Business

The Agile Brand with Greg Kihlström® | What CMOs Need to Know About Marketing Technology, AI & CX

Marketing technology, AI, and customer experience, explained by the people building it. Three times a week, Greg Kihlström interviews CMOs, product leaders, and martech executives from platform companies like Adobe, Braze, Qualtrics, Salesforce, and Optimizely, and brands like Marriott, Georgia-Pacific, Nestlé, and Zoom about what is actually working inside enterprise marketing organizations.

Each episode runs 20–30 minutes: one guest, one specific problem, no filler. Recent conversations cover what changes when AI agents enter the discovery and purchase path, how to move past traditional A/B testing with reinforcement learning, closing the AI capability gap inside marketing teams, and where personalization stops paying off.

Who it’s for: CMOs, VPs of marketing, martech and marketing operations leaders, and CX practitioners at enterprise brands and the platforms that serve them.

Greg Kihlström is an AI transformation advisor to leading brands, a martech futurist, a keynote speaker, and the author of over 25 books on marketing technology, including the Agile Brand Guide series. He has hosted The Agile Brand since 2019 — 900+ episodes, and highly rated across all podcast platforms.

New episodes drop at least three times a week. Follow the show so new episodes arrive automatically.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Latest Episodes:

#620: How small businesses continue to thrive with Emily Washcovick, Yelp Jan 03, 2025

Show notes

In an era where a few large organizations seemingly dominate with their vast resources, how can small businesses rise above and stand out?

Today, I’m thrilled to be joined by Emily Washcovick, Senior Field Marketing Manager and Small Business Expert at Yelp, join us. Emily works closely with small businesses across the country, helping them navigate challenges, leverage customer feedback, and thrive in a competitive landscape. She’s here to share insights on how small businesses can excel in customer experience, make the most of their resources, and use innovative tools like AI to grow.

As Yelp’s Small Business Expert, Emily is meticulously focused on helping local business owners succeed and grow. Her expertise lies in customer engagement, reputation management, and all things digital marketing. Through speaking engagements and thought leadership, Emily shares industry insights that entrepreneurs in any business category can leverage for the growth and well-being of their businesses. She is also the host of Behind the Review, a podcast from Yelp and Entrepreneur Media, where each episode features conversations with a business owner and a reviewer about the story and lessons behind their interactions.

RESOURCES

Wix Studio is the ultimate web platform for creative, fast-paced teams at agencies and enterprises—with smart design tools, flexible dev capabilities, full-stack business solutions, multi-site management, advanced AI and fully managed infrastructure. https://www.wix.com/studio

Don't miss Medallia Experience 2025, March 24-26 in Las Vegas: Registration is now available: https://cvent.me/AmO1k0

Use code MEDEXP25 for $200 off registration

Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price.

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

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

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

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#619: Knowing which of your marketing dollars are working, with Mike True, Prescient AI Dec 27, 2024

Show notes

Are you sure you know where your marketing dollars are making the biggest impact? In an omnichannel world, pinpointing where your ad spend is most effective is tougher than ever. What if you could use AI to make it easier?

Welcome to today’s episode, where we’re discussing how to optimize marketing effectiveness through Marketing Mix Modeling, AI, and predictive analytics with Mike True, CEO & Co-Founder of Prescient AI.

Today, we’ll explore how to ensure your marketing dollars are delivering maximum return on investment and the role AI plays in getting it right.

Mike True is the co-founder and CEO of Prescient. Prior to starting the company in 2019, Mike was responsible for helping clients of App Annie, IBM, and Oracle generate millions of dollars in revenue through the implementation of various artificial intelligence and analytics solutions.

RESOURCES

Prescient AI website: https://prescientai.com/

Don't miss Medallia Experience 2025, March 24-26 in Las Vegas: Registration is now available: https://cvent.me/AmO1k0

Use code MEDEXP25 for $200 off registration

Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price.

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

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

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

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#618: Working with AI to create better (not just more) content with Nick Gernert, CEO WordPress VIP Dec 23, 2024

Show notes

As AI increasingly generates content, is it creating a better internet—or is it quietly eroding the authenticity we value online?

oday, we’re excited to welcome Nick Gernert, CEO of WordPress VIP, the enterprise CMS behind some of the biggest media and enterprise websites. With extensive experience overseeing a platform that powers millions of websites, we’ll explore how AI is transforming the digital landscape and where human creativity fits in this new paradigm.

For over 20 years, Nick Gernert, CEO of Wordpress VIP, has been a key evangelist of open source technology, working across the open web to build the next generation of enterprise digital experiences. In his role as CEO of Wordpress VIP at Automattic, Nick leads the company’s overall business strategy, working with partners to expand the business and drive the commercial growth and executive adoption of Wordpress as they disrupt and lead the enterprise content management market.

Before joining Automattic, Nick was an advisor to Transform’s executive team up until their acquisition by Dbt Labs, and held the title of Senior Vice President of Digital at Voce Communications. Nick holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Central Florida’s College of Business Administration and is an Innovation Fellow at the Eugene M. Lang Entrepreneurship Center at Columbia Business School.

RESOURCES

WordPress VIP website: https://www.wordpressvip.com

Don't miss Medallia Experience 2025, March 24-26 in Las Vegas: Registration is now available: https://cvent.me/AmO1k0

Use code MEDEXP25 for $200 off registration

Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price.

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

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

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

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging, and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#617: Small changes that make big differences to marketing results with Jay Schwedelson, SubjectLine.com Dec 20, 2024

Show notes

Are small tweaks in your marketing strategy costing you big wins? From email subject lines to debunking commonly-held myths, simple changes can unlock massive improvements.

Today we’re exploring the art of finding small changes with big impacts in marketing with Jay Schwedelson, Founder of SubjectLine.com, CEO of Outcome Media, and host of the Do This, Not That! podcast. We’ll discuss how research-backed insights fuel his success, myths holding marketers back, and more.

Jay Schwedelson is one of the top marketing experts in the U.S., renowned for providing marketers with the latest research-backed insights and best practices.

As the founder of SubjectLine.com, the top free subject-line rating tool globally, Jay has tested over 15 million subject lines, helping organizations master impactful email

marketing. He also founded GURU Media Hub, which hosts the GURU conference, the world’s largest email marketing event, and other major marketing gatherings attracting over 50,000 attendees annually.

Jay’s podcast, “Do This, Not That!: For Marketers,” consistently ranks in the top 10 of over 50,000 marketing podcasts in the U.S. and is in the top 0.5% of podcasts globally.

Through his agency, Outcome Media, Jay's team executes over 40,000 marketing campaigns each year for iconic brands. He has been named to Crain’s Top 100 Industry

Leaders for 10 consecutive years and is in the Hall of Fame at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications.

With his unique blend of expertise, Jay shares super tactical tips on marketing, specifically email marketing, content marketing, and LinkedIn strategies.

RESOURCES

Don't miss Medallia Experience 2025, March 24-26 in Las Vegas: Registration is now available: https://cvent.me/AmO1k0

Use code MEDEXP25 for $200 off registration

Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price.

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

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

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

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#616: Synthetic personas in market research with Ali Henriques, Qualtrics Dec 18, 2024

Show notes

What if the future of market research isn’t human at all but relies on AI-generated personas to mimic real-world consumers?

Today, we’re joined by Ali Henriques, Global Director of Edge at Qualtrics. Ali is here to discuss how synthetic personas, AI, and digital qualitative tools are reshaping the future of market research, and share some insights from the Qualtrics 2025 Market Research Trends Report.

RESOURCES

Qualtrics: https://www.qualtrics.com

Qualtrics 2025 Global Market Research Trends Report: https://www.qualtrics.com/ebooks-guides/market-research-trends/

Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price.

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

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

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

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#615: Is Black Friday still the star of the holiday season? Featuring Joe Shasteen, RetailNext Dec 16, 2024

Show notes

Has Black Friday lost its significance as a singular shopping day, or is it evolving into something more strategically beneficial for both consumers and retailers?

Today, we’re thrilled to welcome Joe Shasteen, Global Manager of Advanced Analytics at RetailNext. Joe is here to share insights into the 2024 holiday shopping season based on early Black Friday weekend data and what these trends tell us about the shifting consumer behavior landscape. From the rise of intentional spending to the evolving importance of integrating online and offline strategies, Joe will help give us a clearer picture of the holiday retail outlook.

Joe Shasteen is the Global Manager of Advanced Analytics at RetailNext, where he's been for over seven years. Using Retail Labs, Joe and the Advanced Analytics team at RetailNext help retailers understand in-store shopper behavior. This leads to the testing and design of the impact of in-store changes, ultimately improving the shopper's experience.

Resources

RetailNext website: https://www.retailnext.net

Don't miss Medallia Experience 2025, March 24-26 in Las Vegas: Registration is now available: https://cvent.me/AmO1k0 Use code MEDEXP25 for $200 off registration

Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price.

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

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

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

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#614: How trust, community, and courage are reshaping brands with Chris Savage, Wistia Dec 13, 2024

Show notes

Have you ever considered that society might trust individuals more than your brand?

If you’re not thinking about influencers and community advocates in your marketing, you might be missing a huge opportunity to connect with your audience on a deeper level. Today we’re diving into the power of influencers, the unique challenges of B2B advocacy, and pushing past fear in business.

Host Greg Kihlstrom welcomes Chris Savage, CEO and Co-Founder of Wistia. Today, we’ll explore how trust, community, and courage are reshaping the way companies approach their audiences.

About Chris Savage

Chris Savage is the CEO and co-founder of Wistia, a leading video platform that enables business teams to harness the connective power of video. After graduating from Brown University with a degree in Art-Semiotics, Chris and his co-founder, Brendan Schwartz, started Wistia in Brendan’s living room in 2006. Wistia has since grown into a multi-million dollar business with over 120 employees and 500,000 customers.

Resources

Wistia website: https://www.wistia.com

Don't miss Medallia Experience 2025, March 24-26 in Las Vegas: Registration is now available: https://cvent.me/AmO1k0

Use code MEDEXP25 for $200 off registration

Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price.

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

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

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

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#613: Building brands through collaboration, innovation, and sustainability with Eric Liedtke, Under Armour Dec 11, 2024

Show notes

Today we’re going to talk about the power of collaboration, innovation, and sustainability in building brands that make a huge impact on consumers while leaving a smaller impression on the Earth.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Eric Liedtke, Executive Vice President of Brand Strategy, Under Armour, formerly of Adidas and Unless Collective.

Eric Liedtke has served as Executive Vice President, Brand Strategy since August 2024. Before joining Under Armour, Mr. Liedtke was the Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of UNLESS COLLECTIVE, INC, a zero-plastic regenerative fashion brand acquired by Under Armour in August 2024. Before that, Mr. Liedtke spent 26 years at Adidas Group, holding senior positions in footwear marketing and executive roles as VP of Brand Marketing, SVP of Sports Performance Brand Marketing, and Head of Sports Performance, culminating in his roles as Brand President and Executive Board Member from 2014 to 2019.

RESOURCES

Under Armour website: https://www.underarmour.com

UNLESS Collective: https://unlesscollective.com/

Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price.

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

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

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

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#612: Shared understanding of business needs with Patty Soltis, Upwork Dec 09, 2024

Show notes

As a leader, it’s not enough to simply provide clear instructions of what you want done.

Today we’re going to talk about the need for everyone on a team to understand the business needs and objectives of the overall organization or business unit they are contributing to.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Patty Soltis, Senior Customer Experience Manager, Upwork.

RESOURCES

Don't miss Medallia Experience 2025, March 24-26 in Las Vegas: Registration is now available: https://cvent.me/AmO1k0

Use code MEDEXP25 for $200 off registration

Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price.

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

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

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

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#611: Optimizing e-commerce content with Ashlyn Fulton, D'Addario Dec 06, 2024

Show notes

Is your e-commerce content working as hard as it should be? In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, strong content creation and management could be the key to unlocking both customer engagement and business growth.

I am here at Opticon 2024 in San Antonio Texas and getting the opportunity to see a lot of inspiring ideas from some of the world’s leading brands and hearing all about Optimizely’s platform and how it enables 1:1 personalization, streamlined content operations, and incorporates the latest generative AI features.

Today we’re diving into the role of strong content creation and optimization in e-commerce with Ashlyn Fulton, Senior Digital Content Manager at D’Addario & Company, which operates in over 130 countries and has over 5,000 SKUs available online.

We’ll discuss the unique challenges of content for both D2C and B2B e-commerce, the impact of generative AI, and how platforms like Optimizely are shaping the future of e-commerce content management.

RESOURCES

D'Addario & Company website: https://daddario.com

Optimizely website: https://www.optimizely.com

Don't miss Medallia Experience 2025, March 24-26 in Las Vegas: Registration is now available: https://cvent.me/AmO1k0 Use code MEDEXP25 for $200 off registration

Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price.

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

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

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

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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