113: Connections 2025: Day 1 – Conversations with Hanna Andersson, CITGO, Contentstack, Ecolab, and Advanced Turf
Release Date: 06/25/2025
122: How to Think About AI as a Business Process Optimizer, Featuring Rob Smith, Global VP of Technology, OSF Digital
Commerce Innovators
Rob Smith, Global VP of Tech at OSF Digital, is with us to discuss the innovative concept of agentic commerce. This episode delves into how AI is reshaping customer experiences, highlighting OSF Digital's partnership with Salesforce to push boundaries in the retail space. From the bold move to overhaul their chatbot with an AI agent to the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in e-commerce, Rob offers insights into how platforms like Amazon and Shopify are adapting to these changes. Learn about the critical role of business analysis and automation in leveraging AI effectively and...
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121: Launching Next Gen Composable Storefronts for Vans, The North Face, and Timberland, Featuring Adam Bezemek, Director of Experience Engineering at VF Corporation
Commerce Innovators
E-commerce is being revolutionized through AI and technology integration in this episode. Adam Bezemek, Director of Experience Engineering at VF Corp, discusses the transformation of iconic brands like Vans, The North Face, and Timberland using headless commerce and composable storefronts. Dive into the challenges of internationalization, the role of AI in product discovery, and the importance of data-driven decision-making. Learn about VF Corp's collaboration with industry leaders like Netlify, Bloomreach, and Salesforce Commerce Cloud, and how embedding engineers within brand teams...
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120: The Four Pillars of Ecommerce, Featuring Jon Luciano, Director of Ecommerce at Lumen Technologies
Commerce Innovators
In a rapidly transforming telecom landscape, what does it take to stay ahead of the curve? In this episode, Jon Luciano, Director of Ecommerce at Lumen Technologies, delves into the evolving world of telecommunications ecommerce. The conversation highlights the shift from limited provider options to a competitive market driven by regulatory changes and advancements in fiber technology. Jon explores how data-driven strategies are essential in enhancing customer experiences and personalizing services. The episode discusses the role of AI and conversational agents in revolutionizing customer...
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119: Predictions for the 2025 Holiday Shopping Season, Featuring Caila Schwartz
Commerce Innovators
In this episode, Caila Schwartz from Salesforce Commerce Cloud joins us to discuss holiday shopping predictions for 2025. The conversation covers how AI is transforming retail, particularly in product discovery and research, with a focus on Gen Z and millennials. The episode also delves into economic challenges like inflation and tariffs, and how these factors influence consumer behavior and the rise of resale markets. Caila shares insights on the evolving shopping habits of younger generations, the importance of trust and authenticity in AI-driven marketplaces, and strategies for building...
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118: AI Agents as an Accelerant for Commerce, Featuring Superpilot's Nathan Marcus
Commerce Innovators
In this episode, we talk with Nathan Marcus, co-founder of Superpilot and former builder of Salesforce Commerce Cloud, about the role of AI agents in e-commerce. Nathan discusses how Superpilot is revolutionizing the industry by integrating AI agents with Salesforce Commerce Cloud to enhance operational efficiency and growth. The conversation explores the concept of persona-based AI agents that support human teams by automating tasks such as competitive analysis and product launches. The episode also introduces the "context lake" concept, which helps AI agents make informed decisions...
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117: Commerce Cloud's Future and Storied Past, Featuring Red Van CEO, Harvey Bierman
Commerce Innovators
From the peaks of Breckenridge to the streets of Chicago, Harvey Bierman, CEO of Red Van and a pivotal force in the Salesforce Commerce Cloud ecosystem, shares his insights at the Connections 2025 event. He discusses Salesforce's ambitious plans to revolutionize B2C commerce with integrated customer experiences. The conversation goes into the evolution from Demandware to Salesforce, the importance of order management systems in cross-channel orchestration, and Red Van's strategic approach to building a specialized order management practice. Harvey also highlights the enduring...
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116: The Impact of New Behavioral Data on Commerce, Featuring FERMÀT CEO, Rishabh Jain
Commerce Innovators
Rishabh Jain, the co-founder and CEO of FERMÀT, shares his story from the realm of solid-state physics to spearheading innovation in commerce technology in this episode. The conversation goes into how FERMÀT’s groundbreaking solutions harness the power of generative AI and large language models to revolutionize customer experiences by emphasizing behavioral data over mere identity data. With notable collaborations alongside industry giants, Rishabh uncovers the intricate art of personalization, the profound impact of AI-driven searches, and the ever-evolving landscape of consumer...
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115: Connections 2025: Day 2, Part 2 – Conversations with Tumi, Amplience, and CONA
Commerce Innovators
In the rapidly evolving landscape of digital commerce, staying ahead of technological advancements is important for businesses seeking to deliver seamless and efficient customer experiences. This discussion explores the future of commerce innovation, featuring expert perspectives from Kchitij Kumar (KK) of Tumi, Kieran Lane of Amplience, and Becky Simmons from CONA Services. They address topics such as the dismantling of technology silos, the role of composable architecture, and the power of AI and metadata. KK offers a glimpse into Tumi's strategic use of AI-driven customer segmentation...
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114: Connections 2025: Day 2, Part 1 – Conversations with Hugo Boss, 64labs, Rock West Composites, and Royal Cyber
Commerce Innovators
Industry visionaries such as Jean Roth from Hugo Boss and Helen Martin from 64labs delve into the groundbreaking potential of AI, data unification, and composable commerce to revolutionize customer engagement and strategy. The discussion unveils Hugo Boss's pioneering use of AI-driven strategies to elevate customer experiences and slash acquisition costs through highly personalized marketing. Moreover, revelations from 64labs and authorities like Lala Asif Ali Allana from Royal Cyber and Luis Sanchez from Rockwest Composites illuminate the effortless shift to composable architecture and...
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113: Connections 2025: Day 1 – Conversations with Hanna Andersson, CITGO, Contentstack, Ecolab, and Advanced Turf
Commerce Innovators
In this episode, we explore the role of AI in reshaping both B2C and B2B commerce. Joined by Neha Sampat, Tracie Pruden, Katie Youmans, Matt Ezyk, and Stephanie Melott, we examine the future of agentic commerce, including the impact of large language models like ChatGPT on traditional search engines and the rise of autonomous shopping. The discussion highlights the power of personalization in digital experiences, leveraging platforms like Salesforce and ContentStack to create hyper-personalized customer experiences. We also look at the role of AI agents in improving customer service and...
info_outlineIn this episode, we explore the role of AI in reshaping both B2C and B2B commerce. Joined by Neha Sampat, Tracie Pruden, Katie Youmans, Matt Ezyk, and Stephanie Melott, we examine the future of agentic commerce, including the impact of large language models like ChatGPT on traditional search engines and the rise of autonomous shopping. The discussion highlights the power of personalization in digital experiences, leveraging platforms like Salesforce and ContentStack to create hyper-personalized customer experiences.
We also look at the role of AI agents in improving customer service and sales in the B2B sector, alongside insights from Ecolab on data unification and monetization. The episode concludes with success stories of phased implementations in order management systems, emphasizing a gradual approach to achieving outcomes in commerce.
Show Highlights:
- Exploration of agentic commerce and AI's impact on B2C and B2B markets.
- The decline of Google search traffic and rise of LLMs like ChatGPT.
- The future of autonomous shopping and the potential for 25% of B2C shopping to be automated by 2030.
- Salesforce's strategies for creating hyper-personalized digital experiences through composable content and data integration.
- The role of AI agents in enhancing B2B commerce, improving customer service, and automating sales tasks.
- Ecolab's focus on data unification and monetization to create seamless customer journeys and enhance experiences.
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Supporting Resources:
- Neha Sampat - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nehasampat/ | Contentstack: https://www.contentstack.com/
- Tracie Pruden - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracie-pruden-008b066/ | Advanced Turf: https://www.advancedturf.com/
- Katie Youmans - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katelynyoumans/ | Ecolab: https://www.ecolab.com/
- Matt Ezyk - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mezyk/ | Hanna Andersson: https://www.hannaandersson.com/
- Stephanie Melott - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-melott-776985138/ CITGO: https://www.citgo.com/operations/products/lubricants
- Learn more about Agentforce for Commerce: https://www.salesforce.com/commerce/ai/
- Join the Commerce Cloud Community Unofficial Slack: https://sforce.co/commercecrew
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Episode Credits
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know I sent you.