Explore every episode of the podcast The Agile Brand with Greg Kihlström®: Expert Mode Marketing Technology, AI, & CX
Dive into the complete episode list for The Agile Brand with Greg Kihlström®: Expert Mode Marketing Technology, AI, & CX. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.
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Title
Pub. Date
Duration
Intuit Mailchimp's Head of Email Product discusses removing friction from martech
29 May 2026
00:23:37
What's the hidden tax your organization pays every time a creative asset moves from a design tool to a marketing platform, and how can you shorten the time to gain important insights about how your campaigns perform?
Agility requires more than just speed. It demands that we eliminate the friction between our systems and processes so teams can move from concept to customer with minimal translation errors and maximum impact. It also means that we need to find the best ways to understand campaign performance without requiring everyone in marketing to be a data scientist.
We're going to discuss:
- the persistent gap between creative design and marketing execution
- the value that AI-based capabilities can add to the understanding of analytics and performance
To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Ose Amiegheme, Head of Email Product at Intuit Mailchimp.
About Ose Amiegheme
Ose Amiegheme is a product leader building the future of creation and growth tools.
Today, he leads product for Intuit Mailchimp’s Email and omnichannel campaigns creation experiences, shaping how small businesses create content, launch campaigns, and grow across channels.
Previously, he led advertising products at TikTok supporting multi-billion-dollar revenue businesses and helped launch products spanning GenAI creative tooling, campaign optimization, and advertiser control systems.
Before TikTok, Ose spent four years at Adobe helping build Adobe Express, where he worked across editor experiences, AI-assisted creation, and products used by millions of creators globally. His career has followed a consistent theme of building products that empower creators and marketers to tell their story in a way that feels genuine but also standout.
Outside of work, Ose is a huge soccer fan and he is excited for the upcoming soccer World Cup.
Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74
We’re proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658
Don't miss We Make Future - the International Festival of Innovation in AI, Tech, and Digital Marketing, June 24-26 in Bologna. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/c80991afff416bb2
The most influential minds in software, AI, and engineering leadership will be at WeAreDevelopers World Congress North America, September 23-25 in San Jose. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/60a7299222a7bcf1
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
Lean Startup author Eric Ries on building a brand for the long term
27 May 2026
00:39:39
In an era of relentless pressure for quarterly growth, is it even possible for a large brand to stay true to its core mission, or is compromising a brand’s values just an inevitable part of achieving scale?
Agility requires more than just reacting quickly to market changes. It requires a resilient, long-term mission that acts as a north star, ensuring that every pivot and experiment builds enduring value, not just short-term gains.
Today, we're going to talk about the tension that every marketing leader feels: the conflict between the relentless demand for measurable, short-term results and the need to build a brand with a durable, long-term mission. We’ll explore how the very systems designed to measure success can sometimes corrupt a company's purpose, and how a new definition of value can create a strategic advantage that outlasts fleeting market trends.
To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Eric Ries, Author of The Lean Startup, and the new book, Incorruptible.
About Eric Ries
Over the last two decades, Eric Ries’s ideas about continuous innovation, long-term thinking, governance, and market reform have reshaped company building and management practices. He is the creator of the Lean Startup method, and the author of the New York Times bestseller The Lean Startup; The Leader’s Guide; and The Startup Way. As a founder, he has put his own ideas into practice with The Long-Term Stock Exchange (LTSE); Answer.AI, an AI R&D lab; the Lean Startup Co, which teaches and supports the implementation of Lean Startup; Virgil, a legal services startup; and IMVU, where the ideas that became the Lean Startup method were forged. On his podcast, The Eric Ries Show, he talks to guests including world-class technologists, thought leaders, and executives working to build profitable companies for the long-term benefit of society. He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife and three children.
Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74
We’re proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658
Don't miss We Make Future - the International Festival of Innovation in AI, Tech, and Digital Marketing, June 24-26 in Bologna. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/c80991afff416bb2
The most influential minds in software, AI, and engineering leadership will be at WeAreDevelopers World Congress North America, September 23-25 in San Jose. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/60a7299222a7bcf1
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
#853: Sköna CEO Jenny Sagström on design consistency in high-growth brands
01 May 2026
00:25:18
In the race for B2B growth, we often prioritize speed over everything else. But what's the real cost when your brand starts to look like a collection of spare parts cobbled together by different teams?
Agility requires a strong, foundational framework to enable speed without sacrificing coherence. It's about empowering teams to move quickly and independently, while still ensuring every customer touchpoint feels like it comes from one unified brand.
Today, we're going to talk about why brand and design consistency is often the first casualty of high-growth B2B environments, and paradoxically, one of the most critical assets to protect. We'll explore how that fragmentation happens, from different teams launching products to rapid hiring, and discuss why building a consistent brand isn't just a "nice-to-have"—it's a direct line to building trust and long-term value with your customers. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Jenny Sagström, CEO at Sköna.
About Jenny Sagström
Jenny is cofounder and CEO of Sköna, a B2B creative agency that’s been building brave brands for innovative technology companies since 2004. Jenny entered the agency world in 1998 with Kraftverket in her native Stockholm, Sweden, shortly after graduating with a BA in Economics and International Relations from the University of Reading. In 2000, she moved to the San Francisco Bay Area to work at Corsi & Partners, where she was responsible for a multitude of clients, including the Oakland Raiders. Since founding Sköna, Jenny has helped lead it from a two-person shop to a flourishing global business, where she currently oversees strategy, account management, and global expansion. An occasional public speaker, article writer, and podcaster, she spends her spare time skiing, tinkering with (and even completing!) DIY projects, and enjoying the company of her husband and two daughters.
Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74 We’re proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658 Reach your customers with Reddit. Spend $500 in ad spend, get $500 back in ad credit! Learn more: https://advertalize.com/r/491818c79fb1873f
Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3 Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company
#763: Pega CTO Don Schuerman on how AI can pay down tech debt and accelerate digital transformation
06 Nov 2025
00:26:23
Pega provides the leading AI-powered platform for enterprise transformation. The world’s most influential organizations trust Pega’s technology to reimagine how work gets done by automating workflows, personalizing customer experiences, and modernizing legacy systems. Since 1983, Pega’s scalable, flexible architecture has fueled continuous innovation, helping clients accelerate their path to the autonomous enterprise. Learn more at Pega.com What if the most valuable use of AI in the enterprise is actually the often overlooked yet incredibly costly work of untangling decades of legacy code and process documents?
Agility requires the ability to adapt and evolve, but for many enterprises, that ability is trapped inside decades of legacy systems and byzantine processes. What if the same AI that's creating the new could also be the key to understanding and modernizing the old?
Today, we're going to talk about moving beyond the hype we’re so used to hearing about AI and into the practical, high-impact world of agentic AI. We’ll explore how this approach can help large organizations finally tackle their technical debt, not by ripping and replacing, but by understanding and redesigning from the inside out, fostering a new level of collaboration between business and IT along the way.
To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Don Schuerman, CTO at Pega.
About Don Schuerman
As CTO and Vice President of Marketing & Technology Strategy at Pegasystems, I see my role as being a "Chief Translation Officer" – bridging the gap between cutting-edge technology and real-world business value. With 25 years of experience in orchestration and AI technology, I'm passionate about translating complex technical concepts into meaningful solutions that drive digital transformation for global organizations. My approach to technology leadership has been shaped by an unexpected source: 20 years of improv comedy at ImprovBoston's Mainstage. The skills I honed there – active listening, storytelling, and thinking on my feet – now help me connect with both technical teams and business leaders. It's where I also met my wife, proving that sometimes the best partnerships form when you say "yes, and..." At Pega, I lead the intersection of technology and go-to-market strategy across our enterprise AI decisioning and workflow automation platform. My focus is two-fold: translating the power of technology into tangible value for our Fortune 500 clients, while ensuring our technology roadmap reflects the evolving needs of these organizations. I believe that inclusivity is a key ingredient of innovation and am honored to service as Executive Sponsor of the Pride@Pega Employee Resource Group.
Pega provides the leading AI-powered platform for enterprise transformation. The world’s most influential organizations trust Pega’s technology to reimagine how work gets done by automating workflows, personalizing customer experiences, and modernizing legacy systems. Since 1983, Pega’s scalable, flexible architecture has fueled continuous innovation, helping clients accelerate their path to the autonomous enterprise.
Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company
#762: Scaling a brand while maintaining local differentiation with Renaud Delaquis, Coastline Academy
05 Nov 2025
00:24:36
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.
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
#761: Treasure Data CEO Kaz Ohta and CMO Karen Wood on the AI-driven reinvention of marketing
03 Nov 2025
00:26:33
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.
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
#760: Nestlé's Daniel Damasio on successful marketing transformation that is both global and local
31 Oct 2025
00:23:17
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.
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/
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
#759: Transcend's Phyllis Fang on personalization utilizing data privacy by design
30 Oct 2025
00:29:48
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.
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.
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
#758: Lovesac CEO Shawn D. Nelson on building a resilient brand in an uncertain world
29 Oct 2025
00:25:49
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.
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
#757: Funnel CEO Fredrik Skantze on the evolution of marketing measurement
27 Oct 2025
00:27:17
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.
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
#756: Eagle Eye CRO Jeff Baskin on maximizing your retail media network strategy
24 Oct 2025
00:18:32
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.
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
#755: Sitecore CMO Michelle Boockoff-Bajdek and Microsoft's Talisha Padgett on designed intelligence for marketing
23 Oct 2025
00:24:43
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
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/
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
#754: Robin Ross on what happens to retail when your best customers are AI agents
22 Oct 2025
00:27:58
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.
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/
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
#852: Zoom Room CEO Mark Van Wye on agile dogs and agile brands
29 Apr 2026
00:25:10
What if your most visible, most exciting product wasn't your real product at all, but was actually a Trojan horse for building a much deeper, stickier customer relationship?
Agility requires more than just a willingness to change; it demands a deep understanding of what truly motivates your customer, allowing you to evolve your model in service of their emotional outcomes, not just their transactional needs.
Today, we're going to talk about how a brand can embody the very principle it sells, turning a core service into a flywheel for customer retention, emotional engagement, and scalable business growth.
To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Mark Van Wye, CEO at Zoom Room.
About Mark Van Wye
Mark Van Wye is the CEO of Zoom Room, the nation’s premier dog training franchise, and the author of the #1 bestselling Puppy Training in 7 Easy Steps. He’s a systems architect who saw white space in the $100 billion pet industry and positioned dog training as behavioral infrastructure for modern life. A lifelong builder of scalable learning environments, he taught adults to code at eleven, developed a national learning platform for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and has spent his career designing environments – physical and digital – that scale without losing their human edge. Mark Van Wye on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoomroom/
Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74 We’re proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658
Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3 Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company
#753: Wrike CMO Christine Royston on building marketing teams for agility
20 Oct 2025
00:25:02
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
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
#752: Microsoft Azure Core CTO Marcus Fontoura on innovation and the platform mindset
17 Oct 2025
00:26:50
Is your organization truly agile, or are you still clinging to outdated processes and siloed teams instead of a platform mindset? Agility requires a fundamental shift in mindset, embracing collaboration, rapid iteration, and a willingness to adapt to change. It demands a commitment to not just talking about silos, but meaningfully breaking them down, while fostering a culture of shared ownership across the organization. Today, we're going to talk about the power of a platform mindset in driving innovation and achieving true agility within large organizations. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Marcus Fontoura, Technical Fellow at Microsoft, as CTO for Azure Core at Microsoft, and author of the book “A Platform Mindset: Building a Culture of Collaboration”
About Marcus Fontoura
Marcus Fontoura has spent more than 20 years in big tech companies and has been at the forefront of industry-shaping technology innovations, from computational advertising to cloud computing to fintech. He is currently a Technical Fellow at Microsoft, where he works on cloud computing infrastructure. His new book, A Platform Mindset: Building a Culture of Collaboration (8080 Books, Feb. 11, 2025), shares how companies can expand and scale processes to bring about competitive advantages. Learn more at fontoura.org.
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show 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
#751: Traject Data CEO Rochelle Thielen on the role of data in retail
15 Oct 2025
00:24:58
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.
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
#750: MOO's Corin Mills on the strength of physical marketing in the digital age
13 Oct 2025
00:22:08
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.
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
#749: Data Axle CEO Andrew Frawley on using identity resolution for stronger customer relationships
10 Oct 2025
00:17:59
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
#748: Markup AI CEO Matt Blumberg on creating a winning AI-supported content strategy
09 Oct 2025
00:23:47
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
#747: Shutterfly's Chip Lewis on building a strong content strategy by listening to customers
08 Oct 2025
00:14:15
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.
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
#746: Microsoft's Kelly Soligon on personalizing the DTC customer experience
06 Oct 2025
00:22:17
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!
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
#745: Digital experience analytics and VOC with Dave Anderson, Contentsquare
03 Oct 2025
00:25:34
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.
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
#744: Journey management and driving business results with Mark Smith and Raymond Gerber, Institute for Journey Management
02 Oct 2025
00:29:29
The customer journey guides the lifetime value of our most important audiences, yet how do we ensure that we are planning, mapping, managing, and optimizing these journeys effectively?
Agility requires a deep understanding of your customer's journey and the ability to adapt your strategies and tactics in real-time. It also demands a willingness to experiment, learn, and iterate quickly, embracing change as an opportunity rather than a threat.
Today, we're going to talk about the exciting new Institute for Journey Management and how it's helping businesses unlock the power of customer-centricity in a complex and ever-changing world. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Mark Smith and Raymond Gerber from the Institute for Journey Management.
About Mark Smith and Raymond Gerber
Raymond Gerber Raymond Gerber is Co-Founder of the Institute for Journey Management (I4JM) and Founder of JourneyCentric-CX, where he helps enterprises operationalize customer journeys to drive measurable value. With over 25 years of experience, including leadership roles at Qualtrics, Thunderhead (acquired by Medallia), Pegasystems, and Chordiant, Raymond has been at the forefront of journey orchestration, analytics, and AI-driven engagement. He holds 5 patents in journey analytics and customer experience innovation and has guided multiple SaaS organizations through successful acquisitions. Mark Smith Mark Smith is Co-Founder of the Institute for Journey Management (I4JM) and Founder of Journey-Smiths, a boutique consultancy helping companies drive value from journey technology. Mark has over 30 years of experience in customer analytics and engagement, including leadership roles at Kitewheel, CSG, Portrait Software and Quadstone - guiding a series of software start-ups to over $100M in exits. He has steered customer analytic products to recognized market leadership positions since the late 1990s, and became a pioneer in the new domains of journey analytics and orchestration in 2013. By training Mark is a statistician, with a PhD from the early days of AI and distributed computing. However he fights against the statistician stereotype and has focused on customer and market alignment for products throughout his career. The Institute for Journey Management is a new industry association with a mission to unite journey management ecosystem members. It brings together business leaders, practitioners, implementers and vendors in a collaborative, non-profit initiative to develop shared knowledge of the business benefits possible from journey management.
This episode is brought to you by Kinetic Data. Self-service without compromise. Build powerful self-service experiences across your entire organization without sacrificing speed, flexibility, security, or control. https://kineticdata.com/
Register now for Sitecore Symposium, November 3-5 in Orlando Florida. Use code SYM25-2Media10 to receive 10% off. Go here for more: https://symposium.sitecore.com/ Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company
#851: CRMC Keynote Speaker David Avrin on customer loyalty and being easy to do business with
28 Apr 2026
00:24:39
What if the key to customer loyalty isn't about creating memorable, delightful moments, but about being utterly forgettable in the best possible way?
Agility requires more than just rapid campaign execution; it demands a deep-seated ability to re-evaluate and re-engineer core processes in response to shifting customer expectations. Today, we're going to talk about the powerful, and perhaps counterintuitive, idea that the greatest predictor of customer loyalty isn't satisfaction or delight, but simply how easy you are to do business with. We'll explore why reducing customer effort is a critical competitive advantage and how enterprise brands can identify and eliminate the points of friction that drive customers away. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, David Avrin, CX Keynote Speaker and Author at Ridiculously Easy International, and keynote speaker at CRMC, taking place June 1-3 in Frisco Texas.
About David Avrin
One of the most in-demand Customer Experience speakers and consultants in the world today, David Avrin, CSP, Global Speaking Fellow, has shared his content-rich, entertaining and actionable presentations with enthusiastic audiences across North America and in 28 countries around the world. David helps organizations better understand and connect with their changing customers and clients to help future-proof their businesses.
David's insights have been featured on thousands of media outlets around the world. He is also the author of seven books including the acclaimed: It's Not Who You Know, It's Who Knows You!, Why Customers Leave (and How to Win Them Back), The Morning Huddle, and his newest book, Ridiculously Easy to Do Business With.
This episode is brought to by CRMC. Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://www.thecrmc.com
Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74 We’re proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658
#743: Always-on collaboration between AI and marketing with Devin Kunysz, Salesforce
01 Oct 2025
00:29:23
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!
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
#742: Making frictionless payments a reality with Peter Galvin, NMI
29 Sep 2025
00:28:16
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.
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
#741: Managing your brand reputation in real-time with Jeff Hahn, Hahn Agency
26 Sep 2025
00:27:47
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.
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
#740: Navigating Build vs. Buy with Luv Kapur, Bit
25 Sep 2025
00:27:53
This episode is brought to you by Bit. In the age of AI, don’t just generate code - compose software. Bit helps you create and reuse independent components to build reliable, scalable applications. Stop rebuilding and start shipping with the AI-powered composition platform at www.bit.dev Agility requires a nuanced understanding of not just the technology at hand, but also the internal capabilities and collaborative potential within an organization. It demands a willingness to adapt strategies, embrace change, and prioritize value delivery above rigid adherence to traditional models. Today, we're going to talk about navigating the increasingly complex "build vs. buy" dilemma in the age of AI, and how an inner-source approach can offer a compelling alternative. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Luv Kapur, Staff Engineering Lead at Bit.
About Luv Kapur
Luv Kapur is a technology leader pioneering the future of enterprise development tools at Bit, where he leads core platform initiatives that bridge open-source innovation with enterprise-grade solutions. Previously, at the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP), Luv architected and led the development of a comprehensive fintech platform that powers custom trading systems managing over $100 billion in annual transactions. His leadership was instrumental in successfully integrating the Bit platform across HOOPP, scaling it to empower over 10 teams and 100 developers. Throughout his career, Luv has specialized in building high-performance platform teams that accelerate enterprise software delivery. At both enterprise organizations and now at Bit, he focuses on creating developer tooling that makes modern development practices accessible at scale – transforming how large teams approach component reuse, dependency management, and AI-assisted development.
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
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
#739: Doing Gen Z marketing right with Smita Wadhawan, Constant Contact
24 Sep 2025
00:19:19
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.
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
#738: Building marketing strategy when change is the constant with Heidi Bullock, Tealium
22 Sep 2025
00:27:00
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.
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
#737: Unlocking sustainable growth using AI with Bryan Gernert, Resonate
19 Sep 2025
00:23:14
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.
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
#736: Taking ROI models from confusion to clarity with Carlos Manalo, The Office of Experience
18 Sep 2025
00:31:25
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.
This episode is brought to you by The Office of Experience, a design-driven, digital-first, vertically integrated and collaborative agency that believes in the power of ideas and the strength of people.
Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company
#735: Creating a winning personalization and testing approach with Muqtadaa Miandara, Upbound Grou
17 Sep 2025
00:29:14
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
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
#734: Focusing on the marketing that matters with Tara Corey, Optimizely
15 Sep 2025
00:23:32
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.
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
#850: Newell VP of E-commerce Tambi Younes on expanding the operational limits of ecommerce capabilities
27 Apr 2026
00:24:03
What's the real cost of only having the bandwidth to focus on your top-performing products? Agility requires systems and processes that not only respond to change but also proactively manage complexity across an entire portfolio. It’s about creating the capacity to act on every opportunity, not just the most obvious ones.
Today, we're going to talk about a critical breaking point for large consumer brands: the operational limits of ecommerce execution. When you’re managing thousands of products across countless digital shelves, manual processes don't just slow you down—they force you to leave opportunity on the table. We’ll explore how automation and AI are moving teams from being reactive firefighters on their top SKUs to strategic drivers of growth across their entire catalog.
To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Tambi Younes, Vice President of E-commerce at Newell.
About Tambi Younes
Tambi Younes is the vice president of e-commerce at Newell. Younes has spent nearly a decade with Newell, holding a series of product experience and DTC leadership roles. Most recently, he was senior director of product, UX and digital experience, where he spearheaded AI solutions within the global DTC digital platform and led an approach to product design centered on user research and customer insights. Prior to that, he was director of e-commerce, DTC, where he led a 12-person team that worked on merchandising, promotional and assortment strategies. He also drove strong growth on Amazon as senior manager of global e-commerce for the company’s baby and parenting brands, optimizing digital marketing, product visibility and channel strategy to gain market share.
Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74 We’re proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658 Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3 Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company
#733: Agentic AI delivering business value with Rupali Jain and Kevin Li, Optimizely
12 Sep 2025
00:27:52
Marketers' roles are changing, but their goals are still the same: reach and engage customers, meeting them where they are, and for better or worse, often needing to do more with less while delivering greater value.
Agility requires both adapting to change quickly while also having the wisdom to know which changes truly matter. It demands a delicate balance between embracing new technologies and staying laser-focused on core business objectives.
Today, we are here in New York City at Opticon25. We are going to talk about the growing role of AI for both marketers and consumers, how organizations can leverage an agentic platform to create better internal and external customer experiences, and how marketers can both do more with less while delivering exponentially greater value. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Rupali Jain, Chief Product Officer and Kevin Li, SVP Product at Optimizely.
About Rupali Jain Rupali Jain is the Chief Product Officer at Optimizely. Previously she has held product leadership roles at several SaaS software companies, including Microsoft's PowerBI and Qualtrics. Throughout her two-decade career, Rupali has shared Optimizely's vision of prioritizing the end user's daily needs. Rupali is committed to advancing practical, growth-driving applications of AI and machine learning to help marketers take control of their workflows, experiment at scale, and deliver digital experiences that meet and exceed customer expectations
About Kevin Li At Optimizely (previously Episerver before rebrand), I describe my job as a "tale of two mirrors" with one being a telescope and one being a microscope. On the telescope side of product strategy, I own long-term strategy covering build/buy/partner, M&A (thesis, due diligence, etc.), new product launches (SaaS CMS, Personalization, etc.), analyst relations (leader in 11 categories across Gartner, Forrester, and IDC), etc. On the microscope side of product operations, I own the product commercialization process, product operations, product analytics, documentation, and competitive intelligence.
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
#732: Using AI to see video content with Meenal Nalwaya, Reka
11 Sep 2025
00:18:03
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.
This episode is brought to you by Landrum Talent Solutions, a national recruiting firm specializing in marketing and HR positions. https://www.landrumtalentsolutions.com
Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company
#731: Automation and innovation with Karthik Ramakrishnan, Tapestry
10 Sep 2025
00:22:25
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.
Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150
UIPath: https://www.uipath.com Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company
#730: Chasing perfection when agility is what's needed with Tom Schmitt, CEO of Radial
08 Sep 2025
00:26:55
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.
Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150"
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company
#729: The mindset shift needed for AI integration success with Rafael Flores, Treasure Data
05 Sep 2025
00:26:42
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.
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
#728: The marketing jobs market and AI's role in the job search with Sue Keith, Landrum Talent Solutions
04 Sep 2025
00:17:09
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.
This episode is brought to you by Landrum Talent Solutions, a national recruiting firm specializing in marketing and HR positions. https://www.landrumtalentsolutions.com
Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150"
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company
#727: Growing sales in uncertain times with Chris Cubba, Snipp
03 Sep 2025
00:24:40
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.
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
#726: How AI is changing the search experience and what to do about it with Sean King, Chief Revenue Officer at Veritone
01 Sep 2025
00:23:19
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.
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
#725: Consumer confidence...and caution...with Eric Miao, Attentive
29 Aug 2025
00:22:30
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
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
#724: Social commerce and the customer journey with Janna Navarro, Wpromote
27 Aug 2025
00:17:20
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.
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
#849: Siteimprove CEO Nayaki Nayyar on what it means to take a holistic view of digital experience
24 Apr 2026
00:25:53
In the rush to implement AI across the customer experience, are we at risk of creating more digital barriers than we're breaking down?
Agility requires a holistic view of the entire digital experience. It's the ability to see not just how individual channels are performing, but how they work together to serve every potential customer, inclusively and intelligently.
Today, we're going to talk about what it takes to build that holistic view. We'll explore how brands can unify their performance analytics to move beyond traditional SEO, the dual role of AI in both creating personalized content and ensuring it’s accessible, and why inclusivity is becoming one of the most powerful levers for brand growth.
To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Nayaki Nayyar, CEO at Siteimprove. About Nayaki Nayyar
Nayaki Nayyar is an accomplished technology executive with a proven track record of driving growth, innovation, and market leadership in enterprise SaaS for over 25 years. As the CEO of Siteimprove, she spearheads the company’s vision and strategy, accelerating its market leadership in Agentic Content Intelligence powered by Siteimprove.ai platform. In her prior role as the CEO of Securonix, she guided the company’s strategic shift into AI with the launch of Securonix EON, an AI-powered cyber-security platform. Under her leadership, Securonix secured its position in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for SIEM for five consecutive years, driving significant growth and product innovation to address evolving global cybersecurity threats. Nayaki brings deep expertise in scaling businesses organically and through strategic acquisitions. As President and Chief Product Officer at Ivanti, she established the company’s cybersecurity and endpoint management strategy, growing revenue from $500M to $1.2B and doubling the total addressable market from $30B to $60B in just two years. She also played a pivotal role in launching the Ivanti Neurons Platform and driving expansion through acquisitions. As BMC Software’s President of Digital Service and Operations Management, Nayaki led its transformation into AI-driven enterprise solutions with the BMC Helix suite, a strategic evolution that contributed to BMC’s $8.2B exit in 2018. Nayaki serves on the boards of TD Synnex and Corteva Agriscience and is a graduate of the Stanford Executive Program. She holds a B.E. in Mechanical Engineering from Osmania University and an M.S. in Computer Science from the University of Houston. Recognized among the "Top Women in Technology in the U.S." by Technology Magazine in 2022, she is a respected leader shaping the future of enterprise technology in the AI era.
Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74 We’re proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658 Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3 Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company
#723: Building loyalty across different generations of travelers with Jeff Zotara, arrivia
25 Aug 2025
00:26:26
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.
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show 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
#722: Agentic AI in retail with Dan Russotto, Furniture.com
22 Aug 2025
00:18:54
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.
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
#721: Making the most of peak season with Helaine Rich, ePost
20 Aug 2025
00:20:17
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.
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