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

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Accelevents CEO Jonathan Kazarian on the data-rich aspect of events Sep 17, 2026

Show notes

What if the most valuable part of your event isn't the event itself?

Agility requires brands to see channels not just for what they are, but for what they can become. This is especially true for the events channel, which has transformed from a point-in-time logistical exercise into a continuous engine for data and community.

Today, we're going to talk about the evolution of event marketing. In a world of hybrid experiences, the role of events has shifted from a standalone tactic to a strategic, data-rich channel that can drive the entire customer lifecycle. We'll explore how enterprise brands are moving beyond simply managing logistics to integrating event platforms into their core Martech stack, proving ROI, and building year-round community from what used to be a single moment in time. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Jonathan Kazarian, CEO & Founder at Accelevents. About Jonathan Kazarian Jonathan Kazarian is the CEO and founder of Accelevents, a leading event management platform that was recently recognized by Inc. 5000 as one of the top 100 fastest-growing private companies in America. At Accelevents, his visionary leadership and innovative approach have propelled the platform to the forefront of the event technology industry. With a keen focus on driving user engagement and redefining the event experience, Jonathan's strategic expertise has established Accelevents as a key player in transforming how events are created, marketed, and experienced globally. As an industry thought leader, Jon actively publishes insights on the events landscape and frequently speaks at industry events such as EventMB's Event Tech Innovation Summit, BizBash Live, and INBOUND. Jonathan Kazarian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jkazarian/ ---------- Resources ---------- Accelevents: accelevents.com We're proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658

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

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

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

SearchStax CEO Sameer Maggon on the evolution of on-site search Aug 27, 2026

Show notes

What if the most important part of your website navigation is the one most brands treat as an afterthought?

Agility requires not only adapting your marketing messages, but also re-evaluating the fundamental ways customers interact with your digital properties. It means recognizing that established tools, like site navigation, may no longer meet the expectations of a new generation of users.

Today, we're going to talk about the evolution of on-site search from a simple utility to a strategic, AI-powered content discovery engine. We'll explore how changing consumer expectations, particularly from younger demographics, are forcing brands to rethink digital experiences, and why the humble search bar may be the key to unlocking deeper engagement and building trust.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Sameer Maggon, Founder and CEO at SearchStax. About Sameer Maggon Sameer Maggon is the founder and CEO of SearchStax, the Search Experience Company. A lifelong builder, he has spent over 20 years driving search innovation — from building search infrastructure to creating an AI-powered platform that delivers modern search experiences. Known as a search craftsman, Sameer has built SearchStax into a global SaaS platform serving content-rich, regulated industries such as healthcare, higher education, financial services, and the public sector. Beyond his work, he enjoys exploring the outdoors with his family and mentoring engineers to become tomorrow's innovators and leaders. His conviction guides it all: Search is complex, search is hard — and worth solving. Sameer Maggon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggon/ ---------- Resources ---------- SearchStax: https://www.searchstax.com We're proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658

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

Start building your own apps with Replit and get $20 off. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/93531742a7625a20

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

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

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

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

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

Show notes

With the rush to adopt generative AI, what's the greater risk for a large enterprise: the cost of inaction, or the cost of a poorly executed action?

Agility requires more than just adopting new tools; it demands a fundamental shift in how teams learn, collaborate, and measure value in a rapidly changing landscape.

Today, we're going to talk about what happens after the initial AI hype cycle. Many organizations have invested in powerful new platforms, but the real challenge isn't procurement—it's enablement. How do you move AI from a series of isolated pilot projects to a core capability that empowers your teams, enhances creativity, and drives measurable business outcomes without introducing unnecessary risk?

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Prince Boucher, Director, Forward Deployed Creatives at Luma. Prince Boucher on LinkedIn: https://Linkedin.com/in/princeboucher ---------- Resources ---------- Luma: https://lumalabs.ai/ 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

Start building your own apps with Replit and get $20 off. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/93531742a7625a20

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

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

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

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

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

Show notes

Why is it that B2C marketers can target someone who left a pair of shoes in their cart and follow them around the internet for a week, but that same level of precision just hasn't been the same for B2B?

Agility requires closing the gap between insight and action. It's not enough to know who your audience is; you need the capability to reach them precisely, wherever they are, at the moment it matters most.

Today, we're going to talk about why B2B advertising has historically lagged behind its B2C counterpart in audience targeting and activation. We'll explore the challenges of working with fragmented data and the new opportunities that are emerging to create highly precise, actionable audiences by combining different data sources in a new way.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Mark Connon, CEO at Bombora.

About Mark Connon Mark Connon was Chief Operating Officer at TapAd when Experian acquired that company in 2020 — becoming TapAd's General Manager and EVP of Product and Marketing for Experian Marketing Services. As the former SVP, Global Chief Mobile and Data Officer at AOL (a subsidiary of Verizon formerly known as Verizon Media Services), Connon led mobile advertising and data strategy, as well as enterprise-wide data commercialization. He has held a number of C-level positions at both public and private marketing and advertising companies and currently serves as an advisor or board member for several companies in the ad/martech space. Mark Connon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markconnon/ Resources Bombora: https://bombora.com/

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

Keep up with the latest B2B Marketing insights by following the B2B Agility Podcast: https://www.b2bagility.com

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

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

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

Show notes

"Despite the global opportunity available to so many businesses, most are constrained by finite resources. So, the more interesting question isn't "what should we translate?" but rather, "what's the real cost of not localizing the right customer touchpoint, and how do you even begin to calculate that risk?"

Agility requires more than just speed; it demands the sensitivity to know when a universal message fails and a local one is needed. It's the capacity to pivot your entire customer experience to resonate in a new market, not just as a translation, but as a native conversation.

Today, we're going to talk about navigating the complexities of global expansion. We'll get into the strategic decisions leaders have to make when localizing content, such as where to spend the budget for maximum impact, and the critical choice between leveraging AI for scale and speed versus deploying human experts for nuance and connection.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Ilya Spiridonov, Chief Commercial Officer at Alconost.

About Ilya Spiridonov Ilya Spiridonov is the Chief Commercial Officer at Alconost, an ISO-certified localization company that has been helping businesses grow internationally since 2004. He leads the company's sales and revenue strategy, focusing on building long-term client partnerships and driving sustainable growth. With expertise in scaling global sales operations, Ilya oversees everything that fuels revenue - from business development and client success to aligning commercial initiatives with Alconost's localization and technology services. Ilya Spiridonov on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilyaspiridonov/ Resources Alconost: https://alconost.com/en Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/ Keep up with the latest B2B Marketing insights by following the B2B Agility Podcast: https://www.b2bagility.com

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

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

#74: Maximizing the value of your partnerships with Peter Fogelsanger Dec 16, 2025

Show notes

Are most of your channel partners producing very little value for your business? Agility requires more than just signing up partners; it demands a dynamic approach to activating and enabling the *right* ones. It's about ruthlessly prioritizing relationships that generate mutual value and being nimble enough to change or sunset those that don't. Today, we're going to talk about the often-unspoken reality of partner programs: the vast gap between the impressive number of logos on a partner page and the handful that actually contribute to the bottom line. We'll explore why so many partners become ""paper partners""—partners in name only—and how to build a program that focuses on tangible value and repeatable revenue, not just vanity metrics. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Peter Fogelsanger, Fractional Partner Executive at Peter Fog LLC. Peter, welcome to the show!

About Peter Fogelsanger Peter is a seasoned partner executive and partner program consultant. He provides fractional consulting and program advisory services to growth companies. Current engagements include several early-stage PE or VC backed startups.. Prior to consulting, Peter was founding Head for Partnerships and Enablement at Contentstack, building the program from the ground up which produced over $22M in pipeline. Prior to Contentstack, Peter was VP of Partner Engagement (NA) at Thunderhead, an omni-channel customer journey and personalization platform. While at Thunderhead, Peter led the enablement in NA for Salesforce Marketing Cloud - Interaction Studio, helping drive more than $50M in ARR in 24 months. Earlier in his career, Peter was in direct sales for over eight years at leading CMS vendors Sitecore and SDL. He also spent more than 12 years in sales/marketing at digital agencies helping clients with digital transformation related projects. Major clients have included FedEx, Charles Schwab, Humana, Duke Energy, TD Bank, Stanley Black & Decker, Nasdaq, Marriott, and the Veterans Administration. Peter has been a speaker on partner programs, enablement, personalization/content management, and active in several related communities. In his spare time, Peter enjoys carpentry and DIY projects and has many years as a coach for youth soccer and high school track.

Peter Fogelsanger on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterfog/ Resources Peter Fog LLC: www.peterfog.com Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/ Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.b2bagility.com

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

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

Show notes

With all the talk about the business impact of AI, why aren't more people talking beyond the most straightforward examples and more about sectors like construction, energy, and manufacturing where there is real potential for impact that has yet to be tapped? Agility requires a willingness to challenge the core processes of how work gets done, even in industries where "how it's always been done" is the default operating system. Today, we're going to talk about the practical, powerful, and often overlooked application of AI in what some call the 'real economy'—the foundational industries that build and make our world. We'll explore how AI-powered digital workers are moving beyond the hype to create tangible value, and what it takes to drive this kind of technological adoption in sectors traditionally resistant to change.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Bassem Hamdy, CEO and Co-Founder at Briq.

About Bassem Hamdy Author, executive and technology pioneer, Bassem Hamdy is world renowned in the construction technology space. With over 19 years of construction software experience Bassem Hamdy is bringing harmony to construction through the delivery of modern tools to drive better decision making for general and subcontractors. ,Yes,This will be completed shortly Bassem Hamdy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bassem-hamdy Resources Briq: briq.com

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/ Keep up with the latest B2B Marketing insights by following the B2B Agility Podcast: https://www.b2bagility.com

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

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

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

Show notes

Many entrepreneurs dream of scaling a niche product, achieving market dominance, and ultimately securing a successful exit—but few actually make it happen. How do you take an idea from concept to acquisition, and what key lessons can other business leaders, including marketers, take from that journey?

Joining me today is Chris Tilkov, General Manager at DocuSketch, an automated estimation and documentation platform that helps homeowners rebuild after natural disasters. Before joining DocuSketch, Chris founded Ask AiME, a platform that was successfully acquired. But his journey didn't start in tech—he began his career as a carpet cleaner before transitioning into the world of technology and entrepreneurship.

About Chris Tilkov Chris Tilkov is a director at DocuSketch and is the founder of Ask Aime, an InsurTech that simplifies estimating and quality assurance for the insurance restoration industry to settle claims quickly and accurately. With over 25 years' experience from flood technician to nationally held positions, Chris works with companies to provide the training and education needed to produce fair and consistent estimates through collaborative technology. In 2023, DocuSketch acquired Aime Estimate Review Inc. Chris Tilkov on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-tilkov-a5038b3b/

Resources Docusketch: https://www.docusketch.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

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

Show notes

We've spent a decade trying to align marketing and sales. What if the very metric we created to bridge the gap—the MQL—is actually the thing that's perpetuating the rivalry between them? Agility requires a willingness to challenge the foundational metrics we've built our go-to-market strategies on. It demands that we replace gut feelings and legacy processes with a ruthless focus on what actually generates revenue, even if it means admitting what we've been doing is wrong.

Today, we're going to talk about one of the most persistent and costly problems in B2B: the handoff from marketing to sales. We'll explore why the traditional MQL model often fails, creating friction and wasting budget, and how a more intelligent, data-driven approach to lead qualification can not only fix the sales pipeline but also prove marketing's direct contribution to the bottom line.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Gabe Lullo, CEO at Alleyoop and host of the "Do Hard Things" podcast.

About Gabe Lullo Gabe Lullo is the CEO of Alleyoop, a sales development agency working with industry giants such as ZoomInfo, Salesloft, and Adobe.

He has trained over 8,000 salespeople across diverse businesses and, during his tenure in Alleyoop, he has personally hired and managed more than 1,500 SDRs.

With over two decades of experience in sales, marketing, and executive recruitment, his strategies have significantly driven Alleyoop's growth and shaped its corporate culture.

Beyond his career accomplishments, Gabe graduated from the Barney School of Business at the University of Hartford and his leadership ethos is rooted in cultivating environments that prioritize both professional development and individual success. Gabe Lullo on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lullo/

Resources Alleyoop: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lullo/

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

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

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

Show notes

This show is brought to you by Channel99, a B2B marketing technology company helping clients get more out of their spend with AI-powered decision-making.

What if 99% of your target accounts see your marketing, but never click a single ad? How would you prove your value then?

Agility requires a willingness to abandon outdated metrics, even when they're comfortable, and embrace a more nuanced, realistic view of the buyer's journey. It means adapting not just our campaigns, but our very definition of success.

Today, we're going to talk about the massive blind spot in most B2B marketing measurement: the 'dark funnel' where prospects engage with content and ads but never click. We'll explore how AI-powered attribution is finally shining a light on this journey, moving us beyond last-click models to understand true influence and impact.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Chris Golec, Founder & CEO at Channel99.

About Chris Golec Chris founded Channel99 in 2022 to provide businesses worldwide with the first AI-powered decision making engine for B2B marketing investments. Unsatisfied with traditional attribution solutions and the financial inefficiency of B2B marketing, Chris' mission is to transform how the B2B sector measures and invests in growth. Prior to Channel99, Chris founded Demandbase and pioneered the Account-Based Marketing (ABM) technology category now widely adopted by thousands of companies. During his tenure at Demandbase, he was known for fueling innovation, driving rapid growth, and creating a culture that won "Best-Places to Work" in the Bay Area for 7 consecutive years and Top 10 nationally through Glassdoor. Chris also won Marketing Executive of the year two consecutive years and was named in the Top10 SaaS CEOs in 2019. Before Demandbase, Chris co-founded a supply-chain software company called Supplybase which sold to i2 Technologies for $380 million. Chris Golec on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cgolec/

Resources Channel99: https://www.channel99.com/ This show is brought to you by Channel99, a B2B marketing technology company helping clients get more out of their spend with AI-powered decision-making.

The Channel99 platform incorporates two key advancements: superior account identification and the first-of-its-kind B2B ad verification. This allows AI to precisely identify financial inefficiencies across a client's various marketing channels.

The platform then optimizes campaign and audience adjustments to automate workflows, maximize labor output, and significantly increase operational efficiency.

From high-growth mid-market businesses to global enterprises, Channel99 is a proven investment to accelerate pipeline growth and mitigate marketing investment risk.

For more information, visit channel99.com Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/ Keep up with the latest B2B Marketing insights by following the B2B Agility Podcast: https://www.b2bagility.com

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

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

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