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/agileConnect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck 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

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/gregkihlstromDon'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

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 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

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/gregkihlstromDon'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

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/gregkihlstromDon'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

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/gregkihlstromDon'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

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 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

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 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

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/gregkihlstromDon'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

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/gregkihlstromDon'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

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/gregkihlstromDon'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

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 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 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

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 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 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

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 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

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/gregkihlstromDon'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

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 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/gregkihlstromDon'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

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 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/gregkihlstromDon'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

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/gregkihlstromDon'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

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/gregkihlstromDon'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

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/gregkihlstromDon'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

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/ 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 Medallia: https://www.medallia.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 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

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/ 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

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

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 Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck 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

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

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

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

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  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/ 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  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

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  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://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 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

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

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  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://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 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

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  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://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 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

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 CastellanaAlbert 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  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

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/ 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

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/ 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

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/ 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

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/agileConnect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck 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

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/ 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

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/agileConnect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck 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

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/ 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/agileConnect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck 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

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/ 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

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/ 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 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

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/agileConnect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck 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

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/agileConnect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck 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

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/agileConnect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck 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

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/agileConnect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck 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

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/agileConnect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck 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

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/agileConnect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck 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

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/agileConnect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck 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

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/agileConnect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck 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

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/agileConnect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck 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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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/ 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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://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

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

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 ofCollaboration (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/B0DSY849P8Register 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/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck 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

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

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

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/ 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

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/ 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

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

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

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

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 GerberRaymond 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 SmithMark 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/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 JainRupali 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 LiAt 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/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://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

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

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

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

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

We would like to recommend The Jordan Harbinger Show. Some of Jordan's recent guests like Ray Dalio and Steven Pinker have been fascinating. I've become a regular listener and hope you enjoy it too.

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

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 brandsOnline 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 osms25agilebrandDon'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/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck 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

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

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 UKGov’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 2019and 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 brandsDon'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/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck 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

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

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

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

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

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 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/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://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

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

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

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

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 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/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://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

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

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 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/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://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

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 brandsDon'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/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://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

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

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 BodineDana 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 brandsDon'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/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck 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

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 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/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://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

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 SoderlundRiikka 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 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

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 ReppJaxon 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 brandsDon'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/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck 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

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 WheelerAs 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 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

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 osms25agilebrandDon'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/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://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

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 LamprechtEugenie 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 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

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 brandsOnline 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 osms25agilebrandDon'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/agile150Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck 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

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 ZaoTara 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 brandsOnline 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 osms25agilebrandDon'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/agile150Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck 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

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 PuttenPeter 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 brandsOnline 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 osms25agilebrandDon'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/agile150Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck 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

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 BowmanJason 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 brandsOnline 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 osms25agilebrandDon'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/agile150Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck 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

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 FosterJoe 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 WeissBen 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 brandsOnline 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 osms25agilebrandDon'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/agile150Shoe Maker by Joe Foster: https://www.jwfosterheritage.com/shop-online/p/ohi30b1x63ghyj2him04suqx1ju4z5 Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck 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

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 KeithSue 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 brandsOnline 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 osms25agilebrandDon'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/agile150Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck 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

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 DattaRaj 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 brandsOnline 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 osms25agilebrandDon'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/agile150Get the Bloomreach report: https://www.bloomreach.com/en/winning-playbook-for-loyaltyConnect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck 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

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. RESOURCESCatch 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 brandsOnline 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 osms25agilebrandDon'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/agile150Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck 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/versionnextnowThe 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

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 WieczorekGabrielle 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 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

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 MinogueDominic 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 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 osms25agilebrandDon'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/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://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

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 GoldbergJosh 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 brandsOnline 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 osms25agilebrandDon'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/agile150Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck 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

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 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

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 HughesKen 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 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

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 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

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. RESOURCESVimmi: 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 brandsOnline 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 osms25agilebrandDon'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/agile150Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck 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/versionnextnowThe 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

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. RESOURCESCisco: 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 brandsOnline 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 osms25agilebrandDon'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/agile150Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck 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/versionnextnowThe 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

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. RESOURCESIf 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-workshopCatch 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 brandsConnect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck 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/versionnextnowThe 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

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. RESOURCESH&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 brandsDon'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/agile150Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck 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/versionnextnowThe 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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

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

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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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/ 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

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/ 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

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/ 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

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/ 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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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 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

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? 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. 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 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 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

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/ 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

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 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

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 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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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 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

“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 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 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

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 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 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

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.

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/ 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 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

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 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 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

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 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 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

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/ 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 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

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 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 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

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 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 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 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

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/ 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 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

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 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 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

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 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 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

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/ 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 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

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 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 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

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 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 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

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 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 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

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 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 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

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 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 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

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. 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 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 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 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

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. 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 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 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 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

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? 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 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 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 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

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 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 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

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/ 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 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

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 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 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

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/ 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 Connect with Greg on 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

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 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 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

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 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 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

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/ 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 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

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 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 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 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

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 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 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 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

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/ 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 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 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

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 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 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 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

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/ 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 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 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

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 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 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 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

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. 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. 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 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 Connect with Greg on 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

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/ 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 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 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

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 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 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 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

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 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 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 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

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  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 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 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

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 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 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 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

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/ 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   Connect with Greg on 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

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/ 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   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 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

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 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   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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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.

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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. 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, and by Znode, the premier B2B e-commerce enterprise platform. 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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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"

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 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

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 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

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   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

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   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

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   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

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 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/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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Sign up for The Agile Brand newsletter here: https://www.gregkihlstrom.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 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 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 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 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 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 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 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Sign up for The Agile Brand newsletter here: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com 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 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Sign up for The Agile Brand newsletter here: https://www.gregkihlstrom.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 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Sign up for The Agile Brand newsletter here: https://www.gregkihlstrom.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 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 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 Sign up for The Agile Brand newsletter here: https://www.gregkihlstrom.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 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Sign up for The Agile Brand newsletter here: https://www.gregkihlstrom.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 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Sign up for The Agile Brand newsletter here: https://www.gregkihlstrom.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 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Sign up for The Agile Brand newsletter here: https://www.gregkihlstrom.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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Sign up for The Agile Brand newsletter here: https://www.gregkihlstrom.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 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Sign up for The Agile Brand newsletter here: https://www.gregkihlstrom.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 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 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 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 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 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 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 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices