B2B Agility with Greg Kihlström™: MarTech, E-Commerce, & Customer Success

B2B marketing strategy grows ever more complex, with marketers needing to understand strategy, marketing technology, AI adoption approaches, e-commerce, customer success, and more. This show covers it all, from a Business-to-Business perspective. From the creators and host of the award-winning The Agile Brand with Greg Kihlström® podcast, comes B2B Agility™, a podcast focused on how B2B marketers and the brands they represent become category leaders and drive optimal results for the business and their customers. The show looks at B2B success in a variety of ways, all with a focus on the intersection of sales, marketing & technology.

Optro CMO April Crichlow on the risks and rewards of brand transformation 10/22/2026

Optro CMO April Crichlow on the risks and rewards of brand transformation "Most leaders think of a rebrand as either a last-ditch effort to save a failing company or a massive, expensive vanity project. You just led one at a successful, growing company. What's the strategic imperative that makes that level of disruption and investment actually the smartest move a CMO can make? Agility requires not just adapting your marketing tactics to market shifts, but having the foresight and courage to transform your entire brand identity to meet where your customers are going. Today, we're going to talk about brand transformation. Specifically, what happens when your market, driven by forces like AI, evolves faster than your brand name. We’ll get into the strategic thinking behind repositioning a successful company, not just for today's customers, but for the one that's rapidly taking shape for tomorrow. It’s a discussion about making the case for massive investment and managing the delicate balance of bringing your current customers along while building a brand that captures the next generation of buyers. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome April Crichlow, CMO at Optro. April, welcome to the show! About April Crichlow April Crichlow is the Chief Marketing Officer at Optro. An experienced global B2B SaaS marketing leader, April oversees the marketing team and aims to accelerate the awareness of Optro’s innovative solutions amidst continued rapid growth and international expansion. She has led global thought leadership and strategic partnerships on inclusive culture, women’s equality, and sustainable supply chains, growing brand reputation with the United Nations, the New York Stock Exchange, AAPI networks, and Cannes Lions. April has also been honored by CRN’s “Women of the Channel” and as a “Top 100 Ethnic Minority Executive” by EmPower, presented by the Financial Times and Yahoo Finance. April Crichlow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aprilcrichlow/ ---------- Resources ---------- Optro: The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703 Need to evaluate martech, AI, or CX platforms and don't know where to start? The Agile Brand Guide List is now in beta. We're building the most useful, free-to-use, and up-to-date way to assess what truly matters when evaluating platforms. See more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/f76be3a33cc491bb Reach your customers with Reddit. Spend $500 in ad spend, get $500 back in ad credit! Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/491818c79fb1873f Chaser is the only Slack-native project management platform that helps teams turn messages into tracked tasks, automate follow-ups, and maintain team-wide visibility, without adopting another tool. Now integrated with Claude and other GenAI tools. Learn more at trychaser.com and use code AGILEBRAND for a 3-month free trial (normal trial is 14 days). Start building your own apps with Replit and get $20 off. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/93531742a7625a20 Follow B2B Agility on your favorite platform: https://aglbrnd.co/r/62e314ccb2d29c9e Connect with Greg on 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 Choosing a martech, adtech, or other platform? Check out The List by The Agile Brand Guide for our continuously-updated list of platforms and everything you need to know: https://list.agilebrandguide.com " /episode/index/show/b85adb47-ede9-40b0-82cb-c8b19dd9e2ba/id/43267558

Typeface CRO Jamie Garverick on the enterprise AI readiness gap 10/08/2026

Typeface CRO Jamie Garverick on the enterprise AI readiness gap Jamie Garverick, Chief Revenue Officer at Typeface, says 90% of marketing leaders believe their teams are ready for AI's impact on brand discovery — and that the confidence itself is the problem. Readiness is being measured by adoption, not by output. Agents are running and tools are installed, while teams stay siloed and strategies stay disconnected. Garverick on where the gap actually opens. Brand governance has to shape the work, not grade it. Typeface's Arc Graph is built as a live brand intelligence layer rather than a set of guidelines nobody opens — including for content made in tools the company doesn't control. Someone still has to own content no single person wrote. Accountability, decision rights, and guardrails change when a Fortune 500 brand compresses weeks of web experience development into minutes. About Jamie Garverick I’m a high growth revenue leader with more than 25 years of experience scaling cloud and AI native software companies and helping enterprise teams adopt new technology in ways that drive measurable business impact. Today, I serve as Chief Revenue Officer at Typeface, the Marketing Orchestration Engine for the world’s leading brands. I work closely with CMOs and enterprise leaders as they move beyond isolated AI pilots and rethink how marketing operates across teams, workflows, data, and channels. Before Typeface, I served as Chief Revenue Officer at FullStory, where we transformed a PLG sales motion into the enterprise and international, scaling ARR from $30 million to more than $130 million. Earlier, I led North American sales at CallidusCloud, helping move the business to the cloud and scale ARR from $1 million to $300 million before its acquisition by SAP, where I ran a 400+ team. Throughout my career, the common thread has been helping companies translate major technology shifts into durable customer value and sustained growth. I live in Atlanta with wife and three children. Outside of work, I enjoy traveling, food and wine, and golf, with two holes-in-one to date! Jamie Garverick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-garverick-60136/ ---------- Resources ---------- Typeface: typeface.ai View the Typeface Signal report: The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703 The hardest part of martech right now is telling which tools are actually earning their keep. That's the question running through the MarTech Summit Boston agenda on October 27. We're attending MarTech Summit Boston on October 27 as a media partner. If you want to join, the code AGILE15 saves you 15%. https://aglbrnd.co/r/c70c250b8d52dff3 We’re proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658 Need to evaluate martech, AI, or CX platforms and don't know where to start? The Agile Brand Guide List is now in beta. We're building the most useful, free-to-use, and up-to-date way to assess what truly matters when evaluating platforms. See more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/f76be3a33cc491bb Reach your customers with Reddit. Spend $500 in ad spend, get $500 back in ad credit! Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/491818c79fb1873f Chaser is the only Slack-native project management platform that helps teams turn messages into tracked tasks, automate follow-ups, and maintain team-wide visibility, without adopting another tool. Now integrated with Claude and other GenAI tools. Learn more at trychaser.com and use code AGILEBRAND for a 3-month free trial (normal trial is 14 days). Start building your own apps with Replit and get $20 off. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/93531742a7625a20 Connect with Greg on 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 Choosing a martech, adtech, or other platform? Check out The List by The Agile Brand Guide for our continuously-updated list of platforms and everything you need to know: https://list.agilebrandguide.com /episode/index/show/b85adb47-ede9-40b0-82cb-c8b19dd9e2ba/id/42887555

Smartling CEO Bryan Murphy on rewriting the rules for global GTM 10/01/2026

Smartling CEO Bryan Murphy on rewriting the rules for global GTM For decades, marketing and GTM leaders have lived by the rule that when it comes to global content, you can have it fast, you can have it cheap, or you can have it good—but you can only pick two. What if that fundamental law of business is no longer true? Agility requires meeting your global customers where they are, in their language, without sacrificing the speed your go-to-market teams need to win. This ability to deliver high-quality, localized experiences at scale and on time is no longer a luxury, but a competitive necessity. Today, we're going to talk about how AI is not just incrementally improving content localization, but fundamentally rewriting the rules for global go-to-market strategies. We'll explore how brands can now achieve speed, quality, *and* cost-efficiency in their global content, and what that means for everything from product launches to customer experience. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Bryan Murphy, CEO at Smartling. Bryan, welcome to the show! About Bryan Murphy Bryan Murphy is CEO of Smartling, the leading AI translation platform trusted by global brands like British Airways, DoorDash, and Lyft. With a proven track record of scaling technology companies, Bryan brings over two decades of executive leadership experience in SaaS, e-commerce, and retail. Bryan’s strategic vision and customer-centric approach have helped drive Smartling’s global expansion and product excellence. Before joining Smartling, he held senior roles at companies like eBay and Serta Simmons. Bryan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business from Miami University. Bryan Murphy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanmurphy2/ ---------- Resources ---------- Smartling: The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703 The hardest part of martech right now is telling which tools are actually earning their keep. That's the question running through the MarTech Summit Boston agenda on October 27. We're attending MarTech Summit Boston on October 27 as a media partner. If you want to join, the code AGILE15 saves you 15%. https://aglbrnd.co/r/c70c250b8d52dff3 We’re proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658 Need to evaluate martech, AI, or CX platforms and don't know where to start? The Agile Brand Guide List is now in beta. We're building the most useful, free-to-use, and up-to-date way to assess what truly matters when evaluating platforms. See more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/f76be3a33cc491bb Reach your customers with Reddit. Spend $500 in ad spend, get $500 back in ad credit! Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/491818c79fb1873f Chaser is the only Slack-native project management platform that helps teams turn messages into tracked tasks, automate follow-ups, and maintain team-wide visibility, without adopting another tool. Now integrated with Claude and other GenAI tools. Learn more at trychaser.com and use code AGILEBRAND for a 3-month free trial (normal trial is 14 days). Start building your own apps with Replit and get $20 off. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/93531742a7625a20 Follow B2B Agility on your favorite platform: https://aglbrnd.co/r/62e314ccb2d29c9e Connect with Greg on 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 Choosing a martech, adtech, or other platform? Check out The List by The Agile Brand Guide for our continuously-updated list of platforms and everything you need to know: https://list.agilebrandguide.com /episode/index/show/b85adb47-ede9-40b0-82cb-c8b19dd9e2ba/id/42977518

Accelevents CEO Jonathan Kazarian on the data-rich aspect of events 09/17/2026

Accelevents CEO Jonathan Kazarian on the data-rich aspect of events What if the most valuable part of your event isn't the event itself? Agility requires brands to see channels not just for what they are, but for what they can become. This is especially true for the events channel, which has transformed from a point-in-time logistical exercise into a continuous engine for data and community. Today, we're going to talk about the evolution of event marketing. In a world of hybrid experiences, the role of events has shifted from a standalone tactic to a strategic, data-rich channel that can drive the entire customer lifecycle. We'll explore how enterprise brands are moving beyond simply managing logistics to integrating event platforms into their core Martech stack, proving ROI, and building year-round community from what used to be a single moment in time. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Jonathan Kazarian, CEO & Founder at Accelevents. About Jonathan Kazarian Jonathan Kazarian is the CEO and founder of Accelevents, a leading event management platform that was recently recognized by Inc. 5000 as one of the top 100 fastest-growing private companies in America. At Accelevents, his visionary leadership and innovative approach have propelled the platform to the forefront of the event technology industry. With a keen focus on driving user engagement and redefining the event experience, Jonathan's strategic expertise has established Accelevents as a key player in transforming how events are created, marketed, and experienced globally. As an industry thought leader, Jon actively publishes insights on the events landscape and frequently speaks at industry events such as EventMB’s Event Tech Innovation Summit, BizBash Live, and INBOUND. Jonathan Kazarian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jkazarian/ ---------- Resources ---------- Accelevents: accelevents.com We’re proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658 Reach your customers with Reddit. Spend $500 in ad spend, get $500 back in ad credit! Learn more: https://advertalize.com/r/491818c79fb1873f Chaser is the only Slack-native project management platform that helps teams turn messages into tracked tasks, automate follow-ups, and maintain team-wide visibility, without adopting another tool. Now integrated with Claude and other GenAI tools. Learn more at trychaser.com and use code AGILEBRAND for a 3-month free trial (normal trial is 14 days). The most influential minds in software, AI, and engineering leadership will be at WeAreDevelopers World Congress North America, September 23-25 in San Jose. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/60a7299222a7bcf1 Start building your own apps with Replit and get $20 off. Learn more: 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 /episode/index/show/b85adb47-ede9-40b0-82cb-c8b19dd9e2ba/id/42294360

SearchStax CEO Sameer Maggon on the evolution of on-site search 08/27/2026

SearchStax CEO Sameer Maggon on the evolution of on-site search What if the most important part of your website navigation is the one most brands treat as an afterthought? Agility requires not only adapting your marketing messages, but also re-evaluating the fundamental ways customers interact with your digital properties. It means recognizing that established tools, like site navigation, may no longer meet the expectations of a new generation of users. Today, we're going to talk about the evolution of on-site search from a simple utility to a strategic, AI-powered content discovery engine. We’ll explore how changing consumer expectations, particularly from younger demographics, are forcing brands to rethink digital experiences, and why the humble search bar may be the key to unlocking deeper engagement and building trust. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Sameer Maggon, Founder and CEO at SearchStax. About Sameer Maggon Sameer Maggon is the founder and CEO of SearchStax, the Search Experience Company. A lifelong builder, he has spent over 20 years driving search innovation — from building search infrastructure to creating an AI-powered platform that delivers modern search experiences. Known as a search craftsman, Sameer has built SearchStax into a global SaaS platform serving content-rich, regulated industries such as healthcare, higher education, financial services, and the public sector. Beyond his work, he enjoys exploring the outdoors with his family and mentoring engineers to become tomorrow’s innovators and leaders. His conviction guides it all: Search is complex, search is hard — and worth solving. Sameer Maggon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggon/ ---------- Resources ---------- SearchStax: https://www.searchstax.com We’re proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658 Reach your customers with Reddit. Spend $500 in ad spend, get $500 back in ad credit! Learn more: https://advertalize.com/r/491818c79fb1873f Chaser is the only Slack-native project management platform that helps teams turn messages into tracked tasks, automate follow-ups, and maintain team-wide visibility, without adopting another tool. Now integrated with Claude and other GenAI tools. Learn more at trychaser.com and use code AGILEBRAND for a 3-month free trial (normal trial is 14 days). The most influential minds in software, AI, and engineering leadership will be at WeAreDevelopers World Congress North America, September 23-25 in San Jose. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/60a7299222a7bcf1 Start building your own apps with Replit and get $20 off. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/93531742a7625a20 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 /episode/index/show/b85adb47-ede9-40b0-82cb-c8b19dd9e2ba/id/42275930

Luma's Prince Boucher on building AI as a core capability, not just a pilot project 08/20/2026

Luma's Prince Boucher on building AI as a core capability, not just a pilot project With the rush to adopt generative AI, what's the greater risk for a large enterprise: the cost of inaction, or the cost of a poorly executed action? Agility requires more than just adopting new tools; it demands a fundamental shift in how teams learn, collaborate, and measure value in a rapidly changing landscape. Today, we're going to talk about what happens after the initial AI hype cycle. Many organizations have invested in powerful new platforms, but the real challenge isn't procurement—it's enablement. How do you move AI from a series of isolated pilot projects to a core capability that empowers your teams, enhances creativity, and drives measurable business outcomes without introducing unnecessary risk? To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Prince Boucher, Director, Forward Deployed Creatives at Luma. Prince Boucher on LinkedIn: https://Linkedin.com/in/princeboucher ---------- Resources ---------- Luma: We’re proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658 Reach your customers with Reddit. Spend $500 in ad spend, get $500 back in ad credit! Learn more: https://advertalize.com/r/491818c79fb1873f Chaser is the only Slack-native project management platform that helps teams turn messages into tracked tasks, automate follow-ups, and maintain team-wide visibility, without adopting another tool. Now integrated with Claude and other GenAI tools. Learn more at trychaser.com and use code AGILEBRAND for a 3-month free trial (normal trial is 14 days). The most influential minds in software, AI, and engineering leadership will be at WeAreDevelopers World Congress North America, September 23-25 in San Jose. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/60a7299222a7bcf1 Start building your own apps with Replit and get $20 off. Learn more: 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 /episode/index/show/b85adb47-ede9-40b0-82cb-c8b19dd9e2ba/id/42214460

#76: Targeting B2B buyers like B2C consumers with Mark Connon, Bombora 01/13/2026

#76: Targeting B2B buyers like B2C consumers with Mark Connon, Bombora Why is it that B2C marketers can target someone who left a pair of shoes in their cart and follow them around the internet for a week, but that same level of precision just hasn’t been the same for B2B? Agility requires closing the gap between insight and action. It's not enough to know who your audience is; you need the capability to reach them precisely, wherever they are, at the moment it matters most. Today, we're going to talk about why B2B advertising has historically lagged behind its B2C counterpart in audience targeting and activation. We’ll explore the challenges of working with fragmented data and the new opportunities that are emerging to create highly precise, actionable audiences by combining different data sources in a new way. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Mark Connon, CEO at Bombora. About Mark Connon Mark Connon was Chief Operating Officer at TapAd when Experian acquired that company in 2020 — becoming TapAd’s General Manager and EVP of Product and Marketing for Experian Marketing Services. As the former SVP, Global Chief Mobile and Data Officer at AOL (a subsidiary of Verizon formerly known as Verizon Media Services), Connon led mobile advertising and data strategy, as well as enterprise-wide data commercialization. He has held a number of C-level positions at both public and private marketing and advertising companies and currently serves as an advisor or board member for several companies in the ad/martech space. Mark Connon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markconnon/ Resources Bombora: 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/ Keep up with the latest B2B Marketing insights by following the B2B Agility Podcast: Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com /episode/index/show/b85adb47-ede9-40b0-82cb-c8b19dd9e2ba/id/39481485

#75: Alconost CCO Ilya Spiridonov on prioritizing localization in the B2B marketing funnel 12/23/2025

#75: Alconost CCO Ilya Spiridonov on prioritizing localization in the B2B marketing funnel "Despite the global opportunity available to so many businesses, most are constrained by finite resources. So, the more interesting question isn't "what should we translate?" but rather, "what's the real cost of not localizing the right customer touchpoint, and how do you even begin to calculate that risk?" Agility requires more than just speed; it demands the sensitivity to know when a universal message fails and a local one is needed. It’s the capacity to pivot your entire customer experience to resonate in a new market, not just as a translation, but as a native conversation. Today, we're going to talk about navigating the complexities of global expansion. We'll get into the strategic decisions leaders have to make when localizing content, such as where to spend the budget for maximum impact, and the critical choice between leveraging AI for scale and speed versus deploying human experts for nuance and connection. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Ilya Spiridonov, Chief Commercial Officer at Alconost. About Ilya Spiridonov Ilya Spiridonov is the Chief Commercial Officer at Alconost, an ISO-certified localization company that has been helping businesses grow internationally since 2004. He leads the company’s sales and revenue strategy, focusing on building long-term client partnerships and driving sustainable growth. With expertise in scaling global sales operations, Ilya oversees everything that fuels revenue - from business development and client success to aligning commercial initiatives with Alconost’s localization and technology services. Ilya Spiridonov on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilyaspiridonov/ Resources Alconost: https://alconost.com/en 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/ Keep up with the latest B2B Marketing insights by following the B2B Agility Podcast: https://www.b2bagility.com Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com /episode/index/show/b85adb47-ede9-40b0-82cb-c8b19dd9e2ba/id/39443080

#74: Maximizing the value of your partnerships with Peter Fogelsanger 12/16/2025

#74: Maximizing the value of your partnerships with Peter Fogelsanger Are most of your channel partners producing very little value for your business? Agility requires more than just signing up partners; it demands a dynamic approach to activating and enabling the *right* ones. It's about ruthlessly prioritizing relationships that generate mutual value and being nimble enough to change or sunset those that don't. Today, we're going to talk about the often-unspoken reality of partner programs: the vast gap between the impressive number of logos on a partner page and the handful that actually contribute to the bottom line. We'll explore why so many partners become ""paper partners""—partners in name only—and how to build a program that focuses on tangible value and repeatable revenue, not just vanity metrics. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Peter Fogelsanger, Fractional Partner Executive at Peter Fog LLC. Peter, welcome to the show! About Peter Fogelsanger Peter is a seasoned partner executive and partner program consultant. He provides fractional consulting and program advisory services to growth companies. Current engagements include several early-stage PE or VC backed startups.. Prior to consulting, Peter was founding Head for Partnerships and Enablement at Contentstack, building the program from the ground up which produced over $22M in pipeline. Prior to Contentstack, Peter was VP of Partner Engagement (NA) at Thunderhead, an omni-channel customer journey and personalization platform. While at Thunderhead, Peter led the enablement in NA for Salesforce Marketing Cloud - Interaction Studio, helping drive more than $50M in ARR in 24 months. Earlier in his career, Peter was in direct sales for over eight years at leading CMS vendors Sitecore and SDL. He also spent more than 12 years in sales/marketing at digital agencies helping clients with digital transformation related projects. Major clients have included FedEx, Charles Schwab, Humana, Duke Energy, TD Bank, Stanley Black & Decker, Nasdaq, Marriott, and the Veterans Administration. Peter has been a speaker on partner programs, enablement, personalization/content management, and active in several related communities. In his spare time, Peter enjoys carpentry and DIY projects and has many years as a coach for youth soccer and high school track. Peter Fogelsanger on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterfog/ Resources Peter Fog LLC: www.peterfog.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.b2bagility.com Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com /episode/index/show/b85adb47-ede9-40b0-82cb-c8b19dd9e2ba/id/38526020

#73: AI in the 'real economy' with Bassem Hamdy, Briq 12/09/2025

#73: AI in the 'real economy' with Bassem Hamdy, Briq With all the talk about the business impact of AI, why aren’t more people talking beyond the most straightforward examples and more about sectors like construction, energy, and manufacturing where there is real potential for impact that has yet to be tapped? Agility requires a willingness to challenge the core processes of how work gets done, even in industries where "how it's always been done" is the default operating system. Today, we're going to talk about the practical, powerful, and often overlooked application of AI in what some call the 'real economy'—the foundational industries that build and make our world. We'll explore how AI-powered digital workers are moving beyond the hype to create tangible value, and what it takes to drive this kind of technological adoption in sectors traditionally resistant to change. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Bassem Hamdy, CEO and Co-Founder at Briq. About Bassem Hamdy Author, executive and technology pioneer, Bassem Hamdy is world renowned in the construction technology space. With over 19 years of construction software experience Bassem Hamdy is bringing harmony to construction through the delivery of modern tools to drive better decision making for general and subcontractors. ,Yes,This will be completed shortly Bassem Hamdy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bassem-hamdy Resources Briq: briq.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/ Keep up with the latest B2B Marketing insights by following the B2B Agility Podcast: https://www.b2bagility.com Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com /episode/index/show/b85adb47-ede9-40b0-82cb-c8b19dd9e2ba/id/39180815

#72: Concept to acquisition with Chris Tilkov, DocuSketch 12/02/2025

#71: Optimizing the handoff between marketing and sales with Gabe Lullo, Alleyoop 11/25/2025

#71: Optimizing the handoff between marketing and sales with Gabe Lullo, Alleyoop We've spent a decade trying to align marketing and sales. What if the very metric we created to bridge the gap—the MQL—is actually the thing that's perpetuating the rivalry between them? Agility requires a willingness to challenge the foundational metrics we've built our go-to-market strategies on. It demands that we replace gut feelings and legacy processes with a ruthless focus on what actually generates revenue, even if it means admitting what we've been doing is wrong. Today, we're going to talk about one of the most persistent and costly problems in B2B: the handoff from marketing to sales. We'll explore why the traditional MQL model often fails, creating friction and wasting budget, and how a more intelligent, data-driven approach to lead qualification can not only fix the sales pipeline but also prove marketing’s direct contribution to the bottom line. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Gabe Lullo, CEO at Alleyoop and host of the “Do Hard Things” podcast. About Gabe Lullo Gabe Lullo is the CEO of Alleyoop, a sales development agency working with industry giants such as ZoomInfo, Salesloft, and Adobe. He has trained over 8,000 salespeople across diverse businesses and, during his tenure in Alleyoop, he has personally hired and managed more than 1,500 SDRs. With over two decades of experience in sales, marketing, and executive recruitment, his strategies have significantly driven Alleyoop’s growth and shaped its corporate culture. Beyond his career accomplishments, Gabe graduated from the Barney School of Business at the University of Hartford and his leadership ethos is rooted in cultivating environments that prioritize both professional development and individual success. Gabe Lullo on LinkedIn: Resources Alleyoop: 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/ Keep up with the latest B2B Marketing insights by following the B2B Agility Podcast: https://www.b2bagility.com Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com /episode/index/show/b85adb47-ede9-40b0-82cb-c8b19dd9e2ba/id/39118265

#70: Marketing measurement and the dark funnel with Chris Golec, CEO of Channel99 11/18/2025

#70: Marketing measurement and the dark funnel with Chris Golec, CEO of Channel99 This show is brought to you by Channel99, a B2B marketing technology company helping clients get more out of their spend with AI-powered decision-making. What if 99% of your target accounts see your marketing, but never click a single ad? How would you prove your value then? Agility requires a willingness to abandon outdated metrics, even when they’re comfortable, and embrace a more nuanced, realistic view of the buyer’s journey. It means adapting not just our campaigns, but our very definition of success. Today, we're going to talk about the massive blind spot in most B2B marketing measurement: the 'dark funnel' where prospects engage with content and ads but never click. We'll explore how AI-powered attribution is finally shining a light on this journey, moving us beyond last-click models to understand true influence and impact. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Chris Golec, Founder & CEO at Channel99. About Chris Golec Chris founded Channel99 in 2022 to provide businesses worldwide with the first AI-powered decision making engine for B2B marketing investments. Unsatisfied with traditional attribution solutions and the financial inefficiency of B2B marketing, Chris’ mission is to transform how the B2B sector measures and invests in growth. Prior to Channel99, Chris founded Demandbase and pioneered the Account-Based Marketing (ABM) technology category now widely adopted by thousands of companies. During his tenure at Demandbase, he was known for fueling innovation, driving rapid growth, and creating a culture that won “Best-Places to Work” in the Bay Area for 7 consecutive years and Top 10 nationally through Glassdoor. Chris also won Marketing Executive of the year two consecutive years and was named in the Top10 SaaS CEOs in 2019. Before Demandbase, Chris co-founded a supply-chain software company called Supplybase which sold to i2 Technologies for $380 million. Chris Golec on LinkedIn: Resources Channel99: https://www.channel99.com/ This show is brought to you by Channel99, a B2B marketing technology company helping clients get more out of their spend with AI-powered decision-making. The Channel99 platform incorporates two key advancements: superior account identification and the first-of-its-kind B2B ad verification. This allows AI to precisely identify financial inefficiencies across a client's various marketing channels. The platform then optimizes campaign and audience adjustments to automate workflows, maximize labor output, and significantly increase operational efficiency. From high-growth mid-market businesses to global enterprises, Channel99 is a proven investment to accelerate pipeline growth and mitigate marketing investment risk. For more information, visit channel99.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/ Keep up with the latest B2B Marketing insights by following the B2B Agility Podcast: https://www.b2bagility.com Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com /episode/index/show/b85adb47-ede9-40b0-82cb-c8b19dd9e2ba/id/38956225

#69: How AI is Transforming Project Management with Alan Mosca, nPlan 11/11/2025

#68: Improving lead quality with Derek Gerber, Power Digital 11/04/2025

#68: Improving lead quality with Derek Gerber, Power Digital Are you getting lots of leads, but never enough good ones? Agility requires not only the ability to adapt to change quickly, but also the foresight to anticipate what's coming next, whether that’s top, middle, or bottom of the funnel in B2B lead generation. Today, we're going to talk about why so many B2B marketers are still struggling with poor lead quality, and what they can do to fix it. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Derek Gerber, Director of Growth B2B at Power Digital. About Derek Gerber With +15 years of experience in B2B sales and marketing, Derek Gerber is a passionate and results-driven growth executive who excels at developing diverse remote teams and executing sophisticated business strategies that lead to significant revenue growth. Recognized by Forbes, HubSpot, and other industry leaders for his ability to deliver impactful solutions, Derek has consistently grown revenue for technology companies, heightened brand visibility, and generated compelling content. At Power Digital as Director of Growth B2B, Derek drives client success and growth by implementing a scalable ABM approach that aligns with complex client sales cycles to accelerate pipeline impact. Derek has developed new B2B frameworks for Power Digital that drive 70% growth in results. He is also spearheading the development and incorporation of ethical AI standards at Power Digital. Derek Gerber on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekgerber/ Resources Power Digital : https://powerdigitalmarketing.com/ Keep up with the latest B2B Marketing insights by following the B2B Agility Podcast: https://www.b2bagility.com Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com /episode/index/show/b85adb47-ede9-40b0-82cb-c8b19dd9e2ba/id/38489060

#67: CMOs are shaping the messaging and the markets with Monica Kumar, Extreme Networks 10/28/2025

#67: CMOs are shaping the messaging and the markets with Monica Kumar, Extreme Networks Is the Chief Marketing Officer becoming the Chief Market Officer? Are CMOs now responsible not just for messaging to the market, but for actively shaping and creating it? Agility requires not just reacting to market changes, but anticipating them and creating the future you want to see. It demands a deep understanding of customer needs, competitive dynamics, and emerging technologies. Today, we're going to talk about the evolving role of the CMO in a world of rapidly advancing technology, increasing customer expectations, and the ever-present need for agile marketing strategies. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Monica Kumar, EVP and Chief Marketing Officer at Extreme Networks. About Monica Kumar Monica Kumar is the Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Extreme Networks, leading the company’s go-to-market strategy and global marketing organization focused on initiatives that elevate the company’s brand and unique value proposition to drive customer and revenue growth. Monica Kumar on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicakumar2/ Resources Extreme Networks: https://www.extremenetworks.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 /episode/index/show/b85adb47-ede9-40b0-82cb-c8b19dd9e2ba/id/38488960

#66: Building a culture of AI innovation with Michael Domanic, UserTesting 10/21/2025

#65: Transforming CX with AI plus People, Processes, and Platforms, with John Durocher, Calix 10/14/2025

#65: Transforming CX with AI plus People, Processes, and Platforms, with John Durocher, Calix Are your people, processes, and platforms delivering value or to drive better customer experiences, or are they—and your CX—disconnected and siloed? Agility requires a willingness to adapt and evolve, as well as a deep understanding of how customer trust is built (or broken) through simplicity, personalization, and empowered employees. Today, we're going to talk about how brands can transform their customer experience using AI-powered strategies. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, John Durocher, Chief Customer Officer at Calix. About John Durocher John Durocher leads the award-winning Calix Customer Success organization as chief customer officer. In his previous role as executive vice president of customer success at Salesforce, he led the teams actively engaged with Salesforce global customers. Prior to joining Salesforce.com, Mr. Durocher spent 17 years with Accenture's financial services practice and has a solid track record of planning, and executing growth initiatives, and a passion for bringing innovative ideas to clients. Mr. Durocher is recognized as a thought-leader in Customer Relationship Management (CRM), authoring a number of papers and articles that have been published in industry and research publications. Mr. Durocher has also been actively involved in developing software solutions for the Financial Services Industry and is a patent holder on several that have been deployed globally. John Durocher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johndurocher/ Resources Calix: Don't miss Calix's ConneXions conference, October 18 – 21, 2025 at the Wynn Resort in Las Vegas. Learn more and register here: Keep up with the latest B2B Marketing insights by following the B2B Agility Podcast: https://www.b2bagility.com Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com " /episode/index/show/b85adb47-ede9-40b0-82cb-c8b19dd9e2ba/id/37826715

#64: Successful AI adoption requires human ingenuity, with Nickole Brown, Cella by Randstad Digital 10/07/2025

#64: Successful AI adoption requires human ingenuity, with Nickole Brown, Cella by Randstad Digital Is the hype around AI in marketing finally starting to match reality, or are we still just scratching the surface of its true potential? Agility requires a willingness to experiment with new technologies like AI, but it also demands a deep understanding of your customer and the ability to adapt your strategies based on data and insights. It also requires strong leadership that can champion the changes needed to achieve success with AI. Cella recently released its 2025 Intelligence report, finding that while AI adoption is gaining momentum, but human ingenuity still leads the way. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Nickole Brown, Sr. Consultant at Cella by Randstad Digital. About Nickole Brown Cella Inc. consultant Nickole Brown has two decades of creative operations, production and marketing experience to share. She is passionate about bringing clarity to creative spaces and focuses on utilizing voice of customer, data and mechanisms to tell the true story of a creative organization. Nickole’s skills include being an effective leader and partner who enjoys collaborating to uncover the unique process improvement opportunities, success metrics and team structure that will capture an organizations potential. Nickole Brown on LinkedIn: Resources Cella by Randstad Digital: To explore the full 2025 Cella Intelligence Report and discover the insights shaping tomorrow’s creative landscape, visit 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: Keep up with the latest B2B Marketing insights by following the B2B Agility Podcast: Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: /episode/index/show/b85adb47-ede9-40b0-82cb-c8b19dd9e2ba/id/37696250

#63: Marketing in a world of agent to agent transactions with Mathieu Dhondt, EPAM 09/30/2025

#63: Marketing in a world of agent to agent transactions with Mathieu Dhondt, EPAM What is the role of marketing when humans are taken out of both ends of the customer experience, replaced by AI agents talking directly to each other on our behalf? Agility requires more than just implementing the newest AI tools — it means being able to make smart, strategic choices about which technologies are actually creating value for your customers. Today we’re going to talk about how GenAI is reshaping the way we think about customer experience, automation, and personalization — and what it means for the future of marketing. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Mathieu Dhondt, Associate Director of Experience Consulting at EPAM. About Mathieu Dhondt Mathieu Dhondt is a seasoned digital strategy consultant with over 15 years of experience. His distinctive customer-centric methodology sets him apart. He conducts deep customer research to uncover what clients' customers truly value and then translates these insights into actionable strategic guidelines and digital roadmaps for growth. His expertise spans digital presence optimization, positioning strategy and the practical application of frameworks for matters like customer value validation. What distinguishes Mathieu's consulting work is his commitment to validation and risk mitigation before clients make significant investments. His combination of hands-on business experience and proven digital strategy expertise positions him as a consultant who delivers both strategic vision and practical implementation guidance. His service portfolio ranges from comprehensive strategic engagements to being a sounding board for tactical execution. Mathieu Dhondt on LinkedIn: Resources EPAM: https://www.epam.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: Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. /episode/index/show/b85adb47-ede9-40b0-82cb-c8b19dd9e2ba/id/37541505

#62: B2B CX and the Evolving B2B Customer with Rajesh Sankaran 09/23/2025

#61: How agentic AI can transform B2B event marketing with Travis Cushing, CPO of RainFocus 09/16/2025

#61: How agentic AI can transform B2B event marketing with Travis Cushing, CPO of RainFocus If you had to bet on one technology that will fundamentally reshape B2B marketing in the next five years what would it be, and would it have “agentic” and “AI” in the name? Agility requires not just reacting to technological advancements like agentic AI, but proactively experimenting with them and adapting your strategies based on real-world results. It also requires organizational buy-in and a willingness to challenge established norms. Today, we're going to talk about the rise of agentic AI and its potential to revolutionize B2B marketing, particularly in event marketing. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Travis Cushing, Chief Product Officer at RainFocus. About Travis Cushing As Chief Product Officer at RainFocus, Travis Cushing brings over 20 years of experience in the events and SaaS industries, blending product strategy, customer empathy, and technical execution. With deep expertise in event technology, product-led growth, and integrated data-driven experiences, he is committed to transforming event workflows into strategic business drivers. His passion for people and experiences has built bridges between customers and development allowing RainFocus to execute and build great software. Travis Cushing on LinkedIn: Resources RainFocus: 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: Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. /episode/index/show/b85adb47-ede9-40b0-82cb-c8b19dd9e2ba/id/37629615

#60: Anticipating and adapting to change with Kathleen Pomento, ProcureAbility 09/09/2025

#59: Maintaining customer centricity by knowing when to automate with Jeanne Duca, BCN 09/02/2025

#59: Maintaining customer centricity by knowing when to automate with Jeanne Duca, BCN With customer centricity being top of mind, is the rush to automate and hyper-personalize making things better or is it making customers feel less connected to their favorite brands? Agility requires keeping the human elements of empathy and understanding visible and audible beneath growing layers of automation tools. Today we’re going to talk about how a human-centric approach to managed network and technology solutions drives loyal, long-term customer relationships. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Jeanne Duca, Chief Marketing Officer at BCN. About Jeanne Duca Since joining BCN in 2016 as Vice President of Marketing, Jeanne Duca has leveraged her years of expertise in brand management and channel marketing to elevate BCN’s brand presence and market influence. Her leadership has been recognized industry-wide, most recently, as one of The Top 50 Women Leaders of Massachusetts for 2024. As CMO, she leads BCN’s marketing strategy, focusing on brand innovation, digital transformation, and delivering compelling experiences to partners and customers. “BCN is at the forefront of empowering businesses through technology,” said Ms. Duca. “I’m honored to lead our marketing efforts as we continue to elevate our brand and deliver exceptional partner and customer experiences.” Ms. Duca holds a B.S. in Advertising from the Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. Resources BCN: https://www.bcn.tele https://www.bcn.tele 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 Keep up with the latest B2B Marketing insights by following the B2B Agility Podcast: https://www.b2bagility.com Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com /episode/index/show/b85adb47-ede9-40b0-82cb-c8b19dd9e2ba/id/37059630

#58: Interfaces that generate joy, with Dominik Angerer, Storyblok 08/26/2025

#57: Supply chain as competitive advantage with Salvatore Lombardo, Coupa 08/19/2025

#57: Supply chain as competitive advantage with Salvatore Lombardo, Coupa Is your supply chain a competitive advantage, or your biggest liability waiting to be exposed? Agility requires preparing for the unpredictable, especially when your brand’s ability to deliver hinges on global events that are entirely out of your control. In a world of political unrest, regulatory change, and natural disasters, the brands that win are the ones who can pivot fast — without losing their balance. Today we’re going to talk about the crucial connection between modern supply chain strategy and brand agility. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Salvatore Lombardo, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Coupa. About Salvatore Lombardo Salvatore “Salva” Lombardo is the Chief Product and Technology Officer at Coupa. Lombardo leads Coupa’s innovation roadmap and is responsible for its vision, articulation, and execution. Lombardo was previously Chief Product Officer for SAP Ariba, where he was responsible for leading its global product team, roadmap, engineering, and delivery. Prior to that, he was Senior Vice President, Head of SAP S/4HANA Source to Pay & Order to Cash. Lombardo was instrumental in leading the development organization through SAP’s largest shift from on-premise to cloud. He harmonized and built SAP’s spend portfolio and deployed the innovation roadmap at scale. Over two decades at SAP< he held various product and development management roles across procurement, suppliers, logistics, warehouse, customer management, and custom projects. Lombardo holds a master’s degree in business informatics and administration from the University of Mannheim. Resources Coupa: https://www.coupa.com https://www.coupa.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 Keep up with the latest B2B Marketing insights by following the B2B Agility Podcast: https://www.b2bagility.com Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com /episode/index/show/b85adb47-ede9-40b0-82cb-c8b19dd9e2ba/id/37048245

#56: Building a global B2B marketing strategy with Sangeeta Prasad, Slalom 08/12/2025

#56: Building a global B2B marketing strategy with Sangeeta Prasad, Slalom What’s harder—building a global marketing strategy from scratch, or educating your organization on why it matters in the first place? Today’s guest has done both—twice. Sangeeta Prasad is the Chief Marketing Officer of Slalom, a global business and technology consulting firm with $3 billion in revenue and a presence in over 40 markets. With three decades of marketing experience—across brands like Procter & Gamble, American Express, and Chase—Sangeeta has spent her career not just building campaigns, but building belief in the power of marketing. About Sangeeta Prasad Sangeeta is the Chief Marketing Officer at Slalom. She joined Slalom as its very first chief marketing officer in 2020 and now leads a global team of 160 marketers in seven countries. Leveraging Slalom’s strong industry reputation as a consulting company that helps thousands of clients, Sangeeta is building a friendly, engaging brand that reflects the success of the company’s 13,000+ employees worldwide. Her goal is to make the Slalom brand as big as its business, which is experiencing record growth. To do this, she’s transformed a company that relied on traditional marketing into one that thrives on human-based marketing. This is the second time she’s joined a company as its first CMO – also at Russell Reynolds – bringing a strong portfolio of consumer and B2B experience from P&G, Chase and American Express. She lives with a global mindset having started her career in Australia and worked and lived across Asia for years. Sangeeta is known for her courageous yet adaptable leadership style and ability to build consensus across many cultures. Most of all, her leadership style and work are anchored in Slalom’s differentiated “fiercely human” approach to client and partner relationships. Sangeeta’s sophisticated marketing expertise pivoted Slalom’s volume-based tactics into human-based marketing, which combines customer insights with a scalable, consistent methodology to promote relationships. She helped prioritize full-journey marketing and what specific clients care about, including an approach to surround Slalom’s customers around the world with personalized messaging. Resources Slalom: https://www.slalom.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 Keep up with the latest B2B Marketing insights by following the B2B Agility Podcast: https://www.b2bagility.com Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com /episode/index/show/b85adb47-ede9-40b0-82cb-c8b19dd9e2ba/id/36925415

#55: AI and small businesses with Aparna Khurjekar, Verizon Business 08/05/2025

#55: AI and small businesses with Aparna Khurjekar, Verizon Business We're seeing a fascinating paradox: while everyone's talking about AI's impact on Big Tech, it's quietly revolutionizing small businesses. Is this a sign that SMBs are more agile and adaptable than their enterprise counterparts, or is something else at play? Agility requires not just adopting new technologies, but understanding how they fundamentally reshape your business operations, customer relationships, and even your competitive landscape. It's about being proactive, not reactive, in the face of rapid change. Verizon’s sixth annual State of Small Business Survey - based on responses from 600 U.S. small and midsize business (SMBs) - reveals that SMBs are quickly emerging as real AI adopters, not just for marketing and chatbots, but for cybersecurity, employee retention, and customer experience (CX). Today, we're going to talk about the surprising ways that small and midsize businesses are embracing AI, and what larger enterprises can learn from their agility and innovative approaches. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Aparna Khurjekar, Chief Revenue Officer, Business Markets and SaaS at Verizon Business. Aparna, welcome to the show! About Aparna Khurjekar Aparna Khurjekar brings more than two decades' worth of experience in the telecommunications industry. As Chief Revenue Officer, Business Markets and SaaS for Verizon Business, she is responsible for the accelerating growth, revenue, go-to-market and business strategy, and helping to support mid-market wireless and wireline offerings, including Connect. She leads 6000 sales professionals, who guide customers through digitally transformed journeys with innovative managed solutions for total connectivity, communications, and collaboration. She and her Verizon team are focused on helping to accelerate the recovery of businesses throughout America leveraging the company’s portfolio of technologies and connectivity solutions—from 5G, OneTalk, VerizonConnect, Fios and more. Over the course of her 15-year tenure at Verizon, Aparna has held various leadership roles, most recently having served as SVP and President for Verizon Business Markets, and prior to that Chief Customer Officer for Verizon Consumer Group, which included guiding AI-led business transformations, omni-channel consumer experience and the digital P&l. She also brings extensive product development experience from both her work at Verizon and her previous position at Motorola Mobility, where she served as the Director of Portfolio & Technology Strategy. She holds an MS in Electrical Engineering from Temple University and a B.S. in Electronics and Telecom from Savitribai Phule Pune University. Aparna Khurjekar on LinkedIn: Resources Verizon Business: https://www.verizon.com/business/ Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: 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: Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: 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 /episode/index/show/b85adb47-ede9-40b0-82cb-c8b19dd9e2ba/id/37534875

#54: Building a world-class brand from scratch with Maria Winans, Kyndryl 07/29/2025

#54: Building a world-class brand from scratch with Maria Winans, Kyndryl What if rebranding wasn’t just about a new logo and tagline, but about transforming an 80,000-person company’s entire culture and strategy? What if brand became one of your most valuable tools for business reinvention? Today, I’m joined by Maria Winans, Chief Marketing Officer at Kyndryl. After nearly three decades at IBM, Maria took on the monumental task of launching Kyndryl as a stand-alone brand following its spin-off. With a workforce of over 80,000 people across more than 60 markets, Maria has redefined what it means to build a world-class brand from scratch—one that’s people-centric, culture-driven, and positioned for growth. About Maria Winans Maria B. Winans, Chief Marketing Officer at Kyndryl, is a recognized expert in data-driven marketing, brand engagement, and performance marketing. Prior to joining Kyndryl, Maria amassed an impressive 29-year career at IBM, culminating in her role as the Chief Marketing Officer for IBM Americas. In this capacity, she held overarching responsibility for all marketing professionals and activities throughout North and Latin America. Maria's tenure at IBM was marked by pivotal contributions to global marketing endeavors across diverse disciplines and business units, notably including initiatives such as Smarter Commerce and Watson. A native of Santiago, Chile, Maria serves as the executive sponsor of Kyndryl’s Hispanic Latin Community. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina, the proud mother of two children and a certified fitness instructor. Resources Kyndryl: 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 brightest minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com /episode/index/show/b85adb47-ede9-40b0-82cb-c8b19dd9e2ba/id/36936045

#53: Creating brands and categories in regulated industries, with Kristin Russel, Symplr 07/22/2025

B2B Agility with Greg Kihlström™: MarTech, E-Commerce, & Customer Success

TOPICS