Marketing is Not a Gumball Machine

Does your marketing strategy rely on short-term fixes and MQL targets? This episode will show you why it’s time to return to a deeper, more sustainable approach. Drew Neisser sits down with Jon Miller to tackle the tough questions, like whether the traditional marketing playbook is broken—and how CMOs can fix it. 

Jon shares actionable insights on: 

  • Revisiting the Fundamentals: Why product-market fit, positioning, and reputation are more important than ever for marketing success. 
  • Doing Right by the Customer: How focusing on short-term results can undermine the customer experience and damage long-term growth. 
  • Embracing AI for the Long Haul: Why CMOs need to prepare for AI’s lasting impact (beyond content creation) to stay competitive.

If you’re ready to move beyond outdated tactics and rethink your approach to marketing, this episode offers practical strategies for success. Tune in!

What You’ll Learn 

  • How B2B marketing has become “broken” 
  • The future of AI and email marketing 
  • How to rethink your marketing playbook  

Demand Gen Machine: Driving Growth with Precision

What does it take to build a demand gen machine that not only delivers leads but drives real, measurable business impact? In this episode, host Drew Neisser is joined by Michael Callahan (Salt Security), James B. Stanton (CuraLinc Healthcare), and Jeff Morgan (Elements) to discuss how they’ve built scalable, high-performing demand gen engines. 

From refining incentive strategies to focusing on ideal customer profiles (ICP), these seasoned marketers share practical tips on boosting conversion rates and maximizing ROI in B2B marketing. Learn how to align sales and marketing teams, leverage AI and automation tools, and avoid common pitfalls that can derail even the best demand gen strategies. 

Key Discussion Points: 

  • How to fine-tune incentives to attract the right prospects. 
  • Why narrowing your ICP can boost conversions and drive more qualified leads. 
  • The power of partnerships in driving down customer acquisition costs. 
  • How AI tools are enhancing marketing efficiency and delivering better insights. 
  • Real-world examples of successful (and not-so-successful) demand gen campaigns. 

Tune in to learn the strategies that top B2B marketers use to build demand gen machines that deliver lasting results. 

New Rules (for CMOs) of B2B Marketing + PR

What do surfboards, The Grateful Dead, and the Savannah Bananas baseball team have in common? If you ask marketing expert David Meerman Scott, they all hold valuable lessons for creating a standout marketing strategy that connects deeply with your audience. 

In this episode, David joins host Drew Neisser to discuss the latest (9th!) edition of his iconic book, The New Rules of Marketing & PR, and how CMOs can navigate a rapidly changing landscape with AI, content creation, and fan-building strategies. From redefining traditional marketing to real-world examples with unconventional success, David offers practical advice for B2B CMOs aiming to stay ahead in 2025 and beyond. 

A few key takeaways: 

  • Why understanding your audience is still the bedrock of effective marketing. 
  • How AI is impacting content creation—and where companies are getting it wrong. 
  • The power of newsjacking: how to inject your brand into breaking news to capture attention and boost visibility. 
  • The enduring value of building real-world experiences to connect with customers. 
  • Marketing lessons from the Grateful Dead and how to apply them to your business. 

Tune in for insights on the future of marketing, how to stand out, and how unconventional thinking can drive success in the B2B world.

What You’ll Learn 

  • How to newsjack (aka leverage breaking news for brand visibility) 
  • How B2B companies should be using AI 
  • Real-world examples of winning brands 

How to Train Your CEO

How can CMOs effectively coach their CEOs and cultivate a strong, productive relationship? In this episode, executive coach Susan Gurnik shares her expert strategies for CMOs looking to navigate the complex dynamics of working with CEOs, whether they’re first-timers or seasoned leaders.

  • Learn how to actively listen and align with your CEO’s vision, even when it’s not fully formed. 
  • Discover techniques for handling high-stress situations and managing all different flavors of executive leaders. 
  • Explore real-world examples of successful CEO-CMO relationships and how subtle coaching can lead to transformational growth. 
  • Understand the importance of setting boundaries, using common language, and being adaptable in the face of ever-changing business demands.

If you’re a marketing leader looking to strengthen your relationship with your CEO and drive greater success for your organization, this episode is packed with practical advice and insights you won’t want to miss! 

What You’ll Learn 

  • How to build a better relationship with your CEO 
  • Tips for active listening 
  • How to navigate fundamental disagreements 

The CMO Change Agent

How can marketing truly lead transformational change in an organization? In this episode, top B2B CMOs Paige O’Neill of Seismic, Kevin Ruane of Precisely, and Amy Messano of Altair share their experiences and strategies for driving big change within their organizations. 

  • Uncover the strategies behind successful brand consolidation and the impact it has on growth and employee engagement. 
  • Explore how to position marketing at the center of your business strategy and why it’s crucial for driving long-term success. 
  • Hear real-life stories of how these marketing leaders have navigated the challenges of shifting to ABM, embracing generative AI, and fostering a culture of innovation. 
  • Gain insights into securing and maintaining executive and board-level buy-in for ambitious marketing initiatives.

If you’re ready to take on the role of a change agent in your organization, this episode offers the insights and inspiration you need to lead with confidence. Tune in!

What You’ll Learn 

  • How 3 CMOs drive change at their organizations 
  • How to navigate an acquisitive brand 
  • Tips for driving organizational change 

How to Be a Standout Startup

Standing out in the B2B world isn’t getting any easier. In this episode, we dive deep into the art of positioning with Allyson Letteri, author of Standout Startup. 

  • Learn the top three mistakes brands make and how to avoid them 
  • Discover how to create compelling messaging that sets you apart 
  • Hear real-world success stories from companies like Handshake and Thumbtack 
  • Understand the importance of alignment between marketing and sales 
  • Get actionable tips on content strategy and customer journey optimization

If you’re ready to transform your startup into a standout success, this episode is packed with practical advice you won’t want to miss!

And to hear more from Allyson, she’ll be speaking at the upcoming CMO Super Huddle in Palo Alto (Nov 7th-8th, 2024).

What You’ll Learn 

  • 3 key positioning mistakes most brands are making 
  • How to create compelling messaging that sets you apart 
  • Why you need to map to the customer journey 
  • Real world use cases of B2B brands who mastered positioning