer at Snipp, Christopher oversees the sales, strategy, and customer success teams.
His deep industry knowledge, coupled with a passion for delivering impactful data driven results, has made him a trusted partner to companies aiming to expand their customer base and strengthen brand loyalty.

Chris Cubba on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cubba/

Resources

Snipp: https://www.snipp.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#726: How AI is changing the search experience and what to do about it with Sean King, Chief Revenue Officer at Veritone

Mon, 01 Sep 2025 04:00:00 GMT

If Google sent you zero traffic tomorrow morning, would your P&L still be breathing by lunchtime?

Agility requires re-engineering your revenue model at the speed of AI.
Today we’re going to talk about how AI chatbots are siphoning off audience attention—and what forward-thinking publishers can do about it instead of panic-refreshing their analytics dashboards.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Sean King, Chief Revenue Officer and GM of Media & Entertainment at Veritone.

About Sean King

Sean King is the Chief Revenue Officer & GM, Commercial at Veritone, leading all sales and marketing activities for the organization in addition to overseeing Veritone’s Commercial division, including SaaS technologies and managed services. With a keen ability to drive growth and operational excellence, Sean has played a pivotal role in scaling Veritone’s AI-driven solutions. His leadership was instrumental in establishing Veritone Licensing as North America’s premier AI-powered content licensing firm and in guiding Veritone One to become a top AI-driven audio and influencer advertising agency before its successful divestiture in 2024. With over 20 years of experience in sales management, technology operations and strategic partnerships, Sean is passionate about optimizing business operations, unlocking new opportunities and applying AI and synthetic media to drive innovation.

Sean King on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryansteelberg/

Resources

Veritone: https://www.veritone.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#725: Consumer confidence...and caution...with Eric Miao, Attentive

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Are brands prepared for a consumer base that's simultaneously more confident and more cautious?

Agility requires not just reacting to current consumer behavior but anticipating the shifts to come. It also requires a deep understanding of the nuances within different consumer segments, particularly as generational behaviors diverge.

Today, we're going to talk about the evolving landscape of consumer confidence, especially among Gen Z and Millennials, and what this means for brands navigating the current market. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Eric Miao, Chief Strategy Officer at Attentive.
About Eric Miao

Eric Miao on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-miao-62313b9/

Resources

Attentive: https://www.attentive.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#724: Social commerce and the customer journey with Janna Navarro, Wpromote

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Are most brands still designing customer journeys, or are they just trying to keep up with where their customers are leading them?

Agility requires a willingness to meet your customers where they are—not just where you wish they’d convert. In an era where the consumer journey can begin and end on a social platform or anywhere in between, brands must be fluid enough to engage meaningfully across channels while still connecting the dots behind the scenes.

Today we’re going to talk about the changing consumer journey and why a connected ecosystem that includes social commerce, audience targeting, and measurement is now table stakes.
To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Janna Navarro, VP, Brand & Media Strategy at Wpromote.

About Janna Navarro

Janna has two decades of experience spearheading brand evolution across sectors such as automotive and quick-service restaurants. As VP of Brand, Media & Consumer Strategy, she leads with an integrated approach to digital-first marketing. Before Wpromote, Janna led teams at CPB, collaborating with brands like Domino’s Pizza to leverage data-driven decision-making and new media. Her experience also includes working with GM on its Cadillac EV line.

Janna Navarro on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jannatopolewski/

Resources

Wpromote: https://www.wpromote.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#723: Building loyalty across different generations of travelers with Jeff Zotara, arrivia

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 04:00:00 GMT

If you had to pick one of the biggest challenges facing CMOs today, how high on your list would customer loyalty be?

Agility requires a deep understanding of your customer and the ability to adapt to their ever-changing needs and expectations. It also requires a willingness to experiment and learn from failures, quickly iterating on strategies and tactics.

Today, we're going to talk about the evolving landscape of travel loyalty programs and how brands can best engage with different generations of travelers, particularly in the face of changing economic conditions and emerging generational trends.

To help me discuss this topic and other highlights from arrivia’s Loyalty and the Changing Traveler report, I'd like to welcome, Jeff Zotara, Chief Marketing Officer at arrivia.

About Jeff Zotara

Jeff Zotara is the Chief Marketing Officer of arrivia, a travel technology company providing travel loyalty, booking, and marketing solutions to consumer-facing companies that want to deliver exceptional value to customers, uncover new revenue streams, and drive growth through exciting travel rewards and member benefits. With more than two decades as a strategic and operational marketing leader, Jeff is focused on driving growth and marketing technology across brands and providing the best member experience at the intersection of travel and tech.

Jeff Zotara on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffzotara/

Resources

arrivia: https://www.arrivia.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Get a copy of arrivia's Loyalty and the Changing Traveler report: https://resources.arrivia.com/report-survey-loyalty-changing-traveler
Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150"

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#722: Agentic AI in retail with Dan Russotto, Furniture.com

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Building on the talk of AI in recent years, Agentic AI is an exciting area for retailers. But beyond talk, finding real-world examples and best practices can be tricky.
Today we are here at eTail Boston, and I am excited to talk today about a company that is innovating in this space, not a traditional retailer, but an innovative aggregator using AI to standardize product data across multiple retailers.
To talk about Furniture.com’s approach to agentic AI and more, I’m joined by Dan Russotto, General Manager at Furniture.com.

About Dan Russotto

Over 30 years of extensive startup and Fortune 1000 experience related to running tech companies throughout the entire lifecycle. Focused on completing high quality projects, products, and business objectives. Detailed understanding of the Furniture, Real Estate, Hospitality, Software, High Tech, Consumer Business, eCommerce, and Telecommunications industries.
He is currently the General Manager for Furniture.com, a privately backed business that’s using AI, data and technology to evolve the way furniture shoppers discover new brands and products. Prior to Furniture.com, Dan was the VP Product for Apartments.com and the Homes.com (CoStar brands), aggregator marketplaces in the real estate industry. Before CoStar, Dan spent several years across multiple tech startups.

Dan Russotto on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danrussotto/

Resources

Furniture.com: https://www.furniture.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#721: Making the most of peak season with Helaine Rich, ePost

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Is your brand ready to thrive, not just survive, in the face of evolving global consumer expectations and market shifts?

Agility requires more than just quick reactions; it demands proactive foresight, strategic adaptability, and a willingness to embrace continuous evolution. This is particularly critical in today's ever-changing global ecommerce landscape.

Today, we are here at eTail Boston and we're going to talk about navigating the complexities of global ecommerce, from peak season delivery strategies and regional fulfillment, to the latest on de minimis thresholds and tariffs. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Helaine Rich, Vice President Strategic Sales and Administration at ePost.
About Helaine Rich

As the VP of Strategic Sales and Administration at ePost Global, Helaine’s team is responsible for onboarding and managing multi-carrier platforms, involved with the development of new services and tools for customers while growing revenue through strategic account acquisition.

Helaine Rich on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helaine-rich-b61a207/

Resources

ePost: https://epostglobalshipping.com/

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#720: Building stronger customer relationships using AI with Noah Zamansky, Stitch Fix

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 04:00:00 GMT

AI can create immersive, human-centric experiences that not only drive sales but also foster enduring brand relationships in a rapidly evolving market.
Today we’re going to talk about how AI-driven personalization allows retailers to move beyond generic experiences, crafting unique interactions that resonate with individual preferences and behaviors, thereby enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty.
I’m thrilled to be joined by Noah Zamansky, Vice President of Product, Tech and Design, Client Experience at Stitch Fix here at eTail Boston.

About Noah Zamansky

Noah Zamansky is VP of Product, Client Experience at Stitch Fix He was previously with eBay where he was the Senior Director of Product Management for Fashion & Vertical Experiences. Noah is a seasoned leader who has shaped product vision, strategy and experience as well as helped launch new lines of business. He is a strong collaborator with an ability to bring stakeholders and perspectives together to create the best result.

Noah Zamansky on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nzamansky/

Resources

Stitch Fix: https://www.stitchfix.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#719: Composable Customer Data Platforms with Tejas Manohar, Hightouch

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Are you building your customer data strategy around your goals, or are your goals constrained by your data platform?

Agility in today’s marketing technology landscape isn’t just about speed—it’s about flexibility. Brands need data architectures that adapt to their needs, not the other way around. And with the right approach, that agility can fuel personalization, better customer outcomes, and real business value.

Today we’re going to talk about composable customer data platforms and how AI is enhancing decision-making to increase customer lifetime value.
To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Tejas Monahar, co-CEO and co-Founder of Hightouch.

About Tejas Manohar

Tejas Manohar is the cofounder/co-CEO of Hightouch. Prior to founding Hightouch, Tejas was an early engineer at Segment, the leading company in the Customer Data Platform (CDP) space that was acquired by Twilio for $3.2B. At Segment, Tejas realized that many of the challenges of building a best-in-class CDP would be better solved on top of the data warehouse and a modern data stack and hence, he founded Hightouch. When Tejas isn’t thinking about data, he likes running and playing competitive table tennis.

Tejas Manohar on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tejasmanohar/

Resources

Hightouch: https://www.hightouch.com https://www.hightouch.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands
Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150"

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#718: Building trust while building a brand with Meika Hollender, Nara Organics

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 04:00:00 GMT

When consumer trust is more fragile than ever, how can brands, particularly in highly scrutinized categories like infant nutrition, utilize the latest approaches to not only build trust but also deepen consumer relationships?

Agility requires not only adapting to evolving consumer expectations and technological advancements but also maintaining ethical and transparent practices, especially when dealing with sensitive topics such as infant health. It also demands a willingness to experiment, learn, and iterate quickly in response to market feedback and emerging trends.

Today, we're going to talk about building trust in a digital age, navigating the complexities of launching a purpose-driven CPG brand, and redefining what “healthy” means for a new generation of parents. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Meika Hollender, Chief Marketing Officer at Nara Organics.

About Meika Hollender

Meika Hollender is the Chief Marketing Officer of Nara Organics, a pioneering brand redefining infant nutrition with its first-of-its-kind USDA-certified organic whole milk formula.

Before joining Nara, Meika served as Vice President of Brand and Corporate Communications at Grove Collaborative, a leading sustainable consumer products company and the first plastic-neutral retailer in the world. At Grove, she led the development and execution of communications strategy across brand, sustainability, and innovation, driving awareness through powerful storytelling and purpose-driven campaigns. Grove, a certified B Corp, is on a mission to move Beyond Plastic and be 100% plastic-free by 2025.

Meika first made her mark as the Co-Founder and CEO of Sustain, the pioneering brand of natural sexual wellness products for women. After growing Sustain into a category leader, the company was acquired by Grove in 2019. Meika stayed on as President of Sustain while stepping into a broader role at Grove, where she brought her passion for product innovation, social impact, and women’s health to a wider CPG platform.
She holds an MBA from NYU’s Stern School of Business and is the author of Get on Top, published by Simon & Schuster in 2018. Meika also serves on the board of Net Impact and the Young Visionaries Committee for Planned Parenthood of New York City.

Meika Hollender on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meika-hollender-b574b519/

Resources

Nara Organics: https://nara.com/ https://nara.com/

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands
Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150"

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#717: Understanding customers by simulating them first with Mike Taylor, Ask Rally

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Is the most effective way to understand real human behavior to simulate it first?
Agility requires a willingness to test ideas that sound strange at first—like asking bots to act more human by narrowing their point of view, or treating synthetic personas as real sources of insight. But when applied correctly, this thinking unlocks entirely new ways to scale customer understanding.

Today we’re going to talk about how synthetic research is reshaping how we understand audiences—and how asking the right questions can make these insights feel far less synthetic and far more human.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Mike Taylor, Founder & CEO of Ask Rally.

Mike – welcome to the show!

About Mike Taylor

Mike Taylor is the CEO & Co-Founder of Rally. He built a 50 person marketing agency in the US and EU, has taught 300,000 students in online courses, and wrote a prompt engineering book for O’Reilly.

Mike Taylor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mjt145/

Resources

Ask Rally: https://www.askrally.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#716: Streamlining brand partnerships with Alan Gould, Mutual Markets

Fri, 08 Aug 2025 04:00:00 GMT

What if building a brand partnership with a major entertainment property could happen in 5 minutes instead of 6 months—and drive 10x better results? What would that change for your marketing strategy?

Today I’m joined by Alan Gould, CEO of Mutual Markets. Alan is at the forefront of a major shift in digital marketing and advertising—using AI to reduce friction between brands and entertainment partners, making high-impact collaborations accessible to brands of all sizes.

Mutual Markets is already working with major streamers and delivering successful partnerships, like PopCorners’ Super Bowl spot with Breaking Bad and Dashlane’s collaboration with NCIS. Alan’s here to talk about how AI is democratizing access to branded entertainment partnerships and what that means for the future of marketing.

About Alan Gould

Alan Gould is a visionary leader and the Founder and Co-CEO of MutualMarkets, the world’s first advanced AI powered partnerships platform that has revolutionized the digital advertising industry. MutualMarkets’ goal is to provide brands with a more organic and efficient way to connect with consumers by setting new industry standards to transform how brands engage with their audiences.

Alan has a long history in data, analytics, and marketing. Prior to co-founding MutualMarkets with his brother Eric Gould, Alan co-founded IAG Research, a media-measurement company created to gauge the effectiveness of ads, and sold it to Nielsen in 2008 for $250M. Alan is also co-founder of a venture capital firm called Peak Opportunity Partners and has been involved in several successful exits from companies like Maker Studios, WorkFusion, Embark Veterinary, Vizu, and early investor roles in iSport.TV, which later saw a $325M minority position from Goldman Sachs valuing the company at $750M.

Under his leadership, MutualMarkets has expanded its global footprint, strengthened its portfolio, and adopted cutting-edge technologies to enhance client outcomes. Alan is passionate about fostering a culture of innovation, transparency, and collaboration, ensuring that the company remains at the forefront of the ever-evolving marketing landscape. In 2021, MutualMarkets announced its $30M raised in seed capital. In 2023, CBS’ Paramount Global partnered with MutualMarkets to grow its advertising efforts. In 2024, MutualMarkets announced its latest innovation - the AI-enabled CMAU - which enhanced collaboration by empowering brands to identify and partner with TV shows and movies seamlessly.

Alan has a Bachelor of Science degree in Foreign Service from Georgetown University, a Master's degree in Public Policy from Harvard University’s Kennedy School, and a Doctor of Law degree from New York University’s School of Law.

Alan Gould on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alangould/

Resources

Mutual Markets: https://www.mutualmarkets.ai/ https://www.mutualmarkets.ai/

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands

Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150"

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#715: Increasing speed to insights with Sid Banerjee, Medallia

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 04:00:00 GMT

What could your CX teams do to strategically move your brand forward if they weren’t tethered to dashboards?

Agility requires CX teams to move beyond reactive reporting and embrace proactive insight delivery. In an era where insights are instantly available through conversational AI, the strategic role of CX is about to shift—big time.
Today we’re going to talk about how AI is reshaping customer experience by freeing CX teams from dashboards, static reports, and manual data analysis—and allowing them to lead strategically with real-time intelligence.

About Sid Banerjee

Sid Banerjee on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sidbanerjeewdc/

Resources

Medallia: https://www.medallia.com https://www.medallia.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands
Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150"

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#714: Keeping up with e-commerce evolution with Lena Moriarty, eTail and Worldwide Business Research

Mon, 04 Aug 2025 04:00:00 GMT

One thing is for certain: the world of e-commerce never sits still. But what should retailers be paying attention to now?
Agility requires not only adapting to changing consumer behaviors but also anticipating them. It's about proactively shaping the future of retail, not just reacting to it.

Today, we're going to talk about navigating the ever-shifting landscape of e-commerce, from micro-shopping moments to the evolving role of AI, as we get ready for eTail Boston, August 11-14, in Boston, Massachusetts. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Lena Moriarty, Head of eTail Marketing at Worldwide Business Research.

About Lena Moriarty

Lena Moriarty is the Head of Marketing at eTail, the conference community designed to power your growth 365 days a year. At eTail, she takes charge on all things omnichannel marketing and strategy, from point A to point Z.

Lena Moriarty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lenamoriarty/

Resources

Worldwide Business Research: https://www.wbresearch.com https://www.wbresearch.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands
Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150"

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#713: Agentic AI that improves the customer experience, with Manisha Powar, Qualtrics

Fri, 01 Aug 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Agility requires more than just speed—it demands relevance and empathy, especially when AI is stepping in to play a bigger role in the customer experience.

What if the problem isn’t that AI moves too slowly—but that it moves without context, without empathy, and without earning trust?
Today we’re going to talk about how Agentic AI is changing that—offering a way to transform experience management from reactive to proactive, and from transactional to genuinely helpful.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Manisha Powar, VP, Head of Product, Customer Experience Suite at Qualtrics.

About Manisha Powar

Manisha Powar is a product and business leader specialized in building B2B Enterprise SaaS Products. Passionate about incubating new products and expanding mature products into new markets/use cases. 15+ years of experience in building, growing and scaling teams of high performers to drive innovation and deliver high quality results through data-driven decision making and scrappy execution. Strong leadership track record in delivering strategies to enter new markets that have led to a billion-dollar acquisition and building out global teams to win.

Manisha Powar on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pmanisha/

Resources

Qualtrics: https://www.qualtrics.com https://www.qualtrics.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#712: Compounding returns on your marketing campaigns with Chris O'Neill, GrowthLoop

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 04:00:00 GMT

If your marketing grew like a dividend-reinvestment plan, would you still let a quarterly target dictate every decision?

Agility requires stacking returning gains faster than the market changes—think compound interest, but for marketing campaigns.

Today we’re going to talk about the Compound Marketing Engine, agentic AI, and why “data-driven” still needs greater adoption among leaders.
To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Chris O'Neill, CEO of GrowthLoop.

About Chris O'Neill

Chris O’Neill is CEO of GrowthLoop and a board director at Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS). His 25+ year career includes leadership roles at Google Canada, Evernote, and Xero, and board experience at Tim Hortons. As an advisor and investor, his portfolio includes Koho, Plus AI, and Neeva (acquired by Snowflake). Chris lives in Northern California with his wife, two children, and their dog Teddy.

Chris O'Neill
on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/croneill/

Resources

GrowthLoop: https://www.growthloop.com https://www.growthloop.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands
Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150"

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#711: Making accessibility a priority with Make Paciello, AudioEye

Mon, 28 Jul 2025 04:00:00 GMT

The 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was July 26, so today's episode is a special one.

Most companies obsess over SEO, performance, and conversion rates—but overlook 25% of their audience entirely. Why do so many businesses miss the opportunity to serve users with disabilities, and what are they leaving on the table?

Today I’m joined by Michael Paciello, Chief Accessibility Officer at AudioEye. Michael is a pioneer in digital accessibility and a longtime advocate for creating inclusive online experiences. While many business professionals focus on growth and efficiency, Michael makes a compelling case that accessibility is not just about compliance—it's a powerful business opportunity. He’s here to help us understand how accessibility can improve everything from reach to reputation to revenue.

About Mike Paciello

Mike Paciello is the Chief Accessibility Officer at AudioEye, Inc., a digital accessibility company. Prior to joining AudioEye, Mike founded WebABLE/WebABLE.TV, which delivers news about the disability and accessibility technology market. Mike authored the first book on web accessibility and usability, “Web Accessibility for People with Disabilities” and, in 1997, Mr. Paciello received recognition from President Bill Clinton for his work in the creation of World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI).

He has served as an advisor to the US Access Board and other federal agencies since 1992. Mike has served as an international leader, technologist, and authority in emerging technology, accessibility, usability, and electronic publishing. Mike is the former Founder of The Paciello Group (TPG), a world-renowned software accessibility consultancy acquired in 2017 by Vispero.

Mike Paciello on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-paciello-88a7a0306/

Resources

Audioeye: https://www.audioeye.com https://www.audioeye.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands
Online Scrum Master Summit is happening June 17-19. This 3-day virtual event is open for registration. Visit www.osms25.com and get a 25% discount off Premium All-Access Passes with the code osms25agilebrand
Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#710: Empowering Employees to Lead Meaningful Change from Within with Steven Malony, CEO of Belkin

Fri, 25 Jul 2025 04:00:00 GMT

How often do big, meaningful shifts inside a company actually start small? And more importantly, how do you avoid squashing them before they have a chance to grow?

Agility requires more than vision—it requires giving your team the power to act on that vision.

Today we’re going to talk about how a global company like Belkin empowered its employees to lead a sustainability transformation from within.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Steve Malony, CEO of Belkin.

About Steven Malony

Steven Malony is the CEO of Belkin International, a role he has excelled in since 2021, following nearly 20 years with the company. Malony began his career at Belkin as a sales representative for Apple resellers in the U.S., where his commitment to understanding customer needs and delivering value helped him rise through the ranks. His deep focus on relationships with distributors, partners, and end users, combined with a relentless drive to innovate, has shaped Belkin’s global success and aligned with the company’s core values of customer-first service.

Before becoming CEO, Steven held various leadership roles in sales and management, where he was responsible for driving strategic direction, performance, and international operations. He demonstrated exceptional resilience and strategic foresight, particularly during challenging times such as the global pandemic. Under his leadership, Belkin successfully navigated the separation of Linksys, integrated the Phyn brand, and maintained strong financial performance. In addition to his role at Belkin, Malony provides strategic guidance to the FIT team, overseeing the production of Apple products like Beats Audio.

Since becoming CEO, Malony has overseen significant growth at Belkin, with revenue, gross profit, and operating profit all experiencing substantial increases. His ability to leverage the company’s design, manufacturing, and sales capabilities, especially through FIT, has positioned Belkin for continued success. A champion of corporate culture, he has fostered a sense of community within the organization, empowering teams and launching voluntary employee groups called VIBEs to further enhance Belkin’s workplace environment.

Steven Malony on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-malony-67786b/

Resources

Belkin: https://www.belkin.com https://www.belkin.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands
Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150"

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#709: The state of CX and the value of hyperpersonalization with Adrian Swinscoe, Punk CX Podcast

Thu, 24 Jul 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Agility requires that brands have a fundamental understanding of why they’re doing things, and what customer expectations are, rather than chasing trends and implementing the latest tech. Without this, customer satisfaction will continue to slide, and brands won’t be any closer to knowing what to do to solve for that.

I am here in Edinburgh with my guest today, who has worked with some of the world's largest brands, written several books, and hosts a great podcast of his own. To talk about a few things today, I’d like to welcome Adrian Swinscoe, Host of the Punk CX Podcast.

About Adrian Swinscoe

Described as an experimental CX thought leader and visionary, Adrian Swinscoe is a best-selling author, Forbes contributor, speaker, investor, advisor and aspirant CX Punk.

He has been growing and helping develop customer-focused large and small businesses for over 25 years now.

His clients have included brands such as Adobe, Apple, Cancer Research UK, Costa Coffee, the UK
Gov’s Crown Commercial Service, ING, Intercontinental Hotel Group, KFC, KPMG, ING, Kramp, Lloyds, Harper Collins, Médecins Sans Frontières, Megger, Microsoft, Nespresso, NowTV, Olympus, Pearson,
Philips, Sky, Talk Talk, and Zoom as well as numerous tech vendors and many smaller and medium-sized businesses.
Adrian is a frequent writer, podcaster and speaker on all things related to customer service and experience.

He published a best-selling book in 2016 called How to Wow: 68 Effortless Ways to Make Every Customer Experience Amazing (Pearson), published a genre-busting book: Punk CX in 2019
and published an exciting follow-up: Punk XL at the end of 2021.

Adrian Swinscoe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianswinscoe/

Resources

Punk CX Podcast: https://www.adrianswinscoe.com/ https://www.adrianswinscoe.com/

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands
Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150"

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#708: How commerce media is changing advertising with Eric Brackmann, Koddi

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 04:00:00 GMT

If you think commerce media is just a buzzword or a trend, think again.

It’s reshaping the ad landscape—fueled by AI, first-party data, and sector-specific solutions that leave the legacy one-size-fits-all approach in the dust. What’s coming next? Grocery? Autos? Quick commerce? If your brand isn’t already exploring commerce media, it’s probably falling behind.

Today I’m joined by Eric Brackmann, Head of Commerce Media at Koddi—the technology partner behind four of the eight commerce media networks currently valued at over a billion dollars. Eric has helped Koddi scale its commerce media platform beyond travel into grocery, quick commerce, and even automotive, giving him a sharp perspective on where the industry is headed and what marketers need to do now to stay relevant.

About Eric Brackmann

Eric Brackmann, VP of Commerce Media at Koddi, has more than 15 years of experience shaping the media industry. Prior to joining the leadership team at Koddi, he held key roles at Criteo, HookLogic (acquired by Criteo) and Accenture.
As VP of Commerce Media at Koddi, Eric spearheaded the launch of Koddi Ads. He is responsible for overseeing the company's commerce media business, including strategy, operations and customer success. Eric serves as a respected consultant and thought leader among top business leaders.

Eric Brackmann on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericbrackmann/

Resources

Koddi: https://www.koddi.com https://www.koddi.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands
Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150"

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#707: Building ROI in the Creator Economy with Brit Starr, CreatorIQ

Mon, 21 Jul 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Agility requires marketing leaders to evolve from campaign-based thinking to relationship-based strategy—especially when working with creators who influence not just clicks, but for a meaningful connection with customers.
Today we’re going to talk about the creator economy and how brands like PepsiCo, Unilever, and more are leaning into long-term creator partnerships to drive relevance, resonance, and ultimately, ROI.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Brit Starr, CMO of CreatorIQ.

About Brit Starr

Brit Starr is the Chief Marketing Officer at CreatorIQ, the leading enterprise platform revolutionizing influencer marketing for thousands of brands and agencies, including Nestlé, Sephora, and Unilever. With over 15 years of experience in marketing and consulting, Brit has played pivotal roles at some of the most iconic consumer brands, including Lyft, Guitar Center, Shiner Beer, Verve Coffee Roasters, and Trulia.

Brit Starr on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/britmccorquodale/

Resources

CreatorIQ: https://www.creatoriq.com https://www.creatoriq.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands
Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150"

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#706: Building more connected digital experiences with Eric Stine, CEO of Sitecore

Fri, 18 Jul 2025 04:00:00 GMT

If the web is no longer one-size-fits-all and instead geared towards segments of one, how do brands avoid creating a thousand disconnected experiences, and manage each experience effectively?

Agility requires embracing both technology and customer behavior shifts at the same time—without losing your brand voice.

Today we’re going to talk about how AI and more connected digital experiences are shaping the future of the web.
To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Eric Stine, CEO of Sitecore.

About Eric Stine

Eric Stine is the Chief Executive Officer of Sitecore, driving the company's vision and strategy to enable brands to create digital experiences so powerful they connect the world. Eric was previously Chief Operating Officer, where he led all customer-facing functions.

Before Sitecore, Eric was Chief Executive Officer of Elemica. Previously, he was Chief Commercial Officer of Skillsoft and Chief Revenue Officer of Qualtrics. Eric has also held executive roles at companies such as SAP, Ciber, and Blackboard.

Eric earned a law degree at Boston University School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts at Northwestern University, where he and his husband are the founders of the Eric and Neil Stine-Markman Scholarships. They are the first permanent endowments at either institution directing funds toward LGBTQ+ students.

Eric Stine on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-stine-ceo-sitecore/

Resources

Sitecore: https://www.sitecore.com https://www.sitecore.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands
Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150"

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#705: What happens to your KPIs when both CLV and Customer Acquisition Costs rise? With Jamie Domenici, Klaviyo

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Customer lifetime value is a critical KPI, but with customer acquisition costs rapidly rising, what can brands do to successfully build long-term value for the business?

Agility requires seeing past vanity metrics to the durable value hidden in customer relationships. When customer acquisition costs climb and privacy affects easy targeting, only nimble brands—those that align teams, data, and KPIs around lifetime value—stay ahead.

All of this (and a few more things) are discussed in the recently-released Klaviyo B2C Report. To discuss it, I’d like to welcome Jamie Domenici, CMO at Klaviyo.

About Jamie Domenici

Jamie is Chief Marketing Officer at Klaviyo, the only CRM built for consumer brands. She has served as the Chief Marketing Officer since August 2023. With more than 20 years of experience in SaaS Marketing, Jamie has become a pioneer in SMB Marketing and a champion for small businesses. Prior to Klaviyo, Jamie served as the CMO of GoTo, a provider of SaaS and cloud- based remote work tools for collaboration and IT management, and before that, she held various marketing leadership positions at Salesforce for over ten years. Jamie holds a B.A. in International Relations from California State University, Chico. Jamie lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and two daughters.

Jamie Domenici on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdomenici/

Resources

Klaviyo: https://www.klaviyo.com https://www.klaviyo.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands
Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150"

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#704: Delivering personalization at scale with Yaniv Navot, Mastercard

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 04:00:00 GMT

With all the data at our fingertips, why do so many companies still struggle to deliver truly personalized experiences at scale?

Agility requires being able to cut through the noise of data and culture shifts to deliver experiences that truly resonate with each individual.
Today we’re going to talk about personalization maturity, the role of machine learning, deep learning, and generative AI in driving relevance, and how to future-proof your martech stack with open, flexible architectures that enable best-in-class personalization.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Yaniv Navot, Former Dynamic Yield by Mastercard CMO and current SVP of Commercialization for Customer Acquisition & Engagement at Mastercard.

About Yaniv Navot

Former Dynamic Yield by Mastercard CMO and current SVP of Commercialization for Customer Acquisition & Engagement. He is marketing leader and personalization expert with nearly two decades of experience driving performance-driven marketing at scale. He shaped the personalization market and led the company’s rise as an industry leader. Joining as the first marketing hire, Yaniv built a world-class team and partnered with top B2C brands to deliver impactful, cutting-edge personalization strategies. Follow him on LinkedIn: @yanivnavot.

Yaniv Navot on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yanivnavot/

Resources

Mastercard: https://www.mastercard.com https://www.mastercard.com

Get Yaniv's book, Marketing in the AI Era: Why Personalization Wins the Customer Experience: ⁠https://amzn.to/44CC8bW⁠

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#703: How AI and Deep Learning is affecting advertising with Jaysen Gillespie, RTB House

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Are we on the brink of advertising becoming too smart for its own good, or is Deep Learning finally getting us closer to what customers actually want?

Agility requires us to constantly evaluate how technology like AI reshapes the relationships between brands and consumers—sometimes for better, sometimes for far more complex. The advertising landscape is shifting under our feet, with new rules, new tech, and frankly, a lot of new guesswork.
Today we’re going to talk about how Deep Learning and AI are impacting advertising effectiveness, personalization, and the future of advertising—with or without cookies.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Jaysen Gillespie, VP, Global Head of Analytics and Product Marketing at RTB House.

About Jaysen Gillespie

Jaysen is a Southern California analytics pro with 15+ years in tech leadership. Currently holding the position of VP, Global Head of Product Marketing and Analytics at RTB House, he turns data into insights that drive relevant decisions. He is an experienced speaker and content creator, simplifying complex ideas and making them easily consumable and applicable. For Jaysen, analytics isn’t just interesting—it’s essential.

Resources

RTB House: https://www.rtbhouse.com https://www.rtbhouse.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands
Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150"

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#702: What it takes to keep customers loyal with Anna Convery, Verint

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Does your brand deliver answers faster than your customer can send a text message?

Agility in CX is about answering customers before they finish the thought. If you can’t evolve at that pace, you’re already behind.

Today we’re going to talk about what Verint’s brand‑new 2025 State of Customer Experience report tells us about loyalty, automation, and the thin line between keeping and losing a customer.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Anna Convery, Chief Marketing Officer at Verint.

About Anna Convery

Anna Convery serves as Chief Marketing Officer of Verint. Anna joined Verint in March 2025 with more than 20 years of experience in enterprise technology marketing, product management, and sales. Anna has global responsibility for all Verint marketing functions, with a focus on market growth, industry positioning, and revenue generation. She is a recognized advocate for STEM education and professional development for women and girls.

Resources

Verint: https://www.verint.com

Verint State of Customer Experience 2025 Report: https://www.verint.com/resources/the-state-of-customer-experience-2025/

This episode is brought to you by Verint, a leader in customer experience automation. The world’s most iconic brands – including more than 80 of the Fortune 100 companies – rely on Verint AI technology for customer care. Learn more here: https://www.verint.com

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands
Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150"

Get a copy of the Verint State of CX Report: https://www.verint.com/resources/the-state-of-customer-experience-2025/
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#701: No-Code as a Strategic Weapon, with Aytekin Tank, Jotform

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 04:00:00 GMT

If your team spends half its days searching for documents and filling out spreadsheets you built years ago, how long will it be before your competitors automate you out of business?

Agility requires turning busywork into bandwidth so people can collaborate and think strategically instead of shuffling pixels. Today we’re exploring how no-code platforms and AI-driven automation make that possible.

To help me discuss this topic, I’m joined by Aytekin Tank, Founder and CEO of Jotform, and author of the book Automate Your Busywork.

About Aytekin Tank

I’m Aytekin Tank, founder and CEO of Jotform, host of the AI Agents Podcast, bestselling author, and automation enthusiast. When I was starting out as a software developer in the early 2000s, I worked for a media company in New York that constantly tasked me with coding web forms — like payment or contact forms. Tired of creating the same forms day after day, I was inspired to find a way to automate the process. So I created a tool that could do it for you.

In 2006, Jotform was born, and just a year after launch I was able to hire my first employee. Since then, Jotform has grown into a powerful automation solution trusted by over 30 million users around the world. As a team, we’ve expanded our product offerings with more useful tools, like Jotform Sign for creating e-sign documents and Jotform Apps for building mobile apps without coding. We’ve also introduced Jotform AI Agents — intelligent, real-time agents that help users complete forms, answer questions, and get the support they need instantly, all while staying aligned with their brand.

All of our products are made with one main goal in mind — making people’s lives easier and freeing up time for them to spend where it matters most.

Resources

Jotform: https://www.jotform.com https://www.jotform.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands
Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150"

Get a copy of Automate Your Busywork, the book by Aytekin Tank here: https://aytekintank.com/
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#700: Winning and retaining the distracted consumer with Kelsey Chickering, Forrester

Mon, 07 Jul 2025 04:00:00 GMT

If your brand can’t hold a consumer’s focus for eight seconds, what makes you think you deserve nine?

We are here at Forrester CX in Nashville, TN and hearing all about the latest insights and ideas for brands to create better experiences for their customers.

Agility isn’t speed for speed’s sake; it’s the discipline of staying useful while everything—and everyone—spins. In an era when consumers swipe away in milliseconds, an agile brand has to win attention before the next notification does.

Today we’re unpacking how to win and retain the distracted consumer with Kelsey Chickering, Principal Analyst at Forrester.

About Kelsey Chickering

Kelsey is a principal analyst at Forrester, focused on media as it relates to marketing strategy. She brings strategic thinking grounded in a deep understanding of the media and advertising ecosystem to clients. Her research uncovers best practices, emerging trends, and critical shifts in consumer behavior that impact how brands should behave in an ever-evolving media landscape. Her consumer-first thinking is underpinned by a communications planning backbone, emphasizing the interplay between media touchpoints across the consumer journey that work together to drive growth for B2C marketing executives.

Resources

Forrester: https://www.forrester.com https://www.forrester.com

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#699: Being real about synthetic personas with Narek Vandanyan, Prelaunch

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Marketers spend a fortune trying to understand their audience, conducting surveys, focus groups, and market research—but what if they could just ask their ideal customer directly? With synthetic personas, that’s now possible. But how reliable are they? And how far can we really take this technology?

Joining me today is Narek Vardanyan, CEO of Prelaunch.com, a platform focused on helping businesses validate their ideas before launching. Prelaunch.com recently introduced Customer Persona, an innovative tool that allows marketers to chat with AI-generated personas built on real audience data.

About Narek Vardanyan

I founded my marketing agency, TCF, in 2017, after my first eBook “57 Secrets of Crowdfunding” became the crowdfunding bestseller on Amazon.
In the years that followed, I grew TCF to over 100 team members, making it the world’s biggest crowdfunding marketing agency. We’ve managed dozens of million-dollar campaigns, and helped creators launch successful brands. Many of these became the most funded campaigns in their categories.
Our team is now focused on building an ecosystem of companies and platforms that help creators from all over the world bring their innovations to life.

Resources

Prelaunch: https://www.prelaunch.com https://www.prelaunch.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands
Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150"

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#698: Staying customer-centric in the race to adopt agentic AI with Stephanie Liu, Forrester

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 04:00:00 GMT

We are here at Forrester CX in Nashville, TN and hearing all about the latest insights and ideas for brands to create better experiences for their customers.

If your AI roadmap doesn’t include your customer, is it really a roadmap—or just a bridge to nowhere?

Agility requires remembering who pays the bills: the customer. When shiny new tech shows up, it’s tempting to sprint after it—often leaving the actual human in our dust.

Today we’re talking about staying customer-first in the race to adopt agentic AI. To help me dig in, please welcome Stephanie Liu, Senior Analyst at Forrester. Stephanie—welcome to the show!

About Stephanie Liu

Steph focuses on the intersection of marketing and privacy. She guides clients on how to strike a delicate balance between privacy, trust, and consumer expectations, all while navigating a rapidly shifting data deprecation landscape that spans consumers’ privacy-protecting behaviors, regulation, tech limitations, and walled gardens. She examines topics like zero-party data, preference centers, data clean rooms, the customer data ecosystem, and how to deliver experiences that are personalized without being creepy.

Steph has been quoted in publications such as the New York Times, CNBC, The Markup, Marketplace, and AdWeek; her work has featured in AdExchanger, Forbes, and elsewhere.

Resources

Forrester: https://www.forrester.com https://www.forrester.com

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#697: Building the total experience for customers with AJ Joplin, Forrester

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Does your AI-based interface talk to customers the way a real person would or is it tech for tech’s sake?

We are here at Forrester CX in Nashville, TN and hearing all about the latest insights and ideas for brands to create better experiences for their customers.

Agility is less about bolting on new features just because the tech is available and more about making tomorrow’s experiences feel intuitive and natural to the end customer using them.

Today we’re diving into designing for the future of experiences with AJ Joplin, Senior Analyst at Forrester.

About AJ Joplin

AJ is the lead analyst for Forrester’s research on experience design (XD), design organizations, and design leadership. Helping XD and customer experience (CX) leaders develop and deliver on research-based strategy is AJ’s professional passion. She has observed that the most effective organizations combine clear purpose with the right people and leverage systems to clarify decision-making, prioritization, and workflows. AJ also has years of workshop facilitation experience in human-centered design and design thinking. Using her professional coaching skills, AJ bring clients through ambiguity and into alignment on what matters and what’s next.

Resources

Forrester: https://www.forrester.com https://www.forrester.com

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands
Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150"

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#696: The network effect on CX of AI plus employees with Jay Pattisall, Forrester

Fri, 27 Jun 2025 04:00:00 GMT

If AI can amplify every employee’s reach ten-fold, how ready is your organization to harness that network effect?

We are here at Forrester CX in Nashville, TN and hearing all about the latest insights and ideas for brands to create better experiences for their customers.

Agility isn’t about adding more tech; it’s about multiplying human impact.
Today we’re exploring the network effect of AI and how it helps employees create powerful experiences with Jay Pattisall, VP & Principal Analyst at Forrester.

About Jay Pattisall
Jay’s research focuses on marketing services (creative, media, digital, in-house agencies); AI marketing (applications of generative and predictive AI to media and content); and genAI for visual content technologies. Jay helps CMOs and business leaders make sense of the complex and ever-changing marketing services landscape as it embraces AI and automation technologies as part of media management, creative services, and the future of agencies.

Resources

Forrester: https://www.forrester.com https://www.forrester.com

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands.

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#695: Why Trust Is a Strategy, Not a Sentiment with Dana Bodine, Trustpilot

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 04:00:00 GMT

If nearly half of consumers spend more with brands they trust, why aren’t more companies making trust a core business strategy instead of just a tagline?

To help me explore this question, I’m joined by Dana Bodine, U.S. Vice President of Marketing at Trustpilot, the world’s largest independent platform for customer feedback.

About Dana Bodine
Dana is an experienced marketing executive and currently serves as Vice President of Marketing for the US at Trustpilot. Prior to this role, Dana held multiple leadership positions including Vice President of Marketing and PR at Pagaya, and Vice President of Global B2B Marketing for Strategic Growth at Mastercard, where responsibilities encompassed inclusive growth initiatives and enterprise partnerships. Additional experience includes Vice President of Global Marketing at Mastercard Labs, Vice President of Corporate Marketing and Brand Development at Time Inc., and strategic marketing roles at Apple and NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Dana's early career featured positions at The New York Times and Warner Bros., focusing on advertising and digital marketing.

RESOURCES
TrustPilot: https://www.trustpilot.com https://www.trustpilot.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands
Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150"
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#694: What's your plan for Q5 this year, with Xavier de Baillenx from Ramdam

Mon, 23 Jun 2025 04:00:00 GMT

What if your most profitable campaign window isn’t Black Friday or Cyber Monday… but after the holidays, when everyone else is quiet?

While most marketers are winding down, savvy brands are doubling down—tapping into the “Q5” period between Christmas and early January, when ad prices drop, engagement spikes, and consumers are laser-focused on their New Year goals.

Today we’re digging into how AI is revolutionizing brand partnerships, why micro-influencers might be your secret Q5 weapon, and what smart marketers are doing to turn a slow season into a sales surge.
To discuss this, I’d like to welcome Xavier de Baillenx, CEO of Ramdam, an AI-powered creator platform working with over 50,000 influencers globally.

About Xavier de Baillenx

Xavier de Baillenx is a serial entrepreneur and the Co-founder and CEO of Ramdam, an AI-powered platform that streamlines user-generated content (UGC) production for brands, optimizing every step of the creative process. Launched in 2023 by the same team known for their previous venture, Pretty Fun Therapy, acquired by Match Group (the company behind Tinder and Hinge), Ramdam empowers advertisers to connect with the right creators, delivering high-performing ads that elevate social media campaigns and eliminate the guesswork of the creative lottery. The platform quickly gained recognition, with brands like Allianz, Voodoo, and Colgate-Palmolive leveraging Ramdam to achieve up to an 80% improvement in performance compared to traditional UGC marketplaces. Ramdam's rapid success also led to securing $3.15 million in funding in October 2024 to accelerate its global expansion.

Xavier’s entrepreneurial journey began in 2013 when he co-founded Pretty Fun Therapy with his current team, a venture that was acquired by Match Group, the company behind Tinder and Hinge, in 2016. At Match Group, he led AI innovation, pioneering some of the industry’s first consumer brand chatbots that engaged millions of users. With a background in digital development from his time at Universal Music, Xavier brings extensive experience in combining technology and creativity. He holds an engineering degree from CentraleSupélec.

Resources

Ramdam: https://www.ramd.am/ https://www.ramd.am/

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#693: Optimizing the post-click customer experience with Riikka Söderlund, Katana Cloud Inventory

Fri, 20 Jun 2025 04:00:00 GMT

What if your biggest customer experience problem isn’t your marketing… but your inventory spreadsheet?

In the era of one-click checkouts, Prime delivery expectations, and endless online channels, brands are pouring millions into customer acquisition—only to lose customers post-purchase. Why? Because they can’t deliver what they just sold.

Today’s guest says the future of e-commerce success doesn’t lie in a flashier storefront or a new influencer strategy—it lies in mastering the messy, invisible world of inventory.

I’m excited to welcome back Riikka Söderlund, now Chief Operating Officer at Katana Cloud Inventory.

About Riikka Soderlund
Riikka Söderlund is the Chief Commercial Officer at Katana Cloud Inventory, where she leads the company’s go-to-market strategy, driving growth across marketing, sales, and customer success. With a background as CMO and a proven track record in building scalable systems and high-performing teams, she brings deep expertise in data-driven growth, B2B SaaS, and customer-centric strategy. Her work at Katana has helped power over $2 billion in annual sales order volume by enabling small and medium-sized manufacturers to modernize their operations and scale efficiently.

Resources

Katana: https://katanamrp.com/

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#692: The lifetime value of milliseconds in the customer experience with Jaxon Repp, Harper

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Agility can often get framed as driving massive transformation—but sometimes it’s the milliseconds that matter. When every digital moment counts, small gains in speed and efficiency can have a disproportionately large impact on customer lifetime value and brand loyalty.

If you could speed up every digital interaction your customers have with your brand by a full second, what would that be worth to your business?
Today we’re going to talk about how even seemingly minor improvements in speed and performance can have outsized impact on customer experience—and revenue.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Jaxon Repp, Field CTO at Harper.

About Jaxon Repp
Jaxon Repp, Field CTO at Harper, has over 25 years of experience architecting, designing, and developing enterprise software. He is the founder of three technology startups and has consulted with multiple Fortune 500 companies on IoT and Digital Transformation initiatives. A partially-reformed developer, he understands what it’s like to wrestle with technology instead of benefiting from it, and believes passionately that if the Jetsons never had an episode where a config file error brought down the food-o-matic, it surely should not be a problem now.

RESOURCES
Harper: https://www.harpersystems.dev/

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands
Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150"
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#691: Gaining agility and results with composable CMS, with Mark Wheeler from Storyblok

Mon, 16 Jun 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Is your CMS holding your creativity—and marketing growth—hostage?

When speed and agility are everything, most marketing teams are still stuck in the slow lane—waiting on developers to publish updates, launch campaigns, or even fix a typo. Sound familiar? Today’s guest says it’s time for marketers to take the wheel.

Mark Wheeler, Chief Marketing Officer at Storyblok is here to talk about redefining what a CMS should be—with a composable, API-first platform that puts control back in marketers’ hands. With clients like Netflix and Adidas, Storyblok is helping to lead a movement away from bloated, outdated systems and toward a faster, smarter, more flexible way of working.

About Mark Wheeler
As CMO of Storyblok, Mark Wheeler leads the marketing strategy and execution to drive business growth and redefine the CMS category. Recognized as a Top 100 B2B global CMO, he's dedicated to building communities for marketers and developers. With a deep understanding of digital experiences, Mark ensures Storyblok delivers exceptional value. Previously, as CMO of LeanIX, he played a key role in doubling customers in two years and contributing to its successful acquisition by SAP. He has also held senior marketing roles at Nutanix, EMC, Sitecore, and Adobe.

RESOURCES
Storyblok: https://www.storyblok.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#690: Focusing on long-term customer value using next best action with Tine Van Calster, Telenet

Fri, 13 Jun 2025 04:00:00 GMT

What if your most loyal customers are the ones you helped spend less?
Agility in marketing isn't just about moving faster — it's about aligning brand intentions with customer outcomes in real-time, even when that means giving up short-term gains to earn long-term trust.

Today we are here at PegaWorld 2025 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, and we’re going to talk about how Telenet is transforming customer loyalty in a saturated market — not with discounts or gimmicks, but with ethical, AI-driven decisions that prioritize long-term value.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Tine Van Calster, Product Owner Segment of One at Telenet.

RESOURCES
Telenet: https://www.telenet.be https://www.telenet.be

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands

Online Scrum Master Summit is happening June 17-19. This 3-day virtual event is open for registration. Visit www.osms25.com and get a 25% discount off Premium All-Access Passes with the code osms25agilebrand
Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#689: Building a culture of agility with Eugenie Lamprecht, Reka

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Welcome to this episode, brought to you by Reka, a developer of industry-leading, multimodal, AI models that enable individuals and organizations to deploy generative AI applications.

Agility requires an attention to process and a commitment to continuous improvement. It also requires a culture of agility. Today we’re going to talk about talent in an AI environment, and the critical role that human teams play in an AI environment.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Eugenie Lamprecht, Chief of Staff at Reka.

About Eugenie Lamprecht
Eugenie is the Chief of Staff at Reka, where she oversees day-to-day operations across People, Finance, Legal, and other core functions, making sure the company stays on track and aligned. Eugenie works closely with the CEO to help execute the company’s priorities and keep things moving behind the scenes.

RESOURCES
Reka 3:

This episode is brought to you by Reka.ai

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#688: Building a Customer Brain and how it benefits customers and the business with Christian Nelissen, National Australia Bank

Wed, 11 Jun 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Agility at enterprise scale means building systems that not only make millions of micro-decisions, but also keep humans at the center — creating experiences that are timely, relevant, and respectful of the customer.
What if your data knew your customers better than your frontline employees — and used that insight to serve, not sell?

Today we are here at PegaWorld 2025 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, and we’re going to talk about how National Australia Bank has built what they call a "Customer Brain" — a centralized, intelligent decisioning layer that unifies engagement across service, sales, and relationship-building at scale.
To help me explore this, I’d like to welcome Christian Nelissen, Chief Data and Analytics Officer at NAB.

RESOURCES
National Australia Bank: https://www.nab.com/au https://www.nab.com/au

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands
Online Scrum Master Summit is happening June 17-19. This 3-day virtual event is open for registration. Visit www.osms25.com and get a 25% discount off Premium All-Access Passes with the code osms25agilebrand
Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#687: Customer Experience Design using Generative AI, with Tara DeZao, Pega

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 04:00:00 GMT

What if you could test drive your entire customer experience — before even writing a line of code?

Agility isn’t just about reacting fast — it’s about thinking ahead, designing deliberately, and testing before committing. In an age where customer expectations shift by the minute, businesses can’t afford to just “build and hope.”

Today we are here at PegaWorld 2025 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, and we’re exploring how Generative AI-powered prototyping can help organizations visualize and refine the full customer journey before it’s built — and why tools like Pega’s Customer Engagement Blueprint are changing how brands think about strategy, customer-centricity, and innovation.
To walk us through this, I’d like to welcome back to the show Tara DeZao, Sr. Product Marketing Director at Pega.

About Tara De Zao
Tara DeZao, Director of Product Marketing, AdTech and MarTech at Pega, is passionate about helping clients deliver better, more empathetic customer experiences backed by artificial intelligence. Over the last decade, she has cultivated a successful career in the marketing departments of both startups and Fortune 500 enterprise technology companies.

She is a subject matter expert on all things marketing and has authored articles that have appeared in AdExchanger, VentureBeat, MarTech Series and more. Tara received her bachelor's degree from the University of California, Berkeley and an MBA from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

RESOURCES
Pega: https://www.pega.com https://www.pega.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands
Online Scrum Master Summit is happening June 17-19. This 3-day virtual event is open for registration. Visit www.osms25.com and get a 25% discount off Premium All-Access Passes with the code osms25agilebrand
Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#686: Autonomous innovation using predictable AI agents with Peter van der Putten, Pega

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 04:00:00 GMT

What if your agentic AI could innovate autonomously—and still follow your business rules?

Agility in the age of AI doesn't just mean speed. It means predictability, accountability, and the ability to innovate autonomously without businesses losing control of what is important, and what their customers value.

Today we are here at PegaWorld 2025 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, and we’re going to talk about how enterprises are starting to move beyond prompt-based, freewheeling AI models and toward something more mature, governed, and scalable: Predictable AI Agents. And we’ll explore what that means for the future of autonomous enterprise decisioning and innovation.

To help me dig into this topic, I’d like to welcome Peter van der Putten, Director AI Lab and Lead Scientist at Pega.

About Peter van der Putten
Peter van der Putten is assistant professor of AI, Leiden University and Director AI Lab at Pegasystems. Through his expertise in artificial intelligence and machine learning, Peter helps leading brands to become more ‘human’ by transforming into customer centric organizations.
In addition to his role at Pegasystems, Peter is an assistant professor and creative researcher at the Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science (LIACS), Leiden University, The Netherlands.  

Peter is particularly interested in how intelligence can evolve through learning, in man or machines. Peter has a MSc in Cognitive Artificial Intelligence from Utrecht University and a PhD in data mining from Leiden University, and combines academic research with applying these technologies in business. He teaches New Media New Technology and supervises MSc thesis projects. 

RESOURCES
Pega: https://www.pega.com https://www.pega.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands
Online Scrum Master Summit is happening June 17-19. This 3-day virtual event is open for registration. Visit www.osms25.com and get a 25% discount off Premium All-Access Passes with the code osms25agilebrand
Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#685: Using AI in UX research, design, and testing with Jason Bowman, The Office of Experience

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Agility requires finding ways to stay one step ahead of the competition, as well as in anticipating customers’ needs.

So how does a brand maintain this speed and agility in the area of UX design, where it has often taken a considerable amount of time, effort, and testing to get to a better result?

Today we’re going to talk about using AI strategically in UX research, design, and testing. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Jason Bowman, Executive Director of User Experience at The Office of Experience.

About Jason Bowman
Jason leads OX as the Executive Director of UX, bringing over 20+ years of meaningful UX and design experience to the firm, overseeing and managing Content Strategy, UX and Business Analyst teams.

Jason has a true talent for guiding projects to successful launches as quickly and efficiently as possible. With strong collaboration skills and attention to detail, he is always looking for the right thing in order to create a better experience for users, clients, and teams.

His expansive experience includes multinational, multilingual intranets, startups, marquee consumer brands, global agencies, mobile apps, and more. Notable client work includes Patagonia, Groupon, Samsung, Boston Consulting Group, Sitka Gear, Goop, American Medical Association, and more.

RESOURCES
The Office of Experience: https://www.officeofexperience.com https://www.officeofexperience.com

This episode is brought to you by The Office of Experience, a design-driven, digital-first, vertically integrated and collaborative agency that believes in the power of ideas and the strength of people.

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands
Online Scrum Master Summit is happening June 17-19. This 3-day virtual event is open for registration. Visit www.osms25.com and get a 25% discount off Premium All-Access Passes with the code osms25agilebrand
Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#684: The founder of Reebok and CEO of Syntilay talk about AI-generated product design

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 04:00:00 GMT

When consumers can get AI-generated designs completely customized to their needs, what does this mean for the future of brands and the customer experience?

I have two guests on my show today: one is the founder of one of the world’s most iconic shoe brands, and the other is the co-creator of the first AI-designed commercial shoe.

Today we’re going to talk about what it takes to innovate and grow a brand and how things are both similar—and different since Reebok launched its brand in 1960, and now Syntilay brings a whole new era of AI-based design to the market.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Joe Foster, the founder of Reebok and Ben Weiss, the CEO of Syntilay.

About Joe Foster
Joe founded Reebok in 1958 with his late brother Jeff, following their family heritage back to 1895. Joe's Grandfather, also Joseph W Foster, pioneered the spiked running shoe and famously made shoes for the Worlds best athletes of the early 20th century, with World records and Olympics Gold Medals.
Wearing (pumps) made by J W Foster & Sons Ltd, Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell won Olympic Gold Medals in the 1928 Paris Olympics and were immortalised in the film ‘Chariots of Fire’.
With Reebok they followed in his footsteps, with Olympic, Commonwealth and European medals and World record breaking performances, represented now by the range of Reebok Classics.

About Ben Weiss
Ben is building the future of sneakers, shoes designed with Artificial Intelligence that are entirely 3D printed, accompanied by an excellent team and set of advisors including the legendary Reebok Founder, Joe Foster, original Shark Tank Shark, Kevin Harrington, and others.
He hosts the business podcast, LegendsNLeaders, which breaks down the steps it truly takes to become successful and have a positive impact in the world. The podcast has featured outstanding guests like Kevin O'Leary, Shark Tank Shark, Howie Mandel, Steve Madden, Miss Universe, R'Bonney Nola, and has been viewed in the millions.

RESOURCES
Syntilay: https://www.syntilay.com/ https://www.syntilay.com/

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands
Online Scrum Master Summit is happening June 17-19. This 3-day virtual event is open for registration. Visit www.osms25.com and get a 25% discount off Premium All-Access Passes with the code osms25agilebrand
Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150
Shoe Maker by Joe Foster: https://www.jwfosterheritage.com/shop-online/p/ohi30b1x63ghyj2him04suqx1ju4z5
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#683: Navigating the effect of AI on marketing jobs and the job market with Sue Keith, Landrum Talent Solutions

Fri, 30 May 2025 04:00:00 GMT

My guest today has been keeping us up to date with the current state of hiring for marketers on a quarterly basis, which has taken us on quite a roller coaster ride.

Today we’re going to look at how marketing and communication execs are responding to the latest developments in the world while still needing to get their work done.

To take a look at the latest here, I’d like to welcome back to the show Sue Keith, Corporate Vice President at Landrum Talent Solutions.

About Sue Keith
Sue Keith is Corporate Vice President at Landrum Talent Solutions. With deep expertise in navigating complex labor markets, Sue has a front-row seat to the evolving dynamics of marketing roles, hiring trends, and the broader implications of AI and economic uncertainty.

RESOURCES
Landrum Talent Solutions: https://www.landrumtalentsolutions.com https://www.landrumtalentsolutions.com

This episode is brought to you by Landrum Talent Solutions, a national recruiting firm specializing in marketing and HR positions. https://www.landrumtalentsolutions.com

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands
Online Scrum Master Summit is happening June 17-19. This 3-day virtual event is open for registration. Visit www.osms25.com and get a 25% discount off Premium All-Access Passes with the code osms25agilebrand
Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#682: Consequential AI and customer loyalty with Raj De Datta, CEO of Bloomreach

Wed, 28 May 2025 04:00:00 GMT

If brand loyalty is so critical, why does it feel like most companies are treating it like an afterthought by propping it up with outdated programs and hoping customers won’t notice?

Agility requires a complete rethinking of how we approach customer loyalty — not as an afterthought at the end of the funnel, but as a core driver of long-term brand value and experience strategy.

Today, we’re going to talk about the evolution of customer loyalty and what brands need to do to keep up in a time when consumers have more choices, higher expectations, and less patience.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Raj De Datta, CEO and Co-Founder of Bloomreach.

About Raj De Datta
Raj De Datta is Co-Founder and CEO of Bloomreach, a leading software platform for digital commerce experiences that powers brands representing 25% of retail Ecommerce in the US and the UK. Raj is a multiple-time entrepreneur. Raj is also the bestselling author of “The Digital Seeker” – a playbook for digital teams to win big.

Before launching Bloomreach, he was entrepreneur-in-residence at Mohr-Davidow Ventures, served as Cisco’s director of product marketing, and was on the founding team of telecom company FirstMark Communications. Raj also worked in technology investment banking at Lazard Freres. Raj serves on the Council for Player Development for the US Tennis Association, the Board of RepresentUs, a bipartisan organization focused on democracy reform, and is a Founder Partner at seed-stage venture capital firm Founder Collective and an individual investor in over 20 start-ups.

RESOURCES
Bloomreach: https://www.bloomreach.com https://www.bloomreach.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands
Online Scrum Master Summit is happening June 17-19. This 3-day virtual event is open for registration. Visit www.osms25.com and get a 25% discount off Premium All-Access Passes with the code osms25agilebrand
Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150
Get the Bloomreach report: https://www.bloomreach.com/en/winning-playbook-for-loyalty
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#681: Building a cohesive brand while personalizing every message with Emily Ward, Turnitin

Mon, 26 May 2025 04:00:00 GMT

With AI as an accelerant, marketing is evolving at a breakneck pace, and brands are being challenged to maintain authenticity while scaling globally. How do you build a cohesive, authentic brand identity across diverse markets, cultures, and digital platforms—all while leveraging AI-driven personalization?

Joining me today is Emily Ward, VP of Global Marketing at Turnitin, a leading edtech brand focused on academic integrity and student success. Emily has spent more than 15 years in the education space, shaping marketing strategies for institutions under the Laureate Education network, leading global marketing at Anthology (formerly Blackboard), and now overseeing the global marketing strategy at Turnitin.

Emily Ward has spent more than 15 years focused on the education space, initially generating enrollments for a broad portfolio of global institutions under the Laureate Education network. She then moved to Blackboard, since acquired by Anthology, working with non-profit academic institutions to better understand how to leverage their marketing investment in order to positively impact enrollments and institutional growth.
Over time, Emily’s focus expanded to the larger concept of Student Success, helping academic leadership connect the dots of the full student experience from decision making through to matriculation and beyond. During the pandemic, Emily pivoted quickly to lead the launch of an official eCommerce platform, and was soon pulled in to lead North America then Global Marketing efforts for the newly formed EdTech giant Anthology.
Today, she oversees global marketing for Turnitin, an academic integrity company focused on supporting educators and empowering students around the world to do their best original work. Emily holds a B.S. from Towson University and an M.B.A from Loyola University Maryland. She resides near Washington, DC with her daughter.

RESOURCES
Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands
Online Scrum Master Summit is happening June 17-19. This 3-day virtual event is open for registration. Visit www.osms25.com and get a 25% discount off Premium All-Access Passes with the code osms25agilebrand
Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#680: Agile is about more than velocity, with Gabrielle Wieczorek

Fri, 23 May 2025 04:00:00 GMT

This show is brought to you by the Online Scrum Masters Summit, taking place virtually on June 17-19, with more information at: http://www.onlinescrummasterssummit.com

What if the most powerful tool for driving agile transformation isn’t a framework or a ceremony—but a dashboard?

Today’s guest believes data may be the most underused lever for agility in large organizations. Gabrielle Wieczorek is a Scrum Master and Certified Agile Coach and a speaker at the upcoming Online Scrum Masters Summit, where she brings over 14 years of experience blending agile frameworks with data science, analytics, and stakeholder trust-building.

About Gabrielle Wieczorek
Gabrielle Wieczorek is an adaptive transformation leader with over 14 years of experience helping teams and organizations unlock the true potential of business and personal agility, especially in times of uncertainty. An enthusiastic Scrum Master, Certified Agile Coach (A-CSM, SSM), Product Owner (CSPO), and technical Senior Systems/Data Analyst, Gabrielle excels in leading teams through change and complexity, focusing on continuous improvement and delivering tangible results. Known for delivering engaging talks that make innovative agile concepts obtainable, Gabrielle has a knack for turning abstract ideas into real-world impact. Whether facilitating dynamic workshops or sharing insights in a lightning talk, Gabrielle empowers others to elevate their Agile practices and drive meaningful change in today’s fast-paced, ever-evolving environments where efficiency and innovation are essential to success.

RESOURCES

This show is brought to you by the Online Scrum Masters Summit, taking place virtually on June 17-19, with more information at: www.onlinescrummasterssummit.com

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#679: Growing a brand by focusing on the details that matter with Dominic Minogue, Dirty Water

Wed, 21 May 2025 04:00:00 GMT

There are a lot of great ideas for products and brands out there, but sometimes the difference between success and failure lies in getting the details right and understanding the customers and users of your product. Today we’re going to talk about growing a brand by focusing on the details that matter.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Dominic Minogue, CEO of Dirty Water, the world's first session hard seltzer, and a brand that started in New York City and has quickly grown well beyond, with some phenomenal and awards to match.

About Dominic Minogue
Dominic Minogue is the founder and CEO of Dirty Water, the world's first session hard seltzer that’s making the beverage industry dangerously refreshing. Dubbed “The Dive Bar Hard Seltzer," Dirty Water offers a crushable experience that’s not too sweet and not too carbonated with 4.5% ABV, 0 sugar, 0 carbs and only 90 calories.

As a lover of light beer and hard seltzer, Dom wanted to create a beverage that encapsulated the best of both while leaving the rest behind. A great light beer is unobtrusive, crisp and smooth with no frills and no worries about what to get because it’s the same every time. A great hard seltzer offers a healthier choice with less calories, carbs and sugar along with no gluten, however the fruity flavors almost always present a scenario of digging around to avoid an unfavorable flavor or two.

In comes Dirty Water - born a hard seltzer, but identifies as a light beer. One flavor, not too sweet, not too carbonated and just perfect for any occasion.
Prior to launching Dirty Water in 2024, Dom held various positions within the mobile gaming industry that also centered around the values of community and connection. Most recently, he was VP of Game Operations at Rewardify, a mobile games app that rewards players for their love of the game through cash prizes, where he standardized the company’s cash-economy and developed publishing models. He also led product marketing for Applovin’s Lion Studios where he achieved 2.5B downloads worldwide, tested over 1000 games and brought 30+ games to #1 on iOS and Android stores.

In addition, Dom is a food enthusiast and creator with 180K+ followers on TikTok at @dommelier where he gives quick recipes and how-to’s for preparing different cuisines from around the world.

RESOURCES
Dirty Water: https://www.dirtywaterbrand.com https://www.dirtywaterbrand.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#678: AI gains emotional intelligence with Joshua Goldberg, Zenapse

Mon, 19 May 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Have you ever wondered why, despite having access to advanced AI tools, your marketing strategies still don’t hit the mark? Could it be that you’re focusing on the wrong data and missing the emotional connections that truly drive consumer behavior?

Today we’re exploring the intersection of AI, emotional intelligence, and marketing with Joshua Goldberg, EVP of Strategy at Zenapse. We’ll dive into how Large Emotion Models (LEM) are revolutionizing consumer engagement and delivering impressive marketing results.

About Josh Goldberg
Josh brings over 25+ years of leadership roles in strategy, marketing, and digital delivery. He leads Zenapse business development and channel partnerships. Josh specializes in strategy, business acceleration, digital media, and marketing. He has delivered plans for rapid business improvements and insights to many companies including: Vanguard, Capgemini, Applied Materials, Fisher Price, J.D. Power, Reuters, Viacom, and Wunderman Thompson.

RESOURCES
Zenapse: https://www.zenapse.com https://www.zenapse.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands
Online Scrum Master Summit is happening June 17-19. This 3-day virtual event is open for registration. Visit www.osms25.com and get a 25% discount off Premium All-Access Passes with the code osms25agilebrand
Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#677: Why thought leadership is more important than ever with Benjamin Shapiro, host of the MarTech Podcast

Fri, 16 May 2025 04:00:00 GMT

If content rules, why does it feel like there are 100,000 royal families?
In a world drowning in blog posts, videos, and AI-generated everything, content has never been more abundant—or more commoditized. So how do brands cut through the noise?
Today’s guest has a few thoughts on that—and more.

Ben Shapiro, host of the MarTech Podcast, has had front-row seats to the shifting landscape of B2B marketing. With millions of downloads, Ben has interviewed the best minds in marketing and watched strategies evolve in real time. From AI's impact on content to the growing need for thought leadership, Ben is here to help us separate what still works… from what’s just noise.

RESOURCES

MarTech Podcast: https://martechpod.com/

I Hear Everything: https://iheareverything.com/

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#676: The consumer is no longer navigating the map—they are the map, with Ken Hughes, the King of CX

Wed, 14 May 2025 04:00:00 GMT

The consumer is no longer navigating the map—they are the map.
Welcome to the era of the Blue Dot Consumer: always centered, always scrolling, and always expecting the world to orbit around them. What does that mean for your brand? Everything. From the rise of instant gratification to the evolution of seven—yes, seven—active generations, the customer experience game has changed forever.

Today’s guest is Ken Hughes, also known as The King of CX—is a consumer behavioralist, futurist, and one of the world’s leading authorities on customer experience. He’s here to break down how digital evolution, generational shifts, and consumer expectations are reshaping the rules of engagement for brands of all sizes.

About Ken Hughes
Ken Hughes is one of the World's Leading CX Strategists and Consumer Behavioralists in Customer Experience, Marketing, Branding, Innovation and AI. Known internationally as The King of Customer Experience.
Author of the marketing blog ‘The Blue Dot Consumer’, with tens of thousands of readers exploring his content on consumer values, marketing, branding and customer experience every month.
His research and work is utilized by global brands, industry associations and universities across all six continents. His client list is a who’s who of global brands, from Google, Starbucks, the NFL, and TikTok, to Walmart, Coca-Cola, IKEA and PayPal) to understand the changing nature of the brand connection across the consumer generations, and prepare for the future.
He describes himself as a social science Frankenstein – his interests are part sociology, part anthropology, part consumer psychology and part cyber behaviouralism.
Previously CEO of an insight agency, a TED speaker, a university lecturer and actor

RESOURCES
King of CX: https://www.kenhughes.info/

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#675: Being true to customers and your values with Phyllis Rothschild, CMO at Pete & Gerrys

Mon, 12 May 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Consumers today aren’t just buying products, or even experiences—they’re buying into values. As more people align their shopping habits with brands that reflect their personal beliefs, how can companies authentically connect with their audience without coming across as performative?

Joining us today is Phyllis Rothschild, Chief Marketing Officer at Pete & Gerry’s, pioneers in humane egg production. Phyllis, a recently awarded “Woman in Marketing,” is on a mission to bring clarity to the egg aisle by educating consumers on animal welfare and sustainability. With a deep understanding of brand authenticity, consumer trust, and marketing innovation, she’s here to share how brands can build real connections in a world where consumers demand transparency.

Phyllis Rothschild has been the Chief Marketing Officer at Pete & Gerry’s, LLC for just shy of two years, with a storied career prior to her recent position. With over 30 years of experience in marketing and branding consulting, she joined Pete & Gerry’s with the goal of aligning the marketing strategy with the business strategy, growing strong brands, building brand love, and prioritizing consumer education, awareness and engagement.
Since joining the Pete & Gerry’s team (with its family of brands Pete & Gerry’s and Nellie’s Free Range), Phyllis has supported the company’s mission of producing healthy, delicious eggs by setting a higher standard for humane animal care and sustainable farming practices across the industry, and has been the driving force behind the brand’s thought leadership efforts. By leading the entire marketing function, she oversees the implementation of creative campaigns, strategic partnerships, social media marketing, content creation, product and packaging design, shopper marketing, and innovation.

RESOURCES

Pete & Gerry's: https://www.peteandgerrys.com

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#674: The continued evolution of e-commerce with Eitan Koter, Vimmi

Fri, 09 May 2025 04:00:00 GMT

With the rapid rise of shoppable video, AI-driven recommendations, and immersive technologies like AR and VR, are traditional e-commerce strategies becoming obsolete?

Today, we’re joined by Eitan Koter, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Vimmi, a shoppable video SaaS company revolutionizing e-commerce. Eitan is also the host of the "Mastering eCommerce Marketing" podcast, where he shares insights from over two decades of experience in startups, public companies, and even a NASDAQ IPO. His deep understanding of e-commerce, technology, and entrepreneurship makes him the perfect guest to discuss how these worlds are converging to reshape the online shopping experience.

Eitan Koter is the Co-founder and Co-CEO of Vimmi, a leading video commerce SaaS company providing multi-channel shoppable video and live shopping solutions to brands and retailers. With two decades of experience in startups and public companies, including a NASDAQ IPO, Eitan is a thought leader in video commerce, digital marketing, social commerce, and startup bootstrapping. He frequently speaks about futuristic immersive digital experiences and the convergence of media and commerce.

RESOURCES
Vimmi: https://www.vimmi.net
Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands
Online Scrum Master Summit is happening June 17-19. This 3-day virtual event is open for registration. Visit www.osms25.com and get a 25% discount off Premium All-Access Passes with the code osms25agilebrand
Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#673: Predictive and proactive customer experiences, with Vinod Muthukrishnan, Cisco

Wed, 07 May 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Customer expectations have skyrocketed—people now demand instant, personalized, and seamless interactions across every touchpoint. But are companies truly meeting these expectations, or are they still stuck in reactive customer service models? What if AI could completely transform the customer experience into something proactive, predictive, and even empathetic?

Joining me today is Vinod Muthukrishnan, VP & COO of Webex Customer Experience at Cisco. Vinod is a leader in the future of customer experience (CX), helping organizations use AI to anticipate customer needs, deliver seamless automation, and create personalized interactions at scale.

Vinod Muthukrishnan is the VP & COO for the Webex Customer Experience Business Unit, overseeing Go To Market, Customer, and Business Operations. In this role he collaborates with Cisco field teams, partners, and customers to deliver innovative solutions. His passion lies in creating products that solve real customer pain points and providing a seamless customer experience. He also values building strong communities, teams, culture, and operating rhythms.
Previously, Vinod spent three years in Enterprise AI at Uniphore, a Cisco Investments Portfolio Company, where he developed a product enabling Citizen Developers to create AI and automation solutions. He managed Uniphore’s customer functions, including Delivery, Technical Support, Customer Success, and AI consulting, helping enterprises align their business goals with AI roadmaps.
Vinod was also VP & COO at the Webex Contact Center Business Unit during a period of significant growth and innovation. During his tenure at the BU, the IMI CPaaS business was acquired, and Webex Contact Center was launched. These two initiatives now serve as the foundations of the Webex Customer Experience Business Unit. Vinod oversaw all GTM functions.
He joined Cisco when his startup, CloudCherry, was acquired in 2019. As Co-Founder and CEO of CloudCherry, he and his team developed a Customer Experience Platform that became Webex Experience Management. They also built the foundations of the Customer Journey Data Service, essential to the Webex Portfolio today.
Coming from a military family, Vinod began his career in the Merchant Marine at 18, becoming a certified First Officer with Maersk Line and sailing to over 60 countries. He later joined the founding team at MarketSimplified, which introduced mobile trading to major brokerages like TD Ameritrade and OptionsExpress.

RESOURCES
Cisco: https://www.cisco.com
Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands
Online Scrum Master Summit is happening June 17-19. This 3-day virtual event is open for registration. Visit www.osms25.com and get a 25% discount off Premium All-Access Passes with the code osms25agilebrand
Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#672: What can we learn from teaching others about AI? Featuring Greg Shove, CEO of Section

Mon, 05 May 2025 04:00:00 GMT

AI is no longer just a tool—it’s reshaping business strategy, workforce morale, and even personal productivity. But are executives truly prepared to treat AI as a strategic thought partner, or are they still viewing it as just another tech trend?

Joining us today is Greg Shove, CEO of Section, an AI education company on a mission to train the next generation of AI leaders. Greg has helped enterprises like Apple and AOL adopt AI beyond automation—leveraging it as a strategic driver of innovation, leadership, and competitive advantage. With a goal of educating 100,000 students in AI by 2025, Greg is here to share his insights on AI strategy, workforce impact, and what businesses of all sizes need to know about integrating AI effectively.

Greg Shove is the CEO of Section. Prior to Section, Greg founded five companies resulting in three exits (two of which were over $100M—2Market to AOL, SocialChorus to Sumeru Equity Partners). He is a hybrid Canadian (believes in a level playing field), British (does not quit), and American (dreams of something better). He is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario and Stanford Graduate School of Business.

RESOURCES
If you haven't started using AI, or you've used it but haven't gotten real value, I'd like to invite you to join our upcoming course, 1 Hour to AI Proficiency, for free. You'll learn to write effective prompts and identify some killer AI use cases -- join at https://www.sectionschool.com/free-workshop
Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#671: Going national while staying true to your local roots with Jay Rushin, H&H Bagels

Fri, 02 May 2025 04:00:00 GMT

How do you take something that's iconically local and make it feel authentic—everywhere?

That’s the challenge facing every regional brand trying to scale. When your name is practically synonymous with a place—like H&H is with New York City—growth isn’t just about expansion. It’s about staying true to what made you iconic in the first place.

Today, I’m joined by Jay Rushin, CEO of H&H Bagels—a brand so New York it’s practically a supporting character on Seinfeld and Sex and the City. Jay has been leading the charge to take this beloved local brand national, with over 70 franchises signed and new locations popping up from Boca Raton to Santa Monica.

Leading the company since 2014, CEO Jay Rushin has re-imagined the H&H Bagels brand by growing the number of New York stores and launching the franchise model. Jay has deep familial ties to the H&H Bagels brand - his father-in-law acquired H&H Bagels in the late 1980s - and a passion for the brand’s unique history and legacy. Rushin utilizes his skills gleaned from over twenty years in finance to lead his team in the growth of H&H Bagels.

RESOURCES
H&H Bagels: https://www.hhbagels.com
Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands
Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#670: Embracing Chaos to Get Better Results with Mark DeCarlo

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 04:00:00 GMT

We talk a lot about agility, and today, we’re going to talk about how lessons of agility can come from unexpected places - like the set of Seinfeld - where - for those superfans like me - our guest played Alec Berg - which should be said in more of a Jon Houseman manner, and while guest starring there (plus other shows like Curb Your Enthusiasm, Tracey Takes On..., and more) took some lessons from the value of collaboration and how great ideas can come from anyone, anywhere.

Joining me today is Mark DeCarlo, an Emmy Award-winning comedian, TV host, and speaker who brings a fresh and entertaining perspective on navigating change, AI, and work-life balance. Mark has developed five simple strategies to help people embrace chaos, overcome fear of AI, and actually be happier while working smarter.

ABOUT MARK DECARLO

Improv actor/host, screenwriter and best-selling author Mark DeCarlo, lives a dual life: as an Emmy Award-winning TV host…and a cartoon.

As host/ringleader on 1000+ episodes of hit TV; Studs, X Show, Taste of America, and current series; World’s Funniest Videos Top 10 and ABC’s Windy City LIVE, Mark’s improvisational skills - honed as a Founding member of The Second City Hollywood - have earned him three Emmy Awards for On Camera Host.

From pissing-off pal Steve Carell, to convincing a random tourist to pose as a fashion designer during a live remote, Mark’s interviews of the famous/infamous celebrate the odd and eccentric. His characters on “Curb your Enthusiasm,” “Tracey Takes On…,” “Seinfeld” and 2020’s “Ballbuster,” zig where most zag. That’s Mark, the human.

Mark, the cartoon, came within a Shrek of winning an Oscar starring as Hugh Neutron in Best Animated Picture nominee “Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius,” and has built a career playing energetic, off-beat and edgy cartoons characters on many series, including; Family Guy, Barnyard, Planet Sheen, Johnny Bravo and Handy Manny. He stars in Steve Oedekirk’s series of Thumb comedies from Thumbtanic to BatThumb, and will reprise his iconic role of Black Helmet Man in the upcoming 2022 release of ThumbWars IX.

RESOURCES

Mark DeCarlo: https://www.MarkDeCarlo.com

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#669: It's already time to start planning for the holiday shopping season with Carey Cockrum, Cella by Randstad Digital

Mon, 28 Apr 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Retailers are facing a rapidly evolving landscape where consumer expectations, AI advancements, and social media platforms like TikTok are redefining engagement. It feels like the holiday shopping season just ended, but when do retailers start planning for the next one, and some retailers already behind the curve for this season?

Joining us today is Carey Cockrum, Director of Consulting at Cella by Randstad Digital, where she helps major brands and marketing teams optimize their strategies with data-driven insights, AI-powered content creation, and cutting-edge retail marketing trends. With the holidays just around the corner, she’s here to share what’s next for retail marketing, campaign optimization, and how brands can stay ahead in a hyper-competitive space.

ABOUT CAREY COCKRUM

Carey has been a part of the Creative Agency space for nearly

30 years. She has served as Designer, Creative Director, Creative Operations

Lead and Agency Lead in both internal and external agencies (big and small).

Carey has worked directly with C-suite stakeholders to understand organizational

strategies that inform effective creative solutions. She is a bit of a data nerd and

loves demonstrating results. Brands she’s supported include Fruit of the Loom,

Wendy’s and Humana.

In her free time, she enjoys going back to her creative roots through painting and

drawing. She also spends her time improving upon the house she lives in today

in Southern, MI - inside and out.

RESOURCES

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#668: The Five Levels of AI with Courtney Baker, Knownwell

Fri, 25 Apr 2025 04:00:00 GMT

As AI continues to evolve, how can marketing leaders ensure they’re staying ahead of the curve instead of simply keeping up with it? And how do you navigate the complexities of using AI while maintaining a personal, human touch in your campaigns?

Joining us today is Courtney Baker, Chief Marketing Officer at Knownwell and co-host of the AI Knowhow podcast. With a wealth of experience in marketing and AI, Courtney is leading the conversation about how artificial intelligence is transforming the marketing industry and redefining business strategies. She’s here to share her insights on the next era of client intelligence and the five levels of AI that are reshaping businesses.

Courtney Baker is the CMO of Knownwell, an AI-native Commercial Intelligence platform, and host of the AI Knowhow podcast. Formerly CMO and CRO at Full Focus, she led its transformation from a personality-driven to a product-led brand. With over 200 episodes as host of the popular Focus on This podcast and 50 on AI Knowhow, Courtney continues to pursue elevating humanity while leveraging transformational technology.

RESOURCES

Knownwell: https://www.knownwell.com

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#667: The Evolving Role of Visual Data in Construction with Marca Armstrong, Sensera

Wed, 23 Apr 2025 04:00:00 GMT

When you think of cameras in construction, do you see them as just security tools—or could they be the key to unlocking full jobsite intelligence?

Joining us today is Marca Armstrong, Chief Marketing Officer at Sensera Systems, a leader in jobsite intelligence solutions. Over the past decade, Sensera Systems has transformed how construction teams use visual technologies—not just for security, but for improving safety, efficiency, and project success.

Marca Armstrong has successfully launched and developed brands globally, driving incremental revenue and profits from the launch of new products. She is passionate about the use of technology and data to connect silos across an organization as a means to improve the customer experience and increase brand awareness. She holds a BA in International Relations from Mount Holyoke College and an MBA in International Business from the Thunderbird School of Global Management.

RESOURCES

Sensera Systems: https://www.senserasystems.com

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#666: Balancing AI-driven efficiency and responsibility with Pasquale DeMaio, Amazon Web Services

Mon, 21 Apr 2025 04:00:00 GMT

For many brands, AI is revolutionizing customer experience, but with increased adoption comes widespread concerns about job displacement, ethical risks, and trust. Is AI truly enhancing human capabilities, or is it simply replacing them? And how can companies balance efficiency with responsibility in AI-driven CX?

Joining me today is Pasquale DeMaio, Vice President of Customer Experience Services at AWS.

Pasquale DeMaio

Vice President, Customer Experience Services at AWS

Pasquale is the Vice President of Amazon Connect at AWS, an organization he founded in 2015 to help companies of any size deliver superior customer outcomes at lower cost. Under his leadership, Amazon Connect is enabling businesses to transform the way they engage with their customers at every interaction. With this vision, Amazon Connect has become one of the fastest-growing products in AWS history, and now enables tens of thousands of AWS customers to support more than 10 million daily customer interactions across sales, customer service, and engagement. Pasquale has 20 years of experience in delivering world-class B2B and B2C products. Prior to AWS, Pasquale led products in machine learning, augmented reality, mobile, and maps. His specialties include operating SaaS at world-leading scale, delivering exceptional customer experiences, and driving UX and technology innovation.

Resources

AWS Connect: https://aws.amazon.com/connect/

Introducing The Next Generation of Amazon Connect: https://aws.amazon.com/blogs/contact-center/introducing-the-next-generation-of-amazon-connect/

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#665: Developing strategies that cut through the omnichannel noise, with Arianna Vogel, Foursquare

Fri, 18 Apr 2025 04:00:00 GMT

With the increasingly complex omnichannel customer journey, it seems like attribution is getting harder than ever—do you know which of your marketing tactics are really driving sales, or are you flying blind when it comes to measurement?

Joining us today is Arianna Vogel, Senior Director of Product Marketing at Foursquare, a leader in location intelligence and measurement, helping marketers navigate the increasingly complex world of attribution, enabling them to develop strategies that cut through the noise and drive real results.

RESOURCES

Foursquare: https://www.foursquare.com

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#664: Tying CX outcomes to commercial goals with Markus Engel and Linzi Hindle at DHL

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Recorded live at Medallia Experience in Las Vegas. Having a great customer experience is critical for many reasons, but some companies have had a hard time tying their success with CX to tangible ROI.

Today we will talk about taking customer experience further and tying CX outcomes to commercial goals.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Markus Engel, VP CDO Performance Management and Linzi Hindle, Director of Customer Experience at DHL.

RESOURCES

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#663: AI in retail marketing with Uldis Baumerts, Bryj

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 05:00:00 GMT

As AI reshapes the retail advertising landscape, are you leveraging it as a competitive advantage, or are you at risk of being left behind in a data-driven world?

Today, we’re joined by Uldis Baumerts, Chief Operating Officer of Bryj Technologies, a leader in driving AI-powered innovations for the retail industry. Uldis has extensive experience in transforming the way businesses approach advertising and customer engagement, making him the perfect guest to discuss the transformational role of AI in retail advertising and the future of marketing technology.

We’re going to be talking about Bryj’s recent report, The 2025 Ultimate Guide to AI in Advertising and Retail Marketing, and more

Uldis Baumerts, COO at Bryj Technologies, Inc.

With over 15 years of experience leading AI-powered product development, large-scale e-commerce platforms, and global IT operations, I specialize in turning strategic vision into innovative, scalable solutions. My leadership is defined by a data-driven approach, technical proficiency, and a track record of delivering measurable business results in fast-paced, high-growth environments.

AI & Technology Leadership

As COO of Bryj Technologies, I lead cross-functional teams in driving the company’s AI-powered mobile engagement platform. I spearheaded the launch of ChatROI, a solution that delivers 15-30% performance uplift for customers and reduces campaign creation time by up to 10-15x. By integrating large language models (LLMs) and Databricks-powered analytics, I ensure our solutions remain at the forefront of innovation, driving both product differentiation and customer success.

Key Achievements:

Over 15 years of experience in tech leadership, product innovation, and IT operations.

Led the growth of a tech organization from 25 to 500+ professionals, with 300% revenue growth over 4 years.

Delivered 350+ enterprise e-commerce projects across 23 countries.

Launched an AI-powered solution that drove 15-30% performance improvements and 10-15x faster campaign creation for clients.

Improved operational efficiency by 20% through agile transformations and scalable delivery frameworks.

I am passionate about using AI and emerging technologies to drive innovation, unlock new growth opportunities, and create lasting business impact. If your organization seeks a leader with a proven ability to scale operations, execute complex projects, and deliver cutting-edge solutions, I’m ready to lead the charge.

RESOURCES

Bryj: https://www.bryj.ai

Bryj: AI in Retail Marketing Guide: https://www.bryj.ai/unlock-the-potential-of-ai-in-retail-marketing-with-a-step-by-step-guide/

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#662: Making your returns strategy a competitive advantage with Katherine Lehman, ReturnBear

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 04:00:00 GMT

We are here at ShopTalk 2025 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas and seeing and hearing all about the latest in retail, e-commerce, and more.

How much are your product returns costing your business—and how much opportunity are you leaving on the table by treating returns as a cost center instead of a competitive advantage?

Today, I’m excited to welcome Katherine Lehman, CMO of ReturnBear, a leader in reverse logistics and sustainable returns solutions. At ReturnBear, she’s helping brands turn returns from a logistical headache into a strategic advantage.

RESOURCES

ReturnBear: https://www.returnbear.com

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#661: Creating a world-class student experience with Mike Milliron, IMG Academy

Wed, 09 Apr 2025 04:00:00 GMT

We are recording live at Qualtrics X4 in Salt Lake City and seeing and hearing all about how to create and enable amazing customer experiences.

If the student experience is the heart of a world-class academy, what happens when you realize there is room for improvement—and what do you do about it?

Today’s guest is Mike Milliron, Chief Operating Officer at IMG Academy Campus. Mike has played a key role in reimagining and transforming the student experience at IMG Academy, aligning student and employee experiences to create a seamless, enriching environment for everyone on campus. We’re going to dive into how they integrated feedback loops, broke down internal barriers, and shifted the entire campus culture toward an experience-first approach.

RESOURCES

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#660: Enabling and accelerating customer experience improvements using AI with Isabelle Zdatny, Qualtrics

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 04:00:00 GMT

We are recording live at Qualtrics X4 in Salt Lake City and seeing and hearing all about how to create and enable amazing customer experiences.

Today we’re going to talk about enabling and accelerating customer experience success by augmenting your teams and processes with AI.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Isabelle Zdatny, Head of Thought Leadership for XM Institute at Qualtrics.

About Isabelle Zdatny

Resources

Qualtrics:

RESOURCES

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#659: The current state of the job market with Sue Keith, Landrum Talent Solutions

Fri, 04 Apr 2025 04:00:00 GMT

This episode is brought to you by Landrum Talent Solutions, a national recruiting firm specializing in marketing and HR positions.

We’ve talked about volatile job markets before on this show, but has it been anything like what is currently going on? What should marketers looking for employment be expecting, and what should employers looking to hire be looking out for in the months ahead?

Today we’re going to talk about the current state of hiring for marketers, and how communication execs are responding to the latest developments in the world while still needing to get their work done.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome back to the show Sue Keith, Corporate Vice President at Landrum Talent Solutions.

RESOURCES

Landrum Talent Solutions: https://www.landrumtalentsolutions.com

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#658: Winning retail by reducing customer frustration with Jean-Christophe Pitié, ContentSquare

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 04:00:00 GMT

We are here at ShopTalk 2025 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas and seeing and hearing all about the latest in retail, e-commerce, and more.

If customer acquisition costs are rising and conversion rates are falling, how will your brand survive the next wave of digital disruption—and who’s already getting it right?

Today, I’m thrilled to be joined by Jean-Christophe Pitié, Chief Marketing and Partnerships Officer at Contentsquare. Jean-Christophe brings a wealth of experience helping brands navigate the evolving digital landscape. Contentsquare works with top brands like The North Face, Clarks, Rhone, and Bose to optimize digital experiences and drive better business outcomes.

About Jean-Christophe Pitié

With 20+ years of experience in international marketing and partner engagement, Jean-Christophe Pitié is committed to supporting companies of all sizes in their digital transformation. Passionate about technology and retail, he spent two decades at Microsoft, where he had the opportunity to contribute to the cloud transformation and launched Microsoft 365 as well as leading Microsoft Stores. Today, as Chief Marketing and Partnerships Officer at Contentsquare, his main mission is to drive customer demand in markets around the world, continue to grow the company's rich partner ecosystem, and bring holistic customer experience insights to more teams worldwide

Resources

Contentsquare: https://www.contentsquare.com

Contentsquare case studies:

https://contentsquare.com/customers/the-north-face/

https://contentsquare.com/customers/zenni-optical/

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#657: Augmenting front-line employees with AI for better experiences, with Fabrice Martin, Medallia

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 04:00:00 GMT

We are here recording live at Medallia Experience at the Wynn in Las Vegas, and have been seeing and hearing some amazing things about how AI can enhance the customer experience as well as enable teams at organizations to create more meaningful connections with customers.

Today we’re going to talk about how AI can help to create better experiences for customers before, during, and after their interactions.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Fabrice Martin, Chief Product Officer at Medallia.

RESOURCES

Medallia: https://www.medallia.com

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#656: Integrating CX and EX to create better customer outcomes with Sasha Fard, Capital One

Fri, 28 Mar 2025 04:00:00 GMT

We are here at Medallia Experience at the Wynn in Las Vegas and seeing some examples of amazing customer experience and employee experience and the latest updates from Medallia.

Companies often separate Customer Experience (CX) and Employee Experience (EX) into different silos, but what if the real key to competitiveness and long-term success is in fusing the two together? How can organizations integrate CX and EX to create better customer interactions, drive employee engagement, and unlock real business value?

Joining me today is Sasha Fard, Country Lead for Customer Experience Management at Capital One.

RESOURCES

Capital One: https://www.capitalone.com

Medallia: https://www.medallia.com

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#655: AI and Automation in the supply chain with Nick Stuart, RSM

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 04:00:00 GMT

We are here at eTail Palm Springs and seeing and hearing the latest and greatest in e-commerce and retail.

AI and automation are transforming retail operations, from customer experience to supply chain efficiency. But as we move into 2025, retailers face increasing tariffs, labor shortages, and cost pressures. How can AI not just improve margins but actually reshape the way retailers operate to stay competitive in a rapidly changing landscape?

Joining me today is Nick Stuart, US Consumer Products Senior Analyst at RSM, where he focuses on AI and automation’s impact on the retail industry. Nick brings deep expertise in customer experience, supply chain optimization, and workforce efficiency, helping businesses leverage AI-driven solutions to scale and improve margins.

RESOURCES

eTail Palm Springs: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#654: Translating research into cross-functional strategic change with Adam Hagerman, Indeed

Mon, 24 Mar 2025 04:00:00 GMT

We are recording live at Qualtrics X4 in Salt Lake City and seeing and hearing all about how to create and enable amazing customer experiences.

It’s important to collect customer experience data, but if it’s not driving change across your organization, is it really helping your business? Today we’re going to talk about making meaningful cross-functional change, using CX research and data as a guide.

I’m joined by Adam Hagerman, Director of UX Research for Employer Products at Indeed. Adam has led transformative efforts at Indeed to turn customer experience research into cross-functional strategic change, driving real improvements in both user satisfaction and product success.

Resources

Indeed: https://www.indeed.com

Qualtrics: https://www.qualtrics.com

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#653: Accelerating speed to insights using synthetic feedback with Ali Henriques, Qualtrics

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 04:00:00 GMT

We are recording live at Qualtrics X4 in Salt Lake City and seeing and hearing all about how to create and enable amazing customer experiences.

How long would you like to wait to get customer insights? Weeks or minutes? Today we’re going to talk about how increasing the speed to insights can be a game changer for brands, and how synthetic feedback allows rapid testing and on-demand marketing intelligence..

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Ali Henriques, Global Director of Edge at Qualtrics.

RESOURCES

Qualtrics: https://www.qualtrics.com

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Listen to The Agile Brand without the ads. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3ymf7hd

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#652: The power of multimodal AI with Dani Yogatama, Reka

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Is your organization just jumping on the AI bandwagon, or do you have a solution that will support your company’s needs in the short and long term?

Welcome to this episode, brought to you by Reka, a developer of industry-leading, multimodal, AI models that enable individuals and organizations to deploy generative AI applications.

Today we’re going to talk about the power of multimodal AI in the enterprise and why it is important for businesses to incorporate AI that is able to utilize multiple input sources, multiple languages, and flexible contexts to provide more intelligent insights. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Dani Yogatama, CEO of Reka.

RESOURCES

Reka: https://www.reka.ai

Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brightest minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#651: AI and in-house creative teams with Jen Rapp, Superside

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 04:00:00 GMT

With AI’s ability to augment in-house creative teams, how does that change the way organizations should approach both their creative strategies and how they evaluate the value of creative as a business function?

Today, we’re joined by Jen Rapp, Chief Marketing Officer at Superside. Jen has had key roles at iconic brands like Patagonia, Arc’teryx, DoorDash, Owlet Baby, and Klaviyo. Now, she’s leading Superside’s rebrand with a focus on AI-powered creative services that augment in-house teams.

RESOURCES

Superside website: https://www.superside.com

Wix Studio is the ultimate web platform for creative, fast-paced teams at agencies and enterprises—with smart design tools, flexible dev capabilities, full-stack business solutions, multi-site management, advanced AI and fully managed infrastructure. https://www.wix.com/studio

Don't miss Medallia Experience 2025, March 24-26 in Las Vegas: Registration is now available: https://cvent.me/AmO1k0

Use code MEDEXP25 for $200 off registration

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#650: Maximizing your ad spend with Matt Wasserlauf, Blockboard

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 04:00:00 GMT

We are here at eTail Palm Springs and seeing and hearing the latest and greatest in e-commerce and retail.

This year, many advertisers - especially retailers -- are being asked to do more with less. At the same time they have smaller budgets, they also must contend with an astonishing amount of waste: nearly 2/3 of every ad dollar spent actually goes toward the end inventory, and up to 15% of total spend goes to fraud or made-for-advertising content.

Today we’re going to talk about what to do about all of those wasted ad dollars. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Matt Wasserlauf, CEO at Blockboard. \

RESOURCES

Blockboard: https://www.blockboard.com

eTail Palm Springs: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#649: How to look at ROAS with Mitsu Kikuchi and Rocco Baldasarre of Shirofune

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 04:00:00 GMT

We are here at eTail Palm Springs and seeing and hearing the latest and greatest in e-commerce and retail.

In digital advertising, are we chasing the wrong metrics? While short-term ROAS might look impressive, are we missing the bigger picture—whether those customers actually return? What happens when we shift our focus to Lifetime ROAS instead?

Today, I’m joined by Mitsunaga (Mitsu) Kikuchi, CEO of Shirofune and

Rocco Baldasarre, Head of Business Development for Shirofune in the USA. Shirofune is a leading digital advertising automation platform that has transformed how advertisers optimize campaigns with long-term growth in mind. Shirofune helps brands reduce ad management time by 50% while unlocking greater ad performance beyond just short-term wins.

Mitsunaga Kikuchi is the CEO and Founder of Shirofune, an automated advertising management tool that maximizes the efficiency and productivity of major digital advertising platforms. He joined CyberAgent, the largest digital agency in Japan in 2006 as a new graduate and in a few years, became the Director and the representative of a subsidiary (CA Advance). There he was responsible for providing the in-house ad management system and operational scheme to hundreds of Ad managers at CyberAgent. From the experience at CyberAgent, he then decided to develop a platform which automates the works done by those Ad managers so that anyone, with the limited knowledge, could get the same results from online advertising as what a professional Ad manager brings. Shirofune is an automated advertising management tool that maximizes the efficiency and productivity of major digital advertising platforms. The Shirofune platform is designed to maximize advertising effectiveness by automating day-to-day digital ad campaigns using a single, easy-to-use interface for management, budgeting, monitoring and analytics. Over 10,000 accounts have been automated using Shirofune, including 300,000 active ad campaigns.

As Head of Business Development for Shirofune in the USA, Rocco Baldasarre leads the charge in expanding the company's market presence and driving strategic growth. With a focus on establishing Shirofune’s footprint in the U.S., Rocco builds and nurtures strategic partnerships with key industry players, eCommerce platforms, and advertising agencies to foster collaboration and mutual success. He develops and implements forward-thinking business strategies, aligning with Shirofune's mission and growth goals. A dedicated leader, Rocco mentors a high-performing business development team, identifies new revenue opportunities, and ensures customer success by tailoring solutions that maximize client value.

RESOURCES

eTail Palm Springs: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#648: Breaking down silos between paid and organic search with Matt Shenton, Croud

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 04:00:00 GMT

We are here at eTail Palm Springs and seeing and hearing the latest and greatest in e-commerce and retail.

Retailers are constantly shifting budgets between paid search and SEO—but are they missing opportunities by treating them as separate silos? In 2025, with search evolving faster than ever, the real question isn’t "which channel is better?"—it’s "how can they work together for maximum growth?"

Today, I’m joined by Matt Shenton, Biddable Director at Croud, a digital marketing expert who has helped retail brands like Every Man Jack, Creed, Nespresso, All Saints, and Vans optimize their paid and organic search strategies. With search becoming more complex in 2025, Matt is here to break down how retailers can balance paid search and SEO to drive real performance growth.

RESOURCES

Croud: https://croud.com/

eTail Palm Springs: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#647: Achieving retail media success with Ben Dutter, Power Digital

Fri, 07 Mar 2025 05:00:00 GMT

We are here at eTail Palm Springs and seeing and hearing the latest and greatest in e-commerce and retail.

Retail media plays a critical role, but are advertisers wasting money without realizing it? Many brands are spending big on retail media ads—but how many of those customers would have bought the product anyway?

Today, I’m joined by Ben Dutter, Chief Strategy Officer at Power Digital, a leader in data-driven marketing strategies. Ben has helped brands optimize their retail media investments by focusing on incrementality—ensuring that every ad dollar spent is driving actual new revenue, not just cannibalizing organic sales.

RESOURCES

eTail Palm Springs: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#646: AI in e-commerce with Oren Inditzky, Wix

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 05:00:00 GMT

We are here at eTail Palm Springs and seeing and hearing the latest and greatest in e-commerce and retail.

Starting an online store is easier than it used to be, but aren’t there still a ton of things you need to know, plus all the coding and API integrations you need to do?

Today we’re going to talk about AI in e-commerce and how low-code and no-code platforms are democratizing retail so it’s easier than ever to run and scale online businesses.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Oren Inditzky, VP and GM of Online Stores at Wix.

Oren Inditzky is the VP and GM of Online Stores at Wix. He is responsible for Product Management, Engineering, UX, Design, Data and Operations for Wix ecommerce website builder, powering more than 700K online stores worldwide.

Prior to Wix Oren worked as Head of Product at Expedia and a Director of Product Management at Dell, leading cross-functional global teams, responsible for mass-market mobile apps, e-Commerce and SaaS.

RESOURCES

eTail Palm Springs: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Wix: https://www.wix.com

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#645: Building brand trust with Aman Advani, CEO of Ministry of Supply

Mon, 03 Mar 2025 05:00:00 GMT

We are here at eTail Palm Springs and seeing and hearing the latest and greatest in e-commerce and retail.

When brand trust is everything, how do companies ensure they aren’t just talking about values but actually demonstrating them in ways that resonate with increasingly savvy and socially conscious consumers?

Joining us today is Aman Advani, CEO of Ministry of Supply.

Ministry of Supply is known for revolutionizing performance professional wear by blending technology, sustainability, and comfort into their apparel and today we’re going to talk about how brands engage with socially conscious consumers and bridging the gap between in-store and digital experiences to create seamless, omnichannel shopping journeys.

RESOURCES

eTail Palm Springs: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Listen to The Agile Brand without the ads. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3ymf7hd

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#644: AI-augmented human recommendations for retail customers with Noah Zamansky, Stitch Fix

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 05:00:00 GMT

We are here at eTail Palm Springs and seeing and hearing the latest and greatest in e-commerce and retail.

Question: Do you need to choose between AI and human recommendations as a customer? Why not have both? After all, don’t each have their strengths?

AI in the retail experience is all the rage these days, but today I’m talking with someone from a brand that has been incorporating AI-personalized experiences and shopping combined with expert human recommendations for over 14 years, and continues to innovate today.

Today we’re going to talk about how AI-based personalization plus human creativity and input makes an amazing customer experience at Stitch Fix.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Noah Zamansky, Vice President of Product and Client Experience at Stitch Fix.

About Noah Zamansky

Noah Zamansky serves as the Vice President of Product and Client Experience at Stitch Fix, where he leads cross-functional teams spanning Product, Design, Engineering, Algorithms, and Platform Development. A seasoned leader, Noah has a proven track record of shaping product vision and strategy, designing exceptional user experiences, and spearheading the launch of new business ventures. Before joining Stitch Fix, Noah held the role of Senior Director of Product Management at eBay, overseeing Fashion and Vertical Experiences.

Resources

Stitch Fix: https://www.stitchfix.com

eTail Palm Springs: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Listen to The Agile Brand without the ads. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3ymf7hd

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#643 Disrupting the recruiting world by combining humans and AI with Heidi Golledge, Jobot

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 05:00:00 GMT

In an era where AI is reshaping industries, can technology ever truly replicate the nuance and intuition of human judgment in hiring, or is the future all about finding the perfect balance between man and machine?

Joining us today is Heidi Golledge, CEO and Founder of Jobot. A three-time EY Entrepreneur of the Year award winner, Heidi is redefining the recruiting landscape by blending cutting-edge AI with human expertise. Known for her transformative “No Jerks Allowed” policy and her dedication to fostering inclusive, people-first workplaces, Heidi brings unparalleled insights into building authentic company cultures and disrupting the staffing industry.

Heidi Golledge is a visionary entrepreneur with a passion for connecting good people to good jobs. As the founder and CEO of Jobot, she has developed an AI-powered platform that merges cutting-edge technology with a human-centered approach, transforming how talent and opportunities connect within the staffing and recruiting industry.

A three-time EY Entrepreneur of the Year award winner, Heidi has successfully scaled multiple businesses, including CareerBliss, a platform dedicated to workplace happiness, and another venture that achieved a $100M+ exit. Her leadership at Jobot is driven by a culture of kindness, respect, innovation, and connection, empowering both individuals and organizations to thrive.

RESOURCES

Jobot: https://www.jobot.com

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Listen to The Agile Brand without the ads. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3ymf7hd

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#642: Building brand loyalty by storydoing, with Dawn Fichot, Brompton Bicycle

Mon, 24 Feb 2025 05:00:00 GMT

When it comes to building brand loyalty, are you doing enough to turn your brand story into real-life, customer-driven experiences?

Today, we’re joined by Dawn Fichot, the Head of Marketing for North America at Brompton Bicycle. Brompton is renowned for its iconic folding bikes, but the brand’s impact goes far beyond the product. With a focus on building loyal communities, creating meaningful partnerships, and delivering exceptional customer experiences, Brompton has become a global leader in cycling culture. Dawn is here to share how Brompton engages its diverse community, innovates through “storydoing,” and creates immersive brand experiences across its retail and digital channels.

Dawn Fichot is the Head of Marketing, NA for Brompton Bicycles. Dawn joined Brompton last spring to rapidly grow awareness of the brand and fulfill Brompton’s long-term vision to transform how people live and get around in cities. Before joining Brompton, Dawn was the Founder & CEO of Racked Stretch, NYC’s first boutique stretching studio. Prior to that, she was the Global Head of Campaign Management for HSBC out of London and had started her career in the Sports & Sponsorship team at Edelman.

RESOURCES

Brompton Bicycle:

https://us.brompton.com/

Don't miss Medallia Experience 2025, March 24-26 in Las Vegas: Registration is now available: https://cvent.me/AmO1k0

Use code MEDEXP25 for $200 off registration

Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price.

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#641: Creating brand-savvy AI and a marketer-first DXP with Dave O'Flanagan, CEO of Sitecore

Fri, 21 Feb 2025 05:00:00 GMT

As AI is reshaping how marketers create and deliver digital experiences, how do brands ensure that automation doesn’t strip away authenticity? Marketers are relying more on AI-powered tools, but can AI truly be brand-savvy and understand the nuances of a company’s voice and identity?

Joining us today is Dave O’Flanagan, CEO of Sitecore, a global leader in digital experience software that powers the websites and digital experiences of some of the world’s biggest brands.

And it’s always exciting when a platform we rely on unveils a few new and helpful features. Well, on Wednesday Sitecore announced over 250 new innovations for its platform, including AI-driven tools that help brands create, manage, and optimize their digital experiences. Today, we’re going to explore how AI is changing the game for marketers, content creators, and digital teams.

Dave O'Flanagan is CEO at Sitecore. He is a successful product leader and entrepreneur with 20 years' experience building enterprise products in multiple industries including financial services, telecom and travel. Most recently he was CEO and Co-Founder of Boxever, before it was acquired by Sitecore, where he created a market-leading CDP and personalization platform that enabled global brands to transform their customer engagement using data and AI. Prior to founding Boxever, he led R&D at an airline e-commerce company delivering retail and merchandising solutions to some of the world’s leading airlines. Dave holds a BA in Mathematics and MSc in Computer Science from Trinity College Dublin, Ireland and is passionate about building high-performing teams that create products that delight customers.

RESOURCES

Sitecore: https://www.sitecore.com

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Listen to The Agile Brand without the ads. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3ymf7hd

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#640: Measuring the ROI on Out of Home with Jeremy Flynn from Clear Channel Outdoor

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 05:00:00 GMT

Is audience-targeting just for digital… and TV? In a privacy-conscious world, are there better, safer ways to reach your customers?

Joining us today is Jeremy Flynn, Senior Vice President of Data Products & Strategy at Clear Channel Outdoor. Jeremy is at the forefront of innovating out-of-home (OOH) advertising, helping brands navigate modern marketing challenges by enhancing the value of their media investments. With a deep understanding of privacy-conscious solutions, audience targeting, and brand safety, Jeremy’s insights are vital for brands looking to thrive in today’s evolving ad environment.

In his role, Jeremy, works closely with Clear Channel Outdoor’s sales leadership and marketing teams to develop innovative solutions and data products that help brands and advertisers plan, measure, and amplify their media investments.

Jeremy is an integral part of Clear Channel’s RADAR Data Solutions team and can speak to how Clear Channel is solving modern marketing challenges by innovating OOH in an evolving environment so brands can understand and enhance the value of their media investment.

RESOURCES

Clear Channel Outdoor: https://clearchanneloutdoor.com/

Don't miss Medallia Experience 2025, March 24-26 in Las Vegas: Registration is now available: https://cvent.me/AmO1k0

Use code MEDEXP25 for $200 off registration

Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price.

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#639: Multisapiens collaboration and the future of the workplace with Dr. Tatyana Mamut, Wayfound

Mon, 17 Feb 2025 05:00:00 GMT

As AI increasingly enters the workplace, are you leveraging its potential to augment your workforce, or are you at risk of being left behind in the era of multisapiens collaboration?

Joining us today is Dr. Tatyana Mamut, Co-Founder and CEO of Wayfound, a company pioneering the integration of AI and human workforces. With a Ph.D. in Cultural Anthropology and extensive leadership experience at companies like Amazon, Salesforce, and IDEO, Tatyana brings a unique perspective on how AI can drive cultural shifts and redefine the future of work. At Wayfound, she’s leading the charge to make AI agents a seamless part of our workforces, enabling humans and machines to collaborate more effectively than ever before.

Dr. Tatyana Mamut is the CEO and Co-Founder of Wayfound where she is driving the next frontier of workforces through AI management for a more seamless multisapiens workforce. Leveraging her Ph.D in Cultural Anthropology, Mamut brings a unique approach to innovating in technology to use AI as the singular largest force for cultural shifts and impacts in the next century. Prior to Wayfound, she led product development and design at Pendo, where she met her co-founder, Chad Burnette. She’s held other senior leadership roles at household tech names like Amazon, Salesforce, IDEO, and more.

Wayfound is meeting the new era of the multisapiens workplace with innovative AI technology that helps monitor, coordinate and align priorities across various AI agents for streamlined systems that accomplish goals more autonomously and effectively. Wayfound is the most integral AI agent, trained to manage your other AI agents.

RESOURCES

Wayfound website: https://www.wayfound.ai/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Listen to The Agile Brand without the ads. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3ymf7hd

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

# 638: What's the ROI on those Big Game Ads? Featuring Nataly Kelly, CMO at Zappi

Fri, 14 Feb 2025 05:00:00 GMT

Much is made about the creative decisions in ads for the Big Game, but how does all that money, those requisite celebrity cameos, and everything else that goes into these multi-million dollar investments translate into Return on investment?

Today we’re going to talk about what the numbers tell us from all those high-profile ads and who the winners and losers of the Advertising Bowl are in 2025.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Nataly Kelly, CMO at Zappi, who unveiled their annual Super Bowl Ad Success report on Monday. We’re here to talk about the approach, the results, and what those results mean for brands that invested a lot of money - and time - into their campaigns.

About Nataly Kelly

I help companies unlock global growth

For more than two decades, I have helped scale businesses across borders, as an executive at B2B SaaS and MarTech companies.

I’m Chief Marketing Officer at Zappi, a consumer research platform.

I spent nearly 8 years as a Vice President at HubSpot, a multi-billion-dollar public tech company, driving growth on the international side of the business.

Having served as an executive at various tech companies, I’ve led teams spanning many functions, including Marketing, Sales, Product, and International Ops.

I’m an award-winning marketing leader, a former Fulbright scholar, and an ongoing contributor to Harvard Business Review.

I love working with interesting people and removing barriers to access.

RESOURCES

Zappi website: https://www.zappi.io/web/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

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#637: Redefining the customer experience with The Office of Experience and Mack Trucks

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 05:00:00 GMT

In an industry traditionally defined by in-person experiences, how can a virtual product tour reshape the customer journey and redefine the way brands like Mack Trucks engage with their audience?

We’re excited to have two guests with us today to discuss the innovative Mack Truck Live Tour: David Galbraith, Vice President of Global Brand and Marketing for Mack Trucks, and Lisa Ferriter, Managing Director and Head of Client Strategy at The Office of Experience. Together, they’ve collaborated to create a groundbreaking virtual product tour that is setting a new standard in the trucking industry.

David arrived at Mack Trucks from Volkswagen of America, where he served as Senior Director of Experience and Brand Partnership Marketing. For over 8 years he led a variety of digital and experiential programs. Prior to Volkswagen, David spent almost 20 yrs in the technology sector, serving in a variety of roles in communications, strategy and brand management roles at both Dell and IBM.

David earned his bachelor’s degree in information systems and management from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and his MBA in international marketing from American University in Washington, D.C.

_____________

Lisa Ferriter is Managing Director and oversees the Client Strategy practice at the Office of Experience (OX). Lisa leads with a passion for collaboration, strategic planning, and delivering measurable business impact.

An enthusiastic and experienced client partner, team lead, and senior marketing professional, Lisa specializes in team growth and development, client success, demand generation, technology, digital and brand strategy for B2B businesses. She thrives on creating and executing data-driven strategies that align with business objectives, track to key performance indicators, and maximize ROI.

With a career spanning multiple industries, Lisa has partnered with clients across consumer electronics, FinTech, financial services, SaaS, food service, manufacturing, transportation/automotive, professional services, hospitality, healthcare and real estate. Her ability to navigate complex challenges and drive growth has made her a trusted advisor and leader in the field. Whether working with startups or established enterprises, Lisa is committed to fostering strong partnerships and leading high-performing teams to achieve sustainable success.

RESOURCES

The Office of Experience: https://www.officeofexperience.com

Mack Trucks Live Tour: https://www.macktrucks.com/live-tour/

Mack Trucks:

https://www.macktrucks.com

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

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#636: Building resilience in customer service operations with John Finch, RingCentral

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 05:00:00 GMT

What would happen to your business if your customer service operations went down right now? Do you have the tools and strategies in place to handle a sudden crisis, or would your contact center be scrambling to meet demand?

Today, we’re discussing how AI and cloud-based solutions can help organizations manage crises and enhance customer service operations with John Finch at RingCentral. We’ll explore key strategies for building resilience in customer service, particularly in response to recent IT outages.

John Finch leads product marketing at RingCentral for the customer engagement portfolio, which includes RingCX and RingSense AI, as RingCentral scales and expands its global customer engagement reach. He has held product marketing leadership roles at Zendesk, Dialpad, Serenova (LiveOps), and Genesys, launching Enterprise SaaS contact center solutions into the market.

RESOURCES

RingCentral: https://www.ringcentral.com

RingCentral's 2025 Trends Report:

https://www.ringcentral.com/us/en/blog/the-state-of-ai-in-business-communications-key-insights-from-ringcentrals-2025-trends-report/

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#635: Taco Bell's Return to the Big Game and Creating a Successful Niche Agency with Guto Araki and Alex Jacobs, Biite

Fri, 07 Feb 2025 05:00:00 GMT

Super Bowl ads are often the pinnacle of advertising creativity and cultural relevance. But with Taco Bell's return after a three-year hiatus, how do you craft a campaign that doesn't just capture attention but also becomes a moment fans will never forget?

Joining us today are two creatives reshaping the way we think about food, culture, and branding: Guto Araki, Founder and CEO of Biite, and Alex Jacobs, Co-Founder and COO. Together, they’ve been at the forefront of some of the industry’s most groundbreaking campaigns, including Taco Bell’s much-anticipated 2025 Super Bowl ad and Resy’s upcoming brand campaign. Biite began as a platform for limited-edition collaborations with chefs and restaurants and has evolved into a powerhouse agency creating unforgettable campaigns for some of the biggest brands.

About Biite

Guto and Alex originally started Biite in 2021 as a food culture collaboration studio that connects emerging chefs and culinary creatives to drop super limited, one-of-a-kind food items and experiences. This expertise and deep understanding of what’s happening in the food industry coupled with their background in advertising led to brands such as Taco Bell turning to Biite for food-focused campaign ideas.

About Guto Araki

Guto Araki, Founder and CEO

Award-winning advertising creative behind Taco Moon, Taco Swap, Taco IRL, #IseeATaco, Test Kitchen, Emoji Engine, Quesalupa and others. Former Executive Creative Director of Taco Bell NA & Global.

About Alex Jacobs

Alex Jacobs, Co-founder and COO

Alex is a seasoned marketer with 20 years of experience leading iconic brands including American Express, Taco Bell, The New York Times, Google and many more.

RESOURCES

Biite: https://biite.club/

Taco Bell 2025 Big Game Teaser | Photobomb feat. Doja Cat

Resy - Right This Way

Success of the Taco Bell campaign and other work can be found on Biite’s Instagram.

Don't miss Medallia Experience 2025, March 24-26 in Las Vegas: Registration is now available: https://cvent.me/AmO1k0 Use code MEDEXP25 for $200 off registration

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#634: Delivering seamless experiences with CDP, featuring Beth Scagnoli, Redpoint Global

Wed, 05 Feb 2025 05:00:00 GMT

Are brands that lack a robust Customer Data Platform strategy losing the ability to deliver seamless, personalized customer experiences in an increasingly data-driven world?

Today, we’re joined by Beth Scagnoli, Vice President of Product Management at Redpoint Global, a company at the forefront of data-driven customer experience solutions. Beth’s expertise spans Customer Data Platforms (CDPs), data quality, and marketing automation, making her uniquely positioned to discuss how organizations can harness the power of clean, observable, and composable data to create transformative customer experiences.

ABOUT BETH SCAGNOLI

Beth Scagnoli is a seasoned technology executive with over 20 years of cross-functional experience driving innovation, growth, and product adoption in the marketing technology space. As Vice President of Product Management at Redpoint Global, Beth spearheads the development and execution of product strategies that empower organizations to connect with their audiences through data-driven insights and personalized engagement.

Prior to Redpoint Global, Beth held leadership positions at the Smithsonian Institution as well as Blackbaud. With a proven track record of launching successful platforms and fostering cross-functional collaboration, Beth combines deep technical expertise with a passion for solving customer challenges. A frequent speaker and thought leader in the MarTech industry, Beth is committed to advancing the capabilities of modern marketing tools. Beth resides with her family north of Boston and in her free time enjoys fitness, dance, and obsessively honing her skills in Wordle and other NYT Games.

RESOURCES

Redpoint Global website: https://www.redpointglobal.com

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

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#633: Navigating the future of search with A.J. Ghergich, Botify

Mon, 03 Feb 2025 05:00:00 GMT

With seismic shifts happening across the search landscape, is your brand ready to adapt to the next wave of disruption—or will your competitors leave you in the dust?

Today, we’re joined by A.J. Ghergich, Vice President of Consulting Services at Botify, a leading enterprise SEO platform. A.J. is an expert in navigating the ever-changing search and marketing landscape, and he’s here to break down the latest game-changing developments in search engines and their impact on brands. From Google’s AI overviews to Apple’s integration of ChatGPT into Siri, A.J. will share insights to help marketers stay ahead in a rapidly evolving digital ecosystem.

RESOURCES

Botify website: https://www.botify.com

Don't miss Medallia Experience 2025, March 24-26 in Las Vegas: Registration is now available: https://cvent.me/AmO1k0

Use code MEDEXP25 for $200 off registration

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Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

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#632: Driving measurable retail growth with Cédric Chereau, EagleAI

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 05:00:00 GMT

Retailers are sitting on a goldmine of data, but with only 20% leveraging it to its full potential, can AI bridge the gap between potential and action, and drive measurable revenue growth?

Today, we’re joined by Cédric Chereau, Managing Director at EagleAI, an industry leader specializing in loyalty, personalized promotions, and omnichannel marketing solutions for retail, travel, and hospitality brands. With extensive expertise in optimizing marketing spend and driving customer loyalty, Cédric has been at the forefront of leveraging predictive AI to transform data into actionable insights that deliver tangible business growth.

Cédric Chereau, Managing Director at EagleAI is an industry leader in loyalty, personalized promotions and omnichannel marketing solutions for retail, travel and hospitality brands. From optimizing marketing spend to driving customer loyalty and increasing revenue, Cédric can share valuable insights on the financial impact of AI on retail marketing as well as how retailers can effectively close the implementation gap, and the significant returns on investment (ROI) that AI is already delivering for forward-thinking retailers. Alternatively, we can develop a contributed article on the topic, "The ROI of AI: Assessing the Financial Impact of AI in Retail".

RESOURCES

Don't miss Medallia Experience 2025, March 24-26 in Las Vegas: Registration is now available: https://cvent.me/AmO1k0

Use code MEDEXP25 for $200 off registration

Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price.

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

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#631: SMS and meaningful customer connections with Amanda McGuckin Hager, TrueDialog

Wed, 29 Jan 2025 05:00:00 GMT

With over 75% of consumers preferring text messages over email or calls, are brands missing a critical opportunity to connect meaningfully with their customers?

Today, we’re joined by Amanda McGuckin Hager, Chief Marketing Officer at TrueDialog, where she’s leading the charge in leveraging SMS to create stronger connections between businesses and their customers. With a wealth of experience in technology marketing, Amanda recently stepped into her role as CMO and brings fresh perspectives on how brands can prioritize meaningful, timely, and effective communication strategies in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

Amanda McGuckin Hager has over 25 years of experience in brand, digital, and performance marketing. She has built high-performing teams that drive exceptional business results. As Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of TrueDialog, she leads brand direction and marketing strategy, implementing processes, best practices, and tactics that increase company awareness and grow product demand.

With deep experience in brand development, partnerships, product marketing, public relations, performance marketing, research, and sales development, Amanda’s data-driven, repeatable, and scalable approach has been recognized with numerous awards. Amanda has supported four companies through successful exits.

RESOURCES

True Dialog: https://www.truedialog.com

Don't miss Medallia Experience 2025, March 24-26 in Las Vegas: Registration is now available: https://cvent.me/AmO1k0

Use code MEDEXP25 for $200 off registration

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Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

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#630: Can Netflix, Delta, and Amazon teach us how to improve the patient experience? Featuring Adeline Ashley from Sitecore

Mon, 27 Jan 2025 05:00:00 GMT

If we can binge-watch our favorite shows or have groceries delivered with a tap, why does navigating healthcare still feel like a maze? Is it time to rethink the patient experience from the ground up?

Joining us today is Adeline Ashley, Director of Customer Engagement at Sitecore and author of the groundbreaking book, Shop Stream Heal: Transforming Patient Care in the Digital Age. With over 20 years of experience leading digital transformation for major brands like Oprah, Anthem, and Southern California Edison, Adeline has dedicated her career to bridging the gap between consumer-grade digital experiences and patient care. Her mission is to create healthcare experiences that are accessible, intuitive, and, above all, human.

Adeline Ashley is a digital marketing heavyweight and entrepreneurial force in innovative customer experiences. For over twenty years, working with brands like Oprah, Southern California Edison, Anthem, and major healthcare systems, she has spearheaded pioneering initiatives that merge creativity with data-driven strategies to forge lasting connections.

From award-winning entrepreneurial ventures like her gourmet foods line to developing engaging digital platforms, she has a proven track record of identifying gaps and delivering groundbreaking solutions. This entrepreneurial mindset now fuels her role as the global healthcare lead at Sitecore, where she is revolutionizing the digital patient journey in healthcare by seamlessly blending human insights with cutting-edge technologies.

RESOURCES

Shop Stream Heal: Transforming Patient Care in the Digital Age by Adeline Ashley: https://amzn.to/4gfoMGu

Sitecore: https://www.sitecore.com

Don't miss Medallia Experience 2025, March 24-26 in Las Vegas: Registration is now available: https://cvent.me/AmO1k0

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Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

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#629: Why generative AI transparency is so important with Matt Van Itallie, Sema Software

Fri, 24 Jan 2025 05:00:00 GMT

Do you know who—or what—created the foundation of your software? And can you trust it?

Today, we’re joined by Matt Van Itallie, CEO of Sema Software, a leading code and software analytics platform that has analyzed over $1 trillion worth of software. A lifelong tech expert, Matt has been instrumental in shaping the AI industry with innovations like the GenAI Code Monitor and Generative AI Bill of Materials.

He’s here to discuss transparency in Generative AI for software development and how AI is transforming coding practices while introducing new challenges in accountability, ownership, and quality assurance.

About Matt Van Itallie

As the CEO of Sema, Matt Van Itallie is passionate about problems that are hard and problems that matter. His career has always focused on a desire to serve the common good. At Sema, he leads a cross-functional team of technologists to build solutions that empower engineers to work with GenAI code. He co-founded Sema Technologies Inc., which he currently leads as CEO, to help organizations drive better outcomes through their software.

Sema’s flagship solution, Comprehensive Codebase Scans, has earned a reputation as the leading codebase scanning tool for the technical due diligence process. Having evaluated more than $1T in value for leading private equity firms and enterprise M&A teams, Sema has built one of the most comprehensive datasets to provide actionable suggestions to engineering organizations. With this foundation, Matt is leading the development of the AI Code Monitor, which helps engineering organizations increase developer productivity and address the regulatory risks of generative AI code.

When he’s not building the AI Code Monitor or thinking about code as data and CTO dashboards, Matt enjoys hiking with his wife, cooking with his kids, and throwing dinner parties to bring diverse minds together.

Resources

Sema Software: https://www.semasoftware.com/

Don't miss Medallia Experience 2025, March 24-26 in Las Vegas: Registration is now available: https://cvent.me/AmO1k0 Use code MEDEXP25 for $200 off registration

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Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

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#628: Why leaders need to become more self-reliant with Maha Abouelenein

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 05:00:00 GMT

Are you truly self-reliant, or are you relying on outdated strategies to navigate modern challenges?

Today, I’m joined by Maha Abouelenein, author of the best-selling book 7 Rules of Self-Reliance. With over three decades of experience helping global giants like Google, Netflix, and Uber, Maha is a leading expert in modern communication strategies, personal branding, and reputation management. She’s here to share insights into self-reliance, the power of reputation, and how leaders can adapt to a rapidly evolving communication landscape.

About Maha Abouelenein

CEO and Founder with more than 30 years of PR experience with global corporate giants, high growth tech startups, top governments and high profile thought leaders. Maha leads a global communications consulting firm, Digital & Savvy that spans the USA, Dubai and Egypt. She cultivates the reputations of people and brands through their stories and nurturing relationships and connections with key stakeholders.

Raised and educated in the USA to Egyptian parents, she is home in both West and Arab worlds. Maha is about relationships - building, nurturing, and serving them. She thrives on storytelling, building scalable campaigns and thought leadership by understanding what's happening in culture across the world, and what resonates with each audience.

Maha is a keynote speaker, featured on stages like Web Summit, SALT, VeeCon, Cannes Lions, Art D'Égypte, Rise Up. She also hosts the top-rated podcast SavvyTalk.

In 2020, she was nominated as one of the Forbes power women of the Middle East and sits on the global board of directors of the Associated Press.

Passionate about lifelong learning and a big believer in the importance of investing in yourself Maha offers 1-1 workshops on Executive Media Training and How to Build Your Personal Brand.

Resources

Maha Abouelenein: https://www.mahaabouelenein.com/

7 Rules of Self-Reliance: https://www.mahaabouelenein.com/book

Don't miss Medallia Experience 2025, March 24-26 in Las Vegas: Registration is now available: https://cvent.me/AmO1k0 Use code MEDEXP25 for $200 off registration

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Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

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#627: The forces redefining brand loyalty with Ian Baer, Sooth

Mon, 20 Jan 2025 05:00:00 GMT

Are you keeping up with the forces redefining loyalty, or are you relying on yesterday’s strategies in today’s fractured landscape?

Today, I’m joined by Ian Baer, Founder of Sooth and a seasoned expert with over 35 years of experience leading some of the world’s most prominent advertising organizations, including Publicis, TBWA, and Omnicom’s Rapp Collins.

Ian brings insights into how generational shifts, social commerce, and fragmented media are reshaping the concept of brand loyalty. He’s here to share data-driven strategies and real-world examples that will help brands navigate this new loyalty landscape.

ABOUT IAN BAER

Ian Baer has 35 years of experience leading/running some of the largest Ad orgs in the world, including Publicis and TBWA , as the President of Rapp Collins (Omnicom) Chief Strategy Office of Rauxa, the president of social agency Big Fuel, an EVP for Deutch, and the founder of Sooth

RESOURCES

Sooth® website: https://www.soothbetold.com/

Don't miss Medallia Experience 2025, March 24-26 in Las Vegas: Registration is now available: https://cvent.me/AmO1k0 Use code MEDEXP25 for $200 off registration

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Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

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#626: Building customer success instead of vendor lock-in with Toya Del Valle, Cornerstone

Fri, 17 Jan 2025 05:00:00 GMT

Is your business building true customer loyalty—or is it just locking customers into a system they can’t escape?

Today, we’re joined by Toya Del Valle, Chief Customer Officer at Cornerstone, a workforce agility company that supports over 7,000 customers, including global leaders like Samsung and UPS. With a unique journey from HR director to CCO, Toya brings a deep understanding of what HR leaders and organizations need to succeed. She’s here to share insights on leveraging AI for customer success, building meaningful relationships between CFOs and customer leaders, and creating loyalty in an increasingly SaaS-driven world.

About Toya Del Valle

Toya Dell Valle is the Chief Customer Officer at Cornerstone, the leading learning and talent management company. She champions a focus on customer centricity to grow and build extraordinary outcomes with our customers. She leads all post-sales functions driving customer value, revenue generation, and operational scale including Customer Success Management (CSM), Professional Services, Support, Education, Partner Success, and Strategy & Operations.

RESOURCES

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

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#625: Creating an agile brand with composable approaches, featuring Chris Bach

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 05:00:00 GMT

“Software is eating the world.” That was written over 14 years ago, back in 2011 by Marc Andreesen, and it seems like that is growing more true every day.

Today we’re going to talk about the increasingly digital nature of businesses - all businesses - as well as how the concept of composability, which has been applied effectively in the world of software, might just have applications well beyond technology infrastructure.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Chris Bach, Co-Founder of Netlify.

RESOURCES

Don't miss Medallia Experience 2025, March 24-26 in Las Vegas: Registration is now available: https://cvent.me/AmO1k0

Use code MEDEXP25 for $200 off registration

Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price.

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

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#624: 2025 hiring strategies and how to plan with Sue Keith, Landrum Talent Solutions

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 05:00:00 GMT

As we move into 2025, are your hiring strategies aligned with the realities of the marketing job market, or are you basing decisions on outdated assumptions?

In this special episode, brought to you by Landrum Talent Solutions, a national recruiting firm specializing in marketing and HR positions, we’re going to talk about the current job market for marketing professionals, how businesses are responding in an election year, and what marketing leaders should know as AI continues to reshape the workforce.

Joining me today is Sue Keith, Corporate Vice President at Landrum Talent Solutions. With deep expertise in navigating complex labor markets, Sue has a front-row seat to the evolving dynamics of marketing roles, hiring trends, and the broader implications of AI and economic uncertainty.

RESOURCES

Landrum Talent Solutions website: https:www.landrumstalentsolutions.com

Don't miss Medallia Experience 2025, March 24-26 in Las Vegas: Registration is now available: https://cvent.me/AmO1k0 Use code MEDEXP25 for $200 off registration

Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price.

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

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#623: Is your brand ready for its own AI agent? Featuring Gil Rosen of Amdocs

Fri, 10 Jan 2025 05:00:00 GMT

Is your brand ready to thrive in a world where AI-driven agents become the primary point of contact for your customers?

Today, we’re joined by Gil Rosen, Chief Marketing Officer at Amdocs, a leader in reshaping connectivity and customer experiences through cutting-edge technology. Gil recently spearheaded a global survey in collaboration with McCann Tech and Coleman Parkes, exploring the impact of AI-based agents on brand identity.

With Agentic AI emerging as the next frontier in customer experience and marketing technology, Gil is here to help us unpack how businesses can adapt to this transformative trend and create meaningful connections in the age of AI.

Gil Rosen is chief marketing officer at Amdocs, responsible for managing its global brand, product marketing and customer marketing. In this role, he leads development of Amdocs’ vision, delivery of strategic research insights to customers, as well as the company’s overall go-to-market activities. Gil heads a team of global marketing professionals and is a member of the company’s executive management team. Previous to this, Gil served as the chief marketing and innovation officer at Bezeq, Israel’s largest telecommunication provider.

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#622: Balancing AI optimism with realism, with Stefan Weitz, HumanX Conference

Wed, 08 Jan 2025 05:00:00 GMT

With AI adoption on the rise, how should businesses balance their optimism with the challenges of regulation and ethics?

Today, we’re joined by Stefan Weitz, the CEO of HumanX Conference. Stefan brings a wealth of expertise on how organizations can leverage AI to enhance their business capabilities while navigating the challenges of ethics, regulation, and societal impact. The HumanX Conference is taking place March 10-13 in Las Vegas, and features conversations and speakers at the forefront of shaping the future of AI in business.

RESOURCES

Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price. https://www.humanx.co/

Don't miss Medallia Experience 2025, March 24-26 in Las Vegas: Registration is now available: https://cvent.me/AmO1k0 Use code MEDEXP25 for $200 off registration

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#621: The evolving buyer's journey with Liz Robillard and Kristin Schoenstein, WBR

Mon, 06 Jan 2025 05:00:00 GMT

eTail Palm Springs is coming up soon - February 24-27 in Palm Springs, CA, and I can’t wait - make sure to register while you still can!

Today we’re going to talk about the evolving buyer’s journey, and how good data that drives personalization and effective usage of AI are driving today’s leading e-commerce brands. We’ll also explore what attendees of eTail Palm Springs can expect, including some exciting new features of this leading event for e-commerce brands.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Liz Robillard and Kristin Schoenstein, Worldwide Business Research.

About Kristin Schoenstein

Kristin Schoenstein has been a Program Director at Worldwide Business Research since 2010 and has been producing events since 2004. She currently specializes in the retail and eCommerce sector where she heads up the Future Stores portfolio and co-produces eTail West. She also successfully launched and grew WBR’s customer experience portfolio. In her role, she is responsible for market research, content creation and speaker faculty management for each event. Prior to WBR, she produced events in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sector and got her start organizing educational programming for physicians. In her free time, Kristin heads out to the East end of Long Island where she enjoys boating, yoga, running and days at the beach with her husband and three daughters.

About Elizabeth Robillard

As an Senior Conference Director at Worldwide Business Research, Elizabeth oversees the organization of three business conferences per year. Conference organization includes conducting extensive phone research with 60+ industry experts per event, using call notes to compile a three day conference program that encapsulates top research takeaways, confirming a roster of industry leading speakers for each program, working with our marketing team to write effective copy for all outbound marketing messages, coordinating with sales and logistics teams to ensure the best possible onsite experience and prepping for and running the live event. Most recently, she has joined the eTail team and along with co-producer Kristin Schoenstein, puts together eTail Palm Springs. The other events in her portfolio include Future Branches Austin & Boston. She currently lives in New York City with her cat Wednesday.

Resources

It's time to register for eTail Palm Springs (Palm Springs, CA) - Navigate the next chapter of retail at this iconic event. Learn more and register

Don't miss Medallia Experience 2025, March 24-26 in Las Vegas: Registration is now available: https://cvent.me/AmO1k0 Use code MEDEXP25 for $200 off registration

Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price.

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#620: How small businesses continue to thrive with Emily Washcovick, Yelp

Fri, 03 Jan 2025 05:00:00 GMT

In an era where a few large organizations seemingly dominate with their vast resources, how can small businesses rise above and stand out?

Today, I’m thrilled to be joined by Emily Washcovick, Senior Field Marketing Manager and Small Business Expert at Yelp, join us. Emily works closely with small businesses across the country, helping them navigate challenges, leverage customer feedback, and thrive in a competitive landscape. She’s here to share insights on how small businesses can excel in customer experience, make the most of their resources, and use innovative tools like AI to grow.

As Yelp’s Small Business Expert, Emily is meticulously focused on helping local business owners succeed and grow. Her expertise lies in customer engagement, reputation management, and all things digital marketing. Through speaking engagements and thought leadership, Emily shares industry insights that entrepreneurs in any business category can leverage for the growth and well-being of their businesses. She is also the host of Behind the Review, a podcast from Yelp and Entrepreneur Media, where each episode features conversations with a business owner and a reviewer about the story and lessons behind their interactions.

RESOURCES

Don't miss Medallia Experience 2025, March 24-26 in Las Vegas: Registration is now available: https://cvent.me/AmO1k0

Use code MEDEXP25 for $200 off registration

Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price.

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#619: Knowing which of your marketing dollars are working, with Mike True, Prescient AI

Fri, 27 Dec 2024 05:00:00 GMT

Are you sure you know where your marketing dollars are making the biggest impact? In an omnichannel world, pinpointing where your ad spend is most effective is tougher than ever. What if you could use AI to make it easier?

Welcome to today’s episode, where we’re discussing how to optimize marketing effectiveness through Marketing Mix Modeling, AI, and predictive analytics with Mike True, CEO & Co-Founder of Prescient AI.

Today, we’ll explore how to ensure your marketing dollars are delivering maximum return on investment and the role AI plays in getting it right.

Mike True is the co-founder and CEO of Prescient. Prior to starting the company in 2019, Mike was responsible for helping clients of App Annie, IBM, and Oracle generate millions of dollars in revenue through the implementation of various artificial intelligence and analytics solutions.

RESOURCES

Prescient AI website: https://prescientai.com/

Don't miss Medallia Experience 2025, March 24-26 in Las Vegas: Registration is now available: https://cvent.me/AmO1k0

Use code MEDEXP25 for $200 off registration

Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price.

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#618: Working with AI to create better (not just more) content with Nick Gernert, CEO WordPress VIP

Mon, 23 Dec 2024 05:00:00 GMT

As AI increasingly generates content, is it creating a better internet—or is it quietly eroding the authenticity we value online?

oday, we’re excited to welcome Nick Gernert, CEO of WordPress VIP, the enterprise CMS behind some of the biggest media and enterprise websites. With extensive experience overseeing a platform that powers millions of websites, we’ll explore how AI is transforming the digital landscape and where human creativity fits in this new paradigm.

For over 20 years, Nick Gernert, CEO of Wordpress VIP, has been a key evangelist of open source technology, working across the open web to build the next generation of enterprise digital experiences. In his role as CEO of Wordpress VIP at Automattic, Nick leads the company’s overall business strategy, working with partners to expand the business and drive the commercial growth and executive adoption of Wordpress as they disrupt and lead the enterprise content management market.

Before joining Automattic, Nick was an advisor to Transform’s executive team up until their acquisition by Dbt Labs, and held the title of Senior Vice President of Digital at Voce Communications. Nick holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Central Florida’s College of Business Administration and is an Innovation Fellow at the Eugene M. Lang Entrepreneurship Center at Columbia Business School.

RESOURCES

WordPress VIP website: https://www.wordpressvip.com

Don't miss Medallia Experience 2025, March 24-26 in Las Vegas: Registration is now available: https://cvent.me/AmO1k0

Use code MEDEXP25 for $200 off registration

Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price.

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging, and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

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#617: Small changes that make big differences to marketing results with Jay Schwedelson, SubjectLine.com

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 05:00:00 GMT

Are small tweaks in your marketing strategy costing you big wins? From email subject lines to debunking commonly-held myths, simple changes can unlock massive improvements.

Today we’re exploring the art of finding small changes with big impacts in marketing with Jay Schwedelson, Founder of SubjectLine.com, CEO of Outcome Media, and host of the Do This, Not That! podcast. We’ll discuss how research-backed insights fuel his success, myths holding marketers back, and more.

Jay Schwedelson is one of the top marketing experts in the U.S., renowned for providing marketers with the latest research-backed insights and best practices.

As the founder of SubjectLine.com, the top free subject-line rating tool globally, Jay has tested over 15 million subject lines, helping organizations master impactful email

marketing. He also founded GURU Media Hub, which hosts the GURU conference, the world’s largest email marketing event, and other major marketing gatherings attracting over 50,000 attendees annually.

Jay’s podcast, “Do This, Not That!: For Marketers,” consistently ranks in the top 10 of over 50,000 marketing podcasts in the U.S. and is in the top 0.5% of podcasts globally.

Through his agency, Outcome Media, Jay's team executes over 40,000 marketing campaigns each year for iconic brands. He has been named to Crain’s Top 100 Industry

Leaders for 10 consecutive years and is in the Hall of Fame at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications.

With his unique blend of expertise, Jay shares super tactical tips on marketing, specifically email marketing, content marketing, and LinkedIn strategies.

RESOURCES

Don't miss Medallia Experience 2025, March 24-26 in Las Vegas: Registration is now available: https://cvent.me/AmO1k0

Use code MEDEXP25 for $200 off registration

Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price.

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#616: Synthetic personas in market research with Ali Henriques, Qualtrics

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 05:00:00 GMT

What if the future of market research isn’t human at all but relies on AI-generated personas to mimic real-world consumers?

Today, we’re joined by Ali Henriques, Global Director of Edge at Qualtrics. Ali is here to discuss how synthetic personas, AI, and digital qualitative tools are reshaping the future of market research, and share some insights from the Qualtrics 2025 Market Research Trends Report.

RESOURCES

Qualtrics: https://www.qualtrics.com

Qualtrics 2025 Global Market Research Trends Report: https://www.qualtrics.com/ebooks-guides/market-research-trends/

Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price.

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#615: Is Black Friday still the star of the holiday season? Featuring Joe Shasteen, RetailNext

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 05:00:00 GMT

Has Black Friday lost its significance as a singular shopping day, or is it evolving into something more strategically beneficial for both consumers and retailers?

Today, we’re thrilled to welcome Joe Shasteen, Global Manager of Advanced Analytics at RetailNext. Joe is here to share insights into the 2024 holiday shopping season based on early Black Friday weekend data and what these trends tell us about the shifting consumer behavior landscape. From the rise of intentional spending to the evolving importance of integrating online and offline strategies, Joe will help give us a clearer picture of the holiday retail outlook.

Joe Shasteen is the Global Manager of Advanced Analytics at RetailNext, where he's been for over seven years. Using Retail Labs, Joe and the Advanced Analytics team at RetailNext help retailers understand in-store shopper behavior. This leads to the testing and design of the impact of in-store changes, ultimately improving the shopper's experience.

Resources

RetailNext website: https://www.retailnext.net

Don't miss Medallia Experience 2025, March 24-26 in Las Vegas: Registration is now available: https://cvent.me/AmO1k0 Use code MEDEXP25 for $200 off registration

Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price.

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#614: How trust, community, and courage are reshaping brands with Chris Savage, Wistia

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 05:00:00 GMT

Have you ever considered that society might trust individuals more than your brand?

If you’re not thinking about influencers and community advocates in your marketing, you might be missing a huge opportunity to connect with your audience on a deeper level. Today we’re diving into the power of influencers, the unique challenges of B2B advocacy, and pushing past fear in business.

Host Greg Kihlstrom welcomes Chris Savage, CEO and Co-Founder of Wistia. Today, we’ll explore how trust, community, and courage are reshaping the way companies approach their audiences.

About Chris Savage

Chris Savage is the CEO and co-founder of Wistia, a leading video platform that enables business teams to harness the connective power of video. After graduating from Brown University with a degree in Art-Semiotics, Chris and his co-founder, Brendan Schwartz, started Wistia in Brendan’s living room in 2006. Wistia has since grown into a multi-million dollar business with over 120 employees and 500,000 customers.

Resources

Wistia website: https://www.wistia.com

Don't miss Medallia Experience 2025, March 24-26 in Las Vegas: Registration is now available: https://cvent.me/AmO1k0

Use code MEDEXP25 for $200 off registration

Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price.

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#613: Building brands through collaboration, innovation, and sustainability with Eric Liedtke, Under Armour

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the power of collaboration, innovation, and sustainability in building brands that make a huge impact on consumers while leaving a smaller impression on the Earth.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Eric Liedtke, Executive Vice President of Brand Strategy, Under Armour, formerly of Adidas and Unless Collective.

Eric Liedtke has served as Executive Vice President, Brand Strategy since August 2024. Before joining Under Armour, Mr. Liedtke was the Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of UNLESS COLLECTIVE, INC, a zero-plastic regenerative fashion brand acquired by Under Armour in August 2024. Before that, Mr. Liedtke spent 26 years at Adidas Group, holding senior positions in footwear marketing and executive roles as VP of Brand Marketing, SVP of Sports Performance Brand Marketing, and Head of Sports Performance, culminating in his roles as Brand President and Executive Board Member from 2014 to 2019.

RESOURCES

Under Armour website: https://www.underarmour.com

UNLESS Collective: https://unlesscollective.com/

Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price.

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#612: Shared understanding of business needs with Patty Soltis, Upwork

Mon, 09 Dec 2024 05:00:00 GMT

As a leader, it’s not enough to simply provide clear instructions of what you want done.

Today we’re going to talk about the need for everyone on a team to understand the business needs and objectives of the overall organization or business unit they are contributing to.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Patty Soltis, Senior Customer Experience Manager, Upwork.

RESOURCES

Don't miss Medallia Experience 2025, March 24-26 in Las Vegas: Registration is now available: https://cvent.me/AmO1k0

Use code MEDEXP25 for $200 off registration

Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price.

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#611: Optimizing e-commerce content with Ashlyn Fulton, D'Addario

Fri, 06 Dec 2024 05:00:00 GMT

Is your e-commerce content working as hard as it should be? In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, strong content creation and management could be the key to unlocking both customer engagement and business growth.

I am here at Opticon 2024 in San Antonio Texas and getting the opportunity to see a lot of inspiring ideas from some of the world’s leading brands and hearing all about Optimizely’s platform and how it enables 1:1 personalization, streamlined content operations, and incorporates the latest generative AI features.

Today we’re diving into the role of strong content creation and optimization in e-commerce with Ashlyn Fulton, Senior Digital Content Manager at D’Addario & Company, which operates in over 130 countries and has over 5,000 SKUs available online.

We’ll discuss the unique challenges of content for both D2C and B2B e-commerce, the impact of generative AI, and how platforms like Optimizely are shaping the future of e-commerce content management.

RESOURCES

D'Addario & Company website: https://daddario.com

Optimizely website: https://www.optimizely.com

Don't miss Medallia Experience 2025, March 24-26 in Las Vegas: Registration is now available: https://cvent.me/AmO1k0 Use code MEDEXP25 for $200 off registration

Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price.

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#610: Unlocking greater customer loyalty with Aleksander Kaczmarek, CarTrawler

Wed, 04 Dec 2024 05:00:00 GMT

What if your loyalty program could tap into a $20 billion opportunity that most of your competitors are overlooking? Imagine increasing engagement by offering rewards that your customers are already looking for—are you ready to drive loyalty through car rentals?

Today, we’re diving into strategies for boosting engagement in loyalty programs with Aleksander Kaczmarek, VP of Loyalty Partnerships at CarTrawler. We’ll explore findings from their Driving Loyalty report, which reveals how loyalty programs can tap into the growing car rental market to unlock new revenue opportunities and year-round customer engagement.

About Aleksander Kaczmarek

Aleksander Kaczmarek has over 13 years of experience in loyalty, specializing in identifying, launching, and growing strategic partnerships across the travel, financial services, and retail sectors. He has previously held roles at IAG Loyalty (Avios) and Affinion International (CX Loyalty). Currently, Aleks serves as the VP of Loyalty at CarTrawler, the world’s leading B2B technology provider of car rental and mobility solutions to the global travel industry.

RESOURCES

CarTrawler website: https://www.cartrawler.com

CarTrawler Report link: http://bit.ly/4hBT7kF

Don't miss Medallia Experience 2025, March 24-26 in Las Vegas: Registration is now available: https://cvent.me/AmO1k0 Use code MEDEXP25 for $200 off registration

Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price.

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#609: AI-powered DXPs and brand-aware personalized CX with Kathie Johnson, CMO at Sitecore

Mon, 02 Dec 2024 05:00:00 GMT

How much time does your marketing team spend on repetitive tasks that could be automated? Imagine if AI could free up that time by creating brand-aware content, letting your team focus on what matters most—creating impactful customer experiences.

Today, we’re exploring the future of Digital Experience Platforms and AI with Kathie Johnson, Chief Marketing Officer at Sitecore. We’re going to look at what an AI-Powered DXP is, and how it helps marketers achieve their goals and overcome some of their biggest challenges.

RESOURCES

Sitecore website: https://www.sitecore.com

Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price.

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#608: Why the C-Suite needs to pay more attention to social media, with Dr. Antonis Papatsaras, Hootsuite

Fri, 29 Nov 2024 05:00:00 GMT

Are outdated views on social media holding your brand back? With over 5 billion active users, neglecting social channels might be costing you more than you think—in revenue, reputation, and even stock price stability.

Today we’re exploring the C-suite’s perspective on social media with Dr. Antonis Papatsaras, CTO of Hootsuite, the social media performance engine powering the content of brands and organizations across platforms worldwide since 2008. We’ll discuss the misconceptions surrounding social platforms, the untapped potential for ROI, and the consequences of neglecting social media in today’s digital landscape.

About Dr. Antonis Papatsaras, CTO, Hootsuite

Dr. Antonis Papatsaras joined Hootsuite as Chief Technology Officer in November 2022, bringing over 25 years of expertise in Computer Science and Software Engineering. As a veteran in the technology space, his strategic vision and leadership has significantly elevated Hootsuite’s product organization, both driving efficiencies internally and building a scalable product that enhances our user experience.

More recently, he was a driving force in our acquisition of Talkwalker, the leading AI-powered social listening solution, sparking a transformative shift from social media management (the category Hootsuite pioneered) to social media performance. Through this innovative move, he has piloted the world’s first social media performance engine where customers can convert insights into actionable business impact and revenue.

Throughout his career, Antonis has consistently driven customer value with cutting edge products and scalable cloud-based architectures. Prior to joining Hootsuite, Antonis served as Chief Technology Officer and lead for the Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) product suite at DocuSign. He has also driven innovation by building strong, diverse and distributed teams in both small and large organizations, including SpringCM, Hewlett Packard Autonomy, Interwoven and DiscoveryMining.

RESOURCES

Hootsuite website: https://www.hootsuite.com

Hootsuite's Social Media Trends Report: https://www.hootsuite.com/research/social-trends?srsltid=AfmBOoouMJXarIYf8O8QuA1A9Jdowv0eIHeNTbGrhYIereq13cEdWV4S%5C

Don't miss Medallia Experience 2025, March 24-26 in Las Vegas: Registration is now available: https://cvent.me/AmO1k0 - Use code MEDEXP25 for $200 off registration

Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price.

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

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#607: Preparing for tiktokified journeys and the search generative experience with Izabela Misiorny, Siteimprove

Wed, 27 Nov 2024 05:00:00 GMT

Is your marketing team ready for the future? As the lines between physical and digital blur, and buyer journeys become more non-linear than ever, those who fail to adapt may find themselves left behind.

Today we’re diving into the future of marketing with Izabela Misiorny, Chief Marketing Officer at Siteimprove. We’ll explore how marketing strategies must evolve to stay ahead, from upgrading the funnel to mastering AI tools and creating quality-first content.

RESOURCES

Siteimprove website: https://www.siteimprove.com

Optimizely website: https://www.optimizely.com

Don't miss Medallia Experience 2025, March 24-26 in Las Vegas: Registration is now available: https://cvent.me/AmO1k0

Use code MEDEXP25 for $200 off registration

Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price.

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

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#606: Connecting experimentation to business outcomes across the journey with Vijay Ganesan, Optimizely

Mon, 25 Nov 2024 05:00:00 GMT

How do you know if your marketing efforts are actually driving real business outcomes? Imagine being able to tie every experiment, campaign, and variant to metrics that truly matter.

Today, we’re exploring the power of connecting marketing and experimentation to business outcomes with Vijay Ganesan, Co-Founder and CEO of NetSpring, now part of Optimizely. We’ll dive into how this integration enables marketers and digital leaders to measure what matters most and unlock new levels of insight and accountability.

Vijay - welcome to the show and congrats on the acquisition of NetSpring - Why don’t you start by telling us a little bit about your background and your current role?

RESOURCES

NetSpring website: https://www.netspring.io

Optimizely website: https://www.optimizely.com

Don't miss Medallia Experience 2025, March 24-26 in Las Vegas: Registration is now available: https://cvent.me/AmO1k0

Use code MEDEXP25 for $200 off registration

Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price.

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

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#605: AI agents working across the marketing workflow with Kevin Li, Optimizely

Fri, 22 Nov 2024 05:00:00 GMT

What if your AI assistant could do more than just generate content? Imagine an AI agent that works across your entire marketing workflow, enhancing both creativity and productivity—are you ready to transform your marketing team?

Today we’re discussing how AI agents are revolutionizing the marketing workflow with Kevin Li, SVP of Product Strategy & Operations at Optimizely. We’ll explore the concept of AI agents, their role in enhancing creativity and productivity, and why marketers should be excited about them.

RESOURCES

Don't miss Medallia Experience 2025, March 24-26 in Las Vegas: Registration is now available: https://cvent.me/AmO1k0

Use code MEDEXP25 for $200 off registration

Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price.

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#604: Creating a great post-purchase customer experience with Colleen Coulter, Route

Wed, 20 Nov 2024 05:00:00 GMT

While there is much focus on the overall customer experience, the post purchase experience doesn’t always get the attention it needs—and deserves—as retailers focus heavily on customer acquisition and getting the sale, but post purchase is the key to building lifelong customer relationships.

Today we’re going to talk about how to create a great post-purchase experience, what some of the key elements are, and what retailers need to be thinking about next.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Colleen Coulter, SVP, Customer Success and Experience at Route.

Colleen Coulter leads Route’s Customer Success and Experience teams. She’s focused on helping brands and shoppers generate significant value from Route’s post-purchase e-commerce solutions. Prior to Route, Colleen led the travel advertising business at Meta, partnering with the world’s largest travel brands to grow their business and helping to architect travel solutions across Facebook and Instagram. She previously worked at the Boston Consulting Group, working across industries on growth strategies and profitability improvement. Colleen earned her master's in business administration from Stanford's Graduate School of Business and a bachelor's degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics from the University of Pennsylvania. She is based in New York with her husband and two sons.

RESOURCES

Route website: https://route.com/

Don't miss Medallia Experience 2025, March 24-26 in Las Vegas: Registration is now available: https://cvent.me/AmO1k0

Use code MEDEXP25 for $200 off registration

Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price.

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

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#603: What happens to marketers if Google is split up? Featuring Steven Read, Chief Product Officer at adMarketplace

Mon, 18 Nov 2024 05:00:00 GMT

What if one of the biggest tech giants in the world was dismantled? With the DOJ’s antitrust decision on Google just days away, are we on the brink of a seismic shift in how we access information and advertise online?

Today, we’re exploring the potential breakup of Google and its implications for consumers, advertisers, and publishers with Steven Read, Chief Product Officer at adMarketplace. We’ll discuss what this historic antitrust case could mean for innovation and competition in the search advertising space.

About Steven Read

Steven Read is the Chief Product Officer at adMarketplace, the open web search advertising company. He previously worked at Rokt, where he was responsible for product management, business analytics, and product marketing. He’s also consulted for firms such as Accenture and Boston Consulting Group.

Resources

Admarketplace: https://www.admarketplace.com/

Don't miss Medallia Experience 2025, March 24-26 in Las Vegas: Registration is now available: https://cvent.me/AmO1k0 Use code MEDEXP25 for $200 off registration

Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price.

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

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#602: Breaking down language barriers in customer service with Mike Clifton and Max Schwendner, Alorica

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 05:00:00 GMT

How many times have you felt misunderstood by customer service? Imagine if your brand could solve every communication barrier, regardless of language, in real-time. Could that transform your customer experience?

Welcome to today’s episode, where we’re discussing how to break down language barriers in customer service with Mike Clifton, and Max Schwendner, both Co-CEOs at Alorica.

RESOURCES

Alorica: https://www.alorica.com

Don't miss Medallia Experience 2025, March 24-26 in Las Vegas: Registration is now available: https://cvent.me/AmO1k0

Use code MEDEXP25 for $200 off registration

Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price.

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

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#601: Improving the Customer Experience in a Feedback Recession with Isabelle Zdatny, Qualtrics

Wed, 13 Nov 2024 05:00:00 GMT

What if your customers are staying silent after a bad experience - or even a good one for that matter? If you’re waiting for feedback to drive improvement, the silence might already be costing you more than you think.

Today we’re exploring the future of customer feedback with Isabelle Zdatny, Head of Thought Leadership at the XM Institute at Qualtrics. We’ll dive into the findings from Qualtrics' 2025 Consumer Trends Report, the challenges of the “feedback recession,” and the role technology could play in shaping the future of customer insights.

As Head of Thought Leadership with Qualtrics XM Institute, Isabelle helps Experience Management (XM) professionals make sense of the complex, evolving XM landscape so they can do their jobs with more confidence and success. She produces industry-leading content on XM trends and best practices, develops and delivers training, advises organizations on the design and execution of their CX and EX programs, and speaks on key XM topics and trends.

RESOURCES

Qualtrics: https://www.qualtrics.com

Qualtrics 2025 Global Consumer Trends Report: https://www.qualtrics.com/ebooks-guides/customer-experience-trends/

XM Institute: https://www.xminstitute.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#600: AI Agents in Marketing with Raj Rikhy, Microsoft

Mon, 11 Nov 2024 05:00:00 GMT

Welcome to today’s episode where going to talk about AI agents as well as the intersection of artificial intelligence and marketing with Raj Rikhy, Principal Product Manager at Microsoft. We’ll explore the functionalities and strategic uses of AI agents and how marketers can leverage them to enhance their initiatives.

About Raj Rikhy

As a Principal Product Manager at Microsoft, I have over six years of experience in developing and delivering innovative products that utilize Generative AI technologies, including Language Models (LLMs), to enhance data science and engineering capabilities for Microsoft Fabric. My mission is to empower customers and partners with cutting-edge AI solutions that solve complex and high-impact problems across various domains and industries.

I collaborate with engineering teams, data scientists, customers, and partners to identify customer needs and market opportunities, define product requirements and roadmaps, and manage the entire product life cycle, from conception to launch. Previously, I was a Principal Product Manager at Microsoft Project Bonsai, a cloud-based deep reinforcement learning platform for industrial control systems. I also have a strong background in Data Science and Deep Learning, having worked as a Group Technical Product Manager for the Global Chief Data Office at IBM, where I enabled the end-to-end user experience for Data Scientists and Data Engineers, and scaled the adoption of distributed deep learning frameworks and tools.

RESOURCES

Microsoft website: https://www.microsoft.com

Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price.

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

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#599: Increasing AI literacy to improve outcomes with Jason Lapp, Beautiful.ai

Fri, 08 Nov 2024 05:00:00 GMT

Are your employees afraid that AI will take their jobs, or maybe not even something as extreme as that but still uknown? As AI transforms the workplace, understanding how to make your teams feel more comfortable with these tools might be the key to your organization’s success.

Today we’re exploring how AI literacy can transform the workplace with Jason Lapp, CEO of Beautiful.ai. We’ll dive into survey findings that reveal employee fears around AI and discuss strategies for dispelling those fears while integrating AI tools effectively.

RESOURCES

Beautiful.ai website: Beautiful.ai

Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price.

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#598: Keeping up with consumer payment preferences with Will Mavromichalis at Kount

Wed, 06 Nov 2024 05:00:00 GMT

Are you keeping up with the changing payment preferences of your customers? From Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) to digital wallets, if your payment strategy isn’t evolving, you might be missing out on where your customers want to be.

Welcome to today’s episode, where we’re exploring the rapidly changing landscape of online payments with Will Mavromichalis, Director of Sales, Identity and Fraud at Kount, an Equifax Company.

We’ll dive into the technology and generational shifts impacting payment behaviors, and discuss how retailers can stay ahead of the curve while managing fraud risks.

William Mavromichalis is a 10-year technology sales veteran and has been with Kount for the past five years. During his time at Kount, Will has held a variety of roles geared towards revenue growth and strategic partnerships. As a sales leader, Will is focused on growing the global footprint for Kount and Equifax by leading a team of seasoned account executives. While leadership is his passion, Will enjoys rolling up his sleeves with his team to solve the complex identity and fraud business challenges that merchants face on a day-to-day basis.

When he is not working you can find Will spending quality time with his wife Kathryn, and two daughters Mila, and Viola.

RESOURCES

Kount website: https://kount.com/

Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price.

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

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#597: Engaging with Gen Z on retail with Teddy Solomon, Fizz

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 05:00:00 GMT

Are you prepared for the next wave of retail disruption? The rules of commerce are being rewritten as you’re listening to this show even, and if you’re still relying on traditional platforms, you may be missing out on what’s next.

Today we’re exploring the future of retail with Teddy Solomon, Co-Founder and COO of Fizz. We’ll dive into the shifting retail habits of Gen Z, the rise of peer-to-peer marketplaces, and how Fizz is building a community-centered platform for this next generation of consumers.

ABOUT TEDDY SOLOMON

Teddy Solomon is a Stanford dropout and the co-founder of Fizz, a Gen-Z platform fostering authentic connections on 240 college campuses. Fizz’s newest release, Fizz Marketplace, is satisfying Gen-Z’s hunger for peer-to-peer commerce, a space formerly occupied by eBay and Facebook Marketplace.

RESOURCES

Fizz website: https://www.fizz.social

Attend the Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit, the region's largest marketing communications conference. Register with the code "Agile" and get 15% off.

Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price.

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#596: The impact of AI on marketing and consumer expectations with Melissa Waters, CMO at Upwork

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 04:00:00 GMT

Today, we’re going to talk about the evolution of consumer technology and the impact of AI on marketing with Melissa Waters, Chief Marketing Officer at Upwork. Melissa has been instrumental in some of the most significant industry shifts, from digital music at Pandora to ridesharing at Lyft and more. Today, she'll share her insights on the intersection of AI, consumer expectations, and branding.

Melissa has been the driving force behind some of the most significant consumer technology behavioral shifts, from the rise of digital music at Pandora, to ridesharing at Lyft, to telehealth at hims & hers and social media at Meta. With Melissa being at the forefront of these industry shifts, she can share her expertise on how AI is reshaping consumer expectations and how the marketing and branding industry is pivoting in response.

RESOURCES

Upwork website: https://www.upwork.com

Attend the Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit, the region's largest marketing communications conference. Register with the code "Agile" and get 15% off.

Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price.

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#595 State of the marketing jobs market with Sue Keith, Landrum Talent Solutions

Wed, 30 Oct 2024 04:00:00 GMT

In this special episode, brought to you by Landrum Talent Solutions, a national recruiting firm specializing in marketing and HR positions, we’re going to talk about a few things today, including the state of the job market and how elections, the economy, and AI are affecting the plans that hiring managers and job seekers are making for 2025.

RESOURCES

Landrum Talent Solutions website: https://landrumtalentsolutions.com/

Attend the Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit, the region's largest marketing communications conference. Register with the code "Agile" and get 15% off.

Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price.

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#594: Designing for infinite moments of truth with Stratton Cherouny, The Office of Experience

Mon, 28 Oct 2024 04:00:00 GMT

How can a single “moment of truth” with your brand exist when customers are unique, their experiences personalized, and the world continually changing? What if the success of your brand depends not on a single moment, but on an unlimited number of moments you might not even be aware of?

This episode is brought to you by The Office of Experience, a design-driven, digital-first, vertically integrated, and collaborative agency that believes in the power of ideas and the strength of people.

Today we’re going to discuss how to design for infinite moments of trust with Stratton Cherouny, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of The Office of Experience. We’ll dive into how brands can manage the many "moments of truth" that define the customer experience and ultimately drive loyalty and trust.

Stratton Cherouny co-founded OX in 2014 after nearly 15 years working with digital and branding agencies in New York and Chicago. His client experience ranges from boutique brands in the lifestyle and apparel space to multinational leaders in consumer products, financial services, industrial manufacturing, and consulting. Throughout his career, Stratton has been at the forefront of innovation in brand transformation, design thinking and digital innovation.

RESOURCES

The Office of Experience website: https://www.officeofexperience.com

Attend the Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit, the region's largest marketing communications conference. Register with the code "Agile" and get 15% off.

Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price.

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#593: Integrating AI into enterprise marketing operations with Adam Brotman, Forum3

Fri, 25 Oct 2024 04:00:00 GMT

AI itself isn’t a goal. In the enterprise, marketers that effectively integrate artificial intelligence into their operations in meaningful ways will start to see the tangible returns that leaders in the space are already realizing.

Today we’re going to talk about the reality of AI adoption in the enterprise, and how marketers should be thinking about a workplace where humans and AI agents are working together.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Adam Brotman, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Forum3.

Adam Brotman is co-founder and co-CEO of Forum3. Previously, he was president, chief experience officer, and co-CEO at J.Crew, where he launched the widely successful J.Crew Rewards program. At Starbucks, he was the inaugural chief digital officer and evp, global retail operations, developing the payment, ordering, and loyalty platform which amassed 60 million members. He has been recognized as one of Fast Company's 100 Most Creative People and CDO Club’s CDO of the Year. He serves on the boards of Ruby Tuesday and Cabi, and has held board positions at Neiman Marcus Group and Brooks Running. He is the co-author of AI First, in collaboration with Harvard Business Review, and received his bachelor’s degree from UCLA and JD from The University of Washington School of Law.

RESOURCES

Forum3 website: https://www.forum3.com/

Spok website: https://www.spok.app/

Attend the Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit, the region's largest marketing communications conference. Register with the code "Agile" and get 15% off.

Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price.

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#592: Sending the right message at the right time with John Kim, SendBird

Wed, 23 Oct 2024 04:00:00 GMT

Communicating with your customers is a good thing, right? Well, what about when some of your outbound communications end up repelling customers rather than attracting them?

Today we’re going to discuss advanced customer interaction strategies with John Kim, Co-Founder & CEO of Sendbird. We’ll dive into the effectiveness of in-app messaging, the rise of mobile engagement, and the evolving machine-to-machine economy.

John S. Kim is the Co-Founder and CEO of Sendbird (YC W16), the customer communications platform powering 4,000 of the world's most popular digital applications. 7 billion messages sent and received between over 320 million people every month are routed using Sendbird, whose customers include DoorDash, Match Group, Virgin Mobile, Noom and Paytm. The company has raised $220 million USD to-date, backed by reputable investors including ICONIQ Capital, SoftBank Vision Fund, Shasta Ventures, Y Combinator and more.

John is a successful serial entrepreneur and CEO. His first startup Paprika Lab (social gaming) was acquired by GREE, and he was Korea's all-time no.1 pro gamer in the Unreal Tournament.

RESOURCES

Sendbird website: https://www.sendbird.com

Attend the Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit, the region's largest marketing communications conference. Register with the code "Agile" and get 15% off.

Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price.

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#591: Building an accessible digital experience with Jennifer Griffin Smith, Acquia

Mon, 21 Oct 2024 04:00:00 GMT

This past May, Acquia released its 2024 Survey Report: Consumer Perspectives on Digital Accessibility, which found several common accessibility challenges with digital platforms, including an inaccessible web layout, video or audio content without transcriptions and more.

Today we’re going to talk about what it means to provide a truly accessible digital experience and the impact it can have on your customers and your brand.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Jennifer Griffin Smith, Chief Market Officer at Acquia.

A well-respected international marketing executive, Jennifer Griffin Smith has more than 20 years of experience managing go-to-market strategies and corporate communications for public and private technology companies. She focuses on the needs of customers and partners in the ever-changing digital world, ensuring that Acquia solutions deliver exceptional value today and in the future, and that all programs and communications are addressing the unique needs of customers.

Before joining Acquia, Jennifer held CMO positions at Brightcove, Alfresco Software (acquired by Hyland), Software AG, Workhuman (formerly Globoforce), Avid Technology, and Progress Software. She has also held senior European marketing roles at Microsoft, PeopleSoft, and Information Builders.

RESOURCES

Acquia website: https://www.acquia.com

Acquia Consumer Perspectives on Digital Accessibility and Why Your Organization Needs a Digital Accessibility Strategy report:

https://streaklinks.com/CDXW05pOzrefv_EmGguRQ6AT/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.acquia.com%2Faccessibility-report-2024

Acquia Why Your Organization Needs a Digital Accessibility Strategy report: https://0a818d23.streaklinks.com/CJVgsJ1lZcdvFJePqQwSI-T-/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.acquia.com%2Fresources%2Freport%2Fwhy-your-organization-needs-digital-accessibility-strategy

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

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#590: AI in marketing highly regulated sectors with Nauman Hafiz, Constellation

Fri, 18 Oct 2024 04:00:00 GMT

With 40% of marketers experiencing more responsibility in the workplace according to a recent MarketingWeek survey, it is clear that marketing teams are being asked to do more with the same or less time and resources.

Today we’re going to talk about the role of AI in transforming marketing in regulated sectors with Nauman Hafiz, Chief Technology Officer at Constellation. We'll explore how AI is reshaping the marketing landscape, particularly in industries like Automotive, Pharma, Insurance, and Banking, and discuss the implications for data privacy.

RESOURCES

Constellation website:

https://www.helloconstellation.com/

Attend the Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit, the region's largest marketing communications conference. Register with the code "Agile" and get 15% off.

Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price.

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#589: Product-led Growth and AI with Sonal Mane, Databricks

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the innovative use of AI in driving product-led growth with Sonal Mane, Senior Director of Digital Customer Experience and Growth at Databricks.

RESOURCES

Databricks website: https://www.databricks.com

Attend the Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit, the region's largest marketing communications conference. Register with the code "Agile" and get 15% off.

Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price.

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#588: Powering up your knowledgebase for better CX with Sophie Wyne, Ariglad

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 04:00:00 GMT

You probably feel like you know your customers pretty well, but you can’t know everything, and there always seems to be a new question that you or your team are unprepared to answer or respond to. How do you identify those gaps before you get a tough question from your customer?

Today we’re going to talk about the transformative power of knowledgebases in customer support with Sophie Wyne, CEO of Ariglad. We’ll discuss how a well-maintained knowledgebase can benefit both customers and internal teams and how AI plays a crucial role in optimizing this resource.

Sophie Wyne is the Co-Founder and CEO at Ariglad. After participating in the prestigious Y Combinator program in San Francisco, Sophie raised $2M of capital in Ariglad's Seed round. Since launching the first AI knowledge base tool of its kind, Sophie is focusing on educating the CX space on the unique benefits of AI and is a leading voice in the growing AI Customer Success space. Ariglad is headquartered in San Francisco and the team is spread across North America and Europe.

RESOURCES

Attend the Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit, the region's largest marketing communications conference. Register with the code "Agile" and get 15% off.

Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price.

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#587: Aligning product and marketing in the C-suite and beyond with Tifenn Dano Kwan, Amplitude

Fri, 11 Oct 2024 04:00:00 GMT

When product and marketing are more aligned in an organization, there can be some amazing outcomes, including when CMOs and Chief Product Officers are more in line. It also helps when CMOs are able to establish and maintain trust both within the C-Suite as well as across the organization.

Today we’re going to explore both of these and more and look at strategic leadership and growth tactics with Tifenn Dano Kwan, Chief Marketing Officer at Amplitude, a leading digital analytics company.

Tifenn’s mission is to shape the future of work through superior digital experiences, great teams, and technology that customers love. At Amplitude, she leads its global marketing strategy and team as its Chief Marketing Officer. Prior to joining Amplitude, Tifenn was the CMO at Collibra, Dropbox, SAP Ariba, and SAP Fieldglass. Tifenn holds a Master's of Law from L’ICES, l’Institut Catholique de Vendée and a Master's of Management from Audencia Business School. She is a graduate of the Kellogg Executive Education CMO Program.

RESOURCES

Amplitude website: https://www.amplitude.com

Attend the Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit, the region's largest marketing communications conference. Register with the code "Agile" and get 15% off.

Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price.

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

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#586: Winning E-commerce By Boosting Efficiency with Tobias Sjölin, Boozt

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 04:00:00 GMT

It’s not every day I get to see 1,000 robots all in one place, so today is special in a few ways. First of all, I’m here in Ängelholm, Sweden at the Boozt Fulfillment Center, and am about to take a tour of their facility - robots and all - in a few minutes.

But before that, we’re going to talk about creating amazing efficiencies while also delivering on an amazing customer experience in online retail. After all, why can’t you have a lower cost per transaction while raising your net promoter score?

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Tobias Sjölin, CTO of Boozt Fulfilment & Logistics - a division of Boozt Group.

RESOURCES

Attend the Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit, the region's largest marketing communications conference. Register with the code "Agile" and get 15% off.

Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price.

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#585: Inventory management to the rescure with Riikka Söderlund, Katana

Mon, 07 Oct 2024 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to look at the impact of social media on product demand and inventory management with Riikka Söderlund, COO at Katana. We’ll explore the double-edged sword of viral products and how sophisticated inventory management can serve as a crisis management tool.

Riikka Söderlund is the chief marketing officer at Katana Technologies, where she is responsible for demand generation and day-to-day marketing operations. From transforming how some of the biggest brands and companies utilize technology in their marketing, to using data driven insights to produce exceptional results for B2B SaaS and media groups, Riikka applies her expertise to holistically design scalable strategies that move the needle for Katana and its customers. Today, her knowledge helps small and medium-sized businesses uplevel their operations, contributing to the $2 billion in annual sales order volume that flow through the platform.

RESOURCES

Katana website: https://katanamrp.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#584: The power of data and AI in the enterprise with Krishnan Venkata, LatentView Analytics

Fri, 04 Oct 2024 04:00:00 GMT

Today we're talking about the power of data and AI in the enterprise with Krishnan Venkata, Chief Client Officer at LatentView Analytics. We’ll explore how data can drive meaningful business change, demystify the applications of generative AI, and discuss strategies for successful adoption of data initiatives.

With over 20 years of experience in the Technology and Knowledge Services, I am a seasoned analytics executive who leads global client services at LatentView Analytics, a leading data and analytics firm. As the Chief Client Officer, my mission is to build long-term and mutually beneficial partnerships with our clients, and to bring them innovative and impactful solutions across each stage of our relationship.

About Krishnan Venkata

I have a deep technical knowledge and a strong track record of managing C-level relationships and leading sales and business development. I have also successfully abstracted solutions delivered into products and platforms, and evangelized them across organizations with similar pain points across industries.

In addition to my role at LatentView, I also serve as a board advisor to early-stage technology companies, where I leverage my expertise and network to help them grow and scale.

RESOURCES

LatentView Analytics website: https://www.latentview.com/

Attend the Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit, the region's largest marketing communications conference. Register with the code "Agile" and get 15% off.

Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price.

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

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#583: Redefining success and failure with Jesse Tayler, Founder of TruAnon

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 04:00:00 GMT

Success - like perfection - is subjective, and often depends on who you ask, when you ask, and the metrics you use.

Today we’re going to talk about the definition of success—and failure—as well as how to look at what you are currently doing with a new context. We’ll also talk about Jesse’s latest venture and the challenges of digital identify.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Jesse Tayler, Founder of TruAnon and inventor of the App Store.

Jesse Tayler built a storied career in Silicon Valley as the startup, crypto inventor of the first App Store (which he personally demonstrated to Steve Jobs in 1993). His work spans many pioneering firsts to the latest identity verification solutions. His work includes the first-ever private equity trading platform on the web and pioneering the first geo-coded food delivery, (also a Steve Jobs related startup and curated in the Smithsonian Institute under inventions of the 20th century). Jesse's lifelong contributions are widely recognized for changing the world of computing, with popular inventions showcasing the impact of his larger-than-life role. Jesse is a book author relating to expert software process and is retained for talks on technology, training, and coaching for startups in their early and growth phase. Jesse is also a musician with a composition currently streamed on Spotify and iTunes.

RESOURCES

Truanon website: https://www.truanon.com

Attend the Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit, the region's largest marketing communications conference. Register with the code "Agile" and get 15% off.

Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price.

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#582: Cookieless advertising in a first-party data world with Eric Wheeler, 33Across

Mon, 30 Sep 2024 04:00:00 GMT

Just because Google’s deprecation of third-party cookies is indefinitely delayed, doesn’t mean that brands should throw their first-party data strategies out the window.

Today we’re going to talk about cookieless advertising and how advertisers can thrive with a first-party data approach.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Eric Wheeler, CEO & Founder, 33Across.

Eric has over 30 years of experience building innovative, high-performance digital advertising companies. He co-founded and has been the Chief Executive Officer of 33Across since 2007. Prior to 33Across, Eric was COO of Carat Interactive and co-founder and President/COO of Lot21, the award-winning digital agency that sold to Carat in 2002.

RESOURCES

33Across website: https://www.33across.com

Access the latest 33Across Cookie Alternative Report here:

https://www.33across.com/insights/report/advertising-report-q2-2024/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#581 The impact of bots on the customer experience with Nanhi Singh, Thales

Fri, 27 Sep 2024 04:00:00 GMT

As bot activity is impacting consumer trends, it is important for brands to be agile with technology.

Welcome to today’s episode where we’re diving into the challenges and opportunities presented by the rise of bot activity in several key industries with Nanhi Singh, Chief Customer Officer & GM Application Security, Imperva a Thales company. We’ll explore the implications of the 2024 Imperva Bad Bot Report and discuss strategies for staying agile amidst these changes.

Nanhi Singh is responsible for application security products and all functions that enhance customer experience and value for Imperva customers. This includes customer support, consulting, training, customer success, managed services, and renewal sales. Prior, she was SVP, Customer Retention and Renewals at Symantec. Nanhi's career spans more than decades in cybersecurity and technology, always leading customer-facing functions.

Nanhi also serves on the Board of Directors of Franchise Group and serves as a member of the Audit Committee on that Board. She serves on the Board of Directors of Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST), a nonprofit public benefit corporation. She is passionate about | supporting women and minorities in the Technology industry and was previously a mentor in the Tech Women program.

RESOURCES

Thales website: https://www.thales

Imperva 2024 Bad Bot Report: https://www.imperva.com/resources/resource-library/reports/2024-bad-bot-report/

Attend the Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit, the region's largest marketing communications conference. Register with the code "Agile" and get 15% off.

Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price.

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#580: On-demand production and product data for better customer experiences with Leonard Marano, Lectra

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 04:00:00 GMT

Today, we’re exploring the transformational power of on-demand production and real-time data in a few different industries with Leonard Marano, President, Americas at Lectra. We’ll discuss how these technologies are revolutionizing the fashion, automotive, and furniture sectors by enabling brands to respond rapidly to consumer demands.

RESOURCES

Lectra website: https://www.lectra.com

Register now for the Medallia CX Day Webinar: Building Loyalty: How Top Brands Create Forever Customers with CX. Greg Kihlström will be moderating this discussion with CX experts. Register now (it's free)

Don't miss the Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit, the region's largest marketing communications conference. Register with the code "Agile" and get 15% off.

Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price.

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#579: Creating forever customers with Michael Mallett, Medallia

Mon, 23 Sep 2024 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the art of creating forever customers with Michael Mallett, Vice President, Product - CX Solutions Strategy at Medallia. We’ll explore strategies for enhancing customer visibility, prioritizing impactful improvements, and fostering continuous improvement within organizations.

I’m also excited about the upcoming CX Day webinar from Medallia coming up on Tuesday, October 1, where I’ll be moderating a panel including some amazing customer experience experts. We’re going to give a sneak preview of some of the topics to be discussed then, and we’ll include the link in the show notes.

RESOURCES

Medallia website: https://www.medallia.com

Register for the Medallia CX Day webinar: Building Loyalty: How Top Brands Create Forever Customers with CX - https://bit.ly/3M7dkQM

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#578: The future of shoppable TV with Peter Hamilton, Roku

Fri, 20 Sep 2024 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about how brands can use streaming and shoppable TV to engage and build valuable customer relationships.

While Roku is mostly known as the most popular streaming platform in the US, Canada, and Mexico reaching over 83 million households, it’s also a strategic advertising destination for some of the biggest brands from Disney to McDonald’s. To talk about all of this as well as some recent announcements, I’d like to welcome Peter Hamilton, Senior Director of Ad Innovation, Roku.

Peter Hamilton is an experienced technology executive as well as an active advisor and investor in tech startups with passionate founders. He joined Roku in 2021 as the Head of Television Commerce. Today, he is the Senior Director of Ad Innovation at Roku, where his teams build all consumer-facing ad experiences on Roku.

RESOURCES

Roku website: https://www.roku.com/

Roku Ads Manager: https://advertising.roku.com/solutions/advertise/ads-manager

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#577: Optimizing the patient experience with Tracey Schroeder, Inova Health System

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 19:16:00 GMT

Today we’re exploring the dynamic intersection of healthcare, privacy, and patient experience with Tracey Schroeder, Chief Communications & External Affairs Officer at Inova Health System. Tracey brings a unique perspective from her transition from the hospitality industry with a role as Vice President and Global Head of Consumer PR at Marriott International to healthcare with her current role at Inova.

Tracey Schroeder is Chief Communications and External Affairs Officer at Inova Health System. Tracey leads communications, marketing, physician relations and government affairs for Inova Health System, inclusive of brand development, internal communications, physician communications, media relations, social media, and digital strategy.

Tracey leads a team of 70 individuals supporting Inova, a $6 billion health system in Northern Virginia. Inova sees over two million unique patients a year across five hospitals and 200 outpatient sites.

Prior to joining Inova in 2021, Tracey served as Vice President, Global Consumer Public Relations at Marriott International leading public relations for Marriott’s 30 brands and consumer-facing initiatives across customer experience, digital, experiential, and global marketing partnerships.

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#576: AI and Human Creativity in Marketing with Diana Lee, Constellation

Mon, 16 Sep 2024 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re exploring how AI and human creativity work together in marketing with Diana Lee, CEO and Founder of Constellation, a first-of-its-kind SaaS platform that allows top brands and Fortune 500 companies to seamlessly build, launch, and manage compliant creative assets at scale. We’ll discuss how marketers can effectively blend technology with human insight to enhance their strategies and connect more deeply with their audiences.

Diana Lee is the Co-Founder and CEO of Constellation. Constellation efficiently scales your creative content with automated compliance. Our clients include Fortune 500 companies in Auto, Pharma, and Banking.

Constellation was named the 65th Fastest-Growing Private Company in America, the 10th Fastest-Growing Women-Owned Private Company, and the 7th Fastest-Growing Marketing & Advertising Company by Inc 500. Alexia™ has been awarded the Digiday Technology Award for Best Marketing Automation Platform. Diana was also named EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® in 2021.

RESOURCES

Constellation website: https://www.helloconstellation.com/

Register for the Medallia CX Day webinar: Building Loyalty: How Top Brands Create Forever Customers with CX - https://bit.ly/3M7dkQM

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#575: Telling authentic branded stories with Sophie Harris, GoDaddy

Fri, 13 Sep 2024 04:00:00 GMT

GoDaddy’s “Made in America” series has just debuted its fifth season, which captures the real, unscripted stories of small business owners as they unfolded in real time.

Today we’re going to talk about capturing and sharing unpredictable stories to create authentic brand messaging.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Sophie Harris, Senior Video Producer at GoDaddy and Creative Director of GoDaddy’s “Made in America” documentary series

RESOURCES

Made in America website: https://www.godaddy.com/made-in-america

Register for the Medallia CX Day webinar: Building Loyalty: How Top Brands Create Forever Customers with CX - https://bit.ly/3M7dkQM

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#574: Building enterprise-grade Gen AI applications with Sumeet Agrawal, Informatica

Wed, 11 Sep 2024 04:00:00 GMT

It’s hard to escape talk of AI these days, but not all AI is the same, and not all of it is safe for large organizations to use.

Today we're diving into the evolving world of generative AI for the enterprise with Sumeet Agrawal, VP of Product Management at Informatica. We’ll discuss strategies and considerations for building robust, enterprise-grade generative AI applications.

Sumeet Kumar Agrawal is a VP of Product Management at Informatica. Based in the Bay Area, Sumeet has 15+ years of data engineering and product management experience, driving innovative products within the cloud technology sector. He leads the Cloud AI/GenAI, Analytics & Data warehouse & Data lake, and iPaaS product portfolio at Informatica. It consists of multiple product lines such as Cloud Data Engineering, Streaming, big data, NoSQL, Serverless, Cloud Mass Ingestion(including CDC), Serverless & AI/ML, GenAI, API, and App Integration initiatives. He has a lot of experience working with many cloud ecosystem vendors like AWS, GCP, Azure, Snowflake, Databricks, etc. Apart from this, Sumeet has been frequently recognized as a strong communicator who has successfully worked with people from broad socio-economic backgrounds, and diverse cultures, building strong and fruitful organizational teams. He sits on the advisory board of many startups.

RESOURCES

Informatica website: https://www.informatica.com

Register for the Medallia CX Day webinar: Building Loyalty: How Top Brands Create Forever Customers with CX - https://bit.ly/3M7dkQM

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Attend the Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit, the region's largest marketing communications conference. Register with the code "Agile" and get 15% off.

Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price.

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#573: The Relationship Between Marketing and Communications with Nikki Festa O'Brien, Greenough Communications

Mon, 09 Sep 2024 04:00:00 GMT

Welcome to today’s episode where we're going to talk about advanced strategies in branding and communications with Nikki Festa O'Brien, CEO of Greenough Communications. We’re going to explore how brands can articulate their stories more effectively, manage financial communications, and about the critical relationship between marketing and communications.

Nikki Festa

CEO, Greenough Agency

With more than 20 years of agency and in-house experience, I am a seasoned brand marketing and communications professional who specializes in the Technology, Healthcare/Life Science, and Energy/Climate Tech sectors. I have successfully led integrated campaigns for clients ranging from startups to public companies, helping them achieve their business goals and elevate their brand reputation.

As CEO of Greenough Communications, I oversee the strategic direction, operations, and growth of the firm. I work with a talented team of experts who deliver creative and impactful strategies for our clients. I am also passionate about teaching and mentoring the next generation and have shared my insights and best practices at several universities and industry events. I am also honored to be recognized as one of the Top Women in PR by PR News.

RESOURCES

Greenough Agency website: https://www.greenoughagency.com/

Register for the Medallia CX Day webinar: Building Loyalty: How Top Brands Create Forever Customers with CX - https://bit.ly/3M7dkQM

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

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#572: Online marketplace advertising with Regina Ye, Topsort

Fri, 06 Sep 2024 04:00:00 GMT

Welcome to today’s episode, we are discussing online marketplace advertising with Regina Ye, Co-Founder & CEO of Topsort. We’ll explore the challenges and strategies for running effective ad campaigns, the shift towards first-party data, and methods for improving ad spend efficiency.

Regina, is a Gen-Z entrepreneur and former small vendor. In college, she founded the beauty ecommerce brand, Zirui, and spent many tireless nights trying to understand Facebook and Amazon Ads. Today, her sights are set on demystifying the advertising industry for all.

RESOURCES

Register for the Medallia CX Day webinar: Building Loyalty: How Top Brands Create Forever Customers with CX - https://bit.ly/3M7dkQM

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#571: Unlock Expert Mode: Getting to a B2B E-commerce Strategy with The Office of Experience and Znode

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 04:00:00 GMT

B2B e-commerce offers great opportunities to manufacturers and distributors, but creating an industry-specific strategy, and finding the right partners and platforms to implement it can make all the difference.

About Carlos Manalo

Carlos is co-founder & co-CEO of OX. He leads his team with nearly 20 years of grit and seasoning in the interactive and integrated multichannel space. As a customer-centered experience strategist by training, Carlos believes that enhanced customer satisfaction and loyalty is achieved through clarifying strategic intent and uncovering opportunities in the user journey. By merging the benefits of analysis and interaction, he creates experiences that drive alignment, progress and evolution. His focus on performance-driven engagements has allowed Carlos to be a true 360-degree partner, building user-centered experiences for some of the world’s leading brands.

About Tom Flierl

Tom is the Chief Commercial Officer at Amla Commerce, creator of ecommerce software products Artifi and Znode. Tom leads the sales, marketing, channel management, and account management teams and managing analyst relations. He leverages over 20 years of business experience in branding, marketing, digital commerce, and technology to assist customers through their digital journey. Tom is frequently featured as a speaker and thought leader on digital commerce.

About Wil Goodman

Wil is an Account Executive at Amla Commerce, creator of the ecommerce software products Artifi and Znode. Wil works with manufacturers, distributors, and retailers daily to understand how their unique business needs shape their ecommerce strategies. Growing up in a family with deep roots in distribution—his father owns a building trades and materials business—Wil developed an early understanding of the industry. Before joining Amla Commerce, Wil spent six years working for a nationwide medical distributor. Leveraging his background and software expertise, Wil helps prospective customers craft the optimal ecommerce experience using Znode.

RESOURCES

The Office of Experience website:

https://www.officeofexperience.com

Znode website:

https://www.znode.com

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#570: Unleashing the Power of Composable Customer Data Platforms with Kyle Martinowich, GrowthLoop

Mon, 02 Sep 2024 04:00:00 GMT

You’ve likely heard us talk about composable approaches a bit on this show. Today, we’re going to explore what it looks like to take a composable approach with a customer data platform with Kyle Martinowich, Senior Partnership Lead at GrowthLoop. He’s going to share insights on the power of composable Customer Data Platforms and how they are reshaping businesses' approach to data segmentation and customer relationship management.

RESOURCES

Growthloop website:

https://www.growthloop.com

Register for the Medallia CX Day webinar: Building Loyalty: How Top Brands Create Forever Customers with CX - https://bit.ly/3M7dkQM

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

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#569: Building a brand that customers can't get enough of with Jon Davids

Fri, 30 Aug 2024 04:00:00 GMT

Welcome to today’s episode where we explore the magic of branding with Jon Davids, author of "Marketing Superpowers: Build a brand so good that getting customers feels like magic" and branding expert. Jon’s book promises methods to transform marketing into a natural by-product of a beloved brand. We’ll dive into his strategies and frameworks that turn attention into sales and strangers into fans.

Jon Davids is the Founder & CEO of Influicity, helping brands grow through the secrets of community marketing.

RESOURCES

Get a copy of Jon David's book, Marketing Superpowers: Build a Brand So Good That Getting Customers Feels Like Magic: https://jondavids.com/marketing-superpowers-book/

Influicity website: https://www.influicity.com

Register for the Medallia CX Day webinar: Building Loyalty: How Top Brands Create Forever Customers with CX - https://bit.ly/3M7dkQM

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#568: Digital signage and brand strategy with Misty Chalk, BrightSign

Wed, 28 Aug 2024 04:00:00 GMT

Welcome to today’s episode, where we’re diving into the dynamic world of digital signage with Misty Chalk, Vice President of Sales, Americas at BrightSign. We’ll explore how digital signage is transforming brand strategies and customer experiences across various industries.

RESOURCES

Register for the Medallia CX Day webinar: Building Loyalty: How Top Brands Create Forever Customers with CX - https://bit.ly/3M7dkQM

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#567: Engaging e-commerce customers with Daniela Jurado, VTEX

Mon, 26 Aug 2024 16:22:00 GMT

Welcome to today’s episode where we're going to look at the strategies behind enhancing customer e-commerce engagement while streamlining business operations with Dani Jurado, Executive Vice President of North America at VTEX, a digital commerce platform.

About Dani Jurado

Daniela Jurado is currently VTEX’s Executive Vice President of North America. Throughout her digital career at VTEX, she has worked directly with brands such as Adidas, Whirlpool, Miriade, OBI, and others, accumulating experience in different verticals such as fashion, DIY, electronics, home appliances, etc, and in three different regions: Latin America, EMEA where performed as the GM for 3 years, and North America. Daniela has a specialization in Business Management and Internationalization from the FIA Business School in Brazil, mentors other women who seek insertion in the technology area through the Women in Tech program, and is also a guest lecturer for MBA formation programs for some top-level US universities, such as Northeastern University and the University of Louisville.

RESOURCES

VTEX website: https://vtex.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss the Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit, the region's largest marketing communications conference. Register with the code "Agile" and get 15% off.

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#566: The future of financial services CX with Chris O'Brien, M&T Bank

Fri, 23 Aug 2024 04:00:00 GMT

Welcome to today's episode where we're diving into the future of financial services marketing with Chris O'Brien, SVP, Senior Product Owner at M&T Bank. We’ll explore the strategic use of first-party data, the integration of omnichannel customer experiences, and the modernization of marketing technology.

About Chris O'Brien

As SVP, Senior Product Owner at M&T Bank, Chris is responsible for driving growth by enabling go-to-market strategies through the application of MarTech, AdTech, and digital data strategy. Chris is focused on using a data-driven, audience-based, journey-led approach to build the underlying architecture to enable diverse enterprise use cases and elevate CX.

RESOURCES

M&T Bank website: https://www.mtb.com

ActionIQ website: https://www.actioniq.com

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss the Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit, the region's largest marketing communications conference. Register with the code "Agile" and get 15% off.

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#565: Why journey management matters, with Eytan Hattem, Cemantica

Wed, 21 Aug 2024 04:00:00 GMT

Journey mapping, management, and orchestration. They’re all just different names for the same thing, right? Well not quite. Even though they are all aimed at creating a more valuable customer experience, they all play unique roles.

Today we’re exploring customer journey management with Eytan Hattem, CEO and Co-Founder of Cemantica. We'll delve into how understanding and managing customer journeys can transform business strategies and customer experiences.

About Eytan Hattem

Customer experience has always been at the heart of Eytan’s career and his passions; from his proven track record in international Customer Engagement projects through to his work as a business consultant supporting clients in their digital transformation journey.

As a CCXP certified professional, Eytan consults global businesses across multiple sectors to help them understand and transform their customer journeys through best practices and innovative technologies.

A true evangelist and thought leader, Eytan speaks and writes regularly within CX industry media with authority and passion plus mentors fellow CX professionals to spread the power of customer experience!

RESOURCES

Cemantica website: https://www.cemantica.com

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#564: The cookiepocalypse that didn't happen with Jaysen Gillespie, RTB House

Mon, 19 Aug 2024 04:00:00 GMT

We are here at eTail Boston and hearing about all things e-commerce and retail.

Today we’re going to talk about the cookiepocalypse that never happened, and what Google’s decision not to deprecate third-party cookies means for all those marketers preparing their first-party data strategies, as well as all those consumers out there that still like their privacy..

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Jaysen Gillespie, Head of Analytics and Data Science at RTB House.

RESOURCES

RTB House website: https://www.rtbhouse.com

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#563: Harnessing technology for good with Larry Weber, Racepoint Global

Fri, 16 Aug 2024 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about using technology for good in a new age of reason, driven by data, artificial intelligence, and people utilizing these tools for the right reasons.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Larry Weber, Founder & Chairman of Racepoint Global and author of the new book A New Age of Reason: Harnessing the Power of Tech for Good.

About Larry Weber

Larry is a globally-renowned expert on public relations and marketing services. As a founder of several successful integrated marketing agencies, he has cultivated over 40 years of experience. Recognized as a thought leader on the convergence of technology, the web, and communications, he has helped both international and emerging companies become powerhouse brands. Larry's extensive experience in the tech field has allowed him to be at the forefront of technological innovation across several other industries. He founded Racepoint Global in 2003.

Resources

Learn more about Larry's book: A New Age of Reason: Harnessing the Power of Tech for Good: https://www.racepointglobal.com/a-new-age-of-reason/

Racepoint Global website: https://www.racepointglobal.com

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss the Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit, the region's largest marketing communications conference. Register with the code "Agile" and get 15% off.

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#562: Empowering the Next Generation of Women in Technology with Cerys Goodall, Vetster

Wed, 14 Aug 2024 04:00:00 GMT

Welcome to today’s episode where we delve into leadership and empowerment in the tech industry with Cerys Goodall, Chief Operations Officer at Vetster, the world's fastest-growing pet telehealth platform. We'll discuss her strategies for fostering female leadership and building resilient, scalable operations.

Cerys Goodall, Chief Operating Officer at Vetster, leverages over two decades of experience driving innovation and transforming pet care globally. As COO of the world's fastest-growing pet telehealth platform, her goal is to create best practices and programs that effectively develop a brand, increase awareness, and achieve market leadership on a global stage. She enhances both employee and customer experiences, connecting millions of pets and owners with expert veterinary care through Vetster's top-rated marketplace. Cerys creates integrated programs for marketing, communications, public relations, client service, business development, and product development teams, ensuring Vetster's continued growth and success.

RESOURCES

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Listen to The Agile Brand without the ads. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3ymf7hd

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#561: The speed of customer data (and why it matters) with Justin DeBrabant, Chief Product Officer, ActionIQ

Mon, 12 Aug 2024 04:00:00 GMT

The speed at which your customer data moves is critical to your success in shaping the customer experience, and the interoperability between your CDP and your other critical martech systems can make the difference between a good and great experience. Today, we’re diving deep into the fast-evolving world of first-party data and customer data platforms with Justin DeBrabant, Chief Product Officer at ActionIQ.

Justin is Chief Product Officer at ActionIQ. He spent his formative years building large distributed systems to support data science and analytics and holds a Ph.D. in Databases from Brown University where he researched the forefront of modern data systems. For the last 10+ years, he has been passionate about building data-driven products that help realize the value of customer data by delivering truly customer-centric experiences.

RESOURCES

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss the Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit, the region's largest marketing communications conference. Register with the code "Agile" and get 15% off.

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#560: Driving business value with data with Steve Fiore, Teradata

Fri, 09 Aug 2024 04:00:00 GMT

When data plays a vital role in the enterprise, effectively using analytics to drive business value is crucial. Today, we're joined by Steve Fiore, Senior Director of Customer Experience at Teradata, who will share insights into how analytics and AI are shaping enterprise strategies and personal productivity.

RESOURCES

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss the Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit, the region's largest marketing communications conference. Register with the code "Agile" and get 15% off.

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#559: The shift from service to sales with Josh Feast, Cogito

Wed, 07 Aug 2024 04:00:00 GMT

Today, we're excited to delve into the evolving landscape of customer service and sales with Josh Feast, CEO and Co-Founder of Cogito. We’ll explore how AI is reshaping the roles of customer service agents and enhancing business strategies.

RESOURCES

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss the Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit, the region's largest marketing communications conference. Register with the code "Agile" and get 15% off.

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#558: When SMS delivers real results with John Wright, TrueDialog

Mon, 05 Aug 2024 04:00:00 GMT

With a 98% open rate—that’s right, 98%—SMS marketing can be incredibly effective, but deliverability is key, and AI can help here.

Today we’re going to explore the transformative role of AI in SMS marketing strategies. Joining us is John Wright, CEO of TrueDialog, to discuss how AI-driven tools are enhancing SMS deliverability and overall marketing effectiveness.

About John Wright

John has served as CEO of TrueDialog Inc. since 2014. Prior to his role at TrueDialog, John held senior leadership positions with Flonetwork, (acquired by DoubleClick) and DoubleClick (acquired by Google), Fortiva (acquired by Proofpoint), and Digital Impact (acquired by Acxiom).

John is considered a subject matter expert in online and offline data, database marketing, and marketing automation and high growth management, having spent much of his career connecting online and offline audiences with retailers through ad-tech, eCommerce, and CRM platforms.

RESOURCES

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss the Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit, the region's largest marketing communications conference. Register with the code "Agile" and get 15% off.

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#557: AI and First-Party Data in Print with Stefanie Cortes, RRD

Fri, 02 Aug 2024 04:00:00 GMT

In a world seemingly dominated by digital media—at least according to digital media practitioners— print marketing continues to carve out a significant and evolving role, particularly in how it integrates with digital strategies to create compelling customer experiences. Today, we're joined by Stefanie Cortes, Director of Strategic Analysis for the Direct Marketing Division at RRD, who will share insights from RRD’s latest Print Impact Report.

Stefanie Cortes is the Director of Strategic Analysis for the Direct Marketing division of RRD where she is responsible for positioning the company’s leading solutions in the one-to-one marketing space. Key to her role is identifying market trends and shifts, and ensuring the company’s service offerings are in sync with evolving client needs. Stefanie draws from 17 years of experience in various areas of marketing strategy and execution.

RESOURCES

RRD Print Impact Report: https://www.rrd.com/resources/research-report/print-impact-report-2024

RRD website: https://www.rrd.com

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss the Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit, the region's largest marketing communications conference. Register with the code "Agile" and get 15% off.

Headed to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycv

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#556: In-play ads and the gaming experience with Shahar Sorek, Overwolf

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 04:00:00 GMT

In the gaming world, capturing the attention of hardcore gamers requires innovative approaches. One such approach that is creating waves is in-play advertising, which integrates ads seamlessly into the gameplay experience. Today, we're joined by Shahar Sorek, CMO of Overwolf, who will share insights into why PC games are becoming a goldmine for brands and how Overwolf is leading this shift.

RESOURCES

Connect with Greg Kihlström on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Headed to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycv

Don't miss the Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit, the region's largest marketing communications conference. Register with the code "Agile" and get 15% off.

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#555: Optimizing customer retention with Baird Hall, Churnkey

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 04:00:00 GMT

As companies continue to navigate the challenges of customer churn and retention, understanding the balance between customer experience and business growth becomes crucial. Joining us today to explore these dynamics is Baird Hall, CRO of Churnkey, a company dedicated to optimizing customer retention strategies.

Baird Hall

CO-FOUNDER AT CHURNKEY

Baird’s passion is in starting and scaling SaaS companies. He loves the creative side of entrepreneurship and tackling problems that don’t come with existing roadmaps.

As the CRO at Churnkey, he spends his time working with subscription business owners and operators to reduce churn and improve the health of their business.

RESOURCES

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss the Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit, the region's largest marketing communications conference. Register with the code "Agile" and get 15% off.

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#554: What marketing leaders need to know about AI with Cathy McPhillips, Marketing AI Institute

Fri, 26 Jul 2024 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about keeping up with AI in marketing, what leaders and companies should be doing to stay ahead, and the future role of AI in marketing teams.

To help me discuss these topics, I’d like to welcome Cathy McPhillips, Chief Growth Officer, Marketing AI Institute which, among other things, produces the annual MAICON event, which this year will be taking place in Cleveland Ohio on September 10-12.

RESOURCES

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Listen to The Agile Brand without the ads. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3ymf7hd

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#553: Automating and Optimizing E-Commerce Operations with Jorrit Steinz, ChannelEngine

Wed, 24 Jul 2024 04:00:00 GMT

When consumers can get what they want, whenever, however, and wherever they want, simplifying and optimizing e-commerce operations is key to success. Joining us today is Jorrit Steinz, Founder & CEO of ChannelEngine, who has built a platform that helps retailers manage their online sales channels more effectively.

About Jorrit Steinz

Active Tech Entrepreneur and angel investor with more than 20 years of experience and expertise in B2B and B2C e-commerce, marketplaces, SaaS, and international platform strategies. Currently, Founder and CEO of the fast-growing marketplace integration platform ChannelEngine.com

RESOURCES

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss the Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit, the region's largest marketing communications conference. Register with the code "Agile" and get 15% off.

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

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#552: Fulfillment, logistics, and the e-commerce experience with Jon Schecter, Autostore

Mon, 22 Jul 2024 04:01:00 GMT

In the fast-paced world of e-commerce, efficiency in fulfillment and logistics is more crucial than ever. Today, we're joined by Jon Schechter, VP of Business Development North America, to discuss how their innovative solutions are revolutionizing the industry.

ABOUT JON SCHECHTER

Jon Schechter, VP of Fulfillment Solutions at AutoStore, is a seasoned expert in warehouse robotics with over 15 years of experience. Formerly with companies like Amazon and RightHand Robotics, Jon has been instrumental in designing and implementing advanced robotic systems for fulfillment centers since 2008. With a Bachelor's in Engineering from MIT and an MBA from Harvard Business School, Jon leads AutoStore's efforts in North America, partnering with clients to optimize their fulfillment operations using innovative technology solutions.

RESOURCES

Autostore website: https://www.autostoresystem.com

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Headed to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycv

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#551: Maximizing holiday sales with Zarina Stanford, Bazaarvoice

Fri, 19 Jul 2024 04:01:00 GMT

The holiday shopping season might seem like it’s months away, but if you listen to consumers, it’s closer than you think. Today we’re going to talk about consumer shopping behavior with some recent research done by Bazaarvoice, and dive into what brands need to know to stay relevant and maximize sales this holiday season.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Zarina Stanford, CMO at Bazaarvoice.

ABOUT ZARINA STANFORD

As CMO of Bazaarvoice, Zarina Lam Stanford leads with a customer-centric, insights-driven, and outcome-based approach to all aspects she touches - from research, brand, communications, product marketing, to sales, demand generation, partner/alliance and field marketing. A recognized growth catalyst, Zarina is passionate about design thinking, the art and science of being relevant, agile leadership, inclusion, and having fun.

Before joining Bazaarvoice, Zarina was CMO at tech giants including IBM, SAP, and Rackspace Technology as well as PE portfolio firm Syniti where she led a total brand transformation. A champion for diversity and inclusion and a global citizen, Zarina has in-depth hands-on experience in Global, North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific & Japan, and emerging markets. Zarina also serves on the Board of Fortytwo.vc, a global, cross-border fund focused VC firm, and BeyonDiversity Foundation, a non-profit on women empowerment.

Recognized for her visionary strategies and transformative contributions shaping the future of marketing in the technology sector, Zarina was recently named among HotTopics’ Top 100 Global B2B CMOs. Other industry recognitions for Zarina include Diversity Journal’s Woman Worth Watching in STEM, Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business by the Asian American Business Development Center (AABDC) and Corporate Achiever Award by the Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA).

Zarina is a Marketing Academy CMO Fellow, a Southern Methodist University MBA, and a graduate of the Asian Advanced Leadership Program at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business. She also holds a BA in Journalism from the University of North Texas. She is currently authoring a self-leadership book, #DareToGrow.

Born and raised in Hong Kong, the Austin-based Zarina is a nature lover, an ikebana apprentice, a published writer, an aspiring sailor, and a Mini Cooper and a Tesla fan. She describes herself as a proud daughter, sister, a mom, and a remodeling fanatic.

RESOURCES

Bazaarvoice website: https://www.bazaarvoice.com

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Headed to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycv

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#550: The science of CX with Martha Brooke

Wed, 17 Jul 2024 04:00:00 GMT

While we talk about customer experience a lot on this show, today’s focus is going to be a little different than some of our past conversations. Today we’re going to talk about adding science to customer experience programs, and, more specifically the science of CX surveys.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Martha Brooke, Chief Customer Experience Analyst at Interaction Metrics.

RESOURCES

Interaction Metrics website: https://interactionmetrics.com/

Connect with Greg Kihlström on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Headed to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycv

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#549: Winning at Conversational Commerce with Stefanos Loukakos, Connectly

Mon, 15 Jul 2024 04:01:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about trends in conversational commerce and why retailers need to rethink the customer experience when it comes to messaging apps.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Stefanos Loukakos, Co-Founder and CEO of Connectly, who was previously Facebook’s Head of Messenger Business.

RESOURCES

Connectly website: https://www.connectly.ai/

Connect with Greg Kihlström on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Headed to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycv

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#548: Staying customer-focused amidst expansion with Alice Eweida, Pandia Health

Fri, 12 Jul 2024 04:01:00 GMT

In today’s competitive healthcare landscape, expanding into new markets and maintaining a focus on customer-centricity are critical for sustained growth. Joining us to discuss these challenges and opportunities is Alice Eweida, CEO of Pandia Health. Alice brings extensive experience in navigating both direct-to-consumer and business-to-business models in the healthcare sector.

Alice Eweida is the CEO of Pandia Health (which includes Pandia Medical Group and Pandia Pharmacy) with over 20 years of experience. She took the reins during its seed stage and joined at a time of significant growth as the organization expanded into multiple service categories, adding menopause and developing AI that guides doctors to personalize prescribing medication to best serve the individual patient’s needs.

Prior to Pandia Health, Alice led growth and brand marketing at several Series B digital health startups leveraging telemedicine for wellness, nutrition, diabetes and substance use care. Notably, she grew Boulder Care to approximately 5,000 patients and took DayTwo through a rebrand and expanded their care program from providers to mid-sized employers and national and regional payers. At Foodsmart (formerly Zipongo), she established their B2B2C enrollment and engagement programs, growing its user base to 950,000 through an employee benefits program with Fortune 500 companies, including Disney, Google, IBM and United Healthcare.

Alice spent four years at Google where her team launched Google Home, the first device with a voice-activated assistant built in, and was responsible for the integration with YouTube Red. Additionally, she spent time in their sales department to help grow advertising investments for global brands in the beauty and media sectors across Google Search, Google Display, YouTube and Google’s Marketing Platform.

Earlier in her career, Alice led product marketing at Sky TV, now a division of Comcast, for Sky Go on mobiles, tablets and games consoles. Prior to that, she was part of Vodafone’s Marketing Graduate Program. Alice holds an MA from the Oxford College of Marketing and a BA in English Language and Media Studies from the University of Birmingham in England.

RESOURCES

Pandia Health website: https://www.pandiahealth.com/

Connect with Greg Kihlström on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Listen to The Agile Brand without the ads. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3ymf7hd

Headed to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycv

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#547: Aligning brand with business strategy with Lori Poer and Nigel Dennis

Wed, 10 Jul 2024 19:43:00 GMT

Welcome to a special episode of the show, brought to you by The Office of Experience, a design-driven, digital-first, vertically integrated and collaborative agency that believes in the power of ideas and the strength of people.

In today’s episode, we explore the fascinating intersection of branding and business strategy through the lens of a recent project between Blackbaud and The Office of Experience. We are joined by Lori Poer, Vice President, Global Brand and Corporate Marketing at Blackbaud, and Nigel Dennis, Group Creative Director at The Office of Experience.

RESOURCES

Blackbaud website: https://www.blackbaud.com

The Office of Experience website: https://www.officeofexperience.com

Connect with Greg Kihlström on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Headed to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycv

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#546: The Great Hesitation with Sue Keith, Landrum Talent Solutions

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 04:00:00 GMT

In this special episode, brought to you by Landrum Talent Solutions, , formerly Ceres Talent, a national recruiting firm specializing in marketing and HR positions, we’re going to talk about a few things.

Remember the Great Resignation. Well now, it’s more like the Great Hesitation, with many managers being reluctant to hire based on a number of factors. Also, in today's labor market, we observe a striking contrast between different sectors, presenting unique challenges and strategies. Joining us to shed light on these dynamics is Sue Keith, Corporate Vice President at Landrum Talent Solutions.

RESOURCES

Landrum Talent Solutions website: https://landrumtalentsolutions.com/

Connect with Greg Kihlström on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

The B2B Agility podcast website: https://www.b2bagility.com

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/b2b-agility/

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

B2B Agility with Greg Kihlström is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#545: What it means to be customer-obsessed with Jill Pavlovich, Albertsons

Fri, 05 Jul 2024 04:00:00 GMT

We are here in Nashville at Forrester CX Summit North America, and we’ve been hearing a lot about what it takes to create and sustain a great customer experience.

And while there’s good customer experience, there are things that set aside the brands that say they prioritize their customers, and there are those that are customer-obsessed.

Today we’re going to talk about what it means to be customer-obsessed, and how to create great omnichannel customer experiences in retail.

To help me discuss this topic is someone who knows all about being customer-obsessed, I’d like to welcome Jill Pavlovich, Senior Vice-President of Digital Shopping Experiences at Albertsons Companies, and recipient of the Customer-Obsessed Leadership Award at this year’s Forrester CX Summit.

RESOURCES

Forrester website: https://www.forrester.com

Access Forrester's Generative AI Essential for CX Leaders

Press Release: Forrester's 2024 US Customer Experience Index: Brands' CX Quality Is At An All-Time Low

Connect with Greg Kihlström on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Headed to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycv

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#544: Looking to veterans for the next wave of cybersecurity experts with Nakisha Dixon, Vercara

Wed, 03 Jul 2024 04:00:00 GMT

In 2023, the global cybersecurity workforce grew 8.7%, reaching a record high of 5.5 million people, according to the 2023 ISC2 Global Workforce Study. However, the industry is still grappling with a substantial deficit of 4 million professionals to properly safeguard the world’s emerging digital threats.

As the global cybersecurity workforce continues to expand, the industry faces significant challenges in meeting the demand for skilled professionals. Today, we're discussing an innovative solution to this talent shortage—leveraging the unique skills and qualities of veterans. Joining us is Nakisha Dixon, Vice President of Human Resources at Vercara, who has keen insights into the adaptability and potential of veterans in the cybersecurity field.

RESOURCES

Connect with Greg Kihlström on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Headed to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycv

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#543: Better Together: CX + Digital + Marketing with AJ Joplin, Forrester

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 04:00:00 GMT

Today, from the Forrester CX Summit North America in Nashville, we are thrilled to have AJ Joplin, Senior Analyst at Forrester, with us to discuss the crucial alignment of customer experience, digital experience, and marketing.

About AJ Joplin

AJ is the lead analyst for Forrester’s research on experience design (XD), design organizations, and design leadership. Helping XD and customer experience (CX) leaders develop and deliver on research-based strategy is AJ’s professional passion. She has observed that the most effective organizations combine clear purpose with the right people and leverage systems to clarify decision-making, prioritization, and workflows. AJ also has years of workshop facilitation experience in human-centered design and design thinking. Using her professional coaching skills, AJ bring clients through ambiguity and into alignment on what matters and what’s next.

Previous Work Experience

Prior to joining Forrester, AJ worked at USAA and IBM, scaling the design practice that organizations must develop in order to deliver amazing CX. As a result, AJ acquired great insight into best practices for how to align organizations to deliver customer-driven value.

Education

AJ holds a BS in business administration from Dallas Christian College and an MBA in product and marketing management from the University of Denver.

RESOURCES

Forrester website: https://www.forrester.com

Access Forrester's Generative AI Essential for CX Leaders

Press Release: Forrester's 2024 US Customer Experience Index: Brands' CX Quality Is At An All-Time Low

Headed to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycv

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#542: Forging Boundless Experiences with Humans + AI with JP Gownder, Forrester

Fri, 28 Jun 2024 04:00:00 GMT

The adoption of AI into customer experiences, and marketing efforts is happening—rapidly. But it’s not enough to just slap AI onto an existing interaction. Success lies in how humans plus AI work together to create what my guest today calls boundless experiences.

Today, from the Forrester CX Summit North America, we are thrilled to have JP Gownder, Vice President and Principal Analyst at Forrester Research, with us to discuss the crucial alignment of customer experience, digital experience, and marketing.

J. P. Gownder is a vice president and principal analyst on Forrester’s Future of Work team. He covers the impacts that technology and human factors jointly have on the future of work. He helps clients design strategies that drive productivity, collaboration, and effective hybrid work. His research also covers how technologies like devices, collaboration software, extended reality and the metaverse, and artificial intelligence and automation reshape the future of how and where we work, what our jobs look like, and how we can drive productivity, collaboration, and the employee experience.

Previous Work Experience

A prolific writer and speaker, J. P. has written articles for publications such as Mashable, Information Week, ComputerWorld, Forbes, The Los Angeles Times, and The Washington Post. He has also been quoted in The Financial Times, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, USA Today, Wired, and many other publications, and he has appeared on NBC television, Bloomberg television, Voice of America, National Public Radio, and other media outlets.

Education

J. P. graduated from Harvard University with a BA (magna cum laude) and an MA in political science. He also conducted research at the Harvard Business School.

RESOURCES

Forrester website: https://www.forrester.com

Access Forrester's Generative AI Essential for CX Leaders

Press Release: Forrester's 2024 US Customer Experience Index: Brands' CX Quality Is At An All-Time Low

Headed to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycv

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#541 AI adoption is driving enterprise transformation, with Peter van der Putten, Pega

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 04:00:00 GMT

We are here at PegaWorld iNspire at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada we’ve been seeing some amazing things, including how AI can transform the enterprise and I’ve had the opportunity to be hands-on at the Innovation Hub.

A study unveiled today at PegaWorld, conducted by research firm Savanta, surveyed more than 500 business decision makers across enterprises worldwide on their understanding and use of AI, as well as the challenges and opportunities they see in successfully implementing the technology.

Joining us today is Peter van der Putten, Director AI Lab at Pega, to discuss the meaningful AI in the enterprise and this recently-announced research on the rise of creative and analytical AI within global businesses.

RESOURCES

Pega website: https://www.pega.com

Headed to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycv

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#540: Real-world transformation with Rick Meehean, Church Mutual

Mon, 24 Jun 2024 04:00:00 GMT

We are here at PegaWorld iNspire at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada we’ve been seeing some amazing things, including how AI can transform the enterprise, and been hands on at the Innovation Hub.

Church Mutual recently partnered with P3Fusion and Pega to build a unified CRM and Underwriting solution that transformed their enterprise operations with a streamlined approach that significantly reduced implementation time and cost. Today we’re going to talk about this and see what it takes to successfully deliver incremental value, reusability, and automation in the enterprise.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Rick Meehean, Director of Workflow Management, Church Mutual Insurance Company.

RESOURCES

Listen to The Agile Brand without the ads. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3ymf7hd

Headed to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycv

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#539: Maximizing first-party data using AI with Tara DeZao, Pega

Fri, 21 Jun 2024 04:00:00 GMT

We are here at PegaWorld iNspire 2024 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas seeing some amazing things, including how AI can transform the enterprise and been hands-on at the Innovation Hub.

As the marketing world braces for the impact of the sunsetting of third-party cookies, innovative strategies are stepping up to redefine how businesses engage with customers. Joining us today to talk about this as well as the impact of Generative AI on enterprise marketing is Tara DeZao, Product Marketing Director, AdTech and MarTech at Pega, to explore these developments.

RESOURCES

Pega website: https://www.pega.com

Listen to The Agile Brand without the ads. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3ymf7hd

Headed to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycv

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#538: Open source in the enterprise with Jon Stewart, ZenSource

Wed, 19 Jun 2024 04:00:00 GMT

As industries continue to evolve, the debate intensifies around the use of proprietary versus open-source solutions, especially within highly regulated sectors.

Joining us today to discuss this is Jon Stewart, President of ZenSource.

Jon Stewart is the president and co-founder of ZenSource, an enterprise-grade open-source platform offering a Drupal-based CMS & secure cloud hosting platform. With roots in leading technical architecture and full-stack web development, his focus is designing and implementing customer experience platform solutions and driving the vision of ZenSource.

Jon strives to deliver the highest performing and easiest-to-use web experiences with the ZenSource platform through the creation of tools that enable clients to scale their digital ecosystems while staying true to their strategic vision. Jon is an innovative leader when it comes to providing MarTech solutions in highly regulated industries such as education, health, manufacturing, and financial services. Connect with him on LinkedIn.

RESOURCES

ZenSource website: https://zensource.cloud/

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Headed to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycv

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#537: Accelerating the enterprise with AI with Kerim Akgonul, Chief Product Officer, Pega

Mon, 17 Jun 2024 04:00:00 GMT

We are here at PegaWorld iNspire at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada we’ve been seeing some amazing things, including how AI can transform the enterprise, and have been hands-on at the Innovation Hub.

Today, we’re joined by Kerim Akgonul, Chief Product Officer at Pega, to discuss the transformative role of generative AI in business processes and the exciting developments around Pega GenAI Blueprint™.

ABOUT KERIM AKGONUL

Kerim is responsible for delivering Pega’s full suite of products built on the Pega Infinity™ Platform. Kerim leads the company’s 1,000 plus team of engineers, product managers, designers, and architects, building best-in-class solutions across 1:1 customer engagement, customer service, and intelligent automation.

Kerim is focused on leveraging the latest technologies and development approaches such as low-code, AI, robotics, and cloud to support business users. He is an advocate for building software that makes the underlying technology transparent and serves the needs of the business. This focus on business impact has contributed significantly to the company being recognized as a leader in the major product and technology categories important to clients including low-code, customer relationship management (CRM), case management, intelligent automation, real-time analytics, and business process management (BPM).

Kerim began his career at Pega developing applications for customers in financial services and insurance, and he put his customer-centric perspective to work in establishing the company’s product management function. Early in the company’s history, Kerim recognized the power of connecting back-end operations to front-end, customer-facing applications. He continues to focus the product team on developing applications that allow business visionaries to innovate how their organizations interact with customers and help employees get work done more effectively.

Kerim holds a BS in Mathematics and Computer Science from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

RESOURCES

Pega website: https://www.pega.com

Listen to The Agile Brand without the ads. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3ymf7hd

Headed to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycv

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#536: Incremental data-driven transformation in the enterprise with Tommi Marsans, Verizon Business

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 04:00:00 GMT

We are here at PegaWorld iNspire at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada we’ve been seeing some amazing things, including how AI can transform the enterprise and we’ve been hands-on at the Innovation Hub.

Digital transformation is often seen as an overwhelming challenge, and stats certainly confirm this. Understanding how to implement change gradually can be key. Returning to the show today is Tommi Marsans, Associate Director of Marketing Technology Strategy at Verizon Business, who will share insights into making big changes one step at a time within a large enterprise setting.

ABOUT TOMMI MARSANS

Tommi has over three decades of marketing technology experience, with a focus on enabling marketing through alignment of technology and strategy.

She is highly skilled in effectively collaborating across the organization to drive transformation and innovation by leveraging marketing technology to drive marketing and sales business strategies.

She is currently the lead for Pega decisioning for Verizon Business Group and has developed a dynamic customer responsive solution called Compass for customer retention and My Solutions for customer growth across digital, sales, and retail channels. She has won several awards for innovative uses of technology including Best in Class and B2B Customer Loyalty awards from The Loyalty 360 group, a SAMMY for User Experience Optimization in 2022 and 2023, and finally the PegaWorld iNspire Impact award. In addition, she has been asked to speak several times to the marketing industry on subjects as diverse as leveraging Big Data to ethical use of AI &ML.

Previously Tommi has held executive roles as a VP of Marketing at a regional marketing company and Executive Director of Marketing Operations at Sallie Mae.

She is also founder of the Force Multiplier Foundation, a charity dedicated to bringing help to those in need. Recently Tommi was selected to be a Crew Captain for the Pre-Leader Academy at Verizon to develop emerging leaders across the organization.

She is also an avid fan of Sci-Fi (Marvel and Star Wars primarily) and has a vast collection of movie memorabilia.

RESOURCES

Verizon Business website: https://www.verizon.com/business/

Pega website: https://www.pega.com

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#535: The Continued Evolution of E-commerce with Mark Simon, Celigo

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 04:00:00 GMT

In an era where consumer behavior is rapidly evolving, understanding the shifts in online shopping habits is crucial for any business involved in e-commerce. Today, we're joined by Mark Simon, Vice President of Strategy at Celigo, who will share insights from a recent global consumer survey that sheds light on the future of online shopping in 2024 and beyond, amidst ongoing economic and political changes.

RESOURCES

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Headed to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycv

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Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

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#534: Employee Financial Wellness as Competitive Advantage with Nico Simko, Clair

Mon, 10 Jun 2024 04:00:00 GMT

In today's work environment, financial wellness benefits are increasingly recognized for their role in enhancing employee satisfaction, retention, and productivity. Also, as we delve deeper into the modern workforce's expectations, particularly among younger generations, it's clear that innovative solutions like on-demand pay are not just perks but essential components of a competitive employee benefits package.

To explore these developments and their implications for both employers and employees, I’d like to welcome Nico Simko, Founder & CEO of Clair, with us today.

Resources

Listen to The Agile Brand without the ads. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3ymf7hd

Headed to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycv

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

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#533: Real-World Application of AI in Marketing and CX with Kathryn Murphy, Twilio

Fri, 07 Jun 2024 04:00:00 GMT

As businesses increasingly integrate AI into their marketing and customer experience strategies, understanding the real-world applications and implications becomes essential.

Joining us today to share insights on these topics is Kathryn Murphy, SVP Product Communications at Twilio, who recently released their State of Customer Engagement Report with a lot of information reinforcing the need for businesses to have a strong foundation of data to drive ROI from their AI investments.

Resources

Twilio's 2024 State of Customer Engagement report: https://bit.ly/3UEKxqs

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Headed to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycv

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Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

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#532: Staying ahead in e-commerce, with Laura Ritchey, CEO, Radial

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 04:00:00 GMT

As the retail landscape continues to evolve at a rapid pace, staying ahead of the curve requires keen insights into technological advancements and emerging trends. Today, we're fortunate to have Laura Ritchey, CEO of Radial, to share her valuable perspectives on what retailers are changing in 2024 to remain competitive, from AI and omnichannel trends to the latest in e-commerce fulfillment.

Resources

Listen to The Agile Brand without the ads. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3ymf7hd

Headed to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycv

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

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#531: Customer engagement and loyalty in travel with Jeff Zotara, arrivia

Mon, 03 Jun 2024 04:00:00 GMT

Today, we’re diving into some crucial aspects of customer engagement and loyalty programs in the travel industry. We'll explore how leading brands are bridging consumer preferences with their brand offerings, enhancing customer lifetime value in today's market, and effectively communicating the value of their loyalty programs to customers.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Jeff Zotara, Chief Marketing Officer at arrivia.

Resources

Headed to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycv

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

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#530: Creating valuable CX using Gen AI with Eli Finkelshteyn, Constructor

Fri, 31 May 2024 04:00:00 GMT

In an era where customer expectations are continually evolving, the intelligent use of technology and data can significantly enhance the user experience. Today, we're joined by Eli Finkelshteyn, CEO of Constructor, who will share insights on creating value-driven customer experiences with generative AI, harnessing data effectively, and why mere relevance isn’t enough in product search.

Resources

Constructor website: https://constructor.io/

Headed to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycv

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

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#529: Better software testing for improved CX with Stephen Feloney, Perforce

Wed, 29 May 2024 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the impact of software testing on the customer experience, and how rising customer expectations mean that brands need to up their testing game, using more agile methods, and AI-based solutions.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Stephen Feloney, VP of Products - Continuous Testing at Perforce.

Resources

Perforce website: https://www.perforce.com

Headed to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycv

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

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#528: The role of design in shaping the customer experience with Kaaren Hanson, Chief Design Officer at Chase

Mon, 27 May 2024 04:00:00 GMT

We are living in an era where customer experience is paramount, and the role of design in shaping that experience cannot be overstated. Joining us today to explore this concept as well as how an organization operationalizes a seamless end-to-end customer experience, is Kaaren Hanson, Chief Design Officer at Chase.

Resources

Headed to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycv

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

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#527: Optimizing data operations for AI in marketing, with Eric Madariaga, CData

Fri, 24 May 2024 04:00:00 GMT

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a pivotal tool for organizations seeking to enhance their marketing strategies and operational efficiency. Yet, adopting AI effectively presents a set of challenges and opportunities. Today, we're exploring how organizations can optimally set up their data operations for AI, the implications of the maturity gap in AI adoption, and envisioning the future that involves a collaboration of sorts between AI and the human touch in sales and marketing.

To navigate these topics, I’d like to welcome Eric Madariaga, Co-Founder of CData.

Resources

Headed to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycv

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

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#526: Building extraordinary teams with Martin Gonzalez, Google

Wed, 22 May 2024 04:00:00 GMT

We talk a lot on this show about how it takes people, process, data, and platforms working well together to make a successful company.

Today we’re going to talk about the critical principles needed to effectively build an extraordinary team to help achieve your goals, whether you are an enterprise organization or a startup.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Martin Gonzalez, Principle: org, talent, leadership development for AI research, Tech & Society, Core Engineering at Google and Co-author of The Bonfire Moment.

Resources

Headed to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycv

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

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#525: Operationalizing AI in the Enterprise with Peter Roschke, Coherent

Mon, 20 May 2024 04:00:00 GMT

AI is, of course, at the top of every business leader's mind as questions come up about how it will inevitably fit into their tech stack. The issue here is that bringing in disruptive tech like AI where the details aren't 100% ironed out introduces a whole lot of risk when dealing with highly sensitive financial data, health records, etc.

Today we’re going to talk about operationalizing AI in industries where highly sensitive customer data is involved, and how to be successful while balancing those privacy and security requirements.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Peter Roschke, CTO at Coherent.

Resources

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Shortform makes the world’s best ideas more accessible, by creating high-quality book guides and summaries. We’re comprehensive, detailed, and add original insights and analysis. Get a FREE trial and a 20% discount by joining through our special link: https://www.shortform.com/agile

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

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#524: Gary Vaynerchuk on capturing and leveraging consumer attention

Fri, 17 May 2024 04:00:00 GMT

When the battle for consumer attention is fierce and ever-changing, understanding how to effectively capture and leverage this attention is crucial. Today, we're joined by Gary Vaynerchuk, serial entrepreneur, Chairman of VaynerX, CEO of VaynerMedia, and author of the new book— his seventh—called “Day Trading Attention” and we’re going to talk about the evolution of attention in marketing, the power of storytelling, and the future of digital advertising.

Resources

Learn more about Day Trading Attention by Gary Vaynerchuk: https://garyvaynerchuk.com/attention/

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Headed to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycv

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

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#523: The Dojo model and its transformative effect with TEKsystems, Part 2

Wed, 15 May 2024 04:00:00 GMT

In the evolving landscape of today’s professional world, the pressing need for continuous skill development has never been more apparent. In this series we’ll dive into how the Dojo model transforms an organization’s learning culture.

I’m excited to introduce part 2 of a special series on continuous skill development, brought to you by TEKsystems, a global provider of business and technology solutions.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Prakamya Choudhary, from TEKsystems.

Resources

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Headed to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycv

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

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#522: The Dojo model and its transformative effect with TEKsystems, Part 1

Mon, 13 May 2024 04:00:00 GMT

I’m excited to introduce part 1 of a special series on continuous skill development, brought to you by TEKsystems, a global provider of business and technology solutions.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Danny Lopez from TEKsystems.

Resources

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Headed to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycv

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

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#521: Predictive Real-Time Marketing ROI with Guan Wang, Snowflake

Fri, 10 May 2024 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about predictive, real-time marketing ROI - what it is, how to get there, what’s blocking many brands from achieving it, and what it looks like to start realizing this North Star goal.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Guan Wang, Sr. Director, Global Marketing Intelligence at Snowflake.

Resources

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Headed to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycv

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

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#520: Alignment of goals and incentives in the enterprise with Michael Vanderhoof, Charles Schwab

Wed, 08 May 2024 04:00:00 GMT

In the fast-paced business environment we all know too well, setting the right goals and aligning incentives across an organization can be the key to driving successful outcomes, whether during a major transformation or through continuous iterative improvements.

Joining us to explore this topic is Michael Vanderhoof, Director of Product Management at Charles Schwab.

Resources

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Headed to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycv

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

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#519: The innovation gap, with Tanvir Khan, Chief Digital Officer, NTT Data

Mon, 06 May 2024 04:00:00 GMT

There is a gap between organization’s aspirations to innovate and what they are actually achieving. Recent research from global consulting firm NTT Data uncovered that while 96% of execs believe innovation is a primary source of achieving growth over the next two years, only 21% are able to definitively meet their innovation goals.

Today we’re going to talk about narrowing this innovation gap and what organizations can do to meet more of their innovation goals. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Tanvir Khan, Chief Digital Officer and President at NTT Data.

Resources

NTT Data Innovation Index: https://us.nttdata.com/en/insights/innovation-index

NTT Data website: https://nttdata.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

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#518: Gen AI Governance in the Enterprise with Alon Yamin, Copyleaks

Fri, 03 May 2024 04:01:00 GMT

Generative AI has made it abundantly easy to create all types of content, but what about the integrity of our content - whether that’s inaccuracies, plagiarism, or even detecting if something is AI-generated in the first place?

Today we’re going to talk about content governance in a world where AI-generated copy is everywhere, making management, monitoring, and analysis an imperative in the enterprise.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Alon Yamin, CEO and Co-founder at Copyleaks.

Resources

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Headed to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycv

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

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#517: Fostering a culture of continuous improvement with Mana Ionescu, AXOS Bank

Wed, 01 May 2024 04:01:00 GMT

Understanding and leveraging data, as well as fostering a culture of continuous improvement, are paramount for success in marketing today. Today, we're diving into these concepts with Mana Ionescu, FVP Digital Marketing at AXOS Bank, who brings a wealth of experience in demystifying marketing concepts and debunking myths.

Resources

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Headed to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycv

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

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#516: Customer and data centricity with Lamees Butt, Zoovu

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 04:01:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about using customer-centric approaches combined with data-centric tools and processes to improve customer engagement and foster lasting customer satisfaction.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Lamees Butt, SVP Global Alliances and Channels at Zoovu, an AI Content Discovery platform for enterprise businesses.

Resources

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Headed to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycv

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

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#515: Predictive analytics and a first-party data strategy with Alan Gilleo, Leap Group

Fri, 26 Apr 2024 04:01:00 GMT

Anyone listening to this show has heard us talk quite a bit about AI’s impact on marketing and the customer experience. We’ve covered a pretty broad cross section of approaches, but as you’ve likely heard on this show and in many of the other places you get information, it seems like generative AI is getting a lot of the attention these days.

While our discussion will likely touch on Gen AI, today we’re going to focus more on predictive analytics and predictive modeling, another area of AI that is just as powerful (if not moreso in some cases) as the other types of artificial intelligence tools available. And specifically, we’re going to talk about using predictive analytics to better succeed in a first-party data world.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Alan Gilleo, CMO at Leap Group.

Resources

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Headed to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycv

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

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#514: Nimble customer research with Todd Horvitz, Head of Insights, HP

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about customer research, and how to do customer research in a nimble, agile way and still be incredibly effective, as well as how the practice of customer research is evolving in the age of AI.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Todd Horvitz, Head of Insights, Business Computing and Software.

Resources

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Headed to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycv

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

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#513: AI & Fragmentation with Afif Khoury, SOCi

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 04:00:00 GMT

The total number of solutions in the martech Lumascape has grown to more than 11K in 2023, representing almost 7,000% growth in the space in just 12 years. The result of this growth has created too many data silos bringing massive challenges in integrating data and cleaning data to use for analytics and AI.

Today we’re going to talk about data and platform fragmentation and how there is a risk of this worsening as new AI platforms and data sources are adopted. So what do marketers do to balance the need to try new things while not risking fragmentation?

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Afif Khoury, CEO of SOCi.

Resources

SOCi website: https://www.meetsoci.com

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Headed to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycv

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

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#512: When "unmanaging" is the best way to manage teams, with Jack Skeels, AgencyAgile

Fri, 19 Apr 2024 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about effective management of teams, even when that means you need to “unmanage” them - and we’ll talk a lot more about what that means.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Jack Skeels, CEO & Founder of AgencyAgile and author of the book Unmanaged: Master the Magic of Creating Empowered and Happy Organizations.

Resources

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Headed to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycv

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

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#511: Brand engagement in a socially conscious market, with Taylor Bennett, DoorDash

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 04:00:00 GMT

Today, we're diving deep into the role of brands in today's socially conscious market. We'll explore the intricacies of engaging with social issues, navigating the challenges of fragmented audiences, and the importance of a brand crafting and owning its narrative. These discussions are crucial for understanding how major brands approach their public affairs strategy in a world where every action and policy is scrutinized.

To help me unpack these topics, I’d like to welcome Taylor Bennett, Global Head of Public Affairs at DoorDash.

Resources

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Headed to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycv

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#510: Missed opportunities with AI and CX with Tony Grout, Showpad

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 04:00:00 GMT

As we talk about a lot on this show, organizations are investing in AI technologies more than ever and integrating them into existing systems to train sales and revenue teams to help their connections with audiences. However, despite its advancements, significant missed opportunities exist in maximizing AI’s potential.

Today we’re going to talk about missed opportunities for AI in the customer experience and what brands can do to embrace and benefit from them.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Tony Grout, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Showpad, a sales enablement platform.

Resources

Showpad website: https://www.showpad.com

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Headed to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycv

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#509: Optimizing the patient experience with Michael Burke and Josh Byrd from Copient Health

Fri, 12 Apr 2024 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about optimizing the patient experience by looking at ways to optimize the operational efficiency—and in this case the operating room efficiency—at hospitals, by using machine learning tools. We’ll also talk about several other use cases for AI and ML in healthcare.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Michael Burke (CEO) and Josh Byrd (CMO), Copient Health.

Resources

Copient Health website: https://www.copienthealth.com

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Headed to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycv

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#508: The self-optimizing enterprise with Don Schuerman, CTO at Pega

Wed, 10 Apr 2024 04:00:00 GMT

There is no question that greater reliance on predictive analytics, enhanced automation, and the capabilities of generative AI are helping to shape the enterprise of tomorrow.

Today we’re going to talk about building the self-optimizing enterprise, and how data, collaboration, and workflow optimization work together to create an organization where human creativity and innovation work seamlessly with artificial intelligence.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Don Schuerman, CTO & VP of Product Strategy & Marketing at Pega.

Resources

Pega website: https://www.pega.com

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Headed to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycv

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#507: Gen AI and the Future of Publishing with Marc Sirkin, Third Door Media

Mon, 08 Apr 2024 04:00:00 GMT

Is the future of research and content creation a chatbot? With all of the commotion that ChatGPT has created, several industries, including the marketing industry, are evolving to utilize some of the things that make generative AI technologies so interesting and captivating, to make them useful for research and creation of meaningful content.

Today we’re going to talk about what a vertically-trained chatbot that has been fed 25,000+ industry-focused articles can do, and the potential for the future.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Marc Sirkin, EVP Product and Technology, Third Door Media, who you might also know as the publisher of MarTech —which I write for frequently—as well as, Search Engine Land, and SMX.

Resources

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Headed to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycv

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#506: Using GenAI to Generate Revenue with Assaf Baciu, Persado

Fri, 05 Apr 2024 04:00:00 GMT

We are here at Shoptalk 2024 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, where retailers and the platforms that support them are gathered to talkin about reimagining retail for the omnichannel consumer.

Today we’re going to talk about how brands big and small can best use generative AI to drive revenue.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Assaf Baciu, Co-Founder and President of Persado.

Resources

Persado website: https://www.persado.com

Shoptalk website: https://shoptalk.com/us

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Headed to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycv

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#505: Keeping pace with retail customer expectations with Craig Moore, Körber Supply Chain

Wed, 03 Apr 2024 04:00:00 GMT

We are here at Shoptalk 2024 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, where retailers and the platforms that support them are gathered to talk about reimagining retail for the omnichannel consumer.

In the retail world, social media virality blows up brands overnight, but a great supply chain strategy is critical to keeping customers. So much so, 77% shoppers will write off a brand after experiencing shipping delays, according to Körber Supply Chain Software.

Today we’re going to talk about how retailers can keep pace with customer expectations via sophisticated solutions, like order management software (OMS).

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Craig Moore, VP of Sales at Körber Supply Chain.

Resources

Korber Supply Chain website: https://www.koerber-supplychain-software.com/en

Shoptalk website: https://shoptalk.com/us

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Headed to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycv

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#504: Deep learning and the cookieless future with Jaysen Gillespie, RTB House

Mon, 01 Apr 2024 04:00:00 GMT

We are here at eTail Palm Springs in Palm Spring, California and talking about all things retail, e-commerce, AI, and more.

While we’ve talked quite a bit about the cookieless future on this show, and even though the impending deadline of third-party cookies may get pushed back… again… it is still happening, and marketers and advertisers need to find solutions that will enable them to maintain their advertising performance.

My guest today can talk about all of this and we’re going to talk specifically about creating a competitive advantage by using deep learning with your data and measurement in an era where the cookieless future is (almost) here.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Jaysen Gillespie, Head of Analytics and Data Science at RTB House.

Resources

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Headed to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycv

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#503: Better customer insights with Matt Butler and Russ Hannig

Fri, 29 Mar 2024 04:00:00 GMT

Recorded live at eTail Palm Springs in Palm Spring, CA. We are talking about all things retail, e-commerce, AI, and more. My guests today can talk about all of this and we’re going to talk specifically about the importance of getting better insights to understand customer behavior, perform media mix modeling and more with third-party data becoming less and less attractive to advertisers and marketers as cookie deprecation and third-party data reliance need to be replaced by reliable first-party data solutions.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Matt Butler, Co-Founder & CEO of Bonsai and Russ Hannig, VP Growth Marketing at Gabb.

Resources

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Headed to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycv

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#502: Cross-functional collaboration plus AI augmentation with Mariam Asmar, Braze

Wed, 27 Mar 2024 04:00:00 GMT

As companies continue to boast AI investments, marketers are struggling to keep up, according to a recent report from customer engagement platform Braze, which finds that less than 50% of marketers are using or intend to use AI in their everyday tasks.

At the same time, cross-functional team collaboration is at a standstill, with only 1% of customer engagement being owned by a combination of marketing and technical teams, and 25% of customer engagement executed by non-marketers.

Today we’re going to talk about how the quality of a brand’s digital experience relies on consistent organizational collaboration, and iterating on the look and feel of a brand based on customer feedback.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Mariam Asmar, VP Strategic Consulting at Braze.

Resources

Braze website: https://www.braze.com

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#501: AI and the CMO with Amanda Cole, CMO at Bloomreach

Mon, 25 Mar 2024 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the impact of AI on Chief Marketing Officers, as well as personalization and how, with the help of AI, it might finally be the year of personalization.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Amanda Cole, CMO at Bloomreach, as well as an Executive Board Member at the MACH Alliance.

Resources

Bloomreach website: https://www.bloomreach.com

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#500: March Madness Special: Hyper-paced CX in the iGaming Industry with Pini Yakuel, Optimove

Fri, 22 Mar 2024 04:00:00 GMT

Welcome to our first March Madness episode - and in the spirit of this, today we’re going to talk about the customer journey and experience in an industry that has one of the highest velocity of transactions, yet with very little differentiation between brands. The iGaming industry, which includes sports betting and online casinos is often looked at as a commodity product/service with little differentiation between brands. Incentives, like bonuses of free money for gambling, wear out.

As we know and talk about a lot on this show, for brands to create a difference, they need to create a better user experience, deep personalization, and relevancy. Yet, with the high stakes and high volume of customer interactions, traditional retailers, financial service providers, and others can learn from marketing in the iGaming industry.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Pini Yakuel, CEO and Founder of Optimove, a platform ranked #1 by Gartner for multichannel marketing journey orchestration.

Resources

Optimove website: https://www.optimove.com

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#499: AI and Digital Transformation with Jonathan Boakes, Infinum

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about AI’s incorporation into both existing and new digital transformation initiatives, and what some of the implications are when doing so. We’ll also be touching on some of the ideas in Infinum’s recent report, Beyond Buzzwords: Decoding the Digital and AI Revolution.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Jonathan Boakes, Managing Director at Infinum.

Resources

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#498: The value of B2B2C E-commerce with Carlos Manalo and Tom Flierl

Mon, 18 Mar 2024 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the value of B2B2C, and how to create a win-win situation for all parties involved despite the challenges and risks associated with B2B2C and self-service models, in a special episode brought to you by The Office of Experience, a design-driven, digital-first, vertically integrated and collaborative agency that believes in the power of ideas and the strength of people.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Carlos Manalo, Co-CEO and Co-Founder at The Office of Experience and Tom Flierl, Chief Commercial Officer at Amla Commerce.

Resources

The Office of Experience website: https://www.officeofexperience.com

Znode website: https://www.znode.com

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#497: Great omnichannel CX in retail with Tracey Brown, Chief Customer Officer at Walgreens

Fri, 15 Mar 2024 05:00:00 GMT

We are here at Medallia Experience 2024 at the Wynn in Las Vegas and there’s a lot of exciting announcements we’ve been seeing, plus a chance to hear from leaders at Medallia as well as their customers about where the world of customer experience is heading.

Today we’re going to talk about what it truly means to have a great omnichannel customer experience, as customer expectations, the sheer number of channels available, and the complexity of delivering great CX continues to evolve.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Tracey Brown, EVP, President, and Chief Customer Officer at Walgreens.

Resources

Medallia website: https://www.medallia.com

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#496: The link between creativity and innovation with Anne Jacoby

Wed, 13 Mar 2024 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the link between creativity and innovation and how leaders that empower their teams to tap into their own creative sparks can achieve stellar results while increasing their teams’ engagement.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Anne Jacoby, Founder & CEO of The Spring Street Solutions Company, and author of Born to Create.

Resources

Spring Street Solutions website: https://www.springstreetco.com/

Find Anne's book Born to Create on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Born-Create-Creativity-Connection-Innovation/dp/1639080716/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#495: Pay transparency and the employee experience with Sydney Artt, Anaconda

Mon, 11 Mar 2024 05:00:00 GMT

While we mostly talk about marketing and the customer experience on this show, as we all likely know, employees and the employee experience directly affect customers, so today we’re going to talk about salary transparency and key ways business leaders can successfully take a more modern approach to HR and navigate pay transparency within their organization.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Sydney Artt, Director of People at Anaconda.

Resources

Anaconda website: https://www.anaconda.com

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#494: Maximizing online marketplaces with Todd Walsh, HP

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 05:00:00 GMT

We are here at eTail Palm Springs in Palm Spring, California and talking about all things retail, e-commerce, AI, and more.

Today’s customer seeks variety and begins looking for products across a wide swath of marketplaces. For this reason, understanding each marketplace and how you might get involved with each or position yourself across several is paramount. Today, we’re going to talk about Optimizing Your Retail Strategy Across Different Marketplaces.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Todd Walsh, Global Marketplaces, COE Leader at HP.

Resources

Headed to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycv

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#493: The Top 3 in-demand marketing jobs for 2024 with Sue Keith, Ceres Talent

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 05:00:00 GMT

In this special episode, brought to you by Ceres Talent, a marketing recruiting firm run by modern-day marketing matchmakers, we’re going to talk about a few things, including a brief review of the state of the marketing hiring landscape, the top in-demand jobs for 2024, and what hiring managers should keep in mind about AI and hiring for marketing roles.

To help me discuss these topics, I’d like to welcome back to the show Sue Keith, Corporate Vice President at Ceres Talent.

Resources

Ceres Talent website: https://www.cerestalent.com

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#492: Building and maintaining a culture of customer centricity with Abhii Parakh, Head of Customer Experience at Prudential

Mon, 04 Mar 2024 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the culture, technology, and priorities the enterprise needs to deliver great customer experience, and continuously improve it over time.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Abhii Parakh, Head of Customer Experience at Prudential.

Resources

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#491: Data collection done right with Sean Falconer, Skyflow

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about doing data collection right, by also exploring how to do it wrong, and what brands need to pay attention to when they are collecting information to power personalized experiences, marketing efforts, and many other aspects of the business.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Sean Falconer, Head of Marketing & Developer Relations at Skyflow.

Resources

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#490: AI & Great Customer and Employee Experiences with Simonetta Turek, Chief Product Officer at Medallia

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about AI and its role in creating and delivering winning customer experiences.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Simonetta Turek, Chief Product Officer at Medallia.

Resources

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#489: Machine learning in the enterprise with Eric Siegel, Machine Learning Week

Mon, 26 Feb 2024 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about machine learning in the enterprise and how, despite a less than stellar success rate, organizations can achieve success with the right approaches.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Eric Siegel, Founder of Machine Learning Week and author of The AI Playbook: Mastering the Rare Art of Machine Learning Deployment.

Resources

Get The AI Playbook: Mastering the Rare Art of Machine Learning Deployment by Eric Siegel: https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262048903/the-ai-playbook/

Machine Learning 2024 website: https://machinelearningweek.com/

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#488: Learning from our data with Matt Swalley, Omneky

Fri, 23 Feb 2024 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the value of learning from data to improve the customer experience.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Matt Swalley, Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer at Omneky.

Resources

Omneky website: https://www.omneky.com/

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#487: (Actually) great content with generative AI, with Jon Ricketts, AGYL AI

Wed, 21 Feb 2024 05:00:00 GMT

It didn’t take long but the world is awash in generative AI-based content, and let’s face it. A lot of it isn’t great. But that’s not the way it has to be.

Today we’re going to talk about how to utilize generative AI well for on-brand content creation, and why paying attention to the details matters here.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Jon Ricketts, CEO and Co-Founder of AGYL AI.

Resources

AGYL AI website: https://writerly.ai/

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#486: Igniting customer centricity with Sri Narasimhan, Head of Enterprise Customer Experience at CVS Health

Mon, 19 Feb 2024 05:00:00 GMT

One brand that is presenting here, and who I’m excited to introduce in a second here, is from CVS, a brand that serves over 120 million customers, including over 55 million digital customers, and to illustrate their reach, 85% of the US population lives within 10 miles of a CVS Health location.

Today we’re going to talk about igniting customer-centricity by personalizing, simplifying the customer experience, and empowering employees to do amazing work.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Sri Narasimhan, Vice President, Head of Enterprise Customer Experience at CVS Health.

Resources

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#485: A winning first-party data strategy with Heidi Bullock, CMO, Tealium

Fri, 16 Feb 2024 05:00:00 GMT

In an increasingly data-driven world, modern brands have been forced to adapt to keep pace with the changes in the market, including one of the most significant areas of focus - which is customer data management.

There are several reasons for this, from customers’ expectations of more personalizaed experiences to the impending deprecation of third-party cookies and the increasing emphasis on consumer data privacy.

Today we’re going to talk about what it really means to understand your customers better using your data, and what do do as you build out your first-party data strategy.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Heidi Bullock, CMO at Tealium, and author of the foreword for The Agile Brand Guide to Customer Data Platforms, 2024 Edition, available soon!

Resources

Tealium website: https://www.tealium.com

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#484: What it takes to be a category-leading CX brand, with Joe Tyrrell, CEO of Medallia

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 05:00:00 GMT

We are here at Medallia Experience 2024 at the Wynn in Las Vegas and there’s a lot of exciting announcements we’ve been seeing, plus a chance to hear from leaders at Medallia – like my guest today - as well as their customers about where the world of customer experience is heading.

Today we’re going to talk about what it means to be a leader in customer experience and what trends and innovations CX leaders and leading brands need to understand to keep their competitive edge.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Joe Tyrrell, CEO at Medallia.

Resources

Medallia website: https://www.medallia.com

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#483: Omnichannel and the future of retail with Kristin Schoenstein and Elizabeth Robillard, eTail Palm Springs

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 05:00:00 GMT

eTail West in Palm Springs, CA is coming up in a few weeks and I’m excited to be attending as well as moderating a panel there. To get ready for the event, I have invited the two event directors here today, and we’re going to talk about some of the top trends for retailers to watch out for and certainly topics that will be discussed in much detail at the conference.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Kristin Schoenstein and Elizabeth Robillard from Worldwide Business Research and event directors of eTail Palm Springs, February 26-29 in Palm Springs, CA.

Resources

Learn more and Register for eTail West, February 26-29 in Palm Springs, CA: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Worldwide Business Research: https://wbresearch.com/

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#482: Making phone conversations with customer count, with Ryan Johnson, CallRail

Fri, 09 Feb 2024 05:00:00 GMT

As marketers, there is a lot to keep up with. From trends like generative AI to platforms and methods, and new channels popping up, there is always more to learn. So much so that some of the time-tested, tried and true channels often get overlooked in these conversations. One of these is phone calls - you remember them, it’s what you did before texting, messaging, emailing, and all the other things.

Yet phone calls remain incredibly important and effective. Today we’re going to talk about effectively using data to make the most of phone conversations with your customers.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Ryan Johnson, Chief Product Officer at CallRail.

Resources

PartnerHero: to waive set up fees, go to https://partnerhero.com/agile and mention “The Agile Brand” during onboarding!

CallRail website: https://www.callrail.com

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#481: Customer journey management with Stacy Sherman, Doing CX Right

Wed, 07 Feb 2024 05:00:00 GMT

As the voice of the customer becomes increasingly important in driving business success, companies are recognizing the need to optimize and personalize every touchpoint along the customer journey. From initial awareness and consideration to purchase and post-purchase support, every interaction matters and can make or break a customer's loyalty and advocacy.

Today we’re going to talk about customer journey management - how to do it well, how to measure success, and how to improve it over time.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Stacy Sherman, Founder & Chief Customer Officer at Doing CX Right.

Resources

PartnerHero: to waive set up fees, go to https://partnerhero.com/agile and mention “The Agile Brand” during onboarding!

Catch Stacy’s LInkedIn Learning course on Increasing Customer Loyalty by Doing Agent Experience (AX) Right here: https://bit.ly/LinkedLearnStacy

Doing CX Right website: https://www.doingcxright.com

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#480: Search and the Customer Experience, with David Ting, Zenni Optical

Mon, 05 Feb 2024 05:00:00 GMT

Recently, Zenni Optical, the world's leading online eyewear retailer with more than 50 million frames sold worldwide, chose the Algolia AI Search platform to improve its customer experience and elevate its position as a leading destination for online prescription eyewear. This change helped contribute to a 34% surge in search revenue, amongst other benefits.

Today we’re going to talk about the power of search in improving the customer experience and generating greater revenue.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome David Ting, CTO at Zenni Optical.

Resources

PartnerHero: to waive set up fees, go to https://partnerhero.com/agile and mention “The Agile Brand” during onboarding!

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#479: Left-brain/Right-brain AI with Peter van der Putten, Director AI Lab at Pega

Fri, 02 Feb 2024 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the ethical use of AI, and how the concept of left-brain/right-brain AI can give businesses the best of all things, by helping them to create great customer experiences that are valuable to the business, while using AI in a responsible way.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Peter van der Putten, Director AI Lab at Pega.

Resources

PartnerHero: to waive set up fees, go to https://partnerhero.com/agile and mention “The Agile Brand” during onboarding!

Pega AI Manifesto: https://www.pega.com/ai-innovation

Pega website: https://www.pega.com

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#478: When is headless the right (or wrong) idea? with Liz Spranzani, CTO at Verndale

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 05:00:00 GMT

There is a lot of talk about headless, composable, MACH, and the like these days. And I can say from personal experience that there are many instances where they are the perfect fit. But, as with any technology solution, it’s not always a one-size-fits-all. Sometimes headless isn’t the right fit, or a more nuanced approach is needed.

Today we’re going to talk about this as well as how low-code or no-code solutions can help teams make the most of their website redesign.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Liz Spranzani, Chief Technology Officer, EVP of Technology at Verndale.

Resources

PartnerHero: to waive set up fees, go to https://partnerhero.com/agile and mention “The Agile Brand” during onboarding!

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#477: Gen AI in the E-commerce Experience with Bernadette Nixon, Algolia

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 05:00:00 GMT

Algolia, the world’s only end-to-end AI Search and Discovery platform, powering over 1.75 trillion search requests a year, has made some exciting announcements hear at the NRF show.

Today we’re going to talk about two of these announcements, and how AI-powered search and discovery to build dynamic, customer-centric e-commerce experiences.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Bernadette Nixon, CEO of Algolia.

Resources

PartnerHero: to waive set up fees, go to https://partnerhero.com/agile and mention “The Agile Brand” during onboarding!

Algolia website: https://www.algolia.com

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#476: Digital experiences in physical retail with Sarah Jarvis, Eagle Eye Solutions

Fri, 26 Jan 2024 05:00:00 GMT

Eagle Eye have recently released their new retail marketing book, Omnichannel Retail: How to Build Winning Stores in a Digital World and in it there are a number of insights about the state of retail marketing. Today we’re going to talk about a few of the insights in the report, including how contextual personalization and an omnichannel approach are becoming more important in the physical and digital retail environments.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Sarah Jarvis at Eagle Eye Solutions.

Resources

PartnerHero: to waive set up fees, go to https://partnerhero.com/agile and mention “The Agile Brand” during onboarding!

Learn more about the New Edition of Omnichannel Retail: How to Build Winning Stores in a Digital World here https://eagleeye.com/newsroom/new-edition-of-omnichannel-retail

Get the book here: https://www.koganpage.com/marketing-communications/omnichannel-retail-9781398612723

Eagle Eye website: https://www.eagleeye.com

Learn more about the Omnichannel Retail report: http://tk.thinkinkpr.com/1/l/99d33da000bc48a1bd70c662f53c1e67?

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#475: Customer lifetime value for the win, with Neil Hoyne, Chief Strategist at Google

Wed, 24 Jan 2024 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about building better customer relationships while optimizing the customer lifetime value, to the benefit of both customers and brands.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Neil Hoyne, Chief Strategist at Google and best selling author of the book Converted: The Data-Driven Way to Win Customers’ Hearts.

Resources

PartnerHero: to waive set up fees, go to https://partnerhero.com/agile and mention “The Agile Brand” during onboarding!

RainFocus INSIGHT: Experience inspiring keynotes, role-specific breakout sessions, and hands-on workshops — all dedicated to showing the latest best practices and technologies to amplify the impact of your events. Register today at rainfocusinsight.com and use the code AGILEBRAND for $100 off your registration fee.

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#474: Increasing speed to improve CX with Doug Rubingh, Sinch MessageMedia

Mon, 22 Jan 2024 05:00:00 GMT

Recent consumer research by Sinch MessageMedia showed that 32% of customers expect an immediate response when they contact your business, and many brands are simply not equipped to handle that at scale. Today we’re going to talk about the importance of speed of communication when optimizing the customer experience.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Doug Rubingh, President US & UK at Sinch Message Media.

Resources

PartnerHero: to waive set up fees, go to https://partnerhero.com/agile and mention “The Agile Brand” during onboarding!

MessageMedia website: https://messagemedia.com/

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#473: Meaningful customer dialogue with Christian Ward, Chief Data Officer, Yext

Fri, 19 Jan 2024 05:00:00 GMT

Many brand customer journeys start with a search that results in a list of irrelevant answers or products, ultimately leading to lost prospects. Instead a true dialogue between brands and customers — which starts with the brand asking basic questions instead of immediately sharing wrong answers — is key to personalization for marketers. Today we’re going to talk about how brands can create meaningful dialogues with their customers which benefits all parties.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Christian Ward, Chief Data Officer, EVP at Yext.

Resources

PartnerHero: to waive set up fees, go to https://partnerhero.com/agile and mention “The Agile Brand” during onboarding!

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#472: Improving mixed reality with Dave Kaufman, Meta

Wed, 17 Jan 2024 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about mixed reality, what it is, how it can be beneficial, as well as how learning from one experience in marketing can improve the next.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Dave Kaufman, Senior Director, Global Marketing | VR & Metaverse at Meta.

Resources

PartnerHero: to waive set up fees, go to https://partnerhero.com/agile and mention “The Agile Brand” during onboarding!

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#471: Building a change maker culture with Steve Blum, Autodesk

Mon, 15 Jan 2024 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about building a change maker culture and how you can help your teams to thrive among change, instead of being disrupted by it.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Steve Blum, Chief Operating Officer of Autodesk.

Resources

PartnerHero: to waive set up fees, go to https://partnerhero.com/agile and mention “The Agile Brand” during onboarding!

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#470: Great data equals great advertising with Gruia Pitigoi-Aron, The Trade Desk

Fri, 12 Jan 2024 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the importance of great data in digital advertising, and how brands can maximize business impact by utilizing it correctly.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Gruia Pitigoi-Aron, SVP Product at The Trade Desk.

Resources

PartnerHero: to waive set up fees, go to https://partnerhero.com/agile and mention “The Agile Brand” during onboarding!

The Trade Desk website: https://www.thetradedesk.com/

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#469: Agility in the enterprise using a composable approach with Matt Biilmann, CEO of Netlify

Wed, 10 Jan 2024 05:00:00 GMT

Netlify recently announced the findings of The State of Web Development, previously known as the Jamstack Community Survey, which is a guide to the trends and strategies shaping the future of web development.

Today we’re going to talk about some of the findings in this report, including building agility into the enterprise through a composable approach to an organization’s digital presence.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Matt Biilmann, CEO at Netlify.

Matt - welcome to the show!

Resources

PartnerHero: to waive set up fees, go to https://partnerhero.com/agile and mention “The Agile Brand” during onboarding!

Netlify website: https://www.netlify.com

Netlify report: https://streaklinks.com/Bxb2h1dUVFh070U5bQXkCVh2/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.netlify.com%2Fresources%2Febooks%2Fthe-state-of-web-development-2023%2F

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#468: Recruitment advertising to find the best candidates with Neil Costa, HireClix

Mon, 08 Jan 2024 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about successfully finding the right candidates in a continually challenging job market, and how recruitment advertising plays a role in this.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Neil Costa, Founder & CEO at HireClix.

Resources

PartnerHero: to waive set up fees, go to https://partnerhero.com/agile and mention “The Agile Brand” during onboarding!

HireClix website: https://www.hireclix.com

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#467: Making a meaningful impact with your brand in 2024 with Mark Nardone, CMO at PAN Communications

Fri, 05 Jan 2024 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about how to make a bigger and more meaningful impact in highly competitive industries, and get some insights on what we learned from 2023 and what that means for brands and marketing leaders in 2024.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome back to the show Mark Nardone, Chief Marketing Officer at PAN Communications.

Resources

PartnerHero: to waive set up fees, go to https://partnerhero.com/agile and mention “The Agile Brand” during onboarding!

PAN Communications website: https://www.pancommunications.com/

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#466: Inclusivity and Innovation as Competitive Advantage with Johane Domersant, John Deere

Wed, 03 Jan 2024 05:00:00 GMT

It’s increasingly clear that businesses that invest in their employees to achieve great employee experience are investing in their own future. To achieve this, inclusion across the organization, programs for professional development, and opportunities for employees to pursue their passion and purpose are critical for businesses.

Today we’re going to talk about how leading organizations need to think about diversity and inclusion as a competitive advantage, as well as a benefit to all involved.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Johane Domersant, Global Head of Human Resources at John Deere.

Resources

PartnerHero: to waive set up fees, go to https://partnerhero.com/agile and mention “The Agile Brand” during onboarding!

John Deere website: https://www.johndeere.com

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#465: Prioritizing the right data and signals with Prasaana Dhungel, GrowByData

Fri, 29 Dec 2023 05:00:00 GMT

First, there was the promise of big data solving many of our business challenges, yet now here we are, flooded with data, and many business are having a hard time knowing what to prioritize and which data to pay attention to.

Today we’re going to talk about prioritizing the right data and signals to make a meaningful impact on your business.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Prasanna Dhungel, Managing Partner at GrowByData.

Resources

PartnerHero: to waive set up fees, go to https://partnerhero.com/agile and mention “The Agile Brand” during onboarding!

GrowByData website: https://www.growbydata.com

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#464: AI and Creative Work with Toby Barlow, Lafayette American

Wed, 27 Dec 2023 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the role of artificial intelligence in creative roles and creative work, and how they can work together, conflict, and all of the above.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Toby Barlow, Co-Founder and Creative Chief at Lafayette American.

Resources

PartnerHero: to waive set up fees, go to https://partnerhero.com/agile and mention “The Agile Brand” during onboarding!

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#463: AI and Cybersecurity with Gary Guseinov, CEO at RealDefense

Mon, 25 Dec 2023 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about AI and cybersecurity, and the promises, myths, and reality of how the two can work together to keep businesses and customers more secure.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Gary Guseinov, CEO at RealDefense.

Resources

PartnerHero: to waive set up fees, go to https://partnerhero.com/agile and mention “The Agile Brand” during onboarding!

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#462: Collaboration for successful experimentation with Collin Crowell and James McCormick

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about collaboration between product and marketing teams and how, when done well, this can drive business growth and an improvement in the customer experience overall.

Some of what we will be discussing will be directly from Kameleoon’s 2023 Experimentation and Growth Survey and report, and we’ll make sure to put a link to access that report in the show notes.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Colllin Crowel, VP of Growth at Kameleeon and James McCormick.

Resources

PartnerHero: to waive set up fees, go to https://partnerhero.com/agile and mention “The Agile Brand” during onboarding!

Kameleoon website: https://www.kameleoon.com

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#461: Raising the stakes of stakeholder design with Curt Schreiber, VSA Partners

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 05:00:00 GMT

One of the biggest challenges business leaders face today is managing multiple stakeholders. For the past half-century, most CEOs have simply sought to please board members and shareholders, with less regard to other stakeholders like employees, government entities or suppliers. But as demands for corporate responsibility have increased, CEOs are under increasing pressure to cater to a wide variety of stakeholder needs, and to find solutions that deliver across diverse groups.

Today we’re going to talk about stakeholder design and how to approach it, and related approaches like horizontal thinking, to benefit the business, all of its stakeholders, as well as its customers.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Curt Schreiber, Chief Creative Officer at VSA Partners.

Resources

PartnerHero: to waive set up fees, go to https://partnerhero.com/agile and mention “The Agile Brand” during onboarding!

VSA Partners website: https://www.vsapartners.com/

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#460: Retention in an Omnichannel World with Ann Fellman, Bloomerang

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about a topic we don’t talk about much on this show - nonprofits, and more specifically since it’s December, end of year giving. If you’re like me, you’re probably currently being inundated with calls to donate from nonprofits on TV, email, social media, and any other channel you interact with.

Just like other much larger brands, nonprofits struggle with acquisition and retention issues, and today we’re going to talk about how customer, or donor, retention is both a challenge and an opportunity, and even those in the for-profit space might get some insights from this discussion as well.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Ann Fellman, CMO at Bloomerang.

Resources

PartnerHero: to waive set up fees, go to https://partnerhero.com/agile and mention “The Agile Brand” during onboarding!

Bloomerange website: https://bloomerang.co/

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#459: Product leaders and the customer experience with Jess Keeney, Duck Creek Technologies

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the role of product leaders in shaping the customer experience, and how continuous learning and continuous improvement help build great product teams.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Jess Keeney, Chief Product Officer at Duck Creek Technologies.

Resources

PartnerHero: to waive set up fees, go to https://partnerhero.com/agile and mention “The Agile Brand” during onboarding!
Sign up for The Agile Brand newsletter here: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com
Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/
For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#458: Demystifying CX Governance with Sami Nuwar

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about demystifying CX governance, what exactly we mean by “governance,” as well as the components that make it truly work for an organization—and their customers.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Sami Nuwar back to the show. He is a Customer Experience Leader and Thought Leader who has worked with some of the world’s top brands on CX initiatives.

Resources

PartnerHero: to waive set up fees, go to https://partnerhero.com/agile and mention “The Agile Brand” during onboarding!
Flavors of Governance: Governance can take many forms, but here we describe two types. We ask ourselves a key question: what are we governing? For operational governance, we're managing how we work or operate. For accountability governance, we're managing the changes to the business.
Governance Functions: What are the types of work or functions that exist in a governance role? This document highlights the key jobs to be done within a governance function.
Key Questions Gov Should Answer: As we drive our governance, what are the key questions we should be asking ourselves and our peers to be able to tell if we're making an impact?
Goals and Measurements Success: measurements can depend on the state of your program and the readiness of the business, both of which can and will change over time. And so too should your measurements.
Sign up for The Agile Brand newsletter here: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com
Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/
For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#457: Building a culture of experiementation, with Kirsty Dawe, Webeo

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about building a culture of experimentation and how it can benefit B2B brands.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Kirsty Dawe, CEO at Webeo.

RESOURCES

PartnerHero: to waive set up fees, go to https://partnerhero.com/agile and mention “The Agile Brand” during onboarding!
Webeo website: https://www.webeo.com/
Sign up for The Agile Brand newsletter here: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com
Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/
For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

SYNOPSIS

Promoting innovation and experimentation in an organization begins with establishing clarity on the company's overall goals and ensuring that everyone is aligned towards those goals. This entails providing all employees with a clear understanding of the organization's collective objectives. Such clarity empowers individuals to confidently suggest ideas and communicate their thoughts, knowing that their contributions are in line with the company's overarching goals. Moreover, a clear understanding of the company's goals ensures that experiments and initiatives are more impactful, as they are aligned centrally rather than being isolated in individual silos.

In the episode, it is emphasized that granting employees easy access to high-quality data is crucial for making informed decisions and determining where to focus experimentation efforts. The speaker underscores the significance of data within an organization, as it may sometimes be lacking. They suggest that access to data enables employees to decide where to begin and what to test or experiment with. By having easy access to data, employees can identify areas that are likely to have the greatest impact and allocate their time effectively. This access to data helps align experiments with the organization's goals and prevents individuals from working in isolation. Overall, the episode highlights the importance of providing employees with easy access to reliable data to drive effective experimentation and decision-making.

According to the episode, creating a culture of experimentation involves celebrating both successes and failures. The speaker emphasizes the importance of acknowledging success and learning from failures. They suggest that failures should be presented as valuable insights into what doesn't work, rather than setbacks. This perspective reframes failures as opportunities for growth and learning. The speaker also highlights the need to share the lessons learned from failures across the organization. By doing so, everyone can benefit from the knowledge gained and avoid repeating the same mistakes in the future. This culture of celebrating both successes and failures and sharing the learnings fosters a supportive and innovative environment where experimentation is encouraged.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#456: Using cloud communications while optimizing the customer experience with Patrick Sheehan, Intermedia

Fri, 08 Dec 2023 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about 'the reseller advantage' and how to modernize businesses by using cloud communications, without compromising customer relationships.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Patrick Sheehan, Intermedia's VP Channel Development and Distribution.

RESOURCES

PartnerHero: to waive set up fees, go to https://partnerhero.com/agile and mention “The Agile Brand” during onboarding!

Intermedia website: https://www.intermedia.com

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#455: Successful Outsourcing with Sarah Ellenberg, PartnerHero

Wed, 06 Dec 2023 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about successful BPO, or Business Process Outsourcing, and what the enterprise can to do make it a win-win for the business and customers.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Sarah Ellenberg, Vice President of Professional Services.

RESOURCES

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#454: Reskilling & upskilling for Generative AI with Michelle Boockoff-Bajdek, Skillsoft

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 05:00:00 GMT

In the ever-evolving landscape of work, where AI permeates our daily routines, it is imperative for teams at every company, including marketers, to embrace technology like AI in order to thrive and maintain a competitive edge. By understanding and harnessing the potential of AI, marketers can propel their companies towards success, keeping them relevant and at the forefront of their respective industries.

Today we’re going to talk about why marketers need to be comfortable and fluent in technology like generative AI to support their org’s marketing strategy, development, and execution, and how reskilling and upskilling play a role in this.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Michelle Boockoff-Bajdek, CMO at Skillsoft.

RESOURCES

PartnerHero: to waive set up fees, go to https://partnerhero.com/agile and mention “The Agile Brand” during onboarding!

Skillsoft website: https://www.skillsoft.com

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#453: AI for Localization and Personalization with Stephanie Shreve, PowerChord

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about Localization, Personalization, and AI, and how using these methods and tools well can increase ROI and improve the multi-channel customer experience.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Stephanie Shreve, Chief Marketing Officer at PowerChord.

RESOURCES

PartnerHero: to waive set up fees, go to https://partnerhero.com/agile and mention “The Agile Brand” during onboarding!

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

SYNOPSIS

In this episode, the Stephanie Shreve from PowerChord emphasizes the importance of marketers dedicating time to reading and learning in order to keep up with the rapidly changing landscape. They highlight that with the constant changes, setting aside time to learn will help marketers stay at the forefront and avoid being left behind. While acknowledging that it may not always be easy, the guest believes that marketers should make an effort to learn as often as possible, considering it part of their job.

Another topic discussed in the episode is the significance of predictability and demonstrating results for businesses. The guest speaker emphasizes the importance of being able to show businesses that their investment will yield specific results. This predictability is seen as beneficial for businesses in terms of planning and decision-making. The guest suggests that AI can contribute to this predictability by analyzing real-time and historical data to identify potential buyers and buyer groups that may have been overlooked. By having a more predictable understanding of what is likely to happen, businesses can target new markets and expand their brand's reach. Overall, the episode highlights predictability and the ability to show results as crucial factors for businesses to consider in their marketing strategies.

The speakers also discuss how organizations should measure success in conversational marketing based on their goals. They emphasize the importance of analyzing where people drop off in their interactions. By identifying the reasons for drop-offs, organizations can gain valuable insights and make improvements to their conversational marketing strategies. For instance, if users are not completing a product recommendation chat, organizations can investigate whether all questions are being answered or if users are only answering a few before stopping. This analysis helps organizations understand user tolerance for questions and engagement levels. Additionally, organizations can identify areas where questions are not being answered properly and make adjustments to enhance the user experience. Overall, measuring success in conversational marketing involves analyzing user behavior and making improvements based on the insights gained.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#452: Enhancing E-commerce with AI with Sean Mullaney, Algolia

Wed, 29 Nov 2023 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about enhancing E-commerce with AI by improving personalization, relevance, and the overall customer experience.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Sean Mullaney, a former Stripe and Google Executive, who is now Chief Technology Officer at Algolia, which you may or may not know is actually the second largest search engine behind Google, powering more than 1.75 trillion consumer search requests each year.

RESOURCES

PartnerHero: to waive set up fees, go to https://partnerhero.com/agile and mention “The Agile Brand” during onboarding!

Algolia website: https://www.algolia.com

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#451: The Post Cookie World and CX with Carl White, Nano Interactive

Mon, 27 Nov 2023 05:00:00 GMT

Nano Interactive’s recent data showed that 70% of UK consumers now regularly hide their personal data when online, and as the Government pushes through both its Data Protection and Digital Information Bill and its Online Safety Bill, marketers need to be prepared for the post cookie apocalypse or they risk being left behind and their ad effectiveness will suffer.

Today we’re going to talk about the post cookie world and what this means for advertisers and marketers, and how it stands to affect the customer experience.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Carl White, Co-Founder and Group CEO at Nano Interactive.

RESOURCES

PartnerHero: to waive set up fees, go to https://partnerhero.com/agile and mention “The Agile Brand” during onboarding!
Nano Interactive website: https://nanointeractive.com/
The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast
Sign up for The Agile Brand newsletter here: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com
Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/
For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

SYNOPSIS

In this episode, guest Carl White shares valuable advice for brands navigating the post-cookie world. He emphasizes the importance of brands fully understanding the evolving technologies in marketing and advertising. This entails dedicating time to learn and familiarize themselves with emerging approaches and techniques. One specific recommendation is to acquire the skills to model and scale data using these new approaches. This involves analyzing and interpreting data to make informed decisions and optimize marketing strategies.

Furthermore, White advises brands to move away from relying solely on identity and profiling techniques. Instead, he encourages them to adopt a post-ID approach, thinking beyond traditional methods. This means not depending solely on walled gardens, platforms with restricted access to user data, for answers. Instead, brands should explore alternative methods and solutions.

Overall, the advice for brands in the post-cookie world is to proactively understand and utilize new technologies while avoiding over-reliance on traditional identity and profiling techniques.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#450: Black Friday Special: Real-time Data & AI for In-store Retail Operations, with Joe Shasteen, RetailNext

Fri, 24 Nov 2023 05:00:00 GMT

We are presenting our 2nd annual Black Friday special episode, where we focus on an aspect of retail, looking back on the current year, as well as to what retailers should be keeping in mind for next year.

With the prevalence of online shopping and growing ecommerce providers, brick-and-mortar retailers require business intelligence tools dedicated to in-store analytics to stay competitive in an omnichannel world.

Today we’re going to talk about real-time data and AI for in-store retail operations.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Joe Shasteen, Global Manager, Advanced Analytics at RetailNext.

RESOURCES

PartnerHero: to waive set up fees, go to https://partnerhero.com/agile and mention “The Agile Brand” during onboarding!

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

SYNOPSIS

Real-time data analytics can empower employees to make better decisions and meet customer needs by providing a clear understanding of their preferences and behaviors. This enables retailers to adjust strategies and approach to deliver a personalized and tailored experience for each customer.

For instance, when a store experiences a high influx of customers, real-time data analytics can alert employees to crowded areas, allowing them to allocate additional staff members to manage queues and provide assistance. This ensures that customers do not have to wait for extended periods and receive prompt service.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#449: Making better proposals with Joe Ardeeser, Smart Pricing Table

Wed, 22 Nov 2023 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about proposals - love them or hate them, they are a requirement for so many companies, consultancies, and consultants to get new customers and new projects. Today we’re going to talk about some ways to do proposals better and smarter.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Joe Ardeeser, Founder & CEO at Smart Pricing Table.

RESOURCES

PartnerHero: to waive set up fees, go to https://partnerhero.com/agile and mention “The Agile Brand” during onboarding!

Smart Pricing Table website: https://www.smartpricingtable

Free download: The Profitable Proposal Blueprint: https://www.smartpricingtable.com/free-guide

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#448: Creating a strikingly different brand with Dharma Pachner, Contrast & Co.

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 05:00:00 GMT

I’m excited to bring you the latest in a multi-part series sponsored by Contrast & Co., an award-winning brand strategy and communications agency determined to build the most strikingly different brand experiences anywhere.

Today we’re going to talk about creating a strikingly different brand, why it is so important, as well as the cost of inauthenticity in branding.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Dharma Pachner, Founder & Chief Creative Officer at Contrast & Co.

RESOURCES

PartnerHero: to waive set up fees, go to https://partnerhero.com/agile and mention “The Agile Brand” during onboarding!

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#447: Innovation in content marketing with Deane Barker, Optimizely

Fri, 17 Nov 2023 05:00:00 GMT

I am here at Opticon 2023, Optimizely’s annual conference, here in San Diego, California where there have been a lot of exciting announcements, and we’re going to get to at least a few of those today.

Innovation and creativity don't happen in a vacuum. Humans work better in groups, and the right platform provides a base for their collective imagination to flourish.

Today we’re going to talk about content creation and management as tools to boost creativity and effectiveness of marketing efforts, all to the benefit of the customer.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Deane Barker, Global Director of Content Management at Optimizely.

RESOURCES

PartnerHero: to waive set up fees, go to https://partnerhero.com/agile and mention “The Agile Brand” during onboarding!

Optimizely website: https://www.optimizely.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#446: Planning marketing headcount budgets for 2024 with Sue Keith, Ceres Talent

Wed, 15 Nov 2023 05:00:00 GMT

In this special episode, brought to you by Ceres Talent, a marketing staffing agency run by modern-day marketing matchmakers, we’re going to talk about planning for 2024, and what the experts are seeing as marketing leaders are identifying hiring needs and developing headcount budgets for 2024.

To help me discuss these topics, I’d like to welcome Sue Keith, Corporate Vice President at Ceres Talent.

RESOURCES

PartnerHero: to waive set up fees, go to https://partnerhero.com/agile and mention “The Agile Brand” during onboarding!

Ceres Talent website: https://www.cerestalent.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

SYNOPSIS

The episode delves into the significance of returning to the office, highlighting that it encompasses more than just resuming work tasks. It emphasizes the importance of in-person interactions and spontaneous conversations, such as hallway chats and impromptu whiteboarding sessions, in fostering innovation within the organization. These types of interactions are seen as lacking on platforms like Zoom, which lack the spontaneity and connection-building that comes with face-to-face communication.

Furthermore, the guest, Sue Keith from Ceres Talent, underscores that being physically present allows for the development of what they refer to as the "connective tissue" of the organization. This involves getting to know individuals in different departments and areas of the company, such as operations, finance, or HR. Building these connections and understanding everyone's collective role contributes to a stronger sense of connection to the overall mission of the company.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#445: Headless commerce with Jim Tattersall, Rotate

Mon, 13 Nov 2023 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about headless commerce, what it is, how to do it well, and why it is making sense for more and more brands.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Jim Tattersall, Founder & CTO at Rotate°.

RESOURCES

PartnerHero: to waive set up fees, go to https://partnerhero.com/agile and mention “The Agile Brand” during onboarding!

Rotate website: https://studiorotate.com/

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

SYNOPSIS

In this episode, Jim Tattersall from Rotate emphasizes the importance of prioritizing the customer experience over solely maintaining a system. They explain that when organizations focus too much on maintaining the system, it can cause teams to lose sight of their philosophy. This means that teams may become overly focused on the technical aspects of system maintenance rather than finding ways to enhance the overall customer experience.

The speaker stresses the need for organizations to fully operationalize this customer-centric approach. They highlight the significance of clean and reliable data in this process. It is crucial for organizations to determine the source of truth for their data and where it should be stored.

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#444: Personalizing the Customer Loyalty Experience with Andy Hermo, iSeatz

Fri, 10 Nov 2023 05:00:00 GMT

According to a recent report titled “The Tipping Point for Travel Loyalty in 2023” from iSeatz, while 61% of consumers believe that the loyalty programs they belong to are helping them to save money and get more value from their travel experience, only 51% of them visit their loyalty program website first when making travel booking decisions. What’s worse - 63% of loyalty providers thing they are their members’ first choice. So there are some disconnects between what customers want and are experiencing, and what loyalty programs are providing.

Today we’re going to talk about the state of customer loyalty programs and the role of personalization in improving customer retention and lifetime value.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Andy Hermo, Chief Commercial Officer at iSeatz.

RESOURCES

PartnerHero: to waive set up fees, go to https://partnerhero.com/agile and mention “The Agile Brand” during onboarding!

iSeatz Loyalty Series report:

https://www.iseatz.com/loyalty-series-report?utm_campaign=Tipping%20point%20for%20Loyalty%20H2%20-%20Clone&utm_source=Press%20Release&utm_content=Download%20Form

iSeatz website: https://www.iseatz.com/en/

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

SYNOPSIS

According to the podcast episode, companies must prioritize understanding and meeting their customers' needs to improve their loyalty programs. One challenge is the lack of options and breadth of offerings in loyalty programs, which prevents customers from always choosing their loyalty program provider first. To enhance loyalty programs, customers expect a wide range of options that cater to their preferences and interests. Technology also plays a crucial role, and companies without modern tech stacks may struggle to keep up with evolving consumer needs. It is essential to invest in scalable and adaptable platforms that can incorporate advanced personalization capabilities. Additionally, dedicated and highly talented resources are necessary to drive a strategic loyalty approach. Relying on shared or part-time resources from marketing or finance departments may not be sufficient for effective loyalty program management. Therefore, companies should prioritize understanding and meeting customer needs, leveraging technology, and investing in the right talent to improve their loyalty programs.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#443: Building a HIPAA-compliant martech stack with Ray Mina, Freshpaint

Wed, 08 Nov 2023 05:00:00 GMT

In December of 2022, digital marketers in the healthcare industry were impacted by an expanded definition of PHI or personal health information in the HIPAA, or the health insurance portability and accountability act regulations, which are the the federal law in the United States that protects sensitive patient health incormation from being disclosed.

While this impacts healthcare companies in the US most specifically, and our conversation today is going to center around healthcare marketers, there are lessons to be learned here for marketers in any industry or locale where consumer data privacy is under increased scrutiny and regulations

Today we’re going to talk about creating a HIPAA-compliance marketing technology stack, and how to not sacrifice marketing effectiveness while still protecting consumer data, in this case personal health information.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Ray Mina, Head of Marketing at Freshpaint.

RESOURCES

PartnerHero: to waive set up fees, go to https://partnerhero.com/agile and mention “The Agile Brand” during onboarding!

Freshpaint website: https://www.freshpaint.com

Privacy First Framework Article: https://www.freshpaint.io/blog/privacy-first-framework-for-hipaa-compliance

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

SYNOPSIS

n this episode, the speaker discusses the challenges faced by healthcare organizations in highly regulated industries, such as healthcare, where a compliance-driven mindset often hinders progress. This mindset is characterized by a tendency to avoid taking risks and halt all activities when problems arise. However, the speaker emphasizes that this approach is ineffective for achieving patient-focused outcomes. Instead, they suggest adopting a mindset shift that focuses on finding effective ways to address issues while still complying with regulations.

To navigate the compliance landscape more effectively, the speaker mentions the availability of tools like Fresh Paint for healthcare organizations. They emphasize that although this approach may differ from traditional methods, it is not necessarily more difficult. The key is to embrace a mindset shift that prioritizes patient outcomes and adapts to the changing regulatory environment.

The concept of "compliance by design" is also discussed in the episode, which involves incorporating compliance considerations from the start of any project or initiative. By integrating compliance into the operational side of healthcare organizations, they can avoid losing sight of patients and other important aspects, such as marketing. This approach allows organizations to use the tools that work best for them while still ensuring compliance.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#442: Share your message on the right channel with Jonathan Rivera, ResultsLeader.fm Podcast

Mon, 06 Nov 2023 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the power of finding the right channel to share your expertise with others, while finding ways to continually learn more.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Jonathan Rivera, Founder of The Podcast Factory and Host of ResultsLeader.fm.

RESOURCES

PartnerHero: to waive set up fees, go to https://partnerhero.com/agile and mention “The Agile Brand” during onboarding!

The Podcast Factory website: https://www.thepodcastfactory.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

SYNOPSIS

In this episode, Greg Kihlström is joined by Jonathan Rivera, founder of The Podcast Factory and host of resultsleader.fm, to discuss the power of finding the right channel to share your expertise with others while continually learning. They share valuable insights and tips for marketers and CX professionals on how to create an agile brand. Tune in to gain valuable knowledge on marketing technology and CX.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#441: Customer feedback that benefits everyone with Adam Alfia, Real Time Feedback

Fri, 03 Nov 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about using customer feedback effectively, and how businesses can take the wealth of information they collect from their customers to make better business decisions that help both the customer, their employees, and the business.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Adam Alfia, Founder of Real Time Feedback.

RESOURCES

PartnerHero: to waive set up fees, go to https://partnerhero.com/agile and mention “The Agile Brand” during onboarding!

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

SYNOPSIS

In this episode, the importance of responding to feedback is emphasized, with both the host and guest agreeing on its crucial role for brands. They discuss the negative impact of sending surveys and not receiving any response, which makes customers feel like their feedback is being ignored. The guest, Adam Alfea, founder of Realtime Feedback, emphasizes that responding to feedback is a win-win situation for both customers and employees. Customers feel heard and valued, while employees receive recognition for their good work. Adam also suggests that brands should analyze the feedback they receive to identify areas of concern that need improvement. Overall, the episode highlights the significance of responding to feedback and using it to enhance the customer experience.

The episode also explores how effectively using customer feedback can benefit businesses. The host introduces the topic and mentions that businesses can use the wealth of information collected from customers to make better decisions. Adam Alfea further discusses the importance of responding to customer feedback and recognizing employees for their good work. He advises brands to respond to customer feedback as a first step in improving their methods of collecting and implementing insights from customers.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#440: Optimizing internal processes to improve CX with Nikhil Nandagopal, Appsmith

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about how focusing on internal processes can provide both internal and external benefits to a business.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Nikhil Nandagopal, Co-Founder and CPO of Appsmith.

RESOURCES

PartnerHero: to waive set up fees, go to https://partnerhero.com/agile and mention “The Agile Brand” during onboarding!

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#439: Success in a first-party data world with Derek Slager, Amperity

Mon, 30 Oct 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about first-party data strategies and how to be successful in a world of cookie deprecation, evolving data privacy regulations, the evolution of data clean rooms, and retail media networks.

To help me discuss these topics, I’d like to welcome Derek Slager, CTO & Co-Founder at Amperity.

RESOURCES

PartnerHero: to waive set up fees, go to https://partnerhero.com/agile and mention “The Agile Brand” during onboarding!

The Amperity website: https://www.amperity.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

SYNOPSIS

In this episode, the speaker emphasizes the value of taking action and implementing real use cases. They highlight the tendency for people to get lost in the abstract and stress the importance of focusing on the details and putting ideas into practice. By engaging in real use cases and collaborating with others, individuals can gain valuable insights and learn from both laggards and leaders. The speaker also emphasizes that progress should not be hindered by the pursuit of perfection, and encourages listeners to go out and apply real use cases. They mention that customers who have done so have been pleasantly surprised by the quality of results they achieved. Overall, the episode underscores the significance of taking action and implementing real use cases to drive learning and improvement.

In addition, the speaker discusses the crucial role of better data in achieving better results across various marketing technology use cases. They explain that at Amparity, everything is viewed through the lens of better data leading to better outcomes. This principle applies not only to traditional MarTech use cases, but also to upcoming changes in ad tech, data clean rooms, and retail media. The speaker suggests that better data is essential for achieving improved outcomes in these areas.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#438: Enhancing the E-commerce CX with Paul Thompson, Cloudinary

Fri, 27 Oct 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Brands must meet customer expectations for a personalized experience throughout the buyer's journey. One key opportunity to achieve this is by leveraging AI-based tools that offer relevant images and videos. These resources educate customers, manage their expectations, and ultimately drive higher conversion rates while reducing return rates.

Today we’re going to talk about enhancing the e-commerce experience using personalization and generative AI, and to do this we’re going to talk about some statistics in some research that was recently done by Cloudinary.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Paul Thompson, Head of Technical Marketing at Cloudinary.

RESOURCES

PartnerHero: to waive set up fees, go to https://partnerhero.com/agile and mention “The Agile Brand” during onboarding!

Cloudinary website: https://www.cloudinary.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

SYNOPSIS

In this episode, the importance of personalization and customization in enhancing the e-commerce experience and driving higher conversion rates is discussed. The host highlights a study by McKinsey, which reveals that 78% of consumers are more likely to make repeat purchases from companies that personalize their offerings. This underscores the significance of tailoring the customer experience to meet individual preferences and needs.

The guest, Paul Thompson, further elaborates on how platforms like Cloudinary can facilitate this level of personalization. By leveraging their platform and APIs, businesses can create customized experiences and images for their customers. For instance, they can develop image target ads with localized text overlays or content specific to a user's location. Such customization fosters a more engaging and relevant experience, thereby increasing the likelihood of conversion.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#437: AI as a member of your marketing team, with Daniel Maloney, Tailwind

Wed, 25 Oct 2023 04:00:00 GMT

There is a lot of talk about artificial intelligence these days in many areas of the business, and marketing is one that we talk about a lot on this show, but there’s a reason why - and that is because AI is fundamentally shifting the way we not only work, but the way we think about our work.

Today we’re going to talk about AI as marketing team member, not simply as a tool you use in isolated instances.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Daniel Maloney, CEO & Co-Founder of Tailwind.

RESOURCES

PartnerHero: to waive set up fees, go to https://partnerhero.com/agile and mention “The Agile Brand” during onboarding!

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

SYNOPSIS

In this episode, the importance of having a plan and a willingness to learn and improve when adopting AI tools is emphasized. The guest speaker acknowledges that initially, the quality of AI tools may be average, underscoring the need for a well-thought-out plan. The person responsible for exploring and implementing the AI tool must be willing to acknowledge its imperfections and be open to learning and finding ways to enhance it. This highlights the significance of having a growth mindset and adaptability when integrating AI into marketing strategies.

The episode also highlights the importance of leaders initiating conversations with their teams about AI. This is crucial because the team may already be utilizing AI in ways that the leader may not be aware of. By creating a safe space for dialogue, leaders can quickly gain insights into the AI tools and processes their team is using, while also fostering an environment where team members can educate each other. These conversations can also help leaders understand the challenges and opportunities that AI presents in their specific work environment. Engaging in dialogue with the team allows leaders to gain valuable insights and knowledge about AI and its potential applications within the organization.

Furthermore, the guest discusses how AI can be utilized as a tool to enhance workflows and improve efficiency. They suggest that individuals should focus on improving one specific workflow and begin exploring the various AI tools available for that purpose. By concentrating on a specific area, individuals can gain a better understanding of the AI tools that are available and how they can be integrated into their workflow. This targeted approach enables a more effective implementation of AI technology. Additionally, the guest emphasizes the importance of human oversight and intervention in checking the work done by AI tools, as they are not perfect substitutes for human capabilities. Human involvement is still necessary to ensure accuracy and quality. Overall, the episode highlights the potential benefits of incorporating AI into workflows and encourages individuals to explore the various AI tools that can support their specific needs.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#436: Using AI to Reach More Customers with Nicholas Holland, VP of Product, HubSpot Marketing Hub

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 04:00:00 GMT

I am here at Hubspot’s INBOUND Conference in Boston to talk about the impact that AI is having on marketers and how they can more effectively reach their customers. Today we’re going to talk about how marketers can avoid the hype and meaningfully use AI to create better customer experiences and build loyalty. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Nicholas Holland, VP of Product and GM of HubSpot Marketing Hub.

RESOURCES

PartnerHero: to waive set up fees, go to https://partnerhero.com/agile and mention “The Agile Brand” during onboarding!

HubSpot website: https://www.hubspot.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#435: Building a culture of experimentation, Kevin Li, Optimizely

Fri, 20 Oct 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Organizations that have a culture of experimentation are able to innovate more quickly and get to the best ideas by learning both what does and what doesn’t work.

Today we’re going to talk about how marketers can use experimentation to get the most out of their MarTech stacks, their AI tools, and their collaborations in general.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Kevin Li, VP, Product Strategy, Optimizely.

RESOURCES

PartnerHero: to waive set up fees, go to https://partnerhero.com/agile and mention “The Agile Brand” during onboarding!

Optimizely: https://www.optimizely.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

SYNOPSIS

Building a culture of experimentation is crucial for organizations to thrive, but it is a challenging task that requires collaboration and involvement from various teams, including marketing, product, design, legal, and compliance. However, many organizations struggle to establish this culture due to factors such as lack of visibility, poor communication, and inefficient workflows.

Without the right tools and processes in place, teams can face difficulties in completing tasks and understanding what is happening. For instance, a customer from the financial services industry shared their experience of trying to solve a workflow problem using spreadsheets, approval chains, and email. In their case, a single change required approval from seven different people, resulting in inefficiencies and delays. This lack of streamlined processes and visibility can lead to confusion and frustration within the organization.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#434: Composable, omnichannel marketing with Rupali Jain, Chief Product Officer, Optimizely

Wed, 18 Oct 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about an exciting announcement at the show this year, which is called Optimizely One, and while I will let my guest provide a more robust definition for us, it’s a SaaS platform for digital marketing that is decoupled, highly composable, and includes components for creation, delivery, personalization and testing of digital content to improve the customer experience.

This connects to several trends happening in the market which include a shift towards both composable approaches while also providing marketers with the need to provide consistent and continually improving experiences in an omnichannel world.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Rupali Jain, Chief Product Officer, Optimizely.

RESOURCES

PartnerHero: to waive set up fees, go to https://partnerhero.com/agile and mention “The Agile Brand” during onboarding!

Optimizely: https://www.optimizely.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

SYNOPSIS

In this episode of the Agile Brand podcast, host Greg Kihlström and guest Rupali Jain, Chief Product Officer at Optimizely discuss the announcement of Optimizely One at the Opticon 2023 conference. Optimizely One is a SaaS platform for digital marketing that offers a decoupled and highly composable approach. It includes components for creation, delivery, personalization, and testing of digital content to enhance the customer experience. This aligns with the current market trends of composable approaches and the need for consistent and improving omni-channel experiences.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#433: Demystifying platform selection with Bryan Jones and Cara Bourdage, The Office of Experience

Mon, 16 Oct 2023 04:00:00 GMT

I’m excited to talk with my guests today on a special episode brought to you by The Office of Experience, a design-driven, digital-first, vertically integrated and collaborative agency that believes in the power of ideas and the strength of people.

Today we’re going to talk about demystifying platform selection and how taking the right approach enables better strategic alignment, streamlined integration, and a better customer experience.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Bryan Jones, CTO and Cara Bourdage, Director of Product at The Office of Experience.

RESOURCES

PartnerHero: to waive set up fees, go to https://partnerhero.com/agile and mention “The Agile Brand” during onboarding!

The Office of Experience website: https://www.officeofexperience.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

SYNOPSIS

In this episode, the speakers discuss the importance of successfully adopting new platforms and how it can optimize operations and reduce maintenance time for organizations, allowing them to focus more on sales. They emphasize the significance of selecting the right platform and suggest considering key features and requirements to achieve these benefits. By identifying the most important features that drive revenue and minimize customization needs, organizations can streamline processes and enhance efficiency. This enables them to allocate more time and resources to sales and growth.

The speakers also highlight the need to consider both the end customer experience and the internal customer experience. They emphasize that if the teams using the platforms cannot effectively utilize them, it will hinder their ability to serve the end customers. Therefore, successful platform adoption should aim for a win-win situation where both internal and external customers benefit.

The episode emphasizes that digital transformation should be approached as a top-down exercise, requiring alignment and buy-in from senior executives. It is crucial for all key stakeholders to share the same vision and work towards common goals to ensure a cohesive and effective digital transformation initiative. Additionally, involving employees who will be working with the new tools or platform on a daily basis is equally important. Their feedback should be sought early and often to understand what is currently working and what improvements they would like to see.

The episode also stresses the importance of cultural fit when selecting an implementation partner. While expertise and capabilities are important, having a positive working relationship with the partner, even during disagreements and challenges, is crucial. The ability to handle tough situations professionally and respectfully is essential for a successful partnership. Collaboration and finding solutions together when things go wrong are also mentioned as important factors to consider. Cultural fit and the ability to work well together should be evaluated when choosing an implementation partner.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#432: Data sharing and collaboration with Kamakshi Sivaramakrishnan, Samooha

Fri, 13 Oct 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the power of data sharing and collaboration and how data clean rooms can help organizations in several ways.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Kamakshi Sivaramakrishnan, Founder & CEO at Samooha.

RESOURCES

PartnerHero: to waive set up fees, go to https://partnerhero.com/agile and mention “The Agile Brand” during onboarding!

Samooha website: https://www.samooha.tech/

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

SYNOPSIS

In this episode, the concept of data clean rooms and their benefits for organizations in terms of data sharing and collaboration are discussed. The guest speaker explains that clean rooms are secure platforms for data collaboration and sharing, comparing them to popular tools like Zoom, Slack, and Teams. The speaker highlights the accessibility and comfort that non-technical individuals have developed with these tools, especially during the pandemic.

A data clean room is defined as a secure environment for sharing data with external parties who share a common objective of gathering insights from the shared data. The speaker emphasizes that the data sets within a clean room are processed in a way that ensures data remains in its original location, stored on the cloud. Both parties can collaborate and combine their data sets without visibility into each other's data.

The episode also emphasizes the importance of respecting customers' and consumers' data privacy. Using a data clean room eliminates the need to compromise data privacy. While the episode briefly mentions the benefits of data clean rooms for marketing and advertising professionals, it does not delve further into this topic.

Guest speaker Kamakshi Sivaramakrishnan, the founder and CEO of Samuha, provides insights on data sharing and collaboration. She highlights the significance of these practices in the world of big data and the opportunities for enterprises to gain insights by sharing and collaborating within their ecosystem. Kamakshi acknowledges the availability of tools for data sharing and collaboration but emphasizes the need to make it easier and more accessible, particularly for non-technical audiences such as marketing, customer success, and customer experience teams. Her company, Samuha, aims to address this problem and create success in the B2B enterprise technology space. Kamakshi advises marketers to consider data collaboration as a critical part of their arsenal and choose a secure solution that aligns with their needs.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#431: Growing leaders and aspiring leaders with Nate Prosser, Wawa and the Leadership Chalk Talk Podcast

Wed, 11 Oct 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about growing current leaders and aspiring leaders into the best possible version of themselves.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Nate Prosser, Head of Learning, Leadership and change at Wawa and Host of the Leadership Chalk Talk Podcast.

Resources

PartnerHero: to waive set up fees, go to https://partnerhero.com/agile and mention “The Agile Brand” during onboarding!

Leadership Chalk Talk website: https://www.leadershipchalktalk.com/

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Synopsis

Building positive leadership-focused habits is crucial for creating a successful team. When leaders are self-aware and conscious of their habits, they can effectively respond to trigger points and avoid negative reactions. By cultivating positive habits, leaders can operate on autopilot, making their team feel comfortable and psychologically safe. They can also coach and develop their team members, fostering an environment where everyone feels supported and motivated. Consistently exhibiting these positive habits encourages team members to go above and beyond, resulting in a strong and cohesive team working towards shared goals. Therefore, developing positive leadership-focused habits is essential for building a successful team.

In the episode, the speaker highlights the significance of self-awareness and conscious habit-building for positive change. They mention that individuals often operate on autopilot for up to 40% of the time, similar to driving to work and realizing they don't remember the journey due to being lost in thought. Similarly, in a leadership context, individuals may unknowingly respond habitually to certain situations.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#430: Personalized Campaigns in Highly Regulated Industries with Diana Lee, Constellation

Mon, 09 Oct 2023 09:46:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about how to create compelling personalized content and campaigns even in highly regulated industries. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Diana Lee, Co-Founder & CEO of Constellation.

RESOURCES

Resources PartnerHero: to waive set up fees, go to https://partnerhero.com/agile and mention “The Agile Brand” during onboarding!

Constellation website: https://www.helloconstellation.com/

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#429: AI & the Workforce with Jon Darbyshire, SmartSuite

Fri, 06 Oct 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about AI and the workforce, and how intelligent businesses embrace automation to empower citizen developers and others to work smarter.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Jon Darbyshire, CEO at SmartSuite.

RESOURCES

SmartSuite website: https://www.smartsuite.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems.Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

SYNOPSIS

Workflow automation using AI has become increasingly important for businesses seeking to enhance operational efficiency. The accessibility of AI tools, such as chat GPT, has brought AI to the forefront in recent months. As a result, many businesses are now turning to AI to streamline their workflows and make more informed decisions.

One key issue that workflow automation can address is the reliance on multiple disconnected tools. Instead of using separate tools like Salesforce, HubSpot, Zendesk, and JIRA, businesses can consolidate their workflow automation needs into a single platform. This eliminates the need for manual data transfer and promotes a more seamless and integrated workflow.

Another pain point that workflow automation can alleviate is the need for efficiency in business operations. By incorporating AI into workflows, businesses can automate tasks and approvals, reducing the time and effort required for manual processes. For instance, AI can validate information before granting approvals, ensuring that all necessary criteria are met. This not only saves time but also minimizes the risk of human error.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#428: Personalizing the Customer Journey with Trent Rossini, inQuba

Wed, 04 Oct 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about Customer Journey Orchestration with a focus on SMS and messaging to help brands drive greater customer engagement and personalize the customer experience for consumers that quickly grow impatient by being saturated with impersonal messages from the brands they support. In fact, according to a recent report by Twilio, two-thirds of consumers say they’ll quite a brand if their experience isn’t personalized.

I’ve seen in my own work with leading brands that customer journey orchestration can help this, and to help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Trent Rossini, Managing Director at inQuba.

RESOURCES

inQuba website: https://www.inquba.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

SYNOPSIS

In this episode of The Agile Brand, host Greg Kihlström explores the topic of customer journey orchestration with a focus on SMS and messaging. He discusses the importance of personalized experiences and how customer journey orchestration can help brands engage with their customers more effectively. Joining Greg is Trent Rossini, Managing Director at inQuba, who shares his expertise on this subject. Tune in to learn how brands can leverage SMS and messaging to create a more personalized customer experience.

The podcast also discusses the benefits of customer journey orchestration and its impact on understanding and influencing customer behavior. Customer journey orchestration goes beyond traditional customer experience (CX) by not only capturing feedback but also analyzing customer behavior. By understanding how customers progress along their journey, organizations can identify where customers may encounter obstacles or drop off.

One key benefit of customer journey orchestration is the ability to maintain context and track customer interactions across multiple channels, such as call centers, websites, and instant messaging. By aligning with the customer's objectives, organizations can move the customer forward by providing relevant interactions that create value.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#427: Creating engaged teams with Kelsey Bishop, Founder at Candor

Mon, 02 Oct 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about how to create engaged teams by creating a culture of self-awareness and continuous learning and improvement.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Kelsey Bishop, Founder at Candor.

RESOURCES

Candor website: https://www.joincandor.com/

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Synopsis

According to the podcast episode, self-awareness is crucial for both leaders and teams to improve and create a cohesive culture. The host and guest emphasize the importance of self-awareness in leadership and its impact on team performance. The guest shares their personal experience of seeing a coach for several years, which has greatly contributed to their leadership journey and team performance. They attribute their growth to being aware of how they show up to work every day and the unintentional culture they create. The guest also highlights the significance of recognizing one's own weaknesses and areas for improvement, and how having a supportive team can aid in this growth journey.

The episode also emphasizes the benefits of self-awareness for teams as a whole. When individuals take responsibility for their own growth and development, it reduces the burden on managers in terms of coaching and performance management. It becomes a collective effort, with everyone working together to improve. The episode also stresses the importance of fostering a feedback culture and gaining a comprehensive understanding of oneself within the team.

Overall, the episode underscores that self-awareness is key for high-performance individuals and can provide them with a competitive advantage. It helps individuals identify their weaknesses, create a growth plan, and seek support from their team. For leaders, self-awareness plays a significant role in how they influence the team and create a cohesive culture. The episode recommends engaging in coaching, 360 reviews, and utilizing tools like Candor profiles to cultivate self-awareness.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#426: Print media in an omnichannel world with Curtis Tingle, CMO at Vericast

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the role of print media in a digital world, and why it’s important to not overlook valuable channels that your customers value.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Curtis Tingle, CMO at Vericast.

RESOURCES

Vericast website: https://www.vericast.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#425: Media sufficiency for greater marketing success with Austin Fredrich, The Office of Experience

Wed, 27 Sep 2023 04:00:00 GMT

I’m excited to talk with my guest today on a special episode brought to you by The Office of Experience, a design-driven, digital-first, vertically integrated and collaborative agency that believes in the power of ideas and the strength of people.

As marketers, we all know that it’s not enough to create a really compelling-seeming campaign, it has to perform, and continue to perform in order to be successful. Today we’re going to talk about media sufficiency and why it is important for marketing campaign success.

RESOURCES

The Office of Experience website: https://www.officeofexperience.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#424: Marketing complex products and services with Jaxon Repp, Field CTO & Head of Marketing, HarperDB

Mon, 25 Sep 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about marketing technically complex products and services, and some of the challenges and opportunities they present.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Jaxon Repp, Field CTO & Head of Marketing at HarperDB.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#423: Hyperautomation and the enterprise with Jon Barton, TEKsystems

Fri, 22 Sep 2023 04:00:00 GMT

This is part 1 of a special series about how organizations can streamline business processes, increase workflow efficiency and mitigate risk with hyperautomation.

This series is brought to you by TEKsystems, a global provider of business and technology solutions. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Jon Barton, a director at TEKsystems.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#422: The future of work in marketing with Lisa Murton Beets, Content Marketing Institute

Wed, 20 Sep 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Next week, Content Marketing World will be coming to Washington, DC on September 26-28 and I’m excited to be attending (and that it’s in my backyard). There’s an amazing lineup and lots of great topics for those in the content marketing industry.

Additionally, the Content Marketing Institute’s Content Marketing Career & Salary 2024 Outlook is now available, and it offers some interesting insights for those of us in the business of content marketing.

Today we’re going to talk about some of the key findings in this report, and to help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Lisa Murton Beets, Research Director, Content Marketing Institute.

RESOURCES

Content Marketing World 2023, the largest gathering of content marketers in the world, is in an all new location, Washington D.C., September 26-28.

Produced by the Content Marketing Institute, #CMWorld is jam-packed with keynotes, sessions, workshops, and masterclasses, covering all aspects of content marketing. No matter your level of expertise, you can customize your experience at #CMWorld 2023. Come learn, network and have fun making meaningful connections with fellow attendees and speakers before, during, and after the event.

BONUS: Use the code AGILE100 to save an extra $100 on your registration.

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#421: Agile Accessibility with Corb O'Connor, LevelAccess

Mon, 18 Sep 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Creating accessible digital experiences enables brands to create a more equitable, inclusive world, but doing accessibility well can provide challenges, and unfortunately, many organizations treat accessibility as an afterthought, which makes updates and innovations move slowly and ultimately making digital accessibility harder than it needs to be.

But there’s a solution to this, and it involves… Agile. Today we’re going to talk about Agile Accessibility, and to help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Corbb O'Connor, Director of Accessibility Advocacy, at Level Access.

RESOURCES

Getting started with Agile Accessibility report: https://www.levelaccess.com/earesources/getting-started-with-agile-accessibility-a-five-step-guide/

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#420: Excellent Experimentation with Dejean Brown, Optimizely

Fri, 15 Sep 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about doing digital experimentation well and what this means in terms of your platform choice, and the way you approach experimentation as a marketing team.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Dejean Brown, Principal Product Evangelist at Optimizely.

RESOURCES

Optimizely website: https://www.optimizely.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#419: Headless E-commerce and CX with Chris Bach, Netlify

Wed, 13 Sep 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about headless e-commerce, and how it improves personalization, reduces friction, and drives greater loyalty.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Chris Bach, Co-Founder, CCO and CSO at Netlify a company that powers web experiences for major retailers like Victoria Beckham Beauty, Paul Valentine and Butcher Box.

RESOURCES

Netlify website: https://www.netlify.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

SYNOPSIS

In this episode of The Agile Brand, host Greg Kihlstrom speaks with Chris Bach, co-founder, CCO, and CSO at Netlify, about the concept of headless e-commerce and its benefits for retail providers and customers. They discuss how Netlify powers web experiences for major retailers and the innovative opportunities that headless e-commerce presents.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#418: Better Customer Journey Mapping with Percy Rose, Hewlett Packard Enterprise

Mon, 11 Sep 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about why customer journey mapping matters, and how it can improve customer loyalty, and drive other customer and business outcomes.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Percy Rose, Customer Success Strategy Executive, Hewlett Packard Enterprise.

RESOURCES

Hewlett Packard Enterprise website: https://www.hpe.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

SYNOPSIS

In this episode, the guest speaker emphasizes the crucial role of gathering customer data and understanding their goals and desired outcomes in order to create a successful customer journey map. They stress the importance of conducting persona work and gathering strong intelligence about the customers before starting the mapping process. This includes understanding the key individuals in the tech industry such as heads of infrastructure and operations, CTOs, and CIOs. By understanding their goals, how they are measured, and their desired outcomes, organizations can engage in meaningful conversations with customers and gather the necessary information.

The guest speaker also highlights the need to directly communicate with customers rather than relying solely on survey data. They believe that simply collecting survey data is insufficient and that skipping the step of talking to customers is a significant oversight in the customer journey mapping process. By engaging in conversations with customers, organizations can gain valuable insights into their experiences and preferences, which can then be used to create an accurate and effective customer journey map.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#417: Staying competitive in Ecommerce with Steve Denton, CEO at Ware2Go, a UPS Company

Fri, 08 Sep 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Recent data from Ware2Go, a UPS Company, found that 89% of consumers are comparison shopping on 2+ marketplaces before they make a purchase. The same research found that 89% of consumers would consider purchasing through an online marketing place they have not previously shopped on in the next year.

To me, this means three things - one, that competition is steeper than ever, two, that there is dwindling loyalty in the online marketplaces, and three, that there is opportunity for new or competitor entrants in online marketplaces if they are able to create the right type of end-to-end customer experience.

Today we’re going to talk about all three of these aspects, and I’m thrilled to have a guest today with extensive experience in both his time as an executive at companies like eBay as well as his current position at Ware2Go, a UPS Company.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Steve Denton, CEO at Ware2Go.

RESOURCES

Ware2Go 2023 eCommerce Marketplace Report: https://ware2go.co/market-research/ecommerce-marketplace-report/

Ware2Go website: https://www.ware2go.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

SYNOPSIS

In this episode, the exciting development of new AI technology is discussed, which allows brands to predict potential delays in package delivery. This capability enables brands to proactively reach out to consumers and inform them about any potential delays, which is particularly important for audiences who prioritize timely delivery. By utilizing AI technology, brands can identify potential delays and take necessary actions to mitigate the issue.

This predictive capability is made possible through customer segmentation. For instance, brands can provide special attention and a "white glove treatment" to first-time buyers or customers who haven't made a purchase in a long time. This personalized approach not only helps manage customer expectations but also enhances the overall delivery experience.

Overall, AI technology plays a crucial role in enhancing the delivery experience by enabling brands to predict and address potential delays. By leveraging customer segmentation and personalized approaches, brands can ensure that their customers receive a flawless commerce logistics experience. This is particularly important in a competitive landscape where customer loyalty is declining, and consumers are open to trying new online marketplaces. Therefore, brands must prioritize the delivery experience and leverage AI technology to stay competitive and drive conversion rates.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#416: Digital displays and their impact on health and sustainability, with Tim O'Malley, E Ink

Wed, 06 Sep 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Digital interfaces, displays, signage, and more are a fixture of our lives, and they aren’t going anywhere. In fact, as digital displays get more flexible and sustainable, they will continue to grow in usage, but at what impact to our health, energy usage, and overall sustainability? Today we’re going to talk about creating sustainable, long-term digital displays that improve the lives of consumers and businesses.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Timothy O'Malley, AVP US RBU at E Ink Corporation, which you might not have heard of before, but if you’ve ever used an Amazon Kindle, seen digital retail display signage, healthcare signage, or even the recent color-changing BMW at CES earlier this year, you’ve probably seen their work.

RESOURCES

Full details of the study can be found at the Journal for the Society of Information Display: http://doi.org/10.1002/jsid.1191

Link to the collaboration between Kohler and E Ink: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7072135602229399552/

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

SYNOPSIS

In this episode, the host and guest delve into the topic of sustainable long-term digital displays. They acknowledge that digital displays, such as phones, tablets, televisions, laptops, and watches, have become an integral part of our lives and are continuously growing in popularity. However, there are concerns regarding their impact on health, energy consumption, and overall sustainability.

One of the challenges discussed is the power usage of digital displays. The guest highlights that Germany recently implemented restrictions on the operation of digital out of home and digital signage screens between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m., limiting their usage to only six hours a day. This serves as a clear example of the environmental and sustainability issues associated with digital signage.

The guest also introduces the concept of e-paper displays as a more sustainable alternative to traditional digital displays. They explain that e-paper displays can effectively replace paper displays, such as shelf tags in retail or small advertisement signs. By adopting e-paper displays, energy consumption can be significantly reduced.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#415: Winning and retaining customers with Solomon Zakinov, Founder & CEO, ShipX

Mon, 04 Sep 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about winning and retaining customers in technology and service-based businesses.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Solomon Zakinov, Founder & CEO of ShipX, a company that uses technology to facilitate seamless first, middle, and last-mile delivery for retailers, third-party logistics providers, and other shippers.

RESOURCES

ShipX website: https://www.shipx.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

SYNOPSIS

Solomon Zakinov, founder and CEO of ShipX, joins the show to discuss how technology can facilitate seamless delivery for retailers and shippers. ShipX specializes in streamlining the first, middle, and last mile delivery process for retailers, third-party logistics providers, and other shippers. Solomon's background in e-commerce and logistics led him to recognize the importance of efficient shipping in the overall customer experience. He identified a market need to utilize existing assets, such as smaller local couriers, to execute final mile deliveries and deliver packages directly to customers' doorsteps. This need became even more critical during the pandemic when online shopping and home deliveries surged. Solomon also highlights the lack of pricing transparency in the industry, which can result in higher costs for consumers. ShipX aims to address these challenges by leveraging technology to provide a seamless and cost-effective delivery solution for retailers and shippers.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#414: Strengthening the relationship between Sales and RevOps with Bayley Fesler and Annie Jones from Xactly

Fri, 01 Sep 2023 04:00:00 GMT

According to Gartner, only 6% of Chief Sales Officers (CSOs) are extremely confident about their team's ability to meet or exceed revenue goals. This lack of confidence has a ripple effect throughout an organization, especially between the RevOps and sales teams who each believe they hold the best strategy to meet quota. Because of this, RevOps and sales teams often interact like vinegar and oil – they don’t mix well and struggle to see eye-to-eye.

How can we repair this relationship and encourage collaboration between the two departments? Today we’re going to talk about strengthening (and in some cases repairing) the relationship between RevOps and sales teams to drive revenue and re-energize sales teams.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Xactly’s Bayley Fesler, Director of RevOps, and Annie Jones, RevOps Business Partner.

CORRECTION:

In the introduction, Annie Jones introduces herself and says that she joined Bayley at Xactly 7 years ago. They actually started working together at Marketo 7 years ago, not Xactly. Enjoy the episode!

RESOURCES

Xactly website: https://www.xactlycorp.com/

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#413: Using qualitative customer data well with Daniel Erickson, Viable

Wed, 30 Aug 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the value of qualitative customer data, and how to use it well.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Daniel Erickson. Founder & CEO at Viable, an AI analytics tool that enables businesses to instantly access and act on valuable insights from customer feedback.

RESOURCES

Viable website: https://www.askviable.com/

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#412: Standing out in an eCommerce world, with Laura Ritchey, Radial

Mon, 28 Aug 2023 04:00:00 GMT

There are a lot of technologies, trends, and customer expectations in the world of eCommerce today. Today we’re going to talk about what brands need to do to stand out in an eCommerce world.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Laura Ritchey, EVP and COO of Radial.

RESOURCES

Radial website: https://www.radial.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#411: Scaling brands while focusing on sustainability, with Richie Jones, vvast

Fri, 25 Aug 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about what it takes to scale a brand while keeping a focus on sustainability. We’re also going to talk about scaling while focusing on company values as an agency that supports the growth of brands.

To help me discuss these topics, I’d like to welcome Richie Jones, Managing Director at vvast, a D2C ecommerce agency.

RESOURCES

Vvast website: https://www.vvast.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#410: Product agility, prioritization, and business value with Dan Gallagher, Slalom

Wed, 23 Aug 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about product agility, prioritization and business value, and making sure that teams aren’t just building efficiently, but that they are focused on the things that will drive their business forward.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Dan Gallagher, Senior Principle, Product Leadership at Slalom.

RESOURCES

Slalom website: https://www.slalom.com

Blog post mentioned: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-stop-building-wrong-things-faster-reversing-curse-dan-gallagher/

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#409: Great CX is more than just talking about great CX, with Jon Picoult, Watermark Consulting

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 04:00:00 GMT

There is a lot of talk about how important customer experience is in today’s competitive landscape, but getting leaders, employees, and stakeholders all aligned to make it happen is still not a simple task.

Today we’re going to talk about what it takes to create great customer experience. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Jon Picoult, Founder of Watermark Consulting and Author of the book Impressed to Obsessed.

RESOURCES

Jon Picoult’s website: www.jonpicoult.com

From Impressed To Obsessed book website: www.impressed2obsessed.com

Watermark Consulting Customer Experience ROI Study: www.watermarkconsult.net/cx-roi

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#408: AI across the enterprise, with Alice Fournier, CIO, ISS Americas

Fri, 18 Aug 2023 04:00:00 GMT

AI4, the world’s premier conference discussing artificial intelligence and its many applications for business was held August 7-9 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and featured some amazing speakers on important topics related to AI and business.

Today we’re going to talk about the AI4 show and some of the key insights from the show and I’m happy today to be joined again by one of the many great speakers that will be leading the conversation in a few weeks.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Alice Fournier, CIO at ISS Americas.

RESOURCES

Learn more about the AI4 conference: https://ai4.io/usa/

ISS Website: https://issworld.com/

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#407: Meeting & Exceeding B2C Expectations in a B2B World with Chris Costello, Amazon Business

Wed, 16 Aug 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Business to business (B2B) marketing presents a unique set of challenges and has often been treated as a completely different marketing practice from business to consumer (B2C) marketing. But there’s one important thing to remember, and that is that all of the business customers are also B2C customers outside of their work life.

Today we’re going to talk about B2C expectations in a B2B world and how consumer expectations can be managed and even exceeded in a B2B environment.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Chris Costello, Executive Vice President, Worldwide Strategic Accounts at Amazon Business.

RESOURCES

Amazon Business website: https://business.amazon.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#406: State of the (recruiting) union with Sue Keith, Ceres Talent

Mon, 14 Aug 2023 04:00:00 GMT

In this special episode, brought to you by Ceres Talent, a marketing staffing agency run by modern-day marketing matchmakers, we’re going to talk about the State of the (Recruiting) Union, plus talk with our marketing staffing expert to provide an outlook on the marketing talent market as it currently stands.

To help me discuss these topics, I’d like to welcome Sue Keith, Corporate Vice President at Ceres Talent.

RESOURCES

Ceres Talent website: https://www.cerestalent.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#405: AI in the Contact Center with Mary Nelson, Chief Customer Officer, Aircall

Fri, 11 Aug 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about AI in the contact center and how to balance voice AI, machine learning, and other types of automation with human contact center agents to deliver the optimal customer experience.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Mary Nelson, Chief Customer Officer, Aircall.

RESOURCES

Aircall AI research report: https://pages.aircall.io/ebook-business-sentiment-toward-ai.html?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=press&utm_campaign=fc--06-aiindexgkpoadcast-usa

Aircall website: https://www.aircall.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#404: Conversational Marketing and the Customer Experience with Justin Keller, Drift

Wed, 09 Aug 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about how brands can use conversational marketing to improve their customer experience, as well as their overall customer lifetime value.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Justin Keller, Vice President of Revenue Marketing at Drift, a conversational marketing platform that works with over 5,000 customers across industries.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#403: Building a culture of data with Aron Clymer, Data Clymer

Mon, 07 Aug 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about growing data maturity as an enterprise organization and how to build a culture of data.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Aron Clymer, Founder & CEO at Data Clymer.

RESOURCES

Data Clymer website: https://dataclymer.com/

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#402: Agile Marketing adoption and growth with Melissa Reeve, Agile Marketing Alliance

Fri, 04 Aug 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Today’s topic is something I’m certainly passionate about, and which I recently wrote two books in my Agile Brand Guides series about, and my guest today has been very active in the community.

Today we’re going to talk about Agile Marketing, and a recent report: The 6th annual State of Agile Marketing Report, by AgileSherpas and The Agile Marketing Alliance. There are a number of insights that should be interesting to all marketers and leaders.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Melissa Reeve, Principal Consultant at Agile Minds and Co-Founder of the Agile Marketing Alliance.

RESOURCES

State of Agile Marketing 2023 report: https://www.agilesherpas.com/blog/state-agile-marketing-2023

Agile Marketing Alliance website: https://www.agilemarketingalliance.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#401: B2B Customer Experience at Scale, with Tommi Marsans, Verizon Business Group

Wed, 02 Aug 2023 04:00:00 GMT

The following episode was recorded at PegaWorld Inspire in Las Vegas, and I’m looking forward to this topic as well as sharing the conversation with my guest today.

Today we’re going to talk about optimizing the B2B customer experience with AI, automation, cross-channel personalization, all while doing it at scale for the enterprise.

To help me discuss this topic, I am joined by Tommi Marsans, Marketing Technology Strategist at Verizon Business Group.

RESOURCES

Verizon Business Group: https://www.verizon.com/business/

Pega: https://www.pega.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#400: Scaling professional services while maintaining CX and customer results, with Jamie Adams, Scorpion

Mon, 31 Jul 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about scaling a professional services agency in a way that maintains customer experience and stellar results.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Jamie Adams, Chief Revenue Officer at Scorpion.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#399: What makes you different is what makes you, with Dharma Pachner, Contrast & Co.

Fri, 28 Jul 2023 04:00:00 GMT

I’m excited to bring you the first in a multi-part series sponsored by Contrast & Co., an award-winning brand strategy and communications agency determined to build the most strikingly different brand experiences anywhere.

Today we’re going to talk about an interesting idea that Contrast & Co. applies to their branding: What makes you different is what makes you. We’re going to talk about what this means, and how brands that apply this idea create a memorable and valuable experience for their customers.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Dharma Pachner, Founder and Chief Creative Officer at Contrast & Co.

RESOURCES

Contrast & Co. website: https://www.contrastandco.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#398: AI and the workforce, with Alice Fournier, CIO, ISS Americas

Wed, 26 Jul 2023 04:00:00 GMT

AI4, the world’s premier conference discussing artificial intelligence and its many applications for business is being held August 7-9 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. I’m happy today to be joined by one of the many great speakers that will be leading the conversation in a few weeks.

Today we’re going to talk about AI and how it is shaping—and will shape—the future of the workplace.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Alice Fournier, CIO at ISS Americas.

RESOURCES

ISS Website: https://issworld.com/

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#397: Enterprise SEO with Adrien Menard, CEO of Botify.com

Mon, 24 Jul 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Google can’t access every variable on the internet – and with the amount of content created every day, brands can struggle to have pages be seen by Google and generate revenue. Enter organic search marketing, a sustainable and affordable traffic and revenue source. While SEO was one of the earliest forms of digital marketing, with the rise of social media, programmatic advertising, and more, SEO sometimes gets less notice as a major marketing channel.

Today we’re going to talk about organic brand visibility and how Search Engine Optimization, or SEO, is still a vital part of marketing.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Adrien Menard, Co-Founder & CEO of Botify.com.

RESOURCES

Botify website: https://www.botify.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#396: The ongoing relationship between businesses and their location, with Michael Steifvater, Arlington Economic Development

Fri, 21 Jul 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the partnership between business and their location, and the benefits of partnership.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Michael Stiefvater, Acting Director, Business Investment at Arlington Economic Development.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#395: Professional Services and the Customer Experience with Blake Godwin, Client Savvy

Wed, 19 Jul 2023 04:00:00 GMT

In May, I was fortunate to be in Durham North Carolina at the 2023 CXPS - that’s Client Experience for Professional Services - Conference, where professionals from around the country met to discuss some of the unique challenges that Customer Experience presents to professional services first. Today we’re going to continue the conversation and talk about CX and professional services and some of the unique challenges and opportunities.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Blake Godwin, Partner, President, Client Savvy.

RESOURCES

Client Savvy website: https://www.clientsavvy.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#394: Agile marketing and walled gardens with Oli Marlow Thomas, Chief Innovation Officer, Smartly.io

Mon, 17 Jul 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Marketers and advertisers for the world’s leading brands need to understand and adapt to a rapidly changing landscape, on a continual basis. Whether it is the consumer behavior known as “channel switching” between devices, platforms, etc. or the continued behavior of scrolling through numerous walled gardens such as TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat, the marketing and advertising technology industry grows increasingly fragmented.

Today we’re going to talk about “The Agile of the Omnibrand” and what it means for both brands and the marketers behind them, as well as their customers.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Oli Marlow Thomas, Chief Innovation Officer at Smartly.io.

RESOURCES

https://www.smartly.io website

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#393: Agile supply chains, with Peter Pernot-Day, SHEIN

Fri, 14 Jul 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Last holiday season, and even most of last year, it was hard to escape stories about how the supply chain was causing difficulties for retailers, as well as their customers. Today we’re going to talk about Agile Supply Chains, and how they can improve the customer experience which is a win-win for businesses and consumers.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Peter Pernot-Day, Global Head of Strategy & Corporate Affairs, SHEIN.

RESOURCES

SHEIN website: https://www.shein.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#392: Great CX in regulated industries, with Meghan Fishburn, AgencyQ

Wed, 12 Jul 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Today’s episode is brought to you by AgencyQ, an award-winning team that believes in the power of experience, creating technology and customer experiences that work in harmony to break down barries to personal interactions and serve people as individuals.

Today we’re going to talk about creating great customer experience in highly regulated industries.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Meghan Fishburn, SVP Client Strategy at AgencyQ.

RESOURCES

AgencyQ website: https://www.agencyq.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#391: AI and the Customer Experience at Scale, with Shelia Anderson, US CIO at Aflac

Mon, 10 Jul 2023 04:00:00 GMT

The following episode was recorded at PegaWorld Inspire in Las Vegas, and I’m looking forward to this topic as well as sharing the conversation with my guest today.

Today we’re going to talk about the meaningful use of AI in the customer experience, and doing it at scale for the enterprise.

To help me discuss this topic, I am joined by Shelia Anderson, US Chief Information Officer at Aflac.

RESOURCES

Aflac: https://www.aflac.com

Pega: https://www.pega.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#390: Prioritizing what customers both want and need with Bobby Arbuthnot, Unisys

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about prioritization and how to, as advisors both within and outside of a company, balance the things customers need to have versus what you know they need.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Bobby Arbuthnot, Director Solutions Management, Employee Experience at Unisys.

RESOURCES

Unisys website: https://www.unisys.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#389: Marketing, AI, and the Omnichannel Experience with Asim Zaheer, Glassbox

Wed, 05 Jul 2023 04:00:00 GMT

The customer experience continues to be a key point of competition among brands today, and those that can provid more personalized content, offers, and overall experiences are pulling ahead. But businesses cannot close the digital experience gap and meet their customers' expectations if they do not have a thorough understanding of how customers are navigating their digital platforms.

Today we’re going to talk about how how marketers should be thinking about utilizing AI and marketing and/or CX in the months ahead.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Asim Zaheer, Chief Marketing Officer at Glassbox.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#388: AI and decision making, prediction, and workflow automation, with Rik Chomko, CEO at InRule

Mon, 03 Jul 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about some of the powerful ways that AI can augment human capabilities to make decisions, learn from those decisions, and automate processes to reduce errors and improve results.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Rik Chomko, CEO at InRule Technology.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#387: AI & Machine Learning in the Enterprise, with Scott Love, Lovelytics

Fri, 30 Jun 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about artificial intelligence and machine learning in the enterprise, where it is today and where it’s currently headed, as well as the role of place in building talented data and technology teams.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Scott Love, Founder & CEO of Lovelytics.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#386: Intrapreneurship and fostering innovation from within, with Shane Pahl

Wed, 28 Jun 2023 04:00:00 GMT

In this episode, Adam Chen interviews Shane Pahl, a consultant by trade and organizational anthropologist by training. We discuss such heady topics as defining what intraprenuership means and how we see that play out in the organizations we have both worked with. Take a listen to glean insights on how organizations can cultivate people and foster innovation from the viewpoint of a hired gun brought in from the outside.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#385: Dispelling Myths About Funding Creative and UX: What You Think You're Getting vs What You Really Need with Dan Knuckey and Jason Bowman from The Office of Experience

Mon, 26 Jun 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about Dispelling Myths About Funding Creative and UX: What You Think You're Getting vs What You Really Need, in a special episode brought to you by The Office of Experience, a design-driven, digital-first, vertically integrated and collaborative agency that believes in the power of ideas and the strength of people. This will also be the first of a quarterly outlook on B2B e-commerce and what brands should be looking out for there.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Dan Knuckey, Executive Creative Director, and Jason Bowman, Executive Director of UX at The Office of Experience.

RESOURCES

The Office of Experience website: https://www.officeofexperience.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#384: The Autonomous Enterprise and CX, plus the Ethics of Generative AI, with Tara DeZao, Pega

Fri, 23 Jun 2023 04:00:00 GMT

The following episode was recorded at PegaWorld Inspire in Las Vegas, and I’m looking forward to this topic as well as sharing the conversation with my guest today.

Today we’re going to talk about the Autonomous Enterprise and how it benefits the customer experience as well as the business, plus the ethics of generative AI.

To help me discuss this topic, I am joined by Tara DeZao, Product Marketing Director, AdTech and MarTech.

RESOURCES

Pega: https://www.pega.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#383: Maximizing events data with JR Sherman, CEO of RainFocus

Wed, 21 Jun 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about how to create the most business and customer value by maximizing your usage of event data.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome JR Sherman, CEO at RainFocus.

RESOURCES

Rainfocus website: https://www.rainfocus.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#382: Building Customer Enagement with April Mullen, Braze

Mon, 19 Jun 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Braze recently released its 2023 Customer Enagement Review, and there are a number of interesting insights found with in it, relating to the customer experience.

Today we’re going to talk about 3 of the key insights within this report, and to help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome April Mullen, Senior Director of Content Strategy at Braze.

RESOURCES

Link to 2023 Customer Engagement Review: https://ter.li/1pe3xx

Braze website: https://www.braze.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#381: Narrowing the strategy and execution gap with Alex Castro, CEO of 11:59

Fri, 16 Jun 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about narrowing the gap between strategy and execution, and how leaders can be more successful in measuring and improving their team’s results.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Alex Castro, best selling author, creator/founder of ReM Score™ and CEO of 11:59.

RESOURCES

11:59 website: https://www.elevenfiftynine.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#380: Culture that benefits employees, customers, and the business with Steve Robinson, former CMO at Chick-fil-A

Wed, 14 Jun 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about building the kind of corporate culture that benefits employees, customers, and the business itself with a leader that helped build a brand that is known far and wide for its commitment to employee and customer experience.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Steve Robinson, Author, Speaker, and Consultant at S. Robinson Consulting, and the former EVP and Chief Marketing Officer at Chick-fil-A.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#379: Creating a truly accessible customer experience with Yaddy Arroyo, Truist

Mon, 12 Jun 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about creating truly accessible interfaces across a variety of mediums and channels.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Yaddy Arroyo, VP and Principal VUI Designer at Truist.

RESOURCES

Truist website: https://www.truist.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#378: CX and Professional Services, Part 2 with Tammi Nagucki, Environmental Design Group

Fri, 09 Jun 2023 04:00:00 GMT

I am here in Durham North Carolina at the 2023 CXPS - that’s Customer Experience for Professional Services - Conference. Today we’re going to talk about CX and professional services and some of the unique challenges and opportunities.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Tammi Nagucki, Principal - Marketing and Client Experience at Environmental Design Group.

RESOURCES

CXPS website: https://clientexperience.org/cxps-conference/

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#377: Beyond Customer Loyalty: Building a Cult Brand, with Chris Kneeland, CEO of Cult Collective

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about how to go beyond simply having happy customers or even loyal ones, and follow the examples of iconic well-loved brands and create a cult brand of your own.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Chris Kneeland, Co-Founder of Cult Collective and The Gathering.

RESOURCES

Cult Collective website: https://cultideas.com/

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#376: Improving Customer Education for Better CX with Jack Foster, Workramp

Mon, 05 Jun 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about customer education to improve the customer experience, and we’ll be talking about how to improve the employee experience through education as well.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Jack Foster, CMO at WorkRamp.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#375: Creating best-in-class personalized customer experiences with Pini Yakuel, CEO at Optimove

Fri, 02 Jun 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about creating best in class personalized, cross-channel customer experiences, using a CDP, AI, orchestration, and more.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Pini Yakuel, CEO at Optimove.

RESOURCES

Optimove website: https://www.optimove.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#374: Customer Lifetime Value and Journey Orchestration with Matthew Egol, JourneySpark Consulting

Wed, 31 May 2023 04:00:00 GMT

I’m excited today to be talking with someone who I’ve collaborated on a few articles with amongst other things. We’ve discussed AI, Customer Experience, and Journey Orchestration based on our experiences working with leading brands.

I’d like to welcome Matthew Egol, Founder & CEO of JourneySpark Consulting, and today we’re going to talk about true, customer-centric journey orchestration.

RESOURCES

JourneySpark Consulting: https://sites.google.com/view/journeysparkconsulting/about-us/our-partner-network

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#373: Maximizing business value with FinOps, Part 2, with Kalika Prasad Maheshwari, TEKsystems

Mon, 29 May 2023 04:00:00 GMT

I’m excited to introduce part 2 of a special series about how organizations can maximize business value with FinOps in a series brought to you by TEKsystems, a global provider of business and technology solutions.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Kalika Prasad Maheshwari, senior director at TEKsystems.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#372: Maximizing business value with FinOps, Part 1, with Ani Lingutla, TEKsystems

Fri, 26 May 2023 04:00:00 GMT

I’m excited to introduce part 1 of a special series about how organizations can maximize business value with FinOps in a series brought to you by TEKsystems, a global provider of business and technology solutions.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Anil Lingutla, practice director at TEKsystems.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#371: Sustainability as a win-win for customers and the business with Brennan Spellacy, CEO, Patch

Wed, 24 May 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about how sustainability is no longer an option for brands, and why this is a benefit for both customers and the bottom line.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Brennan Spellacy, CEO and Co-Founder at Patch.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#370: ERP, successful operations and CX with Nick Foy, Silverdale Technology

Mon, 22 May 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about enterprise resource planning and how it can drive both internal success as well as successful customer experiences.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Nick Foy, Founder and CEO, Silverdale Technology.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#369: Marketing Hiring Myths with Sue Keith, Ceres Talent

Fri, 19 May 2023 04:00:00 GMT

In this special episode, brought to you by Ceres Talent, a marketing staffing agency run by modern-day marketing matchmakers, we’re going to talk about 4 Hiring Myths that anyone hiring and managing marketing talent have probably run across. We’re going to get to the bottom of each of these today, plus provide an outlook on the marketing talent market as it currently stands.

To help me discuss these topics, I’d like to welcome Sue Keith, Corporate Vice President at Ceres Talent.

RESOURCES

Ceres Talent website: https://www.cerestalent.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#368: What Exactly is Good CX? with Ginger Conlon, Genesys

Wed, 17 May 2023 04:00:00 GMT

The state of customer experience is continually changing, as brands increasingly compete based on the experience they can deliver to their customers across channels, and across the customer journey. The winners in this race gain new customers through reputation and word of mouth, retain existing customers through loyalty and increased customer lifetime, and those who struggle to keep up can sometimes face an ever-widening gap in experience maturity.

Genesys, a leading provider of customer experience and call center technology platforms, recently released its State of CX 2023 report, and today I’m going to discuss some of the most striking findings with one of its contributors.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Ginger Conlon, Thought Leadership Director and Customer Experience Advocate at Genesys.

RESOURCES

Genesys State of CX report: https://www.genesys.com/resources/state-of-cx

Genesys website: https://www.genesys.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#367: Professional Services and the Customer Experience Part 1, with Ryan Suydam, ClientSavvy

Mon, 15 May 2023 11:20:00 GMT

I am here in Durham North Carolina at the 2023 CXPS - that’s Client Experience for Professional Services - Conference. Today we’re going to talk about CX and professional services and some of the unique challenges and opportunities. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Ryan Suydam, Chief Experience Officer, Client Savvy.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#366: Intrapreneurship and global growth with Alex Ghiculescu and Beau Grzanich, Workforce.com

Fri, 12 May 2023 04:00:00 GMT

In this episode, Adam Chen interviews two change agents at Workforce.com, a leading workforce management software which manages scheduling, time & attendance, and payroll for organizations large and small. We hear two differing perspectives on what intraprenuership means at Workforce.com and how innovation is fostered and has evolved since the company's inception. Check out this new episode featuring insights from the co-founder as well as an intraprenuer who helps carry the baton forward as the company continues to grow its global operations.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#365: Building a customer-centered digital consultancy with Chad Solomonson, RDA

Wed, 10 May 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Welcome to a special episode brought to you by RDA and Sitecore.

Today we’re going to talk about improving the customer experience that professional services firms deliver and how it can make a meaningful impact on project and business outcomes. This is part of what creates a customer-centered digital consultancy.

RESOURCES

Download the "Building a Customer-Centered Digital Consultancy" white paper, featuring RDA

RDA website: https://www.rdacorp.com

Sitecore website: https://www.sitecore.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#364: AI and Automation in the Financial Sector with Joe Robinson, Hummingbird

Mon, 08 May 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about how AI and automation can help financial organization fight fraud, bias, and create better and safer customer experiences.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Joe Robinson, Co-Founder & CEO at Hummingbird.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#363: Winning at In-Game Advertising with Jared Lansky, SVP Partnerships, MediaMath

Fri, 05 May 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about in-game advertising, and how brands are utilizing this tactic to great effect, all while strategizing amid growing efforts to implement global data privacy policies.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Jared Lansky, SVP Partnerships at MediaMath.

RESOURCES

MediaMath website: https://www.mediamath.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#362: Meaningful changes for greater customer outcomes with Anthony Coppedge, Principal Agile Digital Sales Global Transformation Lead at IBM

Wed, 03 May 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about making meaningful changes within an organization to create greater customer outcomes.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Anthony Coppedge, Principal Agile Digital Sales Global Transformation Lead at IBM.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#361: The Value of a Well-Informed Customer with Alyssa Alsheimer, SVP of Marketing and Engagement at Wellframe

Mon, 01 May 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the value of a well-informed customer, and marketing complex service offerings such as health insurance plans, in order to educate consumers and get the best results for everyone.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Alyssa Alsheimer, SVP Marketing and Engagement at Wellframe.

RESOURCES

Wellframe website: https://www.wellframe.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#360: Search & Discovery to Drive Ecommerce Revenue with Piyush Patel, Algolia

Fri, 28 Apr 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Algolia, one of the leading enterprise search and discovery platforms, recently published its Ecommerce Site Search Trends 2023 report, which highlights several opportunities and challenges for ecommerce businesses.

Today we’re going to talk about the power of search and discovery to deliver strong revenue results to ecommerce businesses, as well as how to harness this power most effectively for your organization.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Piyush Patel, Chief Strategic Business Development Officer at Algolia.

RESOURCES

Algolia website: https://www.algolia.com

Algolia 2023 Ecommerce site search trends report: https://www.algolia.com/dg/ecommerce-site-search-trends-2023/p/1

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Don't miss the upcoming CXPS conference, May 8-11 in Durham, North Carolina. It's for professional services firms that want to focus more on the customer experience. Go to: https://clientexperience.org/cxps-conference/ to register and use the code AGILE200 to get $200 off your ticket.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#359: The Business Value of a Great Employee Experience with Annette Franz, Founder & CEO of CX Journey

Wed, 26 Apr 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the business value of creating a great employee experience.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Annette Franz, Founder & CEO of CX Journey, and best-selling author.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#358: Showing vs. telling to improve the customer experience with Ken Babcock, Tango

Mon, 24 Apr 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the value of showing vs. telling in order to improve the customer experience.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Ken Babcock, Founder & CEO of Tango, a platform that allows users to create step-by-step tutorials of any process with an aim at increasing your company's CX.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#357: Customer Engagement as Competitive Advantage with Glenn Weinstein, Chief Customer Officer, Twilio

Fri, 21 Apr 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Anyone that listens to this show knows that category leaders are using data driven customer engagement to create better customer experiences, more loyal customers, and a competitive advantage for the years ahead.

Twilio recently published its annual State of Customer Engagement Report, exposing the significant challenges businesses face in activating customer data and what’s at stake when it’s done wrong.

Today we’re going to talk about customer engagement as competitive advantage, and how engaged consumers that trust the brands they support become loyal lifetime customers.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Glenn Weinstein, Chief Customer Officer at Twilio.

RESOURCES

Twilio report: https://www.twilio.com/en-us/state-of-customer-engagement

Twilio website: https://www.twilio.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#356: Empowering Great CX Within Your Brand, with Mark Slatin, EmpoweredCX

Wed, 19 Apr 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about empowering great CX in organizations, and what it takes from leaders and employees to do so.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Mark Slatin, Customer Experience Advisor and Consultant with EmpoweredCX and host of the Delighted Customers Podcast.

RESOURCES

EmpoweredCX website: https://www.empoweredcx.com/

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#355: Maximizing your DXP Investments with Sue Rivero, RDA

Mon, 17 Apr 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Every business needs a website that performs for their business, but beyond a good Content Management System and regular content updates, it takes a lot to maximize your return on investments in this critical marketing platform.

In a special episode brought to you by RDA and Sitecore, we’re going to talk about getting the most value from your Digital Experience Platform, or DXP, investment.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Sue Rivero, Director of Consulting Services, RDA.

RESOURCES

Sitecore website https://www.sitecore.com

RDA website https://www.rdacorp.com/

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#354: Agile marketing and the customer-centric team with Robin Ross, Costco

Fri, 14 Apr 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about creating a winning customer and employee experience, and how Agile Marketing approaches can be introduced and adopting for successful outcomes.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Robin Ross, AVP Corporate Marketing at Costco.

RESOURCES

Costco website: https://www.costco.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#353: Intrapreneurship with Greg Kihlström and Co-Host Adam Chen, CMO at The Amenity Collective

Wed, 12 Apr 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Welcome to a special episode of the The Agile Brand podcast that we call The Agile Brand Guide to Intrapreneurship.

While entrepreneurs are often lauded with creating new businesses and ideas, it is more often the case that change agents working within organizations—intrapreneurs—are responsible for innovation and seeing those new ideas through to completion. The Agile Brand Guide to Intrapreneurship shares stories and insights from leaders within organizations that had the courage to create new ways to move a business forward.

In this first episode, co-host Adam Chen and Greg Kihlström discuss what it means to be an intrapreneur and give a preview of the rest of the series.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#352: How DEI transforms organizations with Donald Thompson, The Diversity Movement

Mon, 10 Apr 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about how diversity, equity, and inclusion can play a transformational role in any organization.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Donald Thompson, CEO & Co-Founder of The Diversity Movement, and author of Underestimated: A CEO’s Unlikely Path to Succcess.

RESOURCES

The Diversity Movement website: https://thediversitymovement.com/

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#350: It's Time for Digital Customer Service with Ragy Thomas, Founder & CEO at Sprinklr

Wed, 05 Apr 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about digital customer service, and how it’s now essential for companies in every industry to embrace it if they haven’t already started doing so.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Ragy Thomas, Founder & CEO, Sprinklr, a provider of enterprise software for customer experience management.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#349: Madtech and First Party Data Strategies with Jonathan Moran, SAS

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 04:00:00 GMT

By 2023, 65% of the world’s population will have its data covered under modern privacy regulations according to Gartner. With this, marketers and advertisers are under increasing pressure to both adhere to data privacy regulations while maintaining and increasing the effectiveness of their efforts.

Today we’re going to talk about first party data approaches, “Madtech”, and how marketers and advertisers can be more successful in a world that is increasingly focused on consumer data privacy.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Jonathan Moran, Head of MarTech Solutions Marketing, SAS.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#348: Customer, Employee, and Business Experience with Adrian Swinscoe, Host of the Punk CX Podcast

Fri, 31 Mar 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the value of thinking about experience holistically - customers, employees, and the business, so that when it’s done well, everyone wins.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Adrian Swinscoe, Customer Service and Experience Advisor, Mentor, author of the book Punk XL, and host of the Punk CX podcast.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#347: How human-centric businesses win the war for talent with Paul Vian, Chief Revenue Officer at Apps Associates

Wed, 29 Mar 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about how leading with a human-centric approach strengthens recruiting, talent retention, and business goals.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Paul Vian, Chief Revenue Officer, Apps Associates.

RESOURCES

Apps Associates website: https://www.appsassociates.com/

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#346: Winning in the subscription economy with Matthew Holman, Head of Growth and Cofounder, Qpilot.cloud

Mon, 27 Mar 2023 04:00:00 GMT

The subscription economy is growing, with the market size as of 2020 estimated to have been about $650Billion according to Statista, and projected to be over $1.5 Trillion by 2025. That’s a lot of subscriptions!

For those listening, you’ve undoubtedly seen this as a consumer, and as a marketer, if your brand hasn’t already converted some of its resources towards embracing the subscription economy, many of you may either be growing a subscription program, or your brand may be considering a foray into subscriptions.

Today we’re going to talk about launching, scaling, and innovating subscription programs.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Matthew Holman, Head of Growth and Cofounder, Qpilot.cloud.

RESOURCES

Qpilot website: https://www.qpilot.cloud

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#345: Optimizing the Buyer's Experience with Leah McTiernan, DocuSign

Fri, 24 Mar 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the buyer’s experience, and how automation and intentional approaches can improve it, and lead to more valuable customers.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Leah McTiernan, GVP Presales Solutions at DocuSign.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#344: Business Agility Tied to the Customer Experience with Kert Peterson, NextUp Solutions

Wed, 22 Mar 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Welcome to a special episode brought to you by NextUp Solutions a premier Agile services provider headquartered in Arlington, VA. They have a broad range of Agile offerings led by certified trainers and experts with backgrounds from a wide assortment of industry sectors, non-profits, and government organizations. Today we’re going to talk about business agility, and how it can be measured both internally with your employees and teams, as well as externally with customer experience and success metrics. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Kert Peterson, Agile Coach and Trainer with NextUp Solutions.

Today we’re going to talk about business agility, and how it can be measured both internally with your employees and teams, as well as externally with customer experience and success metrics.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Kert Peterson, Agile Coach and Trainer with NextUp Solutions.

RESOURCES

NextUp Solutions Website: https://www.nextupsolutions.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#343: Agile Consumer Insights with Corey Lipman, Jumpspark

Mon, 20 Mar 2023 04:00:00 GMT

A lot of money is spent to do research in order to better understand potential and current customers. In a fast-changing world, many of the factors that go into the gaining consumer insights can change suddenly. This means well-planned research can suddenly be missing a key factor, such as a global pandemic, and economic downturn, or other issues that may cause consumers to have very different priorities, almost overnight.

Today we’re going to talk about Agile research, and how you can gain customer insights based on research that doesn’t go out of date the minute you get the results.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Corey Lipman, Founder of Jumpspark, formerly on the Global Human Insights team at Procter and Gamble.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#342: User experience as employee experience with Caroline Roche, VP and Senior Partner, IBM

Fri, 17 Mar 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the user experience as employee experience, and how Agile approaches can help teams have more successful platform and process implementations.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Caroline Roche, VP and Senior Partner at IBM.

RESOURCES

IBM website: https://www.ibm.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#341: Improving CX with Remote Video Support, with Rama Sreenivasan, CEO of Blitzz

Wed, 15 Mar 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about improving the customer experience with remote video support.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Rama Sreenivasan, CEO and Co-Founder at Blitzz.

RESOURCES

Blitzz website: https://www.blitzz.co

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

If you are struggling with projects, sign up for Basecamp. Their pricing is simple and they give you ALL their features in a single plan. No upsells. No upgrades. Go to basecamp.com/agile and try Basecamp for free. No credit card required and cancel anytime. Thank you, Basecamp for sponsoring this episode!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#340: Empathy, AI, and the Customer Experience with Josh Feast, CEO of Cogito

Mon, 13 Mar 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the relationship between human empathy and conversation AI, and how those two can work together to help both customers and brands by improving the customer experience.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Josh Feast, CEO and Co-Founder at Cogito Corporation.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#339: Combining Technology and Creativity for Standout Customer Engagement with Mariam Asmar, Braze

Fri, 10 Mar 2023 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about how creativity and technology drive standout customer engagement.

Recently WARC and Braze released a report entitled: The invisible enabler: Unlocking the Creative Potential of Technology. We’re going to talk about a few of the ideas in that white paper that covers why brands should audit their available tech and data, how they should prioritze creative investment in key areas of the omnichannel journey, and why it is advisable to put in place a first-party data strategy.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Mariam Asmar, VP Strategic Consulting at Braze.

RESOURCES

Braze website: https://www.braze.com

WARC and Braze report: https://www.braze.com/resources/articles/new-report-from-warc-and-braze-reveals-how-major-brands-are-successfully-unlocking-the-creative-potential-of-technology

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#338: Scaling infrastructure to improve CX with Deepak Giridharagopal, CTO at Puppet by Perforce

Wed, 08 Mar 2023 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about building infrastructure at scale while keeping in mind the people, processes, and platforms involved, and how this translates to an improvement in the customer experience.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Deepak Giridharagopal, CTO at Puppet by Perforce.

RESOURCES

Puppet's 2023 State of DevOps Report: Platform Engineering Edition: https://www.puppet.com/resources/state-of-platform-engineering

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#337: Mental wellness and the workplace with Josh Birk, Salesforce

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about mental wellness at work, and how to teach and learn well on the job.

To help me discuss these topics, I’d like to welcome Josh Birk, Senior Director, Developer Evangelism at Salesforce, also known as the “Godfather of Trailhead” and the host of the Salesforce Developer podcast.

RESOURCES

Salesforce Developers Podcast: https://developer.salesforce.com/podcast/

The Pool at Nowhere Keynote: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkXefNpFbOA

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#336: CX and Human Centered Automation with Charlie Newark-French, Hyperscience

Fri, 03 Mar 2023 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the impact of human centered automation on the customer experience.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Charlie Newark-French, Interim CEO at Hyperscience.

RESOURCES

Hyperscience website: https://www.hyperscience.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#335: Retention marketing and CX with Adam Robinson of Retention.com

Wed, 01 Mar 2023 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about customer loyalty, retention marketing, and how doing these things well can reap huge rewards for brands as well as their customers.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Adam Robinson, CEO at Retention.com.

RESOURCES

Retention website: https://retention.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#334: B2C expectations of B2B ecommerce, with Carlos Manalo and Stratton Cherouny of The Office of Experience

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 05:00:00 GMT

Whether you work for a B2B or a B2C company, when you stop working every day, you are also a consumer. And because of this, our behaviors as B2B buyers and customers are shaped by the experiences we have as consumers.

Today we’re going to talk about how B2C expectations can influence B2B purchasing in a special episode brought to you by The Office of Experience, a design-driven, digital-first, vertically integrated and collaborative agency that believes in the power of ideas and the strength of people. This will also be the first of a quarterly outlook on B2B e-commerce and what brands should be looking out for there.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Carlos Manalo and Stratton Cherouny, Co-CEOs of The Office of Experience.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#333: The power of sharing stories of both success and failure, with Ben Albert, Balbert Marketing

Fri, 24 Feb 2023 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about learning from others and the importance of sharing stories so that both you and others can learn from your successes as well as your failures.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Ben Albert, Founder & CEO of Balbert Marketing.

RESOURCES

Balbert Marketing website: https://balbertmarketing.com/

REAL Business Connections website: https://realbusinessconnections.com/

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#332: The Value of the Candidate Experience with Sue Keith, Corporate Vice President at Ceres Talent

Wed, 22 Feb 2023 05:00:00 GMT

In this special episode, brought to you by Ceres Talent, we’re going to talk about the value of the candidate experience in times where there are plenty of candidates or when there aren’t nearly enough candidates for the roles available. While some approaches may change, the candidate experience is always important.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Sue Keith, Corporate Vice President at Ceres Talent.

RESOURCES

Ceres Talent website: https://www.cerestalent.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#331: Retail Media Networks and First Party Data Strategies with Mary Matyas, MediaMath

Mon, 20 Feb 2023 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about retail media networks, their benefits and drawbacks, and how they fit in a post-cookie first-party data world.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Mary Matyas, SVP and General Manager North America at MediaMath.

RESOURCES

MediaMath website: https://mediamath.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#330: Improving processes to get better marketing results with Shafqat Islam, Chief Marketing Officer, Optimizely

Fri, 17 Feb 2023 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about how focusing on the processes and methods behind the work of marketing can help marketers be more effective and get better results.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Shafqat Islam, General Manager at Optimizely.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#329: Maximizing Your Digital Experience Platform, with Jaina Baumgartner, RDA

Wed, 15 Feb 2023 05:00:00 GMT

As any marketer knows, it’s not enough to just have a good looking website. You need one that performs. It needs to provide relevant content, have the flexibility to adapt to both the brand and the customers’ needs, and it needs the speed and performance that consumers expect.

In a special episode brought to you by RDA and Sitecore, we’re going to talk about three aspects that any brand should keep in mind when implementing a digital experience platform: Personalization & Relevance, Scale & Flexibility, and Speed & Performance.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Jaina Baumgartner, Director of Digital Strategy at RDA.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#328: Composable platforms and the ecommerce customer experience with Filippo Conforti, Founder & CEO of Commerce Layer

Mon, 13 Feb 2023 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about modern ecommerce, and how composable platforms offer brands the ability to deliver a more unified customer experience.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Filippo Conforti, Founder & CEO of Commerce Layer.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#327: Public art and the future of work with Angela Anderson Adams, Arlington Economic Development

Fri, 10 Feb 2023 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the role of public art in place and its relationship to the people who live and work in a place like Arlington County, Virginia.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Angela Anderson Adams, Director Arlington Public Art at Arlington Economic Development.

RESOURCES

Arlington Economic Development website: https://www.arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com

Return on Creativity website: https://www.returnoncreativity.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#326: The shared goal of customer centricity, with Amanda Ono, CHRO at Kroll

Wed, 08 Feb 2023 10:44:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about customer centricity as a shared goal among leaders and employees.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Amanda Ono, Chief Human Resources Officer at Kroll.

RESOURCES

Kroll website: https://www.kroll.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#325: Employee Experience in Tough Economic Times with Anne Jacoby, Spring Street Solutions

Mon, 06 Feb 2023 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about maintaining a great employee experience during tough economic times, and maintaining morale when teams are stretched thin, and often with higher expectations.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Anne Jacoby, Founder + CEO at The Spring Street Solutions Company.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#324: Personalized content delivery and customer lifetime value with John Thomas, Chief Strategy Officer, Relay Network

Fri, 03 Feb 2023 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about personalized content delivery and how it helps brands create more valuable and longer lasting customer relationships.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome John Thomas, Chief Strategy Officer, Relay Network.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#323: Automation in the workplace with Shawn Herring, CMO, airSlate

Wed, 01 Feb 2023 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the role of automation in the workplace, and how a hybrid work environment can provide both challenges and opportunities to a more productive and streamlined workplace.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Shawn Herring, Chief Marketing Officer at airSlate, a $1B+ tech unicorn and leader in eSignature + workflow automation solutions.

RESOURCES

airSlate's HR survey report: https://www.airslate.com/hr-report?utm_source=web&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=agile

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#322: Life beyond third party cookies with Jascha Kaykas-Wolff, President at Lytics

Mon, 30 Jan 2023 05:00:00 GMT

Leading customer data platform company Lytics recently released a white paper called “Life After the Third-Party Cookie” which discusses what a world post-third party cookies looks like for both marketers and their customers.

Today we’re going to talk about life beyond the era of the third-party cookie and what it means for both marketers and the customer experience and to help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Jascha Kaykas-Wolff, President at Lytics.

RESOURCES

Lytics website: https://www.lytics.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#321: Successful design processes with Amrita Mathur, VP of Marketing at Superside

Fri, 27 Jan 2023 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about successful design and the process used to get great design results.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Amrita Mathur, VP of Marketing at Superside.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#320: Using prediction to improve CX, with Andy Rossmeissl, Faraday

Wed, 25 Jan 2023 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about using prediction to improve the customer experience.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Andy Rossmeissl, CEO and Co-Founder of Faraday.

Resources

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#319: CDPs and a First-Party Data Strategy with Jaina Baumgartner, RDA

Mon, 23 Jan 2023 05:00:00 GMT

Customer Data Platforms, or CDPs, provide companies with the ability to tie their customer information from a multitude of sources and types of behaviors into a single profile that can power personalization, enhanced data governance, and enable better tracking and reporting across the customer journey.

In a special episode brought to you by RDA and Sitecore, we’re going to talk about how companies can use CDPs to successfully implement a first-party data strategy and better serve their customers and the business.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Jaina Baumgartner, Director of Digital Strategy at RDA.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#318: Personalizing the Customer Experience While Optimizing Data Privacy, with Lisa Routel, Verizon

Fri, 20 Jan 2023 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about personalizing the customer experience to increase loyalty in a world increasingly mindful of consumer data privacy.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Lisa Routel, Marketing Strategy Lead, Verizon Up.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#316: How People, Process, and Platforms Affect the Employee Experience, with Joe Berger, WWT

Mon, 16 Jan 2023 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about how the people, process, and platforms of a great Employee Experience translate into a great Customer Experience.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Joe Berger, Area Vice President, Digital Experiences at World Wide Technology.

Resources

World Wide Technology website: https://www.wwt.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

If you are struggling with projects, sign up for Basecamp. Their pricing is simple and they give you ALL their features in a single plan. No upsells. No upgrades.

Go to basecamp.com/agile and try Basecamp for free. No credit card required and cancel anytime. Thank you, Basecamp for sponsoring this episode!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#315: Consumer Data Privacy and the Customer Experience with Fiona Campbell-Webster, Chief Privacy Officer at MediaMath

Fri, 13 Jan 2023 05:00:00 GMT

There is a lot of talk these days about consumers data privacy, and with good reason. With many high profile data breaches exposing customer data, as well as a lot of uncertainty about how consumers’ data is exactly being used, there have been moves both from a regulatory perspective (such as GDPR in the EU and CCPA in the State of California) to provide greater protection for consumers and their data.

Yet, we also see that when customers have trust in a brand to use their data well, they are open to providing more information. For instance, a recent MediaMath survey showed that 74% of consumers are willing to share preferences, interests and demographic information directly with brands if that would improve their online shopping experience.

Today we’re going to talk about the importance of consumer privacy in fostering stronger relations between platforms and customers.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Fiona Campbell-Webster, Chief Privacy Officer at MediaMath.

Resources

MediaMath website: https://www.mediamath.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#314: Design Thinking and the Customer Experience with Laurence Gonzalez, Commercial Bank at JPMorgan Chase

Wed, 11 Jan 2023 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about applying design thinking to the customer experience in order to improve processes and delivery, and provide more customer-centric products & services.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Laurence Gonzalez, Vice President of Product Insights on the Global Client Experience team within the Commercial Bank (CB) at JPMorgan Chase (JPMC).

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

If you are struggling with projects, sign up for Basecamp. Their pricing is simple and they give you ALL their features in a single plan. No upsells. No upgrades. Go to https://www.basecamp.com/agile and try Basecamp for free. No credit card required and cancel anytime. Thank you, Basecamp for sponsoring this episode!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#313: Aligning CX Strategy with Challenges, Opportunities, and Leadership with Karen Mangia, Salesforce

Mon, 09 Jan 2023 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about listening to customers, aligning leadership around a customer experience strategy, and connecting your CX strategy to real challenges and opportunities.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Karen Mangia, Best Selling Author and Vice President, Customer & Market Insights at Salesforce.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#312: Storytelling and its role in the customer relationship, with Mark Nardone, Chief Marketing Officer at PAN Communications

Fri, 06 Jan 2023 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the shifting agency-client landscape and how storytelling is still key in how brands reach their customers.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Mark Nardone, Chief Marketing Officer at PAN Communications.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#311: B2B Ecommerce and the Customer Experience with Rupesh Agrawal, CEO of Amla Commerce

Wed, 04 Jan 2023 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the current state of B2B ecommerce and what lies ahead for brands.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Rupesh Agrawal, CEO of Amla Commerce, makers of Znode, an enterprise B2B ecommerce platform and Artifi, an ecommerce product customization platform.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#310: Growing and Scaling a Marketing Agency with Erik Huberman, CEO of Hawke Media

Tue, 03 Jan 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about growing and scaling a marketing agency, and how to find the best clients in order to continue to innovate and achieve great results. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Erik Huberman, Founder & CEO of Hawke Media.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#309: Agile Approaches to AI & ML with Luke Arrigoni, Arricor AI

Fri, 30 Dec 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about taking agile approaches to AI and Machine Learning initiatives in order to gain the most business value. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Luke Arrigoni, CEO & Principal Data Scientist at Arricor AI.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#308: Combining technology and design psychology to drive business success with Thomas Watkins, 3Leaf

Tue, 27 Dec 2022 07:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about combining technology and design psychology to drive business success.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Thomas Watkins, Principal and Founder of 3Leaf, a design collective using applied psychology and data to enhance the design of products.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#304: Employee wellbeing and expectations with Julius Geis, MUA

Tue, 27 Dec 2022 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about how brands manage expectations and the wellbeing of their audience and employees. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Julius Geis, Founder and CEO of MUA.

SPECIAL 30% OFF ON MUA OFFER:

Listeners of the podcast can get a special 30% discount on MUA. Visit the show page for more detail here: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast/employee-wellbeing-expectations

RESOURCES:

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#307: Direct Mail in a Digital Age with Dave Fink, Postie

Fri, 23 Dec 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the power of direct mail in a digital age.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Dave Fink, CEO and Co-Founder of Postie.

RESOURCES

Postie website: https://postie.com/

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#306: Defining Success with Sheevaun Moran, Energetic Solutions

Tue, 20 Dec 2022 12:29:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about defining success. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Sheevaun Moran, President & Founder of Energetic Solutions, speaker coach, and author of multiple books.

Resources The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast Sign up for The Agile Brand newsletter here: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/ For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#305: Starting and Growing a Business Without Outside Capital with Bryan Clayton of GreenPal

Fri, 16 Dec 2022 11:42:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about starting and growing a business without outside capital, and how being customer-driven can help with this approach. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Bryan Clayton, CEO and cofounder of GreenPal an online marketplace that connects homeowners with Local lawn care professionals.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#303: Scaling startups with Paul Ruppert, Global Point View

Fri, 09 Dec 2022 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about scaling startups and the importance that sales has in that process. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Paul Ruppert, CEO, Global Point View, who is the holder of 2 tech patents, and has experience scaling startups from $0 to valuations in the $Billions.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#302: Authentic personal brands with Jen Dalton, BrandMirror

Tue, 06 Dec 2022 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about creating an authentic personal brand that breaks through and reaches audiences. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Jen Dalton, Founder and CEO of BrandMirror.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#301: Composable Customer Data Platforms with Florian Delval, ActionIQ

Fri, 02 Dec 2022 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the future of CDPs, and how Composable Customer Data Platforms point a way to how brands can utilize their data in a flexible and sustainable manner. ActionIQ recently put out The Enterprise Guide to Composable CDPs, which helps shed some light on this topic. To help me discuss this in more depth, I’d like to welcome Florian Delval, Director, Technical Product Marketing Manager at ActionIQ.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#300: Fostering innovation inside and outside your company, with Kurt Schaubach, Federated Wireless

Tue, 29 Nov 2022 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about fostering innovation and growth in rapidly changing times. I have with me a representative from one of the winners of the Inaugural Arlington REV Awards, which honors fast-growing innovative companies in Arlington County Virginia. Federated Wireless is a market leader in shared spectrum, making, deploying, and managing new 5G private wireless networks for a range of customers. I’d like to welcome Kurt Schaubach, Chief Technology Officer at Federated Wireless to the show.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#299: Black Friday Special: Warehouse and inventory strategy and the customer experience with Tina Williams, Ware2Go, a UPS Company

Fri, 25 Nov 2022 05:00:00 GMT

On this show, we talk a lot about branding, marketing, and customer experience, and those are all aspects that are vital to retailers and brands of all kinds. Today, however, we’re going to talk about how warehouse and inventory strategy can make or break peak season shopping for brands and retailers. After all, today is what’s known as Black Friday which is still a critical point in the calendar for brands and retailers of all kinds.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Tina Williams, Vice President of Client Success at Ware2Go, a UPS Company.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#298: Harnessing the Power of Data to Improve the Customer Experience with Kaz Ohta, CEO of Treasure Data

Tue, 22 Nov 2022 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about Harnessing the Power of Data to Improve the Customer Experience.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Kaz Ohta, CEO and Co-Founder at Treasure Data, one of the leading customer data platforms.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#297: Analytics and team performance with Steve Leeds, VP Business Analytics, Ironwood Pharmaceuticals

Fri, 18 Nov 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the power of using analytics to improve your company and team performance. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Steve Leeds, Vice President of business analytics for Ironwood Pharmaceuticals and author of The Analytic Detective.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#296: Customer Success for Brand Success with Scott Salkin of Gainsight

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 05:00:00 GMT

According to Gainsight’s 2022 Customer Success Index, companies that reported the highest net revenue retention rates (NRR) also reported investing 10% of their revenue in their customer success and customer success operations (or CS Ops) teams - which translates to the fact that investing in customer success increases both revenue and overall value of the business.

Today we’re going to talk about Customer Success Operations and the role it plays in the current success and future growth of companies.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Scott Salkin, SVP and GM, Gainsight Essentials at Gainsight.

RESOURCES

Learn more about Basecamp, including a free trial here: https://www.basecamp.com/agile

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A:

https://www.gk5a.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here:

https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#295: Engaging virtual meetings and events with Sam Kolbert-Hyle, Brandlive

Fri, 11 Nov 2022 05:00:00 GMT

Over the last couple of years, we’ve all been in a virtual meeting and probably felt a bit lost or disengaged from the conversation. But why do virtual meetings, webinars, and conferences have to be so… boring?

Today we’re going to talk about virtual meeting fatigue and how to create more engaging experience for employees and other audiences while staying virtual.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Sam Kolbert-Hyle, CEO of Brandlive.

RESOURCES

Learn more about Basecamp, including a free trial here: https://www.basecamp.com/agile

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A:

https://www.gk5a.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here:

https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#294: Creating a great post-purchase customer experience with Irina Poddubnaia, Trackmage

Tue, 08 Nov 2022 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about creating a great post-purchase Customer Experience.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Irina Poddubnaia, Founder of TrackMage.

RESOURCES

Learn more about Basecamp, including a free trial here: https://www.basecamp.com/agile

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A:

https://www.gk5a.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here:

https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#293: I have my customer journey map... now what? with Carlos Manalo and Stratton Cherouny, Office of Experience

Fri, 04 Nov 2022 04:00:00 GMT

The process of creating a customer journey map can provide insights into your customers, as well as the internal teams, processes, and platforms that serve them, but it requires an understanding of how to effectively use the journey map well in order to take it from a fancy graphic into something truly beneficial to the organization.

Today we’re going to talk about how to make your customer journey maps valuable and create real-world value from them.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Carlos Manalo and Stratton Cherouny, Co-Founders of Office of Experience.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website:

https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

https://www.gregkihlstrom.com

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A:

https://www.gk5a.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here:

https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#292: Exploring the Future of Podcasting with Josh Nielsen, Founder & CEO of Zencastr

Tue, 01 Nov 2022 04:00:00 GMT

While podcasting really began in the early 2000s, it has grown dramatically over the last several years. According to some recent statistics, 62% of the U.S. population Ages 12+ have listened to a podcast, with over one third (roughly 104 million people) listening regularly. And that is just in the United States!

Podcasts come in many shapes and sizes and can be an incredibly effective marketing platform for brands, influencers, and others. Today we’re going to talk about the future of podcasting with someone who has been at the center of this movement since he founded his company in 2015.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Josh Nielsen, Founder & CEO at Zencastr.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website:

https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

https://www.gregkihlstrom.com

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A:

https://www.gk5a.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here:

https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#291: Leading Agile Brands in a State of Continual Change, with Nancie McDonnell Ruder, Noetic Consultants

Fri, 28 Oct 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about how agile brands are able to more successfully reach and adapt to customers in a continual state of change.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Nancie McDonnell Ruder, Founder and CEO of Noetic Consultants and author of How Senior Marketers Scale the Heights, now in its 2nd edition.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#289: 3D in Retail and Beyond, with Beck Besecker, CEO of 3D Cloud by Marxent

Fri, 21 Oct 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the use of 3D in retail and beyond.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Beck Besecker, Co-Founder and CEO of 3D Cloud by Marxent.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#288: Evaluating Digital Partners with Scott Liewehr, CEO of Digital Clarity Group

Tue, 18 Oct 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about how brands should evaluate and assess digital partners to help them accomplish their strategic, marketing, and technology goals.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Scott Liewehr, CEO of Digital Clarity Group.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website:

https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A:

https://www.gk5a.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here:

https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#287: CDPs and the Organization of the Future with Heidi Bullock, CMO at Tealium

Fri, 14 Oct 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the role of customer data and CDPs in the organization of the future.

Tealium, which offers a leading Customer Data Platform and serves over 1,000 businesses around the world, recently released a report entitled “The Organization of the Future,” in which this relationship between customer data and delivery on the promise of true 1:1 personalized marketing in a customer-centric, data privacy-focused world.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Heidi Bullock, Chief Marketing Officer at Tealium.

RESOURCES

Tealium’s “The Organization of the Future” report: https://tealium.com/resource/whitepaper/organization-of-the-future-2022/

The Agile Brand podcast website:

https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

https://www.gregkihlstrom.com

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A:

https://www.gk5a.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here:

https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#286: Real customer engagement with tangible results, with Mark Smith, CSG

Tue, 11 Oct 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Brands have never had so much choice in the way that they reach their customers, but at the same time, this means that customers are flooded with branded messages on email, text, voice, mobile push notifications, and more. And more is not necessarily better.

Today we’re going to talk about breaking through the notification noise to drive real customer engagement with tangible results.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Mark Smith, Vice President, Digital Engagement Solutions at CSG, and former President of Kitewheel.

RESOURCES

Learn more about Basecamp, including a free trial here: https://www.basecamp.com/agile

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#285: CX Innovation Without Boundaries, with Justin Anovick, Optimizely

Fri, 07 Oct 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Today’s customer is on multiple devices and channels and wants a seamless experience as they interact with brands whenever, wherever, and however they want. This can provide challenges for even the most customer-centric brands, which require solutions that allow the planning, creation, delivery, management, and testing of campaigns and content across multiple channels that deliver a great customer experience.

Today we’re going to talk about Customer Experience without boundaries. I am here at Optimizely’s Opticon 2022 Conference in San Diego, and would like to welcome Justin Anovick, Chief Product Officer at Optimizely, a leading digital experience platform used by top brands that want to manage and deliver better digital experiences for their customers.

RESOURCES:

Optimizely website: https://www.optimizely.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#284: Using data to increase customer engagement, with James Manderson, Braze

Tue, 04 Oct 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about using data to increase customer engagement.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome James Manderson, SVP Customer Success at Braze.

RESOURCES

Learn more about Basecamp, including a free trial here: https://www.basecamp.com/agile

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#283: Next Best Action Approaches for Marketing with Shoel Perelman, Pega

Fri, 30 Sep 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the power of always-on omnichannel marketing and how AI and next best action approaches can work together to create a better customer experience.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Shoel Perelman, VP Product, 1:1 Customer Engagement, Decisioning and AI, Pega.

RESOURCES

Learn more about Basecamp, including a free trial here: https://www.basecamp.com/agile

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#282: Transforming industries while benefiting customers with Demetrius Gray, Captain

Tue, 27 Sep 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about fintech can provide transformation in established industries that benefits customers, companies, and others.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Demetrius Gray, Founder and CEO of Captain.

RESOURCES

Learn more about Basecamp, including a free trial here: https://www.basecamp.com/agile

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#281: Improving the Retail Employee Experience with Melissa Wong, Zipline

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about improving the retail employee experience.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Melissa Wong, CEO & Co-Founder at Retail Zipline.

RESOURCES

Learn more about Basecamp, including a free trial here: https://www.basecamp.com/agile

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast Sign up for The

Agile Brand newsletter here: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#280: Leading Professional Services Firms to Success, with Sean Campbell, Cascade Insights

Tue, 20 Sep 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about success with professional services firms, from leadership, to sales and marketing, to client relationships. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Sean Campbell, Founder & CEO of Cascade Insights.

RESOURCES

Learn more about Basecamp, including a free trial here: https://www.basecamp.com/agile

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#279: Employee Engagement in a Hybrid World of Work with Alexander Embiricos of Remotion

Fri, 16 Sep 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about employee engagement in a remote and hybrid world of work.. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Alexander Embiricos, CEO and Co-founder of Remotion.

RESOURCES

To get your free Basecamp trial, go here: https://www.basecamp.com/agile

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#278: Executive Leadership Branding with Bonnie Habyan, X-Caliber Capital

Tue, 13 Sep 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the importance of executive leadership in branding and marketing of successful companies. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Bonnie Habyan, CMO at X-Caliber Capital, and author of The World According to Bess which was just released.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#277: How internal change agents drive successful digital transformation, with Adam Chen CMO of The Amenity Collective

Fri, 09 Sep 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the role of change agents in digital transformation. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Adam Chen, Chief Marketing Officer at Amenity Collective.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website:

https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

https://www.gregkihlstrom.com

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A:

https://www.gk5a.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here:

https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#276: Using AI to Improve the Customer Experience, with Deon Nicholas, CEO and Co-Founder of Forethought

Tue, 06 Sep 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about using Artificial Intelligence to improve the Customer Experience. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Deon Nicholas, Co-Founder and CEO, Forethought, and who previously built products and infrastructure at Facebook, Palantir, Dropbox.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website:

https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

https://www.gregkihlstrom.com

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A:

https://www.gk5a.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here:

https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#275: Creating a Winning Product Roadmap to Improve a Company's Innovation Success Rate with Tony Ulwick

Fri, 02 Sep 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about creating a winning product roadmap to improve a company’s innovation success rate. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Tony Ulwick, Founder and CEO of Strategyn.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website:

https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

https://www.gregkihlstrom.com

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A:

https://www.gk5a.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here:

https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#274: Digital Transformation in the Enterprise, Part 2 with Kunal Patil, TEKsystems

Tue, 30 Aug 2022 04:00:00 GMT

I’m excited to introduce part 2 of a special series about the efforts, seemingly every company is on, to modernize their business through digital transformation. This series is brought to you by TEKsystems, an industry leader in Full-Stack Technology Services, Talent Services and real-world application.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website:

https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

https://www.gregkihlstrom.com

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A:

https://www.gk5a.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here:

https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#273: Digital Transformation in the Enterprise, Part 1 with Kunal Patil, TEKsystems

Fri, 26 Aug 2022 04:00:00 GMT

I’m excited to introduce part 1 of a special series about the efforts, seemingly every company is on, to modernize their business through digital transformation. This series is brought to you by TEKsystems, an industry leader in Full-Stack Technology Services, Talent Services and real-world application.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website:

https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

https://www.gregkihlstrom.com

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A:

https://www.gk5a.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here:

https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#272: Forever Unified: Customer and Employee Experience, with David Ostberg, Medallia

Tue, 23 Aug 2022 10:53:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about Customer Experience and Employee Experience and how these are forever unified. For the show today, to help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome David Ostberg, Solutions Principal, Employee Experience at Medallia.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website:

https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

https://www.gregkihlstrom.com

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A:

https://www.gk5a.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here:

https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#271: Driving Change to Have More Successful CX Programs with Judy Bloch, Medallia

Fri, 19 Aug 2022 04:00:00 GMT

The practice of Customer Experience is continually evolving, and practitioners need to adapt to these changes, incorporating new methods into existing programs while retaining valuable information over time. Today we’re going to talk about Customer Experience measurement, and the value of utilizing both new and existing measurements to better understand your customers. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Judy Bloch, Principal CX Advisor, Medallia.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website:

https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

https://www.gregkihlstrom.com

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A:

https://www.gk5a.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here:

https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#270: Setting Expectations Early for Better Customer Experience with Craig Colby, OneStream Software

Tue, 16 Aug 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about setting boundaries and expectations during the sales cycle to prevent poor performance or disappoint down the line. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Craig Colby, President of OneStream Software.

RESOURCES

The Agile Brand podcast website:

https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

https://www.gregkihlstrom.com

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A:

https://www.gk5a.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here:

https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#269: When Customer Data Benefits Customers, Employees, and the Business, with Barry Padgett, CEO of Amperity

Fri, 12 Aug 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about making the most of your customer data to benefit both your customers, your employees, and business outcomes. Brands know customer data is one of their most valuable assets, but many continue to struggle to put it to good use. In fact, more than 50% of decision-makers at enterprise companies believe they’ll lose revenue due to their customer data challenges.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d thrilled to welcome Barry Padgett, CEO of Amperity, a leading enterprise customer data platform.

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#268: Building a Strong Remote Work Culture with Tim Brackney, COO, RGP

Tue, 09 Aug 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about building a strong culture that thrives in a remote work environment. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Tim Brackney, President and COO of RGP, a global consulting firm that helps Fortune 1000 companies fill skills gaps through its workforce of 5,000 professionals.

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#267: Success with influencer marketing, with Magda Houalla, Aspire

Fri, 05 Aug 2022 04:10:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about how to be successful with an authentic influencer marketing campaign. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Magda Houalla, Director of Marketing Strategy at Aspire.

ResourcesLearn more about Aspire: https://aspire.io/

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

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#266: The Business Value of Partner Programs with Bernie Kassar, Xactly

Tue, 02 Aug 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the business value of partner programs to both the sales pipeline as well as to the Customer Experience. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Bernie Kassar, Chief Customer Officer at Xactly.

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#265: Product Management & CX with Nichole Mace, VP Product Growth at Pendo

Fri, 29 Jul 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the evolution of product management, and its importance to the customer experience. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Nichole Mace, who has spent a career in product management at companies like LastPass, BevSpot, Quilt and Zipcar, and is now VP of Product Growth at Pendo.

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#264: The Power of Customer Communities with Jake Randall of Common Room

Tue, 26 Jul 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the power of customer communities to drive great CX for everyone. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Jake Randall, COO of Common Room.

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#263: Conversational AI with Bob Summers, Goodcall

Fri, 22 Jul 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about improving the customer experience with conversational AI. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Bob Summers, CEO of Goodcall.

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#262: Sustainable strategic growth for the enterprise leader with Stuart Leo, Waymaker.io

Tue, 19 Jul 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about how enterprise leaders can achieve sustainable, strategic growth and how to avoid pitfalls along the way. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Stuart Leo, CEO of Waymaker.io.

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#261: Intrinsically motivated teams with Patrick Touhey, Author of Forever Teammates

Fri, 15 Jul 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about creating healthy work cultures that are intrinsically motivated to contribute and be great teammates. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Patrick Touhey, President at Elite Performance Too-E, and Author of Forever Teammates.

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#260: The Value of a Strong Brand Strategy with Stephen Houraghan, Brand Master Academy

Tue, 12 Jul 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the value of branding and a strong brand strategy. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Stephen Houraghan, freelancer turned brand strategist and the founder of Brand Master Academy, Brand Building Master.

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#259: Citizen Data Scientists, with Tim Kraska, Professor, MIT and Co-Founder at Einblick

Fri, 08 Jul 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the power of citizen data scientists, and making data science and machine learning more accessible to non-technical users with the goal of increasing the ability for greater collaboration. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Tim Kraska, Professor at MIT and Co-Founder at Einblick.

Resources

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/

For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

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#258: Healthy Organizational Cultures with Gary David, Bentley University

Tue, 05 Jul 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about experience design from a systems perspective and what creates a healthy organizational culture. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Gary David, Professor of Sociology, Information Design, and Corporate Communication at Bentley University.

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#257: Making Better Marketing Decisions with Brand Tracking, with Angeley Mullins, CMO, Latana

Fri, 01 Jul 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the importance of brand tracking in order to make better marketing decisions. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Angeley Mullins, CMO & CGO at Latana.

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#256: Automation's Role in Customer-Centric Retail Operations with Doug LaBahn, CMO at Cin7

Tue, 28 Jun 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about automation, and how it is helping retailers stay customer-focused amidst a variety of challenges including supply chain disruptions and more.. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Doug LaBahn, CMO at Cin7.

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#255: Creating an unbeatable B2B brand with Drew Neisser, Renegade

Fri, 24 Jun 2022 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about creating an unbeatable B2B brand that is able to adapt and grow in an increasingly competitive marketplace. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Drew Neisser, founder of Renegade and CMO Huddles and author of The CMO’s Periodic Table, and Renegade Marketing: 12 Steps to Build Unbeatable B2B Brands.

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#245: Hyper-personalized customer communications with Eric Frankel, AdGreetz

Tue, 21 Jun 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about hyper-personalized communications and why it is so important to tailor the customer experience you provide. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Eric Frankel, CEO and Co-Founder of AdGreetz.

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#253: The Future of Nonprofits with Sindy Yeh and Steve Blair

Fri, 17 Jun 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Today on a special Return on Creativity episode, we’re going to talk about the future of nonprofits and what it will take to create and grow the nonprofit of the future, as well as some of the current challenges facing these organizations. To help me discuss this topic, I’m going to be welcoming two guests to the show - Sindy Yeh, Senior Business Ambassador at Arlington Economic Development, and Steve Blair, President of LIS - Lyceum Insurance Services.

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#252: Automation in the workforce with Aaron Kwittken, PRophet

Tue, 14 Jun 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the use of automation and machine learning in the workforce, and how it can be used as a force multiplier for organizations to be more agile and increase the quality of their work. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Aaron Kwittken, Founder & CEO of PRophet.

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#251: Creating a Consistently Great Customer Experience, with Wendy Pravda, Medallia

Fri, 10 Jun 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about how to ensure your organization takes a structured approach to providing a consistently great customer experience through CX governance. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Wendy Pravda, Principal Customer Experience Advisor at Medallia.

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#250: The Future of ESG with Chuck Amman, Semtech

Tue, 07 Jun 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the importance of ESG, or Environmental, Social and Governance initiatives as a part of corporate citizenship. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Chuck Ammann, EVP, Chief Legal Officer and Chief ESG Officer at Semtech.

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#249: Differentiation in a Crowded Marketplace with Matthew Stibbe, CEO Articulate Marketing

Fri, 03 Jun 2022 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about differentiation in crowded marketplaces. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Matthew Stibbe, CEO of Articulate Marketing, entrepreneur, pilot, wine enthusiast, and more!

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#248: The Visionary / Manager Binary with Darby Vannier, author of The Indispensable Leader

Tue, 31 May 2022 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about successful leadership and breaking out of the visionary/manager binary To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Darby Vannier, Director of Operations & Technology and author of The Indispensable Leader.

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#247: Advertisers and Data Privacy with Cameron Horton, Attribution

Fri, 27 May 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the coming data privacy changes that will affect marketers, such as third party cookie and mobile device ID changes. These important methods of tracking and understanding users and their behavior are being modified, which is going to affect your marketing, advertising, and attribution. We’re going to discuss what marketers can do to stay ahead of this.

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#246: The Power of Decision Intelligence, Part 2, with Ramesh Vishwanathan of TEKsystems

Tue, 24 May 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Introducing a special series about the power of decision intelligence. This series is brought to you by TEKsystems, an industry leader in Full-Stack Technology Services, Talent Services and real-world application. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome TEKsystems’ senior practice director, Ramesh Vishwanathan.

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#245: Intentionality and Employer Branding with Roy Abdo, Digital Revamp

Fri, 20 May 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the continued importance of employer branding, and why it is so important to be intentional about documenting and codifying culture, processes and the way internal communications are handled. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Roy Abdo, CEO, Digital Revamp.

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#244: Is your business ready to run without you? with Jeff Finney, Author and Entrepreneur

Tue, 17 May 2022 05:00:00 GMT

Is your business ready to run without you? Today we’re going to talk about learning to let go as a business owner and giving more control over to your team members. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Jeff Finney, owner of Ultimate Cabinet Components, and Author of That’s It, I’m Fired.

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#243: People, Processes & Platforms Working Well with Sonciary Perez, Co-Founder, Quala

Fri, 13 May 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about building a smart, scalable customer success program that utilizes the best of people, processes, and software. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Sonciary Pérez, Co-Founder of Quala, and Mentor with Techstars Boston.

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#242: Scaling your business while maintaining great CX with Tyler "Sully" Sullivan of Bombtech Golf

Tue, 10 May 2022 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the importance of understanding your customers, as well as how to find ways to meaningfully scale your business while remaining successful. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Tyler “Sully” Sullivan, entrepreneur and eCommerce Email Marketing Expert, and CEO of Bombtech Golf.

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#241: Delivering Meaningful Customer and Business Value with Preethi Madhu, CEO, Greyamp Consulting

Fri, 06 May 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about going beyond the theory of agility and towards delivering meaningful customer and business value. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Preethi Madhu, CEO, Greyamp Consulting.

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#240: Uniting people, processes & platforms towards a common goal with Susan Rothwell, CRO at Vericast

Tue, 03 May 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about unifying sales teams and bringing people, processes, and platforms together to achieve a common goal. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Susan Rothwell, CRO at Vericast.

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#239: Career Agility with Erik Cabral, On Air Brands

Fri, 29 Apr 2022 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the importance of agility in your career and how to know when to make a big or even a little change. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Erik Cabral, Founder & CEO of On Air Brands

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#238: Success with Google Ads with Sean Marshall, Attribution

Tue, 26 Apr 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about how both B2C and B2B marketers can utilize Google Ads for the greatest success, and how to overcome some of the challenges that recent changes have posed. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Sean Marshall from Attribution.

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#237: The Power of Decision Intelligence, Part 1, with Devang Pandya of TEKsystems

Fri, 22 Apr 2022 04:00:00 GMT

I’m excited to introduce a special series about the power of decision intelligence. This series is brought to you by TEKsystems, an industry leader in Full-Stack Technology Services, Talent Services and real-world application. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome TEKsystems’ senior practice director, Devang Pandya.

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#236: How People and Processes Relate to Technology with Sara Taheri, Prudential Financial

Tue, 19 Apr 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Organizational change of any kind requires a mix of people, processes, and technology. While the technology component is an important aspect of this mix, it is often people and processes that have the most opportunity to allow an initiative to succeed… or fail. Today we’re going to talk about the importance of ensuring you are approaching the “people and processes” component of your change initiative in the right way.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Sara Taheri, Chief Platform Owner for the Contact Center Transformation & Robotics at Prudential Financial.

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#235: Strengthening Your Business, Customers First with Paulette Chafe, Zendesk

Fri, 15 Apr 2022 05:02:00 GMT

After nearly two years of continual adaptation and transformation, companies and their leadership need to start looking to the future in order to meet rising consumer expectations for service and overall experience. Today we’re going to talk about how leaders need to look to their customers in order to find ways to strengthen their business. Zendesk recently released its CX Trends 2022 report, which discusses key ways to improve your bottom line by putting customers first. To help me discuss this topic and the Zendesk CX Trends 2022 report, I’d like to welcome Paulette Chafe, Head of Consumer Insights & Research at Zendesk.

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#234: Building Places for the Future of Work with Marian Marquez, Arlington Economic Development

Tue, 12 Apr 2022 05:00:00 GMT

While hybrid and remote work are here to stay in many roles across most industries, there is an even greater need for the creation of spaces that can incorporate what the workforce needs to both live and work. Today we’re going to talk about what it takes to build a place for the future of work. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Marian Marquez, Director, Business Investment Group at Arlington Economic Development. First, why don’t you tell me a little about what you do at Arlington Economic Development?

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#233: Voice of the Customer and Product Roadmaps with Matt Young, User Voice

Fri, 08 Apr 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the role of the voice of the customer in driving product roadmaps. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Matt Young, CEO of User Voice.

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#232: Predictive Brand Intelligence with Grant McDougall, Co-Founder & CEO, BlueOcean

Tue, 05 Apr 2022 04:02:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about using AI and Machine learning to achieve predictive brand intelligence, and what this means for marketers in a shift to a world of first-party data strategies. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Grant McDougall, Co-Founder & CEO of BlueOcean.

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#231: Success Outside Your Comfort Zone with David Wood, Focus.ceo

Fri, 01 Apr 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the value of experimentation and getting outside of your comfort zone, and how this can lead to results both personally and professionally. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome David Wood, High-Performance Coach and Founder of Focus.ceo

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#230: Experience Level Agreements with Weston Morris, Unisys

Tue, 29 Mar 2022 05:12:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about XLAs - experience level agreements, and how they have an opportunity to transform how IT products and services are delivered and measured. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Weston Morris, Director of Global Strategy - Digital Workplace Services, Unisys .

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#229: Business Growth Through Customer Insights with Darshan Metha, iResearch.com

Fri, 25 Mar 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the value of customer insights to business growth and how organizations can more easily understand their key audiences. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Darshan Mehta, Founder of iResearch.com and ConnectQik.com, and author of the book, “Getting to Aha! Today’s Insights Are Tomorrow’s Facts”.

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#228: Meaningful Two-Way Customer Relationships, with Matt Gillin, CEO of Relay Network

Tue, 22 Mar 2022 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the current state of customer engagement, and what organizations can do to improve customer relationships by nurturing meaningful two-way relationships. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Matt Gillin, CEO of customer engagement platform Relay Network.

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#227: Telling the Story of Innovation, with Jon Ebert, John Deere

Fri, 18 Mar 2022 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the value of storytelling for brands that continue to evolve as the role of technology continues to grow within even the most established of industries. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Jon Ebert, Manager, North American Public & Industry Relations at John Deere, a company that was founded in 1837, and continues to evolve and innovate, as its image continues to shift from being an equipment company to the tech company it truly is at heart.

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#226: Winning over CX skeptics, with Sami Nuwar, Medallia

Tue, 15 Mar 2022 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about CX skeptics and how to win them over to adopting customer-centric thinking in a meaningful way. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Sami Nuwar, Customer Experience Advisory at Medallia.

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#225: Iterating Towards Genius with Mike Zeller, Author of The Genius Within

Fri, 11 Mar 2022 05:15:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about iterating towards genius, and how to take steps to determine what you can be truly great at doing. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Mike Zeller, author of The Genius Within, Your Natural Pathway to Impact, Fulfillment & Wealth, and recently named one of the top 8 most influential speakers to follow in 2022 by USA Today.

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#224: CX and The Great Resignation with Patty Soltis, Kinetic Edge Consultants

Tue, 08 Mar 2022 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the connection between employee experience and CX results, and how The Great Resignation is affecting the customer experience.

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#223: People, Processes, Technology, & CX with Steven Petruk, CGS

Fri, 04 Mar 2022 05:00:00 GMT

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#222: Affiliate Marketing Success with David Hiltner and Cameron Horton, Attribution

Tue, 01 Mar 2022 05:25:00 GMT

Affiliate programs can be a great way for brands to expand their reach, with nearly 80% of brands and 84% of publishers already using some form of affiliate marketing. The benefits are numerous, from low startup and ongoing costs, to targeted traffic and potentially high ROI. Many affiliate marketers struggle to track and pay out their affiliates because there can often be a lot of manual methods to tracking, using things like Excel spreadsheets and the like. I’m going to be talking with David Hiltner, CEO of Attribution, and Cameron Horton, Senior Product Manager at Attribution, who recently launched a new affiliate marketing tool that can help affiliate marketers solve some of these challenges.

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#221: Managing Technical Debt with Imran MacMillan, NTT DATA Services

Fri, 25 Feb 2022 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about technical debt and how companies can manage this as they continue to feel the effects of pressure to continually modernize and implement more features and services to serve customers effectively.. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Imran MacMillan, Director of Application Modernization at NTT DATA Services.

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#220: High Performance Teams, with John Estafanous, RallyBright

Tue, 22 Feb 2022 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about high performance teams, the business value they create, and how to create these teams. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome John Estafanous, Founder & CEO of RallyBright.

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#219: Lean CX with Robert Dew, CapFeather Global

Fri, 18 Feb 2022 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about Lean Customer Experience and how companies of all sizes can continue to deliver valuable customer experience, regardless of their stage of growth. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Robert Dew, Partner, CapFeather Global, and co-author of Lean CX: How to Differentiate at Low Cost and Least Risk

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#218: Business, Customer, and Employee Experience with Leon Gilbert, Unisys

Tue, 15 Feb 2022 05:00:00 GMT

While there is a lot of talk about the importance of customer experience and employee experience, both of these become even more valuable when we consider a third component: business experience. Today we’re going to talk about the relationship between customer experience, employee experience, and business experience. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Leon Gilbert, Senior Vice President & General Manager at Unisys - Digital Workplace Services.

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#217: Continuous Growth and Career Success with Gina Tokar, Panasonic

Fri, 11 Feb 2022 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about how to utilize a continuous growth mindset in order to achieve career success. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Gina Tokar, Vice President, Business Operations, Panasonic Systems Solution Company of North America,

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#216: Operationalizing Great Patient Experience with Lorie Dolo

Tue, 08 Feb 2022 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about operationalizing great patient experience, and how to prioritize this while continuing to deliver great services. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Lorie Dolo, Patient Experience Designer and Health Care Operations Expert

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#215: Growing and Marketing a Local Business with Chris Pistorius, KickStart Dental Marketing

Fri, 04 Feb 2022 05:00:00 GMT

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit

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#214: Agility in Measurement Systems with Desirree Madison-Biggs, Teresa Monroe

Tue, 01 Feb 2022 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about agility in our systems of measurement, and how we approach meaningful change in customer experience in an organization. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Desirree Madison-Biggs, Head of US Advisory Services at Teresa Monroe.

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#213: Consumer expectations in a customer-centric world with Kiel Harkness, UPS Capital

Fri, 28 Jan 2022 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about continually shifting consumer expectations and how brands need to adapt in this world where customer experience is increasingly a point of competition. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Kiel Harkness, VP of Global Marketing and Development at UPS Capital.

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#212: Optimizing the Healthcare Customer Experience with John Nash at Redpoint

Tue, 25 Jan 2022 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the healthcare customer experience and how customers are shifting their preferences to want better digital experiences. This means that healthcare providers need to keep up with these demands while providing better and more personalized experiences across channels that include both online and offline ones. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome John Nash, Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer at Redpoint, a CX software provider.

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#211 Demonstrating Marketing ROI with David Hiltner, Attribution

Fri, 21 Jan 2022 05:00:00 GMT

Marketers face many challenges in the work, from continually changing consumer behavior, to internal competition for resources. In order to be most effective, marketers need to be able to justify their investments of time and resources with reliable numbers and clear ROI. Today we’re going to talk about the value of having actionable insights and attribution metrics for marketing leaders and teams so that they can clearly articulate the success of their efforts, and so that they are able to clearly point to which areas are driving the most business value. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome David Hiltner, CEO of Attribution.

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#210: The Value of a Guide for Your Technology Strategy with Emil Pilacik, EMCO Technology

Tue, 18 Jan 2022 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the importance of having a guide and a strong technology strategy that helps you identify the paths you should take, whether it is platform adoption, digital transformation, or other initiatives. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Emil Pilacik, President & CEO, EMCO Technology.

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#209: Data and the Citizen Experience with Jerry Power, I3 Systems

Fri, 14 Jan 2022 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the citizen experience, and how a more holistic view of data utilizing the internet of things (or IoT) can improve how the public sector is able to provide services and a better experience to individuals. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Jerry Power, CEO of I3 Systems and Co-Founder of the I3 Consortium.

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#208: Improving the Digital Experience with Shift Left Testing with Eran Kinsbruner, Perforce

Tue, 11 Jan 2022 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about how shift-left testing is able to speed up digital experience and digital transformation initiatives, while also improving quality of software and the end-user experience. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Eran Kinsbruner, Chief Evangelist, Perforce.

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#207: Diversity in Leadership Teams with Eva Huston, Duck Creek Technologies

Fri, 07 Jan 2022 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the importance of diversity in leadership teams, and how this can translate to tangible benefits for organizations. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Eva Huston, Chief Strategy Officer at Duck Creek Technologies.

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#206: Customer Journey Management as Change Management with Erin Zentz, AARP

Tue, 04 Jan 2022 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about customer journey management and its relationship to change management. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Erin Zentz, Director of Experience Design, AARP

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#205: Multi-Touch Attribution & Data Science with Cameron Horton and David Hiltner of Attribution

Fri, 31 Dec 2021 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the role of data science in multi-touch marketing attribution, and the power of marketers and data scientists working together to achieve greater success. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Cameron Horton and David Hiltner of Attribution.

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#204: Architecting a New Talent Experience with Leslie Deutsch, TEKsystems

Tue, 28 Dec 2021 05:00:00 GMT

I’m excited to introduce part 3 of a special 3-part series about the talent strategies required to address the looming skills gap, build the future workforce and accelerate transformation. This series is brought to you by TEKsystems, an industry leader in Full-Stack Technology Services, Talent Services and real-world application. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Leslie Deutsch, Executive Director of Learning Solutions at TEKsystems.

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#203: Architecting a New Talent Experience with Lauren Kolodrubetz, TEKsystems

Fri, 24 Dec 2021 05:00:00 GMT

I’m excited to introduce part 2 of a special 3-part series about the talent strategies required to address the looming skills gap, build the future workforce and accelerate transformation. This series is brought to you by TEKsystems, an industry leader in Full-Stack Technology Services, Talent Services and real-world application. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Lauren Kolodrubetz, Executive Director of Diversity Marketplace Solutions at TEKsystems.

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#202: Architecting a New Talent Experience with Nina Kindrick, TEKsystems

Tue, 21 Dec 2021 05:00:00 GMT

I’m excited to introduce part 1 of a special 3-part series about the talent strategies required to address the looming skills gap, build the future workforce and accelerate transformation. This series is brought to you by TEKsystems, an industry leader in Full-Stack Technology Services, Talent Services and real-world application. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Nina Kindrick, the Director of the National Recruiting Center at TEKsystems.

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#201: Leadership and the Customer Experience with Faisal Pandit, Panasonic

Fri, 17 Dec 2021 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the relationship between leadership and the quality of the customer and employee experience. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Faisal Pandit, President of Panasonic System Solutions Company of North America.

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#200: Balancing Privacy with Meaningful Data with Anudit Vikram, MediaMath

Tue, 14 Dec 2021 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the need for a balance between consumer privacy and providing advertisers with meaningful data which can ultimately benefit both parties when done well and with the proper intent. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Anudit Vikram, Chief Product Officer at MediaMath.

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#199: Agile Sales & Marketing with Anthony Coppedge, IBM

Fri, 10 Dec 2021 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about Agile in Sales and Marketing – two areas that are not known for applying Agile - by creating and maintaining an agile mindset on a global scale, and how the lessons learned apply to every area of the organization. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Anthony Coppedge, Global Agile Digital Sales Transformation Lead at IBM.

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#198: Adapting to Growing Customer Expectations with Alex Atzberger, Optimizely

Tue, 07 Dec 2021 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the growing need for businesses to adapt to heightened customer experience expectations. Between a continually changing business environment, to increasingly sophisticated consumers, this presents a need for companies to tackle these challenges from multiple angles and perspectives. Recently, Optimizely, one of the leading providers of digital experience platform solutions, announced the results of a global study of nearly 1200 business executives and 5,000 consumers around the globe, that shines a light on both the expectations of customers and the challenges that companies face in delivering on these expectations. To help me discuss this topic, and the results discussed in this report, I’d like to welcome Alex Atzberger, CEO of Optimizely.

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#197: Personalization in a Post-Cookie Era with Amber Armstrong, LivePerson

Fri, 03 Dec 2021 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about personalization in a post-cookie era. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Amber Armstrong, Chief Marketing Officer at LivePerson

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#196: The Importance of Multi-Touch Attribution with David Hiltner, Attribution

Tue, 30 Nov 2021 05:00:00 GMT

Welcome to a special episode of the show brought to you Attribution, an advanced multi-touch attribution company that empowers every marketer with the data to convert more buyers and maximize ROI. You can learn more about Attribution at www.attributionapp.com Today we’re going to talk about the power of doing marketing attribution well, and the impact that it can have on your marketing objectives. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome David Hiltner, CEO, Attribution.

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#195: Search, Content Discovery & CX with Jason McClelland, Algolia

Fri, 26 Nov 2021 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about how to create better customer experiences through more effective search and content discovery. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Jason McClelland, CMO at Algolia, a leading API Platform for Search and Dynamic Experiences.

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#194: The Relationship Between CX and EX with Tanya Thomas, Experian Health

Tue, 23 Nov 2021 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the relationship between customer and employee experience, and how successful organizations plan, implement, and measure this relationship, as well as find ways to successfully improve both of them. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Tanya Thomas, Director of Customer and Employee Experience, Experian.

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#193: Special Episode: Reshaping the World of Work with TEKsystems featuring and Kris Mercer and Colby Love

Fri, 19 Nov 2021 05:00:00 GMT

The future of work blurs the lines between physical and digital environments. Employees expect employers to provide a seamless user experience where they can work from anywhere, on any device. But the journey to transforming the employee experience is beset with complexity. In this 3-part series, leaders from TEKsystems share their points of view on how reimagining the digital workplace presents a unique opportunity for organizations to create more effective operating models and more engaging employee experiences.

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#192: Special Episode: Reshaping the World of Work with TEKsystems featuring Natalie Lister and Paul Valenzuela

Tue, 16 Nov 2021 05:00:00 GMT

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#191: The Exponential Enterprise with Rich Nanda, Monitor Deloitte

Fri, 12 Nov 2021 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the “exponential enterprise,” and how companies can achieve and sustain growth despite continual change and disruption in all aspects of the world around us. Monitor Deloitte recently released a report entitled “An Exponential Enterprise Framework to Help Companies Double Their Valuations, Even During Continuous Disruption and Change,” and I’m joined by one of its co-authors, Rich Nanda, Principal, US Monitor Deloitte, Practice Leader

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#190: The Retail Customer Experience with Erica James, Medallia

Tue, 09 Nov 2021 05:00:00 GMT

Every industry has its unique challenges and opportunities in delivering great customer experience. Today we’re going to talk about Customer Experience and Retail. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Erica James, Global Head of Retail Practice at Medallia.

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#189: The Value of Embracing Setbacks with Mike Cirorrocco

Fri, 05 Nov 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about handling setbacks, and how bouncing back from unexpected challenges can make you stronger, more resilient, and more successful. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Mike Ciorrocco, Chief Executive Officer at People Building, and author of ROCKET FUEL Convert Setbacks Become Unstoppable.

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#188: Special Episode: Reshaping the World of Work with TEKsystems featuring Dennis Temple and Tim Pomerleau

Tue, 02 Nov 2021 04:00:00 GMT

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#187: Lean AI & Marketing with Lomit Patel, Together Labs

Fri, 29 Oct 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about using AI with lean principles to achieve greater success in marketing. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Lomit Patel, SVP Growth at Together Labs, and Best Selling Author of Lean AI.

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#186: Brand experience and the Small Business with John D. Hanson, Accelerated Revenue

Tue, 26 Oct 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the small and mid-sized business and how they can successfully create great brand experiences. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome John D. Hanson, President, Consultant, and Speaker at Accelerated Revenue.

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#185: Agile software evaluation with Phil Strazulla, SelectSoftware Reviews

Fri, 22 Oct 2021 04:00:00 GMT

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#184: Recruiting Strategy During The Great Resignation with Jared Hummel, Parqa Marketing Agency

Tue, 19 Oct 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about how organizations can protect themselves against The Great Resignation through a smarter recruitment marketing strategy. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Jared Hummel, President at Hummel Digital Marketing Agency.

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#183: Leading by example: the role of leaders in the return to the office

Fri, 15 Oct 2021 11:47:48 GMT

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#182: Agile Customer Service with Daniel Rodriguez, Simplr

Tue, 12 Oct 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about agile customer service and how organizations can be as nimble with their customer support teams as they are in other aspects of business in our cloud-based world. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Daniel Rodriguez, Chief Marketing Officer at Simplr.

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#181: What we've learned (so far) from the pandemic

Fri, 08 Oct 2021 04:00:00 GMT

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#180: Personal Branding and Business Success with Henry Kaminski, The Brand Doctor

Tue, 05 Oct 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the agile personal brand, and how it can help with both personal and business success. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Henry Kaminski, Founder & CEO, Unique Designz and host of The Brand Doctor podcast.

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#179: Meaningful measurement of transformation initiatives with Peter McCoy, Baton

Fri, 01 Oct 2021 15:14:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about meaningful measurement of transformation initiatives, why existing measurement devices often aren’t enough, and better ways to approach finding success in digital transformations. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Peter McCoy, Investor, Advisor, and Co-Founder of Baton.

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178: Leadership and the Patient Experience with Tracy Courtney, UPMC

Tue, 28 Sep 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about leadership, employee, and patient experience in the healthcare space, and how the healthcare space poses unique challenges and opportunities in these areas. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Tracy Courtney, Director of UPMC Experience/Project Management at UPMC International Training Site.

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#177: Continuous Improvement and Optimization with Brian Browning, Kin and Carta

Fri, 24 Sep 2021 04:00:00 GMT

It is one thing to say that you are measuring and testing, and another to make continuous improvement and optimization part of your company’s DNA. Today we’re going to talk about going beyond simple A/B testing and how to build a culture of experimentation in your organization. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Brian Browning, Vice President of Technology at Kin and Carta.

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#176: Measuring the Patient Experience with Brian Carlson, Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Tue, 21 Sep 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Healthcare can provide some of the most rewarding as well as the most challenging implementations of customer experience initiatives, and presents many unique scenarios that companies in other industries simply don’t encounter. Today we’re going to talk about the patient experience, and how it is both similar and different to other types of customer experience work, as well as how to be successful in creating a great patient experience. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Brian Carlson, Vice President Patient Experience, Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

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#175: Remote Employee Onboarding with Dave Secunda, Workbright

Fri, 17 Sep 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the employee onboarding process, remote work, and the best methods to ensure success with onboarding new employees. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome David Secunda, the Founder and CEO of WorkBright, an HR tech startup that moves traditional employee onboarding to a 100% remote process that workers complete before they arrive.

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#174: Meaningful Measurement of Customer Experience with Dushyant Mitra, Medallia

Tue, 14 Sep 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the importance of planning for meaningful customer experience measurement across multiple platforms and systems where strategic planning, and connections between data sources are crucial. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Dushyant Mitra, Director of Professional Services - Partner Experience and Practice Success at Medallia.

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#173: The changing role of HR with Annissa Deshpande, Loglab

Fri, 10 Sep 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Welcome to a special episode of the show brought to you in partnership with Arlington Economic Development, where we discuss issues related to the workforce, the role of place in the future of work, and the role of the creative sector in a larger business context. We call this Return on Creativity. Today we’re going to talk about the changing role of HR and how organizations need to ensure their talent acquisition and retention strategies take into account a broader scope and perspective than narrowly focusing on compliance. Instead, organizations who think of employee acquisition and retention in terms of how other areas of the organization have been thinking about customer acquisition and retention will set themselves up for success. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Annissa Deshpande, Principal of Loglab, and author of The Comeback.

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#172: Aligning Leadership, HR & DevOps with Duena Blomstron, People Before Tech

Tue, 07 Sep 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the gap between leadership, HR, and DevOps in many organizations, and how aligning them can bring better results to both the individuals within the organization, as well as the success of the organization as a whole. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Duena Blomstrom, Co-Founder and CEO, People Not Tech and author of the book “People Before Tech” to her second time on this show. Duena - welcome back to the show!

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#171: Meaningful Collaboration in the Workplace with Michael Barata

Fri, 03 Sep 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Welcome to a special episode of the show brought to you in partnership with Arlington Economic Development, where we discuss issues related to the workforce, the role of place in the future of work, and the role of the creative sector in a larger business context. We call this Return on Creativity. Today we’re going to talk about the challenges and opportunities that organizations face as they return to the office, and how meaningful collaboration can transcend remote, in-person, and hybrid work arrangements. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Michael Barata, Master Trainer at CultureRx.

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#170: Positive Career Changes with Jeremy Cline

Tue, 31 Aug 2021 04:00:00 GMT

You could say that there’s never a wrong time to make a positive change in your life, whether that’s personal or professional. Today we’re going to talk about career changes in the midst of the pandemic, and how the last year has provided us all with some perspective about what we do and don’t want in our lives. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Jeremy Cline, host of the Change Work Life podcast.

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#169: Developing the future workforce through internship programs with Steve Cooper, Exelaration

Fri, 27 Aug 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Welcome to a special episode of the show brought to you in partnership with Arlington Economic Development, where we discuss issues related to the workforce, the role of place in the future of work, and the role of the creative sector in a larger business context. We call this Return on Creativity. Today we’re going to talk about why it is so important for organizations to find agile methods to source new talent, including internships and internship programs. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Steve Cooper, CEO at Exelaration, which has an innovative way of working with companies to provide great technology talent via its Professional Internship Organization model.

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#168: Regenerative Businesses with Carol Sanford

Tue, 24 Aug 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about going beyond adaptivity and agility into something called regeneration, and how to not lose who you are as a business in the process. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Carol Sanford, Author and Executive Producer at The Regenerative Business Summit.

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#167: Return to Work, Part 4: Different Approaches to the Return to the Office

Fri, 20 Aug 2021 04:00:00 GMT

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#166: Agile M&A with Chris Von Bogdandy, Slalom

Tue, 17 Aug 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about Agile M&A - applying iterative processes and systems in place in order better ensure the success of a merger or acquisition. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Chris Von Bogdandy, Senior Director at Slalom.

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#165: Return to Work, Part 3: Will the Next 12 Months Be Like the Last?

Fri, 13 Aug 2021 04:00:00 GMT

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#164: Stories and the Customer Experience with Gabrielle Dolan

Tue, 10 Aug 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the power of customer and employee stories to create great customer experiences. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Gabrielle Dolan, Speaker, Founder Jargon Free Fridays, and author of the book Magnetic Stories.

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#163: Return to Work, Part 2: Doing "Return to the Office" Well

Fri, 06 Aug 2021 04:00:00 GMT

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#162: Prioritizing Success with Marlo Higgins

Tue, 03 Aug 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about time as currency. While data has been called the new most valuable resource, the world keeps creating more and more data and information. We haven’t yet found a way to make more time - which is why I believe it is the most valuable resource that exists. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Marlo Higgins, Chief Inspirational Officer, and Coach, Author, Podcaster, and Entrepreneur.

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#161: Return to Work, Part 1: Succeeding with a Hybrid Workforce

Fri, 30 Jul 2021 04:00:00 GMT

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#160: CX, EX, and Digital Product Rollouts with Jonathon Hensley, EMERGE

Tue, 27 Jul 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the relationship between customer experience and employee experience, and how companies need to provide their teams with the right tools to make both successful, as well as to enable success in digital product rollouts. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Jonathan Hensley, Author, Speaker, Co-Founder & CEO at EMERGE, and author of Alignment: Overcoming internal sabotage and digital product failure

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#159: Meaningful Digital Transformation & CX with Howard Tiersky, FROM Digital Transformation Agency

Fri, 23 Jul 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about meaningful digital transformation. While “digital transformation” is currently a buzzword and many organizations talk about its importance in order to stay competitive both operationally, and in the battle to improve the customer experience, well-executed digital transformation is often easier said than done. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome an expert in this arena - Howard Tiersky, Wall Street Journal best-selling author of they book “Winning Digital Customers: The Antidote to Irrelevance” and CEO of FROM, The Digital Transformation Agency.

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#158: Transform Your Data with AI and ML, featuring Brandon Carroll, TEKsystems

Tue, 20 Jul 2021 04:00:00 GMT

I’m excited to introduce the final part of a special 3-part series about the importance of taking the right platform-based cloud approach so businesses can enable MLOps and realize the true value of AI and machine learning. This series is brought to you by TEKsystems, an industry leader in Full-Stack Technology Services, Talent Services and real-world application.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome the Executive Director of Transformation, DevOps & Cloud Services at TEKsystems, Brandon Carroll.

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#157: Agile Decision Making with Diane Magers, Experience Catalysts

Fri, 16 Jul 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about how organizations can optimize their ability to make decisions, and some approaches that agile companies are using to do this. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Diane Magers Founder and Chief Experience Officer at Experience Catalysts.

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#156: Transform Your Data with AI and ML, featuring Ramesh Vishwanathan, TEKsystems

Tue, 13 Jul 2021 04:00:00 GMT

I’m excited to introduce Part 2 of a special 3-part series about the importance of taking the right platform-based cloud approach so businesses can enable MLOps and realize the true value of AI and machine learning. This series is brought to you by TEKsystems, an industry leader in Full-Stack Technology Services, Talent Services and real-world application.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Practice Consulting Director at TEKsystems, Ramesh Vishwanathan.

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#155: Leadership and Living Systems with Mark Morey

Fri, 09 Jul 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the critical role of leadership in company culture. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Mark Morey, Founder, A Connected Leader. He works to transform outdated and struggling work environments into living systems of learning and growth.

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#154: Transform Your Data with AI and ML, featuring Jay Mozo, TEKsystems

Tue, 06 Jul 2021 04:00:00 GMT

I’m excited to introduce the first episode of a special 3-part series about the importance of taking the right platform-based cloud approach so businesses can enable MLOps and realize the true value of AI and machine learning. This series is brought to you by TEKsystems, an industry leader in Full-Stack Technology Services, Talent Services and real-world application.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome the Director of Transformation Services at TEKsystems, Jay Mozo.

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#153: Attracting & Retaining Employees in a Hybrid Work Environment

Fri, 02 Jul 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the return to the office and how companies can attract and retain the best employees in a hybrid work environment. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Steve Blair, President, Lyceum Insurance Services.

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#152: Agile Customer Experience with Steve Pappas

Tue, 29 Jun 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about adaptability and agility in Customer Experience, and how CX is a shared responsibility within an organization. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Steve Pappas, Head of US & CMO at Panviva and Host of the Podcast at ScienceOfCX.com.

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#151: Office planning for the future of work with David Cornbrooks, Savills North America

Fri, 11 Jun 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the return to the office and how it is causing companies to need to be nimble and adaptive in their approach to planning their office needs for everything from the next several months to the next several years. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome David Cornbrooks, Senior Managing Director, Savills North America.

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#150: Meaningful Business Transformation with Andrew Deutsch, Fangled Technology

Thu, 10 Jun 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about creating meaningful change in organizations. While most leaders say they want their company to be forward-thinking and stay ahead of the competition, when the rubber meets the road, there is often a reluctance to embrace the types of ideas and thinking that will actually make change happen.. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Andrew Deutsch, CEO, Fangled Technology.

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#149: Retaining our humanity in a remote work world with John Friedman

Tue, 08 Jun 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about some of the things that a shift to remote work has changed that may have gotten less notice than some more obvious things like Zoom meeting fails, companies’ lack of remote work policies, and other things that were first to be addressed. There are very real, very human moments that are missed when we don’t have face to face interaction, and while some things like this may be harder to quantify, they are no less important when we strive to create great employee experiences. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome a returning guest: John Friedman, author of “Managing Sustainability: First Steps to First Class” and Sustainability Manager, WGL.

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#148: AR, VR, and the Future of Work with Cathy Hackl, Futures Intelligence Group

Fri, 04 Jun 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the Future, and more specifically how augmented and virtual reality will play a role in our futures. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Cathy Hackl, Author, Futurist and Chief Metaverse Officer at Futures Intelligence Group.

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#147: Creating Repeat Customers with Shep Hyken

Thu, 03 Jun 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about a critical component of the customer experience: creating customer loyalty so you have satisfied customers, advocates for your brand, and, ultimately customers who COME BACK for more. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Shep Hyken, Chief Amazement Officer, Customer Service Speaker, Customer Serv. & Customer Experience Expert, keynote speaker and best selling author. His new book I’ll Be Back, where he deals with these topics will be available soon.

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#146: Building a Customer-Centric Organization with Ilenia Vidili

Tue, 01 Jun 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about building a customer-centric organization, and how to balance profits, technology, and culture while doing so. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Ileniah Vidili, Customer Experience Advisory and Author of the book, Journey to Centricity.

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#145: Return on Creativity: The Return to the Office with Susan Soroko, Arlington Economic Development

Fri, 28 May 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about returning to the office, and why place and placemaking will always be important to the workforce, even in the era of a hybrid workforce. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Susan Soroko, Director, Creative Economy at Arlington County Economic Development.

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#144: Mergers, Acquisitions, and Company Culture with Klint Kendrick

Thu, 27 May 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about mergers, acquisitions, and how to ensure a successful outcome when two or more company teams and cultures are merged. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Klint Kendrick, Chair of the HR M&A Roundtable.

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#143: Startups and Company Culture with Nico Simko, Clair

Tue, 25 May 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about building a great culture at a startup amidst a growing freelance economy, as well as some of the payment challenges that gig workers face? To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Nico Simko, Founder & CEO, Clair.

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#142: Return on Creativity: Educating the Future Workforce with Charlie Oliver, Tech 2025

Fri, 21 May 2021 10:27:35 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about educating the workforce to adapt to and plan for the future of work. This includes upskilling and reskilling to outpace automation, introducing no code resources to the current workforce, and ensuring companies can adapt to the hybrid work environment..

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Charlie Oliver, Founder & CEO of Tech 2025 and Served Fresh Media.

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#141: Let's talk about Agile Marketing with Steve Moubray

Thu, 20 May 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about how marketers can embrace agile principles to be more successful in their work. While agile has a number of applications, marketers are uniquely suited to benefit from it. We’re going to talk about the value of experimentation, having patience to measure results, and the power of continuous, incremental improvement. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Steve Moubray.

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#140: Agility in Entrepreneurship with Jeff Wald, WorkMarket

Tue, 18 May 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about agility in entrepreneurship, the changing freelance economy, and more. To help me discuss these topics, I’d like to welcome Jeff Wald, Co-Founder of WorkMarket, and an entrepreneur, author, and speaker.

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#139: Return on Creativity: Authentic Relationships and Tranformation with Michael Dumlao

Fri, 14 May 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the importance of authentic relationships with ourselves and others, and discovering and transforming ourselves as we learn and grow both personally and professionally. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Michael Dumlao, Author, “The Wisdom of Guncles: Advice on Living Life from a Queer Perspective”, and Senior Brand and Diversity Advisor at Booz Allen Hamilton.

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#138: Staying True to Your Values in an Agile World with Susan Meier, Susan Meier Studios

Thu, 13 May 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about how brands stay innovative in an agile world, while staying true to your values and mission. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Susan Meier, Susan Meier Studios.

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Episode 137: Agile Teams and Branding with Megan Ingram, Ingram Digital Consulting

Tue, 11 May 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about staying agile in both the way that you work with your team, and the way that you approach branding. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Megan Ingram, Founder, Ingram Digital Consulting.

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#136: Return on Creativity: Agile Career Growth with Laura Briggs

Fri, 07 May 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about agile career growth, or understanding when you need to learn new things to adapt, and also how to know when it might be time to change directions in your professional life.

I'm joined by Laura Briggs - author, marketing expert, and coach.

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Episode 135: Growth Amidst Industry Disruption, with Paul Duning, Capitol Communicator

Thu, 06 May 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about what it takes to remain agile when navigating a fast-moving industry. Paul Duning co-founded what is now Capitol Communicator in 2004, at the very beginning of the social media age, and since that time many developments such as marketing automation, personalization, programmatic advertising and more have changed the marketing landscape. All the while, the business of marketing, whether from the client side or the agency side, has evolved and changed many times over. How do you know where to focus and how to anticipate change when your industry is under continual disruption? To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Paul Duning, Publisher, Capitol Communicator.

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Episode 134: Keeping Your Brand Messaging Consistent with Chris Wallace, Innerview

Tue, 04 May 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about making sure that your brand messaging is successfully translated from leadership, to employees, and ultimately to current and prospective customers. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Chris Wallace, Co-Founder and President of Innverview.

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Episode 133: Return on Creativity: Preparing the Future Workforce with Brittany Greer, Rosie Riveters

Fri, 30 Apr 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the increased demand for a diverse workforce, and how STEM skills are and will continue to be in demand. To prepare the future workforce, it’s good to start young to ensure that all children, particularly those less likely To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Brittany Greer, Executive Director of Rosie Riveters.

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#132: Staying Agile with SEO with John Vuong, Local SEO Search

Thu, 29 Apr 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the ongoing value of SEO and how it helps agile marketers continue to stay relevant. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome John Vuong, Founder and President of Local SEO Search

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Episode 131: Improving the Patient Experience with Corey Gehrold, Insight Marketing Group

Tue, 27 Apr 2021 04:00:00 GMT

We talk a lot about customer experience and employee experience on this show. Today we’re going to talk about the patient experience and how the pandemic has forever changed it. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Corey Gehrold, VP of Client Strategy, Insight Marketing Group.

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#130: Unified Digital Experiences at Scale, Part 3, with Ryan Horner, One North

Tue, 20 Apr 2021 04:00:00 GMT

I’m excited to introduce the final episode of a special 3-part series, where One North leader Ryan Horner discusses technology’s role in customer experience strategies, brought to you by TEKsystems, an industry leader in Full-Stack Technology Services, Talent Services and real-world application.

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#129: Unified Digital Experiences at Scale, Part 2, with Kalev Peekna, One North

Tue, 13 Apr 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Part 2 of a special 3-part series about how brands should approach their digital and customer experience strategies, brought to you by TEKsystems, an industry leader in Full-Stack Technology Services, Talent Services and real-world application. Today we’re going to talk with One North leader Kalev Peekna about how brands must evolve their strategy to elevate the customer experience.

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#128: Unified Digital Experiences at Scale, Part 1, with Kalev Peekna, One North

Tue, 06 Apr 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Part 1 of a special 3-part series about how brands should approach their digital and customer experience

strategies, brought to you by TEKsystems, an industry leader in Full-Stack Technology Services, Talent Services and real-world application.

Today we’re going to talk with One North leader Kalev Peekna about how brands must evolve their strategy to elevate the customer experience.

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Episode 127: Adaptivity & Resilience for a Post-Pandemic World with Ira Wolfe

Tue, 30 Mar 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about adaptivity, resilience, and how to thrive in a post-pandemic world. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Ira Wolfe, President and Chief Googlization Officer at Success Performance Solutions, author of several books including “Recruiting in the Age of Googlization,” and host of the Geeks, Geezers and Googlization Show.

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Episode 126: Agility and the Gig Approach with Edie Goldberg

Tue, 23 Mar 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about how large organizations can become and stay more agile by adopting a gig or project-based approach internally. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Edie Goldberg, founder of E.L. Goldberg & Associates, and author of the book, The Inside Gig.

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Episode 125: The Value of Chutzpah with Mason Harris

Tue, 16 Mar 2021 04:00:00 GMT

In all times, but especially in the midst of a global pandemic and financial meltdown, it takes… guts to make big moves or even small ones. Today we’re going to talk about chutzpah and why it’s critical to individuals and organizations. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Mason Harris, author of The Chutzpah Advantage.

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Episode 124: Pivoting to Better Outcomes with Tony Guarnaccia

Tue, 09 Mar 2021 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about pivoting into a better outcome and what to do, and not to do, when faced with the opportunity to change directions. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Tony Guarnaccia, Founder, Results Trained.

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Episode 123: Being intentional about your goals with Mark Victor Hansen

Tue, 02 Mar 2021 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the importance of being intentional about what you want, and ASKING for it, in order to achieve your goals. While we can’t see our futures, we can help shape our futures, and improve our careers, our companies, and ourselves by asking the right questions, and looking for a clear path in the answers. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Mark Victor Hansen. He is the co-author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul book series, which sold over 500 million books. Mark has written and co-written several other books, served as keynote speaker, entrepreneur, and empowered many people the world over to create massive success for themselves. I’m honored to have him here, and to talk about his latest book, Ask: The Bridge From Your Dreams To Your Destiny.

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#122: The Unseen Power of Invention with John Carter, TCGen

Tue, 23 Feb 2021 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the sometimes unseen power of invention. Often inventors and creators of new ideas and products have a vision in mind, but don’t always see the full value of what they’re created until some time later, or with the help of some outside perspective. My guest today has quite a list of accomplishments. He is the inventor of noise canceling headphones during his time at Bose, he worked with Apple to create the Apple New Product Process which is used in all their product divisions, and has worked with many household names such as Amazon, Cisco, IBM, HP, Fitbit, and more. He has also written a book called “Innovate Products Faster: Graphical Tools for Accelerating Product Development" I’d like to welcome John Carter, Principal at TCGen.

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Episode 121: Agile Entrepreneurship w/ Domenic Rinaldi, Sun Acquisitions

Tue, 16 Feb 2021 05:00:00 GMT

When is the right time to start or buy a business? Today we’re going to talk about entrepreneurship in the midst of a global pandemic. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Domenic Rinaldi, Managing Partner, Sun Acquisitions, LLC.

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#120: Iterating and Optimizing from Experiences with Jerry Abiog

Tue, 09 Feb 2021 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about how to be more agile by learning from our experiences, both good and bad. While tales of wild success are what we often remember about business leaders and leading companies, but failures, missteps, and missed opportunities are often better teachers. My guest today has had his share of both success and, let’s just say “less successful” efforts, but has had the wisdom and perseverance to push through setbacks to achieve some great things. I’d like to welcome Jerry Abiog, Co-Founder and CMO at Standard Insights.

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Episode 119: Wellbeing and Agility with Lee Chambers, Essentialise Workplace Wellbeing

Tue, 02 Feb 2021 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the importance of workplace wellbeing and how it is vital to both employees and the organizations they work within.

While many organizations want to improve their employee experience, many are not taking the proper steps to create a holistic environment of wellbeing. Doing so, requires looking at many facets of the company, but yields better and more lasting results.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Lee Chambers – Environmental Psychologist, Wellbeing Consultant and Founder of Essentialise Workplace Wellbeing.

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#118 Brand and the Center of Experience

Thu, 31 Dec 2020 05:00:00 GMT

Your brand is a vital component in a successful customer and employee experience

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#117 Bold Leadership in Times of Change

Tue, 29 Dec 2020 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about how to exhibit bold leadership in times of change, and the need to build mutual trust between leadership and employees for the long term sustainability of an organization. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Chris Mahai, President of Aveus, a division of Medecision, and author of several books, including the most recent: Bold: Essential Leadership for Transformative Change.

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#116 Silos and experience

Thu, 24 Dec 2020 05:00:00 GMT

How do internal barriers prevent you from having great employee and customer experience?

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#115 Version Next, Now Part 4, Episode 3: Security-Built Culture w/ Gerard Lendore, TEKsystems

Tue, 22 Dec 2020 05:00:00 GMT

The pace of change and digital disruption already stretched security teams to their limits. The proliferation of endpoint devices expanded attack surfaces. The escalating sophistication, volume and velocity of cyberattacks require 24/7 monitoring. Then, a global pandemic and the resulting “work from anywhere” response by organizations exacerbated these pressures almost literally overnight. Security teams had to manage massive deployments of employees to remote work environments, further extending the company’s security perimeter. Leaders from TEKsystems discuss how leading organizations are using the pandemic as an opportunity to reset their security strategy, improve alignment and imbed security into the culture of the organization—ultimately enabling business to drive successful outcomes.

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#114 Calculating the Value of CX

Thu, 17 Dec 2020 05:00:00 GMT

You can’t manage what you don’t measure. Let’s apply that to customer experience as well.

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#113 Version Next, Now Part 4, Episode 2: Security-Built Culture w/ Kory Patrick, TEKsystems

Tue, 15 Dec 2020 05:00:00 GMT

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#112 Creating a Center of Experience

Thu, 10 Dec 2020 05:00:00 GMT

How an enterprise can create a center of excellence that combines customer and employee experience.

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#111 Version Next, Now Part 4, Episode 1: Security-Built Culture w/ Mike Mulligan, TEKsystems

Tue, 08 Dec 2020 05:00:00 GMT

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#110 Employees and Intrinsic Motivation

Thu, 03 Dec 2020 05:00:00 GMT

What’s the difference between extrinsic and intrinsic and how can it benefit your organization?

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#109 Marketing Agencies and Agility w/ Tim Weinheimer, Hahn Public

Tue, 01 Dec 2020 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about how to maintain agility as a marketing agency. I know firsthand how volatile the world of marketing and public relations can be. When you take the last 12 years alone, we’ve seen the 2008-9 financial crisis, the rebuilding of the economy alongside the growth of social media and digital advertising as more sophisticated channels, the evolution of big data into something that businesses of all sizes can leverage for marketing and business insights, and now the most recent financial crisis due to COVID-19. Amidst that, marketing and sales can’t simply stop, so the role of the agency has always been vital, but its role has certainly evolved over time, and will continue to evolve. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Tim Weinheimer, Principal, President, and Managing Partner of Hahn Public.

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#108 How to Be More Agile

Thu, 26 Nov 2020 05:00:00 GMT

What does it mean to be agile? We will look at the traits of an agile individual and how this relates to organizational success.

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#107 Great Employee Experience in a Distributed World w/ Amy Gannaway, VMware

Tue, 24 Nov 2020 05:00:00 GMT

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit

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#106 Personalization, Orchestration and CX

Thu, 19 Nov 2020 05:00:00 GMT

Consumers, bombarded with marketing and advertising from the moment they wake up to the time they drift off looking at their smartphone, are demanding more tailored experience. How do brands keep up?

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#104 Understanding the Voice of the Customer

Thu, 12 Nov 2020 05:00:00 GMT

Learn the best ways to listen to your customers.

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#103 Agility and the Personal Brand w/ Jennifer Sherman, The Influencer Collective

Tue, 10 Nov 2020 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about how to create a personal brand that is agile, memorable, and meaningful in a world gone (mostly) virtual. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Jennifer Sherman, Founder & Chief Strategist at The Influencer Collective. First, why don’t you tell me a little about The Influencer Collective and what you do there?

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#102 The Experience Maturity Model

Thu, 05 Nov 2020 05:00:00 GMT

Where does your organization rate in the CX & EX experience maturity model?

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#101 Building a Sustainable, Agile Workforce with Roberta Matuson

Tue, 03 Nov 2020 05:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about creating a sustainable workforce that can help your brand be successful, no matter what the business environment may throw your way. We’re obviously living in tumultuous times and cannot control all aspects of our business. But the right strategic approach to building a culture and talent pool can make a huge difference in how you weather any storm. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Roberta Matuson, a best selling author, Forbes contributor, and marketing leader who has worked with General Motors, New Balance, The Boston Beer Company, and more.

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#100 Data Science & AI with CX and EX

Thu, 29 Oct 2020 04:00:00 GMT

There is great opportunity to use artificial intelligence with your customer and employee experience initiatives.

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#99 Version Next, Now Part 3, Episode 1: Looking Up w/ Ricardo Madan, TEKsystems

Tue, 27 Oct 2020 04:00:00 GMT

The COVID-19 pandemic upended the global economy, but business didn’t stop—it adapted. Many organizations rewrote recovery and business continuity plans. Some companies reprioritized projects to optimize costs, while others created new business models and ways of working. Regardless of which path they took, the pandemic forced digital transformation upon businesses that weren’t necessarily ready for it. Speed is more essential than ever. Agility is imperative. Organizations are recalibrating technology roadmaps. They’re pivoting and prioritizing the “big rocks” crucial to creating a resilient enterprise in a new digital economy. The cloud is the greatest enabler for both business and delivery agility, but transformation requires bold leadership. Leaders from TEKsystems and 1Strategy discuss how organizations must take action; to not only survive but also thrive, in the digital economy.

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#98 What is Brand Experience?

Thu, 22 Oct 2020 04:00:00 GMT

Brand experience is defined as the combination of the internal and external, or employee experience and customer experience.

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#97 Version Next, Now Part 3, Episode 2: Looking Up w/ Jennifer Doyle, TEKsystems

Tue, 20 Oct 2020 04:00:00 GMT

The COVID-19 pandemic upended the global economy, but business didn’t stop—it adapted. Many organizations rewrote recovery and business continuity plans. Some companies reprioritized projects to optimize costs, while others created new business models and ways of working. Regardless of which path they took, the pandemic forced digital transformation upon businesses that weren’t necessarily ready for it. Speed is more essential than ever. Agility is an imperative. Organizations are recalibrating technology roadmaps. They’re pivoting and prioritizing the “big rocks” crucial to creating a resilient enterprise in a new digital economy. The cloud is the greatest enabler for both business and delivery agility, but transformation requires bold leadership. Leaders from TEKsystems and 1Strategy discuss how organizations must take action; to not only survive, but also thrive, in the digital economy.

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#96 Preparing Your Organization for CX Optimization

Thu, 15 Oct 2020 04:00:00 GMT

After you’ve built a CX platform, how do you make sure it is continually improving?

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#95 Version Next, Now Part 3, Episode 1: Looking Up w/ Leslie Deutsch, TEKsystems

Tue, 13 Oct 2020 04:00:00 GMT

The COVID-19 pandemic upended the global economy, but business didn’t stop—it adapted. Many organizations rewrote recovery and business continuity plans. Some companies reprioritized projects to optimize costs, while others created new business models and ways of working. Regardless of which path they took, the pandemic forced digital transformation upon businesses that weren’t necessarily ready for it. Speed is more essential than ever. Agility is an imperative. Organizations are recalibrating technology roadmaps. They’re pivoting and prioritizing the “big rocks” crucial to creating a resilient enterprise in a new digital economy. The cloud is the greatest enabler for both business and delivery agility, but transformation requires bold leadership. Leaders from TEKsystems and 1Strategy discuss how organizations must take action; to not only survive, but also thrive, in the digital economy.

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#94 The Intersection of CX and EX

Thu, 08 Oct 2020 04:00:00 GMT

Understand where customer and employee experience work together for the benefit of all audiences.

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#93 Agility in the Relationship with Ourselves with Laura DiBenedetto

Tue, 06 Oct 2020 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about agility in how we relate to ourselves. While we’ve all grown up with unique backgrounds, habits, and things we were taught as the true measures of success, as we go through life we can often find that those things, even if well-intentioned, are either incorrect, or don’t apply to us as they might have been intended.. The challenge, then, is to find a way to continually improve ourselves in order to be better. I talk a lot about agile processes and how companies can use them to improve everything from customer and employee experience to branding and marketing, but today we’re going to talk about applying transformation to one’s self. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Laura DiBenedetto, Best Selling Author and CEO of Vision Advertising.

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#92 The Center of Experience and the Power of Combining CX and EX

Thu, 01 Oct 2020 04:00:00 GMT

Learn about the blueprint for an experience-led organization by combining customer and employee experience

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#91 Keeping Government Agile with Dave Witkin at Packages Agile

Tue, 29 Sep 2020 04:00:00 GMT

While government is often described as anything but agile, there are plenty of people working with agile methodology, as well as a more scalable and iterative mindset in all sectors, both private and public. In fact, government agencies are increasingly turning to agile methods for all kinds of solutions, from software development and more. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Dave Witkin, Principal at Packaged Agile.

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#90 Agility in Entrpreneurship and Events with Mark Michelson, CX Talks

Tue, 22 Sep 2020 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about how to adapt your events to be more virtual in a marketing environment that is in continual fluctuation. With the massive changes that COVID-19 has brought to the world of corporate and association events, many companies have scrambled to adapt to make them virtual, with mixed results. Some organizations, however, have found a way to innovate and create great experiences despite the limitations. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Mark Michelson, CEO of CX Talks.

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#89 Agility in Creating New Experiences with Craig Langlois, Berkshire Museum

Tue, 15 Sep 2020 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about agility in how you deliver customer experiences. While customer experience always requires a sharp focus on listening and adapting to customer needs, most companies have had to make much larger changes recently due to COVID-19 and the different rules of operation. To talk about this in more depth, I thought we’d explore an industry that often thrives on interactions in physical spaces: museums. We’re going to explore how a museum was able to adapt its methods of delivering experience in a way that not only served the temporary needs due to COVID restrictions, but also set the organization up for future success in an increasingly online world. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Craig Langlois, Chief Experience Officer, Berkshire Museum.

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#88 Maintaining Great Employee Experience in Difficult Times with Nancy Greatrix and Becky Lechner from Room and Board

Tue, 08 Sep 2020 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about how agility can help an organization maintain good employee and customer experience, despite tumultuous times. We are also going to talk about how the role of great employee experience is to make sure that employees are enabled to find balance between their work and personal lives, and that, when done well, one benefits from the other. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Nancy Greatrix, Director of Human Resources and Becky Lechner, Employment Brand Manager, from Room and Board.

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#87 Startups, MVPs, and Staying Agile with Dan Moore, Vaporwaree

Tue, 01 Sep 2020 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about startups, and the importance of ensuring your teams are able to maintain agility throughout your development and growth. This means knowing how to configure your teams with both internal and external resources, and even when to build things internally versus externally. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Dan Moore, CEO and Co-Founder, Vaporware. Dan co-founded Vaporware to help entrepreneurs take their software ideas to market. Over the past 6 years, he has helped Vaporware deliver thousands of iterations across dozens of apps in 4 main industries (Healthcare, HR, Real Estate, and IT) - ranging from the first MVP versions to modern iterations on mature solutions. With a strong belief that anyone can become the next big software as a service company, he leads Vaporware in helping business founders pivot their business through process automation, technical modernization, and software innovation

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#85 Agility in Teams with Duena Blomstrom

Tue, 18 Aug 2020 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about agility in teams, and how productivity, psychological safety, and an agile approach work together for the benefit of organizations and those who work within them. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Duena Blomstrom, an accomplished author and Co-Founder and CEO of People Not Tech. PeopleNotTech offers a revolutionary machine learning-powered software solution in the form of a work tool that checks and improves Psychological Safety in teams.

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#83 How to be an Agile Business with David Wachs, Handwrytten

Tue, 04 Aug 2020 16:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about keeping your company agile and the value of learning, iterating, and optimizing your business. Too many times companies spend vast amounts of time and effort creating something that is either not exactly what the market wants, or is not a feasible product or service for the company to offer as it grows over the long term. Instead, an agile approach of creating and learning while being continually open to change and improvement can yield the best results. Today we’re going to hear from someone who did just that and has built a highly competitive product while inventing new solutions to challenges along the way. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome David Wachs, CEO of Handwrytten, a handwriting service for brands.

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#82 The Freelance Economy: The importance of benefits for freelancers and contractors

Tue, 28 Jul 2020 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the freelance economy and why it’s important that freelancers, contractors and the self-employed protect themselves and their future with insurance, retirement, and other methods of planning ahead.

Many freelancers are passionate about what they do and become independents so they can focus more of their time on what they love doing. They often find, however, that they need to learn about a wide variety of things such as accounting to send clients invoices, project management, and many other skills. This is in addition to ensuring that they are planning for their futures and the well-being of their families. Insurance, retirement, and other methods of planning are often taken for granted by full-time employees, but freelancers have to source and purchase this on their own. This can be prohibitive from both a time and cost perspective.

To help me discuss this topic, and offer some potential solutions, I’d like to welcome Steve Blair, who is part of the team at CareerGig, where he is VP of Benefits.

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#81 The Freelance Economy: Vetting and Verifying 1099 Contractors with Kelly Painter, CareerGig

Tue, 21 Jul 2020 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the freelance economy and why it’s important that companies use verification and assessments to reduce risk and hire the best possible candidates. One of the great things about the Web is that it is an often open place where people can participate from different locations and backgrounds. While in many cases this works well, companies can often have a hard time differentiating between freelancers and contractors who claim to have certain credentials and skills. How do you verify and certify that the person you are hiring is an expert at what they do before it’s too late? To help me discuss this topic, and offer some potential solutions, I’d like to welcome Kelly Painter, who is part of the team at CareerGig, where she is VP of Sales.

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#80 Patient Experience and the Importance of Training with Jennifer Thompson, Insight Marketing

Tue, 14 Jul 2020 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the importance of customer and patient experience, and how training can play a big part in teaching empathy and understanding to improve it. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Jennifer Thompson, President of Insight Marketing.

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#79 Acceleration Powered by Data, Part 3

Tue, 07 Jul 2020 04:00:00 GMT

Part 3 of 3: In times of disruption, organizations are forced to pivot in unexpected ways. While you can plan for potential events, it isn’t until a change occurs that the organization is tested. At the root of an organization’s response plan is data. When organizations understand how to leverage and optimize their business data solutions, data becomes a competitive advantage. Change is constant. How organizations adapt to change is the variable. In this 3-part series of The Agile World, TEKsystems Data Analytics and Insights leaders discuss data’s evolution from a supporting asset, to a mission-critical component to success and the catalyst for change.

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#78 Acceleration Powered by Data, Part 2

Tue, 30 Jun 2020 04:00:00 GMT

Part 2 of 3: In times of disruption, organizations are forced to pivot in unexpected ways. While you can plan for potential events, it isn’t until a change occurs that the organization is tested. At the root of an organization’s response plan is data. When organizations understand how to leverage and optimize their business data solutions, data becomes a competitive advantage. Change is constant. How organizations adapt to change is the variable. In this 3-part series of The Agile World, TEKsystems Data Analytics and Insights leaders discuss data’s evolution from a supporting asset, to a mission-critical component to success and the catalyst for change.

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#77 Acceleration Powered by Data, Part 1

Tue, 23 Jun 2020 04:00:00 GMT

Part 1 of 3: In times of disruption, organizations are forced to pivot in unexpected ways. While you can plan for potential events, it isn’t until a change occurs that the organization is tested. At the root of an organization’s response plan is data. When organizations understand how to leverage and optimize their business data solutions, data becomes a competitive advantage. Change is constant. How organizations adapt to change is the variable. In this 3-part series of The Agile World, TEKsystems Data Analytics and Insights leaders discuss data’s evolution from a supporting asset, to a mission-critical component to success and the catalyst for change.

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#76 Next Best Action

Tue, 16 Jun 2020 04:00:00 GMT

A discussion about next best action and its role in enhancing the customer experience with Jean Belanger, Founder and CEO of Cerebri AI.

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#75 Focusing on Customer Experience with Augie Ray, Gartner

Tue, 09 Jun 2020 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about how to focus on customer experience and what that means within an organization. While it’s often said that everyone in a company has a role in customer experience, my guest today would say that, while true, if you don’t have people whose role it is to focus on CX specifically, your organization can’t truly be successful at it. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Augie Ray, VP of Customer Experience, Gartner.

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#74 The Relationship Between Customer Experience and Marketing with Jennifer Severns, AMA

Tue, 02 Jun 2020 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the importance of customer experience in a membership organization. Also, since our guest is from the American Marketing Association, we’re going to talk a little bit about the relationship between marketing and customer experience. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Jennifer Severns, Chief Experience Officer at American Marketing Association.

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#73 Employee Experience in a Fast-Growth Global Environment with Joy Sybesma, Dataiku

Tue, 26 May 2020 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about company culture and how to maintain and develop great employee experience in a fast-growth, global organization. We’re also going to talk about how to develop and train the best and most effective types of leaders for your organization. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Joy Sybesma, Chief People Officer at Dataiku.

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#72 Agile, CX, and Marketing with Aileen Cahil

Tue, 19 May 2020 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about how enterprises who remain agile can achieve great success in building great experiences for their customers. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Aileen Cahil, an author, speaker and customer experience expert who has worked with several Fortune 100 companies and gotten great Customer Experience, Digital Transformation, and Marketing results through a data-driven, customer-centric and agile approach.

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#71 The Value of a Holistic Digital Experience with Eric Stahl, Salesforce

Tue, 12 May 2020 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the value of a holistic digital experience. Too often organizations spend time optimizing a few channels to make sure that they are performing well, but they fail to look at the bigger picture. Customer experience is a key differentiator in today’s competitive marketplace, and organizations that embrace digital experience as more than the sum of its parts will get ahead and stay ahead. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Eric Stahl, SVP of Digital Experience at Salesforce.

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#70 Being Intentional with Your Brand Experience with Antonia Hock, Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center

Tue, 05 May 2020 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the importance of being intentional with your brand’s experience, and why great company culture and customer experience are critical to success. Great customer experience is created from motivated, engaged employees who feel both valued and valuable to an organization. While that sounds straightforward, it is often easier said than done. Even for Fortune 500 brands, the transformation required to become an experience-led organization requires people, processes, and technology to all be in alignment to the benefit of both customers and employees. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Antonia Hock, Global Head of The Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center, a thought leader in customer and talent experience, and who was recently named to Luxury Daily’s Top 25 Women to Watch in Luxury.

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#69 Corporate Social Responsibility and Employee Experience

Tue, 28 Apr 2020 04:00:00 GMT

I'm joined by John Friedman, Sustainability Manager at WGL. Both employees and consumers are increasingly motivated to support companies who share their values. Whether this is the company that employees choose to work for, or companies that customers...

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#68 Doing Employee Experience Well Throughout the Journey

Tue, 21 Apr 2020 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the importance of the employee experience and how organizations of all kinds can remain competitive in the current job market, while paying attention at all the key stages in the employee journey. To help me discuss this topic, I welcome Felipe Cofiño, VP Human Resources and Organizational Development, Signal Financial Federal Credit Union.

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#67 Mergers, Acquisitions, and the Employee Experience with Josh Olson, VMware

Tue, 14 Apr 2020 04:00:00 GMT

A discussion on Mergers, Acquisitions, and the Employee Experience. We talk about how technology can assist enterprises with time to value and sales enablement, ultimately benefiting the customer experience as well. Today we’re going to talk about...

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#66 Diversity, Inclusion, and the Employee Experience with Robert Ruelas, VMware

Tue, 07 Apr 2020 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about Diversity, Inclusion, and the Employee Experience. Employee experience has an increased focus at leading companies around the world. This enhanced experience has many aspects, including people, processes, and technology. Today we’re going to discuss how technology is a key component in employee experience, as well as the role that diversity and inclusion plays in EX. To help me discuss this important topic, I’m joined by Robert Ruelas, VP End User Computing, Americas, VMware.

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#65 Content and the Customer Experience, Part 3

Tue, 31 Mar 2020 04:00:00 GMT

Part 3 (of 3) of a series brought to you by TEKsystems where we will discuss content and CX. Today, we’re going to talk about the real-world application of content strategy in today’s enterprise, where personalization at scale is critical. To...

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#64 Content and the Customer Experience, Part 2

Tue, 24 Mar 2020 04:00:00 GMT

Part 2 (of 3) of a series brought to you by TEKsystems where we will discuss content and CX. Today we’re going to talk about technology and its role in enabling a great content strategy in today’s enterprise, as well as some of the challenges that...

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#63 Content and the Customer Experience, Part 1, with Steve Householder and Burk Buechler from TEKsystems

Tue, 17 Mar 2020 04:00:00 GMT

Part 1 (of 3) of a series brought to you by TEKsystems where we will discuss content and CX. Today we’re going to talk about how content supports business outcomes, the critical importance of a content strategy in CX, and data’s role in a content...

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#62 Culture, Values and the Employee Experience with David Rodriguez, Marriott International

Tue, 10 Mar 2020 04:00:00 GMT

Today we’re going to talk about the importance of values and culture in the employee experience. As companies continue to compete for both talent and customers, experience becomes a differentiating point. Brands that don’t put their employees first will not be as competitive in a marketplace driven by experience.

I'm joined by Dr. David Rodriguez, Global Chief HR Officer, Marriott International to the show to discuss this important topic.

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#61 Orchestration and Customer Experience with Tim Claytor, Kitewheel

Tue, 03 Mar 2020 05:00:00 GMT

A discussion about customer journey orchestration and its power in creating great customer experiences with special guest Tim Claytor, SVP Partnerships at Kitewheel.

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#60 Technology & Customer Experience with Charlie Oliver, Tech 2025

Tue, 25 Feb 2020 05:00:00 GMT

I am joined by Charlie Oliver, Founder & CEO of Tech 2025. Technologies like artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented reality, automation and many others promise better data, better access, and better ways of reaching customers. But what about the customers’ perspective? How will these technologies help customers solve their challenges more easily and offer a better customer experience with products and services they regularly interact with?

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#59 The Customer Journey and the Modern Restaurant Experience with Sherif Mityas, TGI Fridays

Tue, 18 Feb 2020 05:00:00 GMT

I'm joined by Sherif Mityas, Chief Experience Officer at TGI Fridays. Today we’re going to talk about the customer journey and the modern restaurant experience. Personalization, automation and customer journey orchestration are playing a larger role...

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#58 Maintaining a Strong Company Culture Amidst Growth

Tue, 11 Feb 2020 05:00:00 GMT

A discussion about organizational culture and employee experience with special guest Traci Schweikert, VP Human Resources of POLITICO.

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#57 The Power of Employer Brands with Frans Mahieu, Kimberly-Clark

Tue, 04 Feb 2020 05:00:00 GMT

I'm joined by Frans Mahieu of Kimberly-Clark. A discussion of the importance of employers being intentional about their branding and experience for potential and existing employees.

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#56 The Agile Consumer

Thu, 30 Jan 2020 05:00:00 GMT

In this episode, I talk a bit about my new book, The Agile Consumer, which discusses the continually evolving brand-consumer relationship. As consumers have more choice, options, and agency to make purchasing decisions, their power increases in the dynamic. This also means that brands need to find new ways to reach and provide meaningful solutions to their challenges.

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#55 Cutting Through the Clutter

Tue, 28 Jan 2020 05:00:00 GMT

It's important for brands to cut through the clutter and meaningfully reach their customers. The agile brand will be successful in an age of continual disruption because it finds a way to meaningfully connect with people. That doesn’t mean...

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#54 Agile Brands and Society

Thu, 23 Jan 2020 05:00:00 GMT

I feel it’s important to address one other key aspect of brands that is part of the “new normal.” It’s not enough to simply make a great product, or offer an amazing service. It’s also not enough to simply engage with our audiences on a regular basis. There needs to be something more, and truly successful brands have tapped into this. Just as an agile brand must establish a bi-directional relationship with individual consumers to be successful, there must also be a symbiotic relationship with the world at large. This can play out in ways that impact society, the environment, or other areas that have a large cultural impact.

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#52 Telling Relatable Stories with Your Brand

Tue, 14 Jan 2020 05:00:00 GMT

This is the third of four episodes related to brands and storytelling. The best way to make your brand’s story memorable is to relate it to your audience. What is challenging in this is that, in a continually changing world, any of the following may be true:

● Your audience’s tastes change over time. ● You are appealing to multiple audiences, often with different values. ● Your company is going through transformation whether through acquisitions or changes in the market. ● Your products or services are evolving over time. With all of the changes, different focus areas, and competing or conflicting tastes, you have your work cut out for you. Fortunately, by focusing on the essence of what makes your brand unique you can cut through the clutter and find a way to relate to your audiences. You may be able to filter your brand’s values through a slightly different lens for each audience.

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#51 Telling Authentic Stories with Your Brand

Tue, 07 Jan 2020 05:00:00 GMT

This is the second of four episodes related to brands and storytelling. It’s time to stop thinking in the broadcast mode of marketing. Simply saying something isn’t enough. Claiming to be the best, the fastest, or the friendliest means nothing without proof, and the proof isn’t just statistics, but meaningful interactions that build relationships.

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#50 Telling Educational Stories with Your Brand

Tue, 31 Dec 2019 05:00:00 GMT

This is the first of four episodes related to brands and storytelling. Think about the last time a friend or colleague told you about a brand or product they like. Chances are, one of the things that stood out was something they learned while reading about the product, reading its history, or maybe even using the product. People like to share something new or unexpected about brands they love with their friends, family and colleagues. Giving them something they can use to teach others motivates them to embrace and remember the information. In the act of teaching someone else, they also build greater affinity for your brand or product.

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#49 Listen to Your Customers, Don't Talk at Them

Tue, 24 Dec 2019 05:00:00 GMT

Part 5 of how to create an agile brand. To create a holistic customer experience, it’s important to use those channels as a means of two-way communication, rather than to deliver one-way messaging directed at consumers. Instead, engage in a dialogue with your customers, and even if you’re not actively communicating with them, listen to what they have to say. As I’ve often told potential and current clients who were reluctant to fully engage or participate in social media, people are talking about you whether you are present on the platform or not.

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#48 Customer Experience Trumps Channels and Mediums

Tue, 17 Dec 2019 05:00:00 GMT

Part 4 of how to create an agile brand. We need to stop thinking only in terms of the individual channels we reach customers through. Instead, we have to think of our customers in terms of their overall experience with our brand. As noted, customers are becoming more and more “device agnostic” and you could even say they are “channel agnostic” as well. Whether they choose to visit a store, or shop on their phone, text, tweet or even make a good old-fashioned phone call depends on many external factors brands can’t anticipate. To combat this, we must make our communications, marketing, commerce and customer service agile and channel-agnostic as well. This is what creates a great customer experience.

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#47 Adaptivity and Collaboration in Your Company Culture

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 05:00:00 GMT

Part 3 of how to create an agile brand. It’s also not enough to just be adaptive. Without culture and processes for easy collaboration both internally and with external partners, being truly agile will not be possible.

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#46 Special Episode: The Power of Identity with Kory Patrick of TEKsystems

Thu, 05 Dec 2019 05:00:00 GMT

Every day, threat actors are working to penetrate your organization’s perimeter and access unauthorized, sensitive and confidential information. No organization is immune. Early detection is critical.

Identity is at the core of security. Organizations that can seamlessly manage and maintain user access to business information and data will not only decrease the likelihood of a breach—and the financial, reputation and brand equity threats that accompany compromised data—but they will also eliminate service disruption, establishing a competitive advantage over their less-protected peers. In this episode of The Agile World, brought to you by TEKsystems, we discuss the critical importance of an identity access management (IAM) program.

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#45 Evolutionary versus Revolutionary Processes

Tue, 03 Dec 2019 05:00:00 GMT

Part 2 of how to create an agile brand. When thinking about evolution versus revolution, you need to know when to take which approach for your own brand. You may need to take each of these tacks at different times. Generally speaking, you don’t want to continually take a revolutionary approach because you run the risk of alienating loyal customers. They may follow you through one reinvention, but too drastic change too often may not inspire the loyalty which is also critical to a successful brand.

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#44 Change is the Only Constant

Tue, 26 Nov 2019 05:00:00 GMT

Part 1 of how to create an agile brand. While it seems that it’s only in the age of technology that everyone complains about being too busy and things moving too quickly, this isn’t the case. As early as 500 BC, Heraclitus said: “the only thing that is constant is change.” You need to find ways to take advantage of change and use it for your advantage.

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#43 Brands and Future Generations

Tue, 19 Nov 2019 05:00:00 GMT

Just as past generations had their own unique relationship to brands, this dynamic will continue to evolve over time. Let’s take a look at a few aspects of branding as they relate to the generations which will shape our economy and society over the decades to come.

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#41 Key Principles of an Agile Brand

Tue, 05 Nov 2019 05:00:00 GMT

I go through the principles of an agile brand: • Our highest priority is to add value to people’s lives through meaningful interactions and tangible benefits that brands offer to customers. • We believe brands play an important role in society, and when they are managed properly, they can add value to people’s lives. • We believe change can be a force for good and branding and marketing need to change to best serve their customers and society. • We believe the future is bright and technology can be a force for good in the right hands and with the right motives. • We believe that to make a great brand is to tie a core set of values to the products and services delivered. • We also believe the world is in continual motion, and the ideas and thinking we currently share are subject to continual evolution as the practice of branding evolves.

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#40 An Agile Brand Case Study: Netflix

Tue, 29 Oct 2019 04:00:00 GMT

Netflix is a great example of a brand that has continued to disrupt, innovate and remain agile over time. From its beginnings up against the behemoth Blockbuster, to its current disruption of traditional television and home entertainment, I trace its roots and how it has stayed agile after all these years.

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#39 Agile Brand Value 4

Tue, 22 Oct 2019 04:00:00 GMT

I go through the Agile Brand Manifesto and talk about valuing continual improvement over maintaining status quo.

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#38 Agile Brand Value 3

Tue, 15 Oct 2019 04:00:00 GMT

I go through the Agile Brand Manifesto and talk about valuing staying true to company values over doing what you can to generate profits.

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#37 Agile Brand Value 2

Tue, 08 Oct 2019 04:00:00 GMT

I go through the Agile Brand Manifesto and talk about valuing dialogue with customers over broadcasting one-way marketing messages.

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#36 Agile Brand Value 1

Tue, 01 Oct 2019 04:00:00 GMT

I go through the Agile Brand Manifesto and talk about valuing long-term customers over short-term sales.

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#35 Brands and Agile Marketing

Tue, 24 Sep 2019 04:00:00 GMT

Last part of a multi-episode discussion of what changed to cause the need for agile brands. Data is readily available and plentiful, which empowers businesses to make quicker decisions that are informed by real-time information.

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#34 Special Episode: From Monolith to Microservice

Wed, 18 Sep 2019 16:00:00 GMT

This special episode is generously brought to you by TEKSystems.

Competitive advantage is the name of the game. In a marketplace where disruption is constant, enterprises are eager to use technology that transforms, modernizes and differentiates their brand.

Applications are the gateway to delivering continuous improvement of products and services to customers. Through microservice architectures, organizations can delight customers by delivering solutions better and faster. But many organizations face challenges overcoming their current legacy, monolith environments. In this episode of The Agile World, we discuss the power of microservices for developing new applications and distilling legacy apps and systems.

Join TEKsystems Managing Vice President of Technology Products & Services Rick Madan for this special episode.

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#33 Brands and the Modern Customer Experience

Tue, 17 Sep 2019 04:00:00 GMT

Fifth part of a multi-episode discussion of what changed to cause the need for agile brands. Customers are device-agnostic, always-connected, and want personalized relationships with brands. Successful brands understand that customers want what they want, when and where they want it.

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#32 Brands and Exponential Technologies

Tue, 10 Sep 2019 04:00:00 GMT

Fourth part of a multi-episode discussion of what changed to cause the need for agile brands. Exponential technologies using AI and Machine Learning allow us to truly personalize and customize experiences. Agile brands know and adopt this.

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#31 Brands and Market Disruption

Tue, 03 Sep 2019 04:00:00 GMT

Third part of a multi-episode discussion of what changed to cause the need for agile brands. Continual market disruption has created a need for a more agile approach to branding, marketing, and the operations of an organization.

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#30 Brand as Experience

Tue, 27 Aug 2019 04:00:00 GMT

Second part of a multi-episode discussion of what changed to cause the need for agile brands. Unlike the “Mad Men” days of advertising, it’s not enough to send one-way messages. Successful brands don’t talk at people, they engage with them. A modern brand offers a multi-channel customer experience that is a persistent two-way exchange, more like a relationship than a one-off experience.

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#29 Social Transformation and Brands

Tue, 20 Aug 2019 04:00:00 GMT

First part of a multi-episode discussion of what changed to cause the need for agile brands. Social media, in its broadest sense, has transformed commerce, marketing, media relations, and our relationships with both brands and our colleagues, friends, and family.

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#28 Letting Go in Order to Have Deeper Customer Relationships

Tue, 06 Aug 2019 04:00:00 GMT

Our last episode on the subject of what sets agile brands apart. Agile brands have a two-way relationship with their customers, particularly their best and most loyal ones. What does this mean? Brand development and marketing still belong to the company doing the marketing. However, being agile means giving a little bit away in order to get more in return.

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#27 Staying Nimble by Always Listening

Tue, 30 Jul 2019 04:00:00 GMT

Continuing our discussion of what sets agile brands apart. “The customer is always right” is a cliché we’ve all heard countless times. It’s vital to listen to our customers so we can understand what they are saying, and why they believe they are right. This process of listening and reacting has been made both easier and infinitely more complicated by the rise of social media, review sites, social media “influencers”, and company websites that solicit feedback. To be nimble and react to what your current and prospective customers say, what your competitors do, and what your critics write, you must be prepared to listen, analyze and adjust what you’re doing at a moment’s notice. So, keep in mind the point above about using data throughout your processes.

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#26 Using Data to Drive Deeper Insights

Tue, 23 Jul 2019 04:00:00 GMT

Many companies got on the “big data” bandwagon early, driving it on a path of growth that IDC predicts will reach in excess of $200 billion by 2020. Many realized that with big data came a lot of tough decisions about which data to look at, and how to sift through it all. Everything from financial and sales data, to website analytics, to real-time social media listening tools can clutter any database and reporting tool. This creates overload and confusion, often resulting in marketing and sales reports based on what data is easy to obtain and make sense of, rather than what data is valuable to understand.

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#25 Telling Genuine Stories with Your Brand

Tue, 16 Jul 2019 04:00:00 GMT

Continuing our discussion of what sets agile brands apart from others. Today, we're talking about telling genuine stories. Any brand story must be authentic and stay true to your company values. It must also resonate with your customers’ values and...

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#24 Open Dialogue with Customers

Tue, 09 Jul 2019 04:00:00 GMT

We all hear about engagement, but what does it really mean? To many digital marketers, it’s a metric to be reported. Consumers rarely view engagement in the same way, or think of it all. In an era where advertising and marketing are so pervasive, customers aren’t seeking engagement with brands. In fact, most people who do not work in the marketing world rarely, if ever, think about something like brand engagement.

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#23 The Duality of the Agile Brand

Tue, 02 Jul 2019 04:00:00 GMT

While some things need to stay the same in a brand, a truly Agile one needs to evolve over time. There are two ways to look at how an audience changes over the life of a brand. First, you can look at audience shifts in terms of how an audience’s preferences and behaviors change over time. This could be measured in everything from how they interact with your brand (e.g., a shift in mobile device usage, or increased adoption of social media for customer service) to their buying behaviors or other preferences. The second way you can look at audience shifts is in how different audiences may find your products and services useful over time. You may go to market assuming that your product solves a specific audience’s problems, but then find that you are instead being very successful with a completely different audience. What do you do? Depending on your strategic approach, you may decide to embrace this new audience, or you may shift your messaging and strategies to focus more on a different demographic.

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#22 Constants and the Agile Brand

Tue, 25 Jun 2019 04:00:00 GMT

Once when I was speaking on the topic of agile marketing at a conference, someone asked a question that should be addressed here: Doesn’t it go against the fundamentals of branding to be so agile, and adapt to change so easily? What about the core things that make up a brand? For this reason, we need to think of the Agile Brand as being nuanced. Earlier in the show, we described “timelessness” as one of the key aspects of a great brand. It’s important to make sure we don’t confuse matters. While much of our discussion of the agile brand has centered on creating a continually evolving entity, we should also be clear that there are certain brand elements which should not be readily modified.

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#21 Special Episode: Data Untangled with Jennifer Kling and Ram Palaniappan of TEKsystems

Thu, 20 Jun 2019 14:27:26 GMT

This special episode is generously brought to you by TEKSystems.

Every organization has a not-so-secret weapon: data. It’s incredibly valuable information generated from every aspect of the enterprise, including research and development, sales and marketing, supply chain and customer service. Every activity in every facet of the business provides data. And it goes well beyond the organization’s four walls.

For organizations planning to stick around, harnessing the power of data is a business imperative because of the opportunity it holds: competitive differentiation. Unfortunately, many struggle to use data to their advantage. In this episode of The Agile World, we discuss how organizations can set themselves up for success with data.

Join Jennifer Kling and Ram Palaniappan of TEKsystems for this special episode.

Thanks!

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#20 What is an agile brand?

Tue, 18 Jun 2019 04:00:00 GMT

Having discussed what agile is and means, let’s talk more specifically about the current state of branding, and what I’ve defined as the Agile Brand. Agility is built on principles of sprints and optimization discussed in the previous chapter, and on the fundamentals of branding. There are five key things agile brands do which sets them apart: 1. Have an open dialogue with customers. 2. Tell stories that are genuine. 3. Use data to drive deeper insights and greater growth. 4. Think holistically about the customer experience. 5. Stay nimble by always listening. 6. Let go in order to have deeper relationships.

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#19 Agile marketing

Tue, 11 Jun 2019 04:00:00 GMT

Building on the last episode that discussed agile methodology, this episode explores agile marketing in greater depth.

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#18 What is agile?

Tue, 04 Jun 2019 04:00:00 GMT

Although this topic could take up an entire podcast on its own, this episode briefly discusses what agile methodology is, and how it applies to marketing and branding.

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#17 Brand as Relationship

Tue, 28 May 2019 04:00:00 GMT

The fourth and current stage of the evolution of brands. As more and more brands have adopted the experience approach, it has become clearer that a one-off moment in time is not enough to cement brand loyalty. This takes us to the current stage in the evolution of brands: brand as relationship.

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#16 Brand as Experience

Tue, 21 May 2019 04:00:00 GMT

The third stage in the evolution of brands. With increased competition, and consumer preference for more tailored products and services, brands were forced to differentiate themselves beyond occupying an idea. They needed to insert themselves into key life moments and become part of our experience. Apple’s brand experience extends all the way from the initial sale (either in one of its branded stores or its online presence), through the packaging you open to first use your product, through the ease of setup, through usage of the product every day. And if you have problems, you can go to the Apple Store to ask questions. In more recent times, brands have used experience to cut through the clutter of marketing and advertising, which creates deeper engagement with customers.

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#15 Brand as Idea

Tue, 14 May 2019 04:00:00 GMT

The second stage in the evolution of brands. With increasing competition from mass production, mass advertising, and mass media in general, the need for brands to be more than an object came along. At this point, it wasn’t enough to simply have a logo that was recognizable and a product that was available in stores. Brands now needed to compete for mindshare. As consumers and marketers have grown more sophisticated, it is not enough to simply be known. Companies and products must stake out a claim on an area of the popular imagination and exist as an “idea.”

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#14 Brand as Object

Tue, 07 May 2019 04:00:00 GMT

The first stage in the evolution of brands. Our use of logos to represent companies, organizations, or individuals is based on a long history that originates with the very beginning of written communication. The moment we used a drawing, an image, a symbol to represent something else, we’ve been essentially branding things. From cave paintings to hieroglyphics, to the first logo representing a company, we’ve been using graphic representations to give meaning to ideas.

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#13 Cars and Branding

Tue, 30 Apr 2019 04:00:00 GMT

I discuss how I first fell in love with the concept of branding, at a rather young age, and through my appreciation for cars. Auto branding taught me hierarchy, positioning, and many more things.

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#12 Branding and Relevance

Tue, 23 Apr 2019 04:00:00 GMT

In order for a brand to be strong, it must remain relevant or find a way to be culturally relevant in the moment.

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#11 Special Episode: The Digital Revolution with Burk Buechler of TEKsystems

Wed, 17 Apr 2019 13:58:03 GMT

This special episode is generously brought to you by TEKSystems.

After decades of struggling to fully understand consumers, they now hold the key to complete enlightenment: customer data. Armed with smartphones, tablets and laptops, many consumers relinquish their personal data so that brands can provide them with unique, personalized experiences. Many brands have already figured out the digital customer experience.

They brilliantly convert consumer insight into content and stylized offers that fit customers’ needs, in real time. But their success didn’t come after waving a magic wand. They first figured out how to make sense of all their customer data by aligning their processes with technology. This foundational work included putting the right people in charge, forming customer personas, creating relevant KPIs and figuring out which content management system and other technologies best integrate with all of that.

Join TEKsystems Managing Director of Digital Solutions Burk Buechler for this special episode.

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#10 Branding and Focus

Tue, 16 Apr 2019 04:00:00 GMT

“Our audience is everyone.” If I had a nickel for every time I’ve heard that sentence after asking a marketer or executive, I’d be a very rich man. Instead, in order for a brand to be successful, it must focus its efforts on defining its ideal audiences, even if it ultimately wants to appeal to a broad set of potential customers. I use Apple as an example of this.

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#9 Branding and Substance

Tue, 09 Apr 2019 04:00:00 GMT

For a brand to be strong and have lasting success, it must have substance. We can describe substance in two ways: 1) an ideology which is clearly articulated in the way an organization conducts business and communicates with its audiences, and 2) a genuine experience for the brand’s audiences that builds a memorable and meaningful relationship.

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#8 Attracting the Right Customers with Your Brand

Tue, 02 Apr 2019 04:00:00 GMT

When branding is done well, it differentiates your organization in a way that targets the right audiences and drives the right customers to your brand.

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#7 Branding and Expectation-Setting for Customers

Tue, 26 Mar 2019 04:00:00 GMT

A good brand allows potential customers, employees, and other audiences to understand what they should expect before they make a purchase. When done well, this combination of messaging and visuals helps create a better customer experience by setting the right expectations from the start.

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#6 Brands and Value Creation for the Organization

Tue, 19 Mar 2019 04:00:00 GMT

Successful brands can create their own intrinsic value to an organization. In this episode, we discuss how the value created by a brand creates many internal and external opportunities beyond marketing benefits.

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#5 Branding for Differentiation and Competitive Advantage

Tue, 12 Mar 2019 04:00:00 GMT

While it may seem obvious, setting your brand apart from the competition is often easier said than done. Successful brands think beyond purely aesthetic or surface differentiation and find ways to meaningfully occupy an idea in their consumer's minds.

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#4 Your Brand is Continually Evolving

Tue, 05 Mar 2019 05:00:00 GMT

Gone are the days of "set it and forget it" with your brand. Instead, you need to embrace a continually evolving landscape where your customers, employees and competitors are continually in motion.

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#3 Your Brand is a Relationship

Tue, 26 Feb 2019 05:00:00 GMT

Successful brands understand that customers have unlimited choices, and a two-way relationship keeps you top of mind with consumers. This is not far-fetched or unrealistic when brands approach it by solving real challenges that their clients have, and positioning themselves in a way to solve those challenges better than their competitors.

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#2 Your Brand is more than a Logo

Tue, 19 Feb 2019 05:00:00 GMT

As Jeff Bezos famously said, "your brand is what people say about you when you're not in the room." While much effort is spent on logos, brand guidelines, and messaging structures, if your brand doesn't resonate with your audiences, they will write their own version for you.

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#1 Your Brand is a Vocabulary

Tue, 12 Feb 2019 05:00:00 GMT

How do you create a vocabulary that people inside and outside your organization will want to adopt and use to talk about you? If you create it well, it will be something that employees are able to easily use, and something that is meaningful to your customers.

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