The Marketing Stir: Recent Episodes

The Marketing Stir

The Marketing Stir Podcast by Stirista hosted by Stirista’s VP of B2B Products Vincent Pietrafesa along with Founder / CEO Ajay Gupta, The Marketing Stir brings on industry leaders to get their take on the current challenges of the market, whatever that may be.

Both captivating personalities, Gupta and Pietrafesa (who moonlights as a standup comic) along with Producer Vin Lapsley (Stirista’s videographer and production editor), promise an engaging conversation with leaders of a variety of industries and brands.

If you’re interested in being a guest on the podcast, email us at info@themarketingstir.com

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On this week's episode of The Marketing Stir podcast, from Stirista, Kate Slivinski joins Vincent to discuss her role at Pearson, and promoting continuing education and workforce skill development.

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On this week’s episode of The Marketing Stir, Mani Iyer joins Ajay and Vincent to discuss his role as a pioneer in the Account Based Marketing space, as well as how Kwanzoo has evolved as a company since its inception.

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In this week's episode of The Marketing Stir podcast, Laura Vanderslice, Director of Marketing, Planning, and Strategy at Sam's Club joins Ajay and Vincent to discuss some of her past campaigns, the differences between wholesale and retail marketing, and the future of retail marketing.

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On this week's episode of The Marketing Stir, Andrew Barbuto, Senior Agency Lead at Basis Technologies, joins Vincent to discuss his experiences and strategies in sales, the shift from cable TV advertising to CTV, and his upcoming book.

Learn more about this week's guest at these links below:

LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/in/andrewbarbuto

Company Website – www.basis.com

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On this week's episode of the Marketing Stir Podcast, Sarah Zurell from CELS Brands joins Ajay and Vincent to discuss what it's like to balance multiple brands with distinct target audiences, the benefits of going corporate, and how social media and e-commerce have changed the industry.

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On this week's episode of The Marketing Stir Podcast, Matt Dacey, VP of Global Marketing at Tripadvisor, joins Vincent to discuss his experiences working in a re-emerging travel industry, in the wake of the pandemic.

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On this week's episode of the Marketing Stir Podcast Kevin O'Connor joins Vincent to discuss breaking into the US Market, the future of the marketing landscape, and his 'Design First' mindset as Director of Growth at DesignIt

Save 25% when you register for B2BMX East with promo code MXeStir25

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On this week's episode of The Marketing Stir Podcast. Hugo Gomez from Abogados Now joins Vincent to discuss the nuances and complexities of creating marketing campaigns designed to effectively reach a Hispanic audience.

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On this week's episode of the Marketing Stir Podcast, Ajay and Vincent chat with Brad Barnett, VP of Enterprise Marketing at Nationwide. To Discuss the

marketing strategies that turned a small farm insurance company, into an iconic household name.

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On This Weeks Episode, Co-Founders of Origin Media, Stephen Strong and Fred Godfrey join Vincent to discuss the future of Connected TV, the ins and outs of Dynamic Marketing, and the risks involved in starting their own business from the ground up.

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On This Weeks Episode, Vincent and Ajay dive into the world of sports

and live entertainment with Matt Lawler, VP of Data and Insights, and

Global Partnerships at AEG.

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On this weeks episode, Anna Bell from Central Garden and Pet joins Ajay and Vincent to discuss her journey selling the finer things in life, from the wine business to the pet business.

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On this week's episode of The Marketing Stir Podcast, Vincent and Ajay go international to explore the world of localization, and global scale marketing campaigns, with Annemieke Scott, Director of Marketing at Acclaro

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On this weeks episode, Shelley Pratt Director of Marketing Communications and Media at Infiniti Motor Company, joins Vincent to discuss Infiniti's "Infinitely You" campaign, how Infiniti markets like a startup, and the importance of quality data in her role at Infiniti.

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In this weeks episode of The Marketing Stir Podcast, Aaron Goldman, Chief Marketing Officer at Mediaocean, joins Ajay and Vincent to discuss the changing landscape of the marketing world, catering campaigns to different target demographics, and creating effective strategies on the global, national, and regional levels

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On this week’s episode of The Marketing Stir Podcast, Mark Osbourne, founder of Modern Revenue Strategies and Author of “Are Your Leads Killing Your Business?”, joins Ajay and Vincent to discuss the key ingredients that you can use to craft a successful marketing strategy.

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In this weeks episode Vincent has a chat with John McWilliams from LexisNexis Risk Solutions, about his meteoric rise in the marketing world, and how he leverages consumer data to provide both marketing, and risk management services for his clients.

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In this week's episode, Pierson Curtis, Director of Marketing Strategy at H&R Block joined

the podcast to discuss their strategy, and how real-time customer

feedback during tax season forces him to be nimble, as one of the

largest tax preparers in the US.

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Take a look back on season 3 thus far with some of our favorite guests including Rosie O'Meara, the Chief Revenue Officer at Groundtruth, Kevin Tate, CMO of Clearbit, Palmer Houchins, Head of Marketing at G2

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Take a look back on season 3 thus far with some of our favorite guests including Casey Hurbis, the CMO at Rocket Mortgage; Andrew Harder, the Senior Paid Media Manager WebEx Events at Cisco; and Lauren Sallata, the CMO at Ricoh North America."

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Lauren Sallata, Chief Marketing Officer at Ricoh North America, chats with us about how taking ownership of knowledge and experience with technology can disrupt the market

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Amanda Dyson, the Global Head of Demand Generation and ABM at E2open, chats with us about how diversity across all audiences and geographies is vital for a company brand.

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Kim Morales, the Vice President of Marketing at Hawkers, chats with Ajay and Vincent about how using multiple media channels to tell the company's story and establish awareness helps increase engagement.

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Grant Johnson, Chief Marketing Officer at Billtrust, chats about how taking risks can help disrupt the market and yield bigger results than settling.

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Jonas Ng, Chief Operating Officer at Laurel Road, chats with Ajay and Vincent about focusing on the needs of a particular target segment, and how you can potentially grow interest in other products and services.

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Roopa Maniktala, the Marketing Program Director at IBM, talks about how allowing employees to feel included and involved in the business allows for access to building new skills that grow the brand

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Joe Frick, Head of Partnership Development at Oracle, joins Vincent to talk about how remaining curious creates a drive to work toward telling a story with data in marketing.

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Casey Hurbis, Chief Marketing Officer at Rocket Mortgage, chats with us about being bold with taking risks and investing in new technology to help build a brand.

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Casey Hurbis, Chief Marketing Officer at Rocket Mortgage, chats with us about being bold with taking risks and investing in new technology to help build a brand.

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Karen Humphries Sallick, Co-founder of Contacts411, chats with Vincent about the early days of CRM and target marketing, and how determined her company was to help build databases for clients.

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Katherine Lehman, Director of Digital Marketing at Onfleet, chats with us about ways to make jobs easier for companies and staying transparent with consumers.

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Jaime Punishill, the Chief Market Officer at nCino chats with us about how having a product differentiation in the market makes marketing easier, and how as a single platform, the company data model can be usable across every unit of business. Ajay enjoys his favorite lunch restaurant, and Vincent enjoys an extra hour of sleep.

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Rosie O'Meara, the Chief Revenue Officer at Groundtruth talks about the intersection of online shoppers and in-store shoppers, and how smart brands keep aware of this activity.

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Tiana Noveen, the Director of Marketing at Athlete Studio chats about personalization for both marketers and consumers, and how NFTs are a big change in marketing options. Vincent is glowing after a trip to Mexico, and Ajay likes his food spicy.

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Renee Brown, the Chief Marketing Officer at iLending, discusses partnerships and a focus on digital advertising, and how both make a big difference for marketing. Vincent and Ajay both enjoy traveling for conferences.  

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Chris Madden, Co-Founder of Matchnode, talks about how his familiarity with entrepreneurship allowed for him to enjoy finding solutions in business. Vincent is joined by Brian Gold as our guest co-host.

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Palmer Houchins, Head of Marketing at G2, talks about acquisition, leads, and opportunities created by a strong team, and how customers are advocates allowing for opportunities to grow. Ajay dons some glowing orange Stirista apparel, and Vincent is happy to have friends.

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Kevin Tate, CMO of Clearbit, joins Ajay and Vincent this week. He talks about how B2C and B2B are becoming similar, yet remain different, and how there is a need to understand a target market. Vincent welcomes Ajay back, and Ajay takes his win in Fantasy Football.

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Tina Scala, SVP of Global Sales at Qualifi/Informa Markets, chats with Vincent about finding new ways to reach clients when they aren't attending live events. She discusses how an omnichannel approach was the key to connecting digitally without exhausting online video calls. 

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Tina Scala, SVP of Global Sales at Qualifi and Informa Markets, chats with Vincent about finding new ways to reach clients when they aren't attending live events. She discusses how an omnichannel approach was the key to connecting digitally without exhausting online video calls.

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Ryan Ruud, Founder and CEO of Lake One, and Vincent discuss how organizational culture has an effect on marketing and about how accountability allows for growth. Ajay isn't feeling well, so Vincent takes this episode on solo.

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Andrew Harder, Senior Paid Media Manager, WebEx Events at Cisco, has a chat with Ajay and Vincent about the different experiences of marketing between B2B and B2C audiences, and the importance of becoming a well-rounded marketer. Ajay has a busy week, and San Antonio rolls out the red carpet for Vincent

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Larry Shaffer, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Business Development at Insperity, joins Ajay and Vincent this week on the show. He talks about how advancing the brand, finding direct leads, and creating opportunities are valued strategies.

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Neej Gore, Chief Data Officer at Zeta Global, joins the Marketing Stir this week to chat with Ajay and Vincent about data democratization and responding to consumer decisions. Ajay enjoys napping, and Vincent listens to '90s Hip Hop.

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Albert Thompson, Managing Director at Walton Isaacson, joins The Marketing Stir this week to chat with Ajay and Vincent about consumers' attention.

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Look back on moments from season 3 thus far regarding how to react to cold messages on LinkedIn. Join Ajay and Vincent with guests such as Ian Helms, Director of Growth Marketing at Q Digital; Kate Gunning, the Founder and Chief Marketing Advisor at Crush Brands; Drew Moffit, Marketing at KumoSpace; Brooke Papiri, the Chief of Staff for Marketing and Communications at Lyft; and Heather McLeod, Chief Marketing Officer at Authority Brands.

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Ajay and Vincent chat with Brooke Chapman, Executive Director of ThreeBy3. She talks about how understanding customers and building a meaningful relationship will help marketers plan a pathway to picking a marketing channel. Ajay wins the Texas under 40 Championships for tennis, and Vincent runs into actors at the park.

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Ajay and Vincent chat with Heather McLeod, Chief Marketing Officer at Authority Brands. She talks about how a hybrid work schedule allows for more creativity from varying locations. Ajay gets into football, and Vincent approves of Ajay's haircut.

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Ajay and Vincent chat with Brooke Papiri, the Chief of Staff for Marketing and Communications at Lyft. She talks about how new services over the years keeps business interesting for customers and employees. Vincent is extra caffeinated, and Ajay schedules a haircut.

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Ajay and Vincent chat with Drew Moffitt, Marketing at KumoSpace. He talks about the importance of human connection regardless of if a company is operating in office, fully remote, or with a hybrid approach. Ajay enjoys a weekend at the Horseshoe Bay Resort, and Vincent looks forward to the upcoming Holiday Summit on December 8th.

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Ajay and Vincent chat with Kate Gunning, the Founder and Chief Marketing Advisor at Crush Brands. She talks about how curiosity is the key to effective marketing, and how technology and Social Media can help drive consideration for brands. Ajay attends Halloween parties, and Vincent can't handle a real drink.

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Ajay and Vincent chat with Natalie Marcotullio, the Head of Growth and Operations at Navattic. She talks about how gaining leads via word of mouth is a good early sign of a company taking off, and how SEO is a big part of their marketing strategy. Ajay hosts a panel at AdWeek, and Vincent is ready to host the Silver Apple Awards on November 10th

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While Ajay is away Vincent chats with Ian Helms, Director of Growth Marketing at Q Digital. He talks about how engaging, and creating a relationship, with marginalized communities is more authentic than using diversity as a PR act in building a foundation of trust. Vincent is excited to meet Marketing Stir listeners at AdWeek

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Ajay and Vincent chat with Nicole Brooks, Senior Director, Brand and Customer Marketing at Realtor.com. She talks about how forming relationships between the brand and customers is very important, and how feedback and communication benefit all parties. Ajay looks forward to a busy week, and he and Vincent face off in fantasy football.

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Ajay and Vincent chat with Jay Jaffin, CMO at Blackhawk Network. He talks about diverse use cases as a marketer, and the effectiveness of a referral program for customers. Vincent sees a show on broadway, and Ajay plays 14 hours of tennis.

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The Marketing Stir tips off Season 3 with Ajay and Vincent welcoming Ben Conrad, VP of Digital Marketing and automation at Milwaukee Bucks. He talks about how community pride plays a big role in their brand and helps lead to successful campaigns. Ajay and the Marketing Stir team are excited to kick off season 3, but Vincent is missing!

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Vincent and Ajay chat with Chip Russo, CRO at TruthSet. He discusses consumer data, and how TruthSet works to measure its accuracy. Vincent looks forward to nice weather, and Ajay has a busy month.

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Ajay and Vincent chat with Daniel Bornstein, VP, head of software and digital platforms, Genpact. He talks about how technology stacks for sales and marketing cross over, and how personalized marketing with technology in a solid blend is effective for satisfied customers. Vincent gets a fresh haircut, and Ajay feels like the world is finally normal again.

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Vincent and Ajay chat with Katie Shire-Engleman, VP of Marketing at Giant Eagle. She talks about how her team is experimenting with digital out-of-home now that a lot of the public is opening up, as well as how important customer feedback is for the company. Vincent looks forward for a trip to San Antonio this month, and Ajay is going through Vincent withdrawals.

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Welcome to the Marketing Stir highlight by Stirista! This week we revisit some of our favorite moments captured this year so far on the show! We'll be taking a look back at moments with Deanna Kotch, VP of Marketing at Red Lobster; Karl Wells, Chief Subscriptions officer at Dow Jones; Andrea Jo DeWerd, Senior Director of Marketing at Mariner Lifestyle; and Fariba Zamaniyan, VP of advanced media and advertising at TiVo. Give it a listen!

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Welcome to the Marketing Stir highlight by Stirista! This week we revisit some of our favorite moments captured this year so far on the show! We'll be taking a look back at moments with Deanna Kotch, VP of Marketing at Red Lobster; Karl Wells, Chief Subscriptions officer at Dow Jones; Andrea Jo DeWerd, Senior Director of Marketing at Mariner Lifestyle; and Fariba Zamaniyan, VP of advanced media and advertising at TiVo. Give it a listen!

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Vincent and Ajay chat with Todd Kaplan, Chief Marketing Officer (VP of Marketing at the time of recording) at Pepsico. He talks about how Pepsi is a household name, and how over the decades the brand does more than just average advertising with creating content. Vincent goes on vacation to a resort, and Ajay is happy to see Vincent.

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Vincent and Ajay chat with Todd Kaplan, VP of Marketing at Pepsico. He talks about how Pepsi is a household name, and how over the decades the brand does more than just average advertising with creating content. Vincent goes on vacation to a resort, and Ajay is happy to see Vincent.

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Vincent and Ajay chat with Julie Roehm, the CMO at Party City. She expains how customer journey mapping helps determine the customer experience from start to finish. Ajay can't spell Vincent's name, and Vincent suggests a game of beer pong.

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Vincent and Ajay chat with David Young, the VP marketing adult career learning at Stride. He talks about how the pandemic lead the company to making some drastic choices in marketing options, such as turning it off altogether, and learning the value of marketing as a whole. Vincent Ajay sneaks in some time competing in tennis during recovery, and Vincent says he's more of a football guy.

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Vincent and Ajay chat with Jasmine Martirossian, VP of Marketing, Tuv Sud. She explains how Tuv Sud, as a company of over 150 years, provides safety for everyday things we consume and use, as well as using an agile approach to marketing rather than a traditional style to get desired outcomes. Ajay recovers from covid being caught in the Gupta Household, and Vincent asks Alexa to play the Marketing Stir.

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Vincent and Ajay chat with Fariba Zamaniyan, VP, Advanced Media and Advertising at TiVo. She talks about how TiVo is more than an original DVR service, and how they utilize data to evolve and change the world of entertainment access through television. Ajay's wrist heals steadily, and Vincent is feeling below average.

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Vincent and Ajay chat with Fariba Zamaniyan, VP, Advanced Media and Advertising at TiVo. She talks about how TiVo is more than an original DVR service, and how they utilize data to evolve and change the world of entertainment access through television. Ajay's wrist heals steadily, and Vincent is feeling below average.

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Vincent and Ajay chat with Andrea Jo DeWerd, Senior Director of Marketing at Mariner Lifestyle at Harper Collins. She talks about how reaching and understanding readers is an important start to marketing published books. Vincent stays away from sneezing folks on the elevator, and Ajay meets a friend for breakfast.

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Ajay and Vincent chat with Karl Wells, Chief Subscriptions Officer at Dow Jones. He talks about how marketing in different countries and continents makes for an interesting challenge, staying relevant and appealing to each different audience. Vincent looks forward to warm San Antonio weather in the winter, and Ajay pronounces Vincent's last name correctly.

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Vincent and Ajay chat with Kristen Engelhardt, SVP at Automation Anywhere. She talks about how empowering companies to use their technology--and using the right tools, programs, and resources--help grow skills and careers. Ajay boasts about some rare whiskey bottles to try, and Vincent is ready to flaunt his energy at the office.

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Vincent and Ajay chat with Ketty Trivedi, CMO at Prudential Group Insurance. She talks about how marketing automation helps with keeping customer experiences consistent and connected. Ajay steers clear of covid, and Vincent tries to keep him from falling asleep.

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Vincent and Ajay chat with Betsy Schneider, the VP of Marketing at BI Worldwide. She talks about how she is able to help inspire companies and their employees to take risks and seize opportunities, all while increasing brand awareness. Vincent enjoys his San Antonio visit, and Ajay recovers from a weekend of holiday parties

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Vincent and Ajay chat with Nataly Huff, VP of Marketing at Miracle-Ear. She talks about the importance of understanding the emotional state of an audience to help better marketing strategies. Vincent sports a new set of orange headphones, and Ajay enjoys warm weather.

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Vincent and Ajay talk with Deanna Kotch, VP of Marketing at Red Lobster. She talks about how the brand keeps up with the changes over time and appealing to younger audiences. Ajay looks forward to the holiday season and vacations, and Vincent feels nostalgic for Red Lobster family dinners.

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Vincent and Ajay get excited for the upcoming 100th episode of The Marketing Stir Podcast by Stirista featuring Deanna Kotch, VP of Marketing at Red Lobster

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Vincent and Ajay chat with Josh Anisfeld, VP of Digital Marketing at Heidrick and Struggles. He talks about how his company helps with culture-shaping for all sorts of organizations around the globe. Ajay is off to Hawaii, and Vincent remineces about traveling, himself.

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Vincent and Ajay chat with Sonia Oblitey, Global Marketing Director at OkCupid. Sonia discusses how the dating app can be used to approach romance in a slow and meaningful way, and how the inclusiveness of OkCupid makes the app appealing all over the world. Ajay looks 12 years younger, and Vincent is a fan of clean-cut looks.

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Vincent and Ajay chat with Kim Lauersdorf, VP of Marketing at EmblemHealth. She talks about the fun challenges that lie with differentiating marketing from product to product in the health industry, and how using creativity can work around constraints. Vincent hosts the Silver Apple Awards, and Ajay looks forward to finishing off a strong year.

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Vincent talks with Adam Bleibtreu, the CMO at ASGN Incorporated. They talk about Adam taking on the CMO role at both ASGN and Creative Circle simultaneously and his past experiences leading him to where he is today. Ajay is traveling, and Vincent takes on this episode solo.

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Vincent and Ajay talk with Christine Escribano, Senior Vice President of Marketing at NBC Universal! She discusses how marketing is a dimensional industry, and how telling brand stories helps with sales. Vincent loves the fall weather in New York, and Ajay wins a tournament!

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Vincent and Ajay meet with Jesse Bayer, SVP, Group Strategy Director at DDB. He discusses growth within long term brand effects and short term sales effects and how marketing can grow but stay unchanged. Ajay recovers from a tennis injury, and Vincent takes a fall in Dallas.

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Vincent and Ajay talk with Edward Bourelly, the VP of Marketing at Planet Fitness. He talks about how not only marketing strategies change over time, but the way consumers diversify how they consume content. Ajay has an odd week at the quiet office, and Vincent gets nostalgic about growing up in the 90s.

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Vincent and Ajay have a chat with John Busby, chief marketing officer and managing director at centerfirled. He talks about capturing first party data from customers and brands and how brands look for long term customer relationships. Vincent visits San Antonio again, and Ajay feels like the month between visits felt too long.

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Vincent and Ajay have a chat with Dale Durrett, VP of partnerships at Bombora. Dale discuss how understanding customers and prospects can greatly help with engagement within the buying cycle. Ajay is glad that Texas weather finally feels like fall, and Vincent looks forward to hotel upgrades.

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Vincent and Ajay talk with Anudit Vikram, the Chief product officer at Media Math. He talks about how the global pandemic's affect on remote work helped workers develop better relationships with the help of video calls and also about how cookies going away affects the industry. Ajay visits the Spurs headquarters, and Vincent is a teensy bit jealous.

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Vincent and Ajay chat with Ian Johnson, the Global COO at Kinesso. He talks about how his role makes company visions happen, and how a start in engineering eventually led him to a career in strategy. Ajay takes his kids to see elephants, and Vincent is excited to visit the Alamo.

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Vincent and Ajay chat with Gretchen Eischen, Chief Marketing Officer at Icertis. They discuss strategy structure as well as technology that helps businesses use data. Ajay is delighted to continue season 2, and Vincent gets some new digs.

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Vincent and Ajay chat with Amber Armstrong, Chief Marketing Officer at LivePerson about how conversational commerce brings brands and consumers close together. Ajay nearly gets a free car wash, and Vincent is extraordinarily excited.

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David Danziger, Vice President of Data Partnerships at The Trade Desk, discusses the recent release of the Solimar platform, the necessity for Unified ID, as well as Danziger’s love for the Detroit Red Wings. Ajay discusses his trip to New York, and Vincent talks about the wrong sport.

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Chad Englegau, CEO at Acxiom, discusses the importance of building an identity graph, the intricacies of remote work and the business ecosystem, and the band he thinks is a good model for marketing. Ajay celebrates his SAMMIE award, and Vincent leans into awkward selfies.

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Marketing experts from Alight Solutions, Wrike, True Influence, VDC and Stirista discuss AI, demand generation, intent, and compliance and privacy.

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Marketing experts from MasterCard, Pitney Bowes, Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions, and Sprinklr discuss the ways they craft their messaging to appeal to their various audiences.

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Marketing experts from Gorjana, Chubbies, Shinesty, and Public Rec discuss the various strategies each brand uses to find (and keep) customers.

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Marketing experts from Moore, Merkle, Stein IAS, and Equifax discuss the art and science of leveraging data for effective B2B marketing strategies.

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Marketing experts from Makespace, City Furniture, Lovesac and The Farmer’s Dog discuss how their direct-to-consumer model became essential for their customers during the pandemic.

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Marketing experts at Pearle Vision, Advance Auto Parts, Regal Cinemas and Nissan all explain how they use data to put their brand in front of the right people.

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Jared Gardner, Vice President of Digital Marketing at Sprinklr, discusses the company’s recent IPO, the ins and outs of “technical marketing,” as well as the future of cookieless marketing channels. Gardner also shares the unexpected tasks that come with being a promotions director for a radio station. Ajay is preparing for a trip to New York and Vincent is happy to be hosting events again.

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Howie Zisser (Head of Marketing) and Zach Goldstein (CEO/Founder) of Public Rec discuss the challenges of expanding the product line of the leisure apparel brand, as well as the particulars to consider when working with social media influencers. Ajay looks forward to a trip to New York, and Vincent is not a fan of open-toed shoes.

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Fredrik Carlegren, Vice President of Global Marketing at Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions, discusses digital transformation, the challenges of marketing in different regions, and how to resonate with someone on LinkedIn. Ajay is impressed by a workout regimen, and Vincent is excited about visiting San Antonio.

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This week Vincent is joined by Karl Can Delden. Karl, VP of Engineering at Stirista, discusses the new division AccessB2B and its new product, the DX Platform. You'll also hear Karl quiz Vincent about BBQ and Vincent experiencing the "Texas-ness" of Buc-ee's. Tune in to learn what to expect from the new DX Platform.

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Doug Kaczmarek, Chief Data Officer at Moore, explores his work as a data scientist before it was called being a “data scientist.” He also discusses SimioCloud and how the company leverages consumer data for the nonprofit sector. Ajay feels a little more normal, and Vincent is worried about being called interim GM.

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Vijay Ramachandran, Vice President of Marketing Strategy and Planning at Pitney Bowes, discusses the challenges of developing marketing strategies for a company that’s been around for a century. He offers insight into an industry that operates in both the physical and digital worlds, as well as how to prospect without coming off like a carnival barker. Ajay raises funds for a good cause, and Vincent is excited about Vegas.

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Kelley Michalik, Chief Marketing Officer at Alight Solutions, details her journey with the company and how her role enables a mindset for reinvention. She also shares her surprising response to when someone gets her name wrong in an email. Ajay has a customer service nightmare, and Vincent lends an ear.

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Allyson Witherspoon, Chief Marketing Officer at Nissan, details her globe-hopping career arc that took her everywhere from Amsterdam to Japan. She also discusses the transition from “kicking the tires” to researching cars in the digital space, as well as how shopping for a new car doesn’t need to be an either/or experience. Ajay gets a new laptop and Vincent remembers with fondness his Nissan Altima.

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Yogesh Deep, Senior Vice President of Growth and Strategic Pricing at Advance Auto Parts, shares his journey of how he started out as a chemical engineer to his current role with the company. Along with Advance’s B2B operations, he also discusses the success of giving frontline team members authority to override their pricing system in-store. Ajay is glad to not be on a billboard, and Vincent wishes he owned a car.

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Michael Bouteneff, Global Marketing Director, Strategic Growth at MasterCard, shares, as he calls it, his "meandering" career journey that touches on molecular biology and music publishing, among other things. He also discusses in depth the current state of the marketing event space. Ajay has some thoughts on public transportation, and Vincent claims he knows how to drive.

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This week we are joined by Amin Makhani (SVP, Growth Strategy, Bento Box); Nick Panayi (CMO, Amelia); and Karolina Kocalevski (VP, Global Head of Marketing & Communications, Orion Innovation) to discuss innovations on the lead generation front, the biggest changes each organization has undertaken in the last year, as well as how each guest’s role within their own company has shifted. Ajay buys a new laptop, and Vincent is feeling very special.

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This week Ray Estevez, CIO of True Influence, joins us to share how his company leverages intent data for their customers, and how he’s realized the importance of soft skills in a leadership role. He also spells out the advantages of remaining authentic, no matter the ask. Ajay sports an Irish jersey, and Vincent wears a dad sweater. Tune in now!

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Scott Andrew, CEO of Retail Service Systems and CEO/Founder of Rugged Holdings, shares his less-than-legal beginnings as an entrepreneur, and how realizing early on that being “unemployable” as he describes it, was one of his best assets. He also walks through the particulars of managing several companies at once. Ajay deals with a snowpocalypse, and Vincent learns a new word.

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This week we have Ian Wright, Chief Data Officer, Data-Driven Marketing at Equifax! Ian dives into the particulars of how data is handled in various parts of an organization, and how legislation is changing the data landscape. He also shares with the guys the backstory to his multiple citizenships. Ajay chops some wood and Vincent professes his love for rugby.

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This episode of The Marketing Stir podcast by Stirista, Vincent and Ajay will be having a conversation with Heidi Cerenzia.  Heidi is Vice President, Global Demand Generation at Wrike. They will be discussing how demand generations have evolved over the years.

Highlights:

  • Wrike is a collaborative work management tool
  • Dealing with the pandemic
  • You choose your destination
  • Empower and enable your team to be successful

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Linda Fisk, CEO and Founder of LeadHERship Global, explains how her organization works to help women advance their careers and follow through with their visions of success. She also admits to leaning in on the binge watching in the last year. Ajay compares himself to Tom Brady, and Vincent asks for some feedback.

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Matt Collins, Chief Marketing Officer at Calix, explains why it’s important to keep your commercial strategy grounded in your value proposition, as well as the benefits of making collaboration a top priority. He also shares with the guys why he gets up at 4:30 every morning. Ajay has plans for a t-shirt and Vincent brings back an old nickname.

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Derek Pando, Head of International Marketing, Partner Marketing and Localization at Zoom, discusses what made Zoom stand out among the competition, and the importance of helping people have fun even though they’re apart. He also tells an amazing story about being a Scoutmaster in San Francisco. Ajay had a good meeting and Vincent wears ear warmers.

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Erik Huberman, Founder and CEO of Hawke Media, discusses his podcast, Hawke Talk, as well as how he thrives on a lack of consistency. He also tells the guys about the time he was a top-ranked World of Warcraft player. Ajay revels in the San Antonio snow, and Vincent wishes he was more entertaining.

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Matt Staudt, President & CEO of VDC and the new Chief Strategy Officer at Stirista, discusses the nature of the new partnership between the two companies, as well as the current state of the alternative data space. He also gives a rundown of his favorite binge watches. Ajay reminisces, and Vincent gets bagels from Costco.

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Sam Huston, Chief Strategy Officer at 3Q Digital, discusses the importance of client diversification, as well as the push for authenticity in marketing. He also delves into why false urgency is a bad tactic. Ajay gets another nickname and Vincent mails some socks.

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Sebastian Opperman, Vice President of Marketing at IONIS, discusses the expansive responsibilities of his role as VP for the cloud service provider. He also offers insight on the differences between privacy standards in the EU and the U.S. Ajay is still great at tennis, and Vincent steals some thunder.

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Gerry Marrone, Chief Revenue Officer at SPAR Group, discusses his childhood paper route, and how it carved out his path into marketing. He goes into detail about innovations in queue-line and curbside marketing strategies. They also delve into his passion for soccer. Ajay tries some whiskey, and Vincent decorates the house.

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Andrew Koenig, President at CITY Furniture, tells the story of how his father and uncle’s waterbed-selling endeavor evolved into south Florida’s number one furniture retailer. He also goes in-depth about the company’s supply chain, as well as the rebirth of the waterbed. Ajay is just waking up, and Vincent loves to party.

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Andrew Almendras, Vice President of Global Creative Marketing at IMAX, explores what the power of creativity, design and storytelling looks like in his role, and how that contributes to the brand’s evolved identity. He and Vincent also share their experiences with the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. Ajay gets a custom pair of socks, and Vincent continues his nicknaming streak.

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Michael McLaren, Global CEO - B2B Group at Merkle, explores the transformation B2B has experienced the last few years and how Merkle works to build best-in-breed solutions for their clients. He also discusses the “book club” he started with his wife. Ajay puts up some impressive email numbers, and Vincent loves plants.

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Franck Ardourel, Senior Marketing Principal Workforce Strategy Innovation at Amazon, discusses how the use of machine learning and artificial intelligence impacts marketing, but also how his role in recruitment is people-focused. He also shares a story about meeting Mark Zuckerberg. Ajay loves to travel and Vincent has a good day at work.

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Greg Simpson, VP Head of Marketing for Saama, explains how they help accelerate clinical trials, and how the close-knit relationship between sales and marketing achieves this. He also shares a story about something he’s done in every state in the U.S. Ajay is back on the tennis court, and Vincent discovers the wonders of modern medicine.

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Roe Palermo, former Vice President of Brand Experience and Visual Merchandising at Stein Mart, explores her role with the department store brand, and how she viewed herself as a matchmaker for brands and stores. She also goes into great detail about how she finds inspiration everywhere she goes. Ajay gives a lecture about driving cars and Vincent learns that Bloody Marys are everywhere.

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Tom Stein, Chairman and Chief Client Officer at Stein IAS, explains how his role is about advancing the company’s presence in the world, and offers up a list of their impressive clientele. He also goes into detail about how he introduced the “entrepreneurial spirit” into his family. Ajay takes one for the tennis team, and Vincent is worried about sneezing.

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Nancy Giordano, Founder and Strategic Futurist at Play Big, spells out what it means to be a strategic futurist, as well as the work that goes into identifying and addressing systemic injustices. She also discusses the power of saying thank you. Ajay is a boy genius, and Vincent has his eye on a silver apple.

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Miriam Kendall, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Makespace, explores the wide-ranging role she has with the brand, as well as her time at Under Armour. She also discusses her involvement with the non-profit Play Like a Girl. Ajay ponders a turtleneck, and Vincent wears a nice suit jacket for once.

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Nick Panayi, Chief Marketing Officer at Amelia, discusses the practical uses of conversational AI, as well as his own career evolution. He also explains how he sees account-based marketing as a discipline, and not just a marketing strategy. Ajay loves Mondays and Vincent needs more coffee.

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Christina Carey Dunleavy, Vice President Portfolio Integrated Marketing and Partnerships at Discovery, discusses Discovery’s new streaming service as well as the brand’s reputation for authentic storytelling. She also shares a couple of other career aspirations she had as a first grader. Vincent is wearing pink again and Ajay needs to do his laundry.

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In our 50th episode, Doug Zarkin, Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Pearle Vision, discusses the importance of understanding people and how their roles impact the larger mission with a brand. He also delves into why he prefers passion over expertise when it comes to hiring. Ajay shares that he was a latecomer to turkey, and Vincent eats a bacon egg and cheese on a roll.

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Eduardo Amaral, Growth Marketing Analyst at Brooklinen, spells out his role with the company and how starting his own business at the age of 17 helped him to get there. He also explains what an internship at Disney World taught him about empathy. Ajay is wearing Batman pajamas and Vincent is wearing a pink sweater.

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Jens Nicolaysen, Co-founder and CMO at Shinesty, discusses the irreverent nature of their brand, as well as the strategy involved with advertising offbeat product lines. They also dive into the origins of Jens’ first business selling skateboard wax. Ajay has trouble sleeping, and Vincent receives an unusual email.

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Nick Jordan, Founder of Narrative, explains how being in the weeds isn’t always a bad thing and how his work is like a middle-school dance. He also explains the nontraditional way he became a Mets fan. Ajay is fun and upbeat, and Vincent reminisces about a first date.

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Amin Makhani, Vice President of Growth at Bento Box, explains what exactly it means to be a vice president of growth and how search has become a powerful factor in identifying clientele. Vincent and Amin discuss their shared standup comedy endeavours. Ajay celebrates an anniversary, and Vincent rides shotgun.

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Ken Thewes, Chief Marketing Officer at Regal Cinemas, offers up firsthand how their theaters have continued to serve both consumer and B2B audiences during a challenging time for the industry. He also shares what the movies Grease and The Hunchback of Notre Dame have in common for him. Ajay gets some sleep, and Vincent makes a figure skating reference.

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Sasha Mircov, Vice President of Operations at AdColony, explores rewarded video, privacy and other elements of the future of mobile marketing. He also explains the nuances of being a gamer. Ajay has his hands full and Vincent is curious about Flag Day.

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Louise Pritchard, CMO at Shopii, goes in-depth about the ever-changing challenges of the grocery industry, and how Shopii works to foster a seamless shopping journey. She also offers up her experience with the obstacles and wins that come with being a woman in tech. Ajay takes a couple naps and Vincent runs out of dad shirts.

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Katie Kirschner, Vice President of Brand Content and Digital Marketing at NCR, explains how ubiquitous NCR’s software offerings are, and explains in depth the importance of developing a robust content strategy. She also offers a rundown of the seven languages she speaks. Ajay’s happy and jolly, and Vincent has nothing to do with it. Give it a listen.

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Sue Beckett, VP of Digital Marketing and E-Commerce at Lovesac, explores how the brand’s foundation is built on moving away from planned obsolescence, and how the company has managed to thrive from their cult following on social media. She also offers some insight into navigating the data marketing landscape as a whole. Ajay goes on a getaway and Vincent dreams of the African safari.

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Ajay Prakash, CEO and Cofounder of Rinse, delves into how he and his cofounder introduced technology to the old-school industry of dry cleaning. He also explores ways in which the company uses its reach and infrastructure to give back to the community, and how Rinse, according to Prakash, has actually saved marriages. Our Ajay chooses a wrestling name, and Vincent talks to his son about rats.

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Karolina Kocalevski, Vice President, Global Head of Marketing at Orion Innovation, explains the parallels between marketing and her previous career in academic publishing. She also delves into how starting and remaining small for a long time helped Orion scale quickly, and how she overcame her fear of being on camera. Ajay gets a live-fish delivery, and Vincent wants to hear about the pond.

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Ryan Hartman, Sr. Vice President of Paid Media at The Zebra, shares the moves they made to differentiate themselves as a brand, why they decided to relocate to Austin from Pittsburgh, and how he came to follow the mantra, “Sales overnight, brand over time.” Ajay is having a good day, and Vincent is afraid of getting slapped in the face.

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Erich Hellstrom, Manager of Retention Marketing at Chubbies, explains how his experience doing improv has helped his career, why he volunteered to be a model for a brand campaign, and how they’ve leveraged product placements for some popular television programming. Ajay is an avid napper, and Vincent is not allowed to nap.

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Paroma Sen, Global Marketing Director at SAP, delves into how marketing strikes the balance between art and science, explores the importance of fostering thought leadership in her day-to-day, as well as recounting an epiphany she had while living in Texas as a college student. Ajay finally catches up on sleep, and Vincent is jealous.

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Tauseef Muhammad, Head of Global Marketing and Demand Generation at Mindtree explores how a degree in engineering led to a career in marketing. He also delves into the importance of explaining the “Whys” of a product, as well as how Mindtree overcame the challenges that have come with cancelled live events. Ajay is in a good mood and Vincent gets a new apartment.

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Arnold Glick, Integrated Marketing Manager at The Farmer’s Dog, discusses why it’s important to be passionate about what you’re marketing, as well as the benefits of working at a smaller agency or brand. He also offers up the backstory for the name, “The Farmer’s Dog.” Ajay finds a place to swim, and Vincent finds a fraternity brother.

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John Kunzier, Chief Marketing Officer at Computer Aid, discusses the larger strategy concerns of marketing above and beyond content, and also delves into the challenges of rebranding an established organization. Ajay figures out how to change his Zoom background, and Vincent professes his love for the NY Giants.

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Kyle Brucculeri and Kenah Cooper, Vice President of Marketing and Director of Marketing at Gorjana, explore the journey of creating a brand voice, and how they balance the concept of “accessible luxury.” The duo also discuss how they trust email to build a close relationship with their customers. Ajay enjoys some cooler weather, and Vincent wants to run on the beach.

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McKenzie Bauer, Cofounder and Chief Marketing Officer at Thread Wallets, ponders the momentum that comes with feeling like every year is “the beginning.” She also discusses the power of influencer marketing, random celebrity endorsement, as well as the moves the company made to ensure no one was laid off. Ajay is in suspense, and Vincent misses a phone call.

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Eric Duerr, Sr. Vice President of Marketing at Domo explains how a degree in Philosophy led him to a career in marketing, and how the art of persuasion isn’t the same as manipulation, and why you should strive for the former. Ajay gets a steroid shot, and Vincent wears a Hawaiian shirt.

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Ruth Stevens, B2B Marketing Consultant, delves into the importance of face-to-face communication. But she also clarifies why you shouldn’t try to recreate the conference experience with virtual events. Ajay upgrades his watch strap, and Vincent wears something elegant.

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Sairam Vedam, Chief Marketing Officer at Innominds, discusses how his company drives Digital Next initiatives for global brands. He also goes in depth about the challenges of heading up the marketing efforts of an international organization, as well as the future of AI. Ajay’s son wakes him up at 4 in the morning, and Vincent once again reiterates his love for The Bachelorette.

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Cameron Jacox, Vice President of Growth at Lark Health, explains how Lark’s use of conversational AI and connected devices help keep people healthier at home. He also explores his time studying entrepreneurship at Babson College and how it led him toward the world of startups. Ajay is glad the weather in Texas is finally cooler for a change, and Vincent tells Cameron why he likes to be on camera. Give it a listen.

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In this episode, Vincent and Ajay chat with Wendy White, Chief Marketing Officer for Egencia. She delves into the importance of business travel and explores the power of content marketing. She also shares tips for using Slack in some unexpected ways. Ajay is finally able to disconnect for a few hours, and Vincent revels in a compliment from Wendy. Give it a listen.

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In this episode, Vincent and Ajay talk to Ilyas Frenkel, Head of Marketing for Dandelion Energy. He details how marketing for a geothermal technology company requires a lot of education for the consumer. He also offers up some creative approaches to out-of-home advertising. Ajay keeps an even keel with one cup of coffee, but Vincent has already had two. Give it a listen.

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In this episode, Vincent and Ajay talk to Mark Donatelli, President and Founder of Hive Strategy. He shares his journey through working with agencies and branching out on his own, as well as the importance of paying attention to consumer behavior. Ajay recalls his last visit to NYC, and Vincent ruins the moment. Give it a listen.

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In this episode, Vincent and Ajay chat with Kerel Cooper, SVP of Global Marketing at LiveIntent, and cohost of the Minority Report podcast. He explains his approach to spearheading diversity and inclusion efforts in an organization, and explores the strategy of continuing to participate in events. Ajay avoids COVID on the tennis court, and Vincent is confused by blackberries. Give it a listen.

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In this episode, Vincent and Ajay chat with Mark Friedman, President and Founder of Details Interactive, and host of the Marketing Playbook podcast. He details his experience working with brands like Brooks Brothers and Steve Madden, and gives his take on breaking up the silos that persist in large organizations. Ajay is optimistic about the quarter ahead, and Vincent offers to run through a wall. Give it a listen.

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In this episode, Vincent and Ajay catch up with Nicole O’Rourke, CMO at Aptean. She discusses how developing products that are terrific for the consumer are profitable for a company, and the new ways companies are learning to do business. Ajay and Nicole commiserate over how cold climates affected their college careers, and Vincent reads a book. Give it a listen.

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In this episode, Vincent and Ajay chat with Jason Harris, CEO at Mekanism. He talks about the agency’s collaborative approach to success, and the soul and science of storytelling. Jason and Vincent discover they live in the same neighborhood. Ajay does not. Give it a listen.

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In this episode, Vincent and Ajay talk to Chris Schermer, President and Founder of SCHERMER. He discusses his agency’s success with big brands like ADP and Red Wing Shoes, and the importance of making the other person the hero of the story. Also, Ajay tackles the Texas heat and Vincent enjoys a joke. Give it a listen.

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In this episode, Vincent and Ajay chat with Michael Barnett, CEO of InGo. He shares his experience working in the House of Commons, and the drastic changes in live event planning. Michael also recommends some choice books for entrepreneurs to read. Vincent tells you what not to do on LinkedIn and Ajay avoids the yard guy. Give it a listen.

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In this episode, Vincent and Ajay talk to Joel Harrison, Editor-in-Chief and Co-founder of B2BMarketing.net. He tells the guys how he went from urban planning to becoming a B2B journalist. They also discuss the success of this year’s Ignite conference as well as the importance of applying the Punk ethos to the post-COVID marketplace, and Vincent worries about a book he has to read. Give it a listen.

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In this episode, Vincent and Ajay catch up with Aaron Bolshaw, VP of Marketing at SafteyChain Software. He recounts his start at Omaha Steaks, shares his thoughts on the power of webinars in our current climate, as well as the challenges of supporting the food and beverage industry during the COVID outbreak. Ajay tries to watch an episode of Too Hot to Handle, and Vincent reaffirms his love for The Bachelor. Give it a listen.

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In this episode, Vincent and Ajay meet Laureen Asseo, Founder and CEO of Nutrition Corporation. She shares how her father’s health was the wakeup call that helped her found a company that’s working to redefine fast food, and why showing up is so important right now. Vincent learns about persistence and Ajay battles 100-degree weather. Give it a listen.

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In this episode, Vincent and Ajay talk with Andy Monfried, Founder and CEO of Lotame. They discuss the founding of Lotame and the future of data enrichment in the cookieless environment. Andy also recounts the traumatic experience that motivates his success. Ajay gets a haircut and Vincent gets complimented on his looks. Give it a listen.

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In this episode, Vincent and Ajay meet Laura Spaulding, Founder and CEO of Spaulding Decon. She shares how she found herself running what she describes as a “recession-proof” operation, as well as the unique challenges of franchising a crime-scene cleanup company. Vincent admits he’s afraid of rats and asks Laura what crimes she thinks she could get away with. Give it a listen.

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In this episode, VP of B2B Products, Vincent Pietrafesa and CEO Ajay Gupta talk with Brian Hession, VP of Data Quality & Innovation at Tech Target. Brian recalls the lean years of starting his first company Oceanos in a basement, and how it evolved into a family-oriented endeavour, and how it’s framed his view of the B2B space today. We also find out that Vincent loves watching the Netflix series “Workin’ Moms.

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In this episode, VP of B2B Products, Vincent Pietrafesa and CEO Ajay Gupta catch up with Anneka Gupta, President and Head of Products and Platforms at LiveRamp. Anneka shares her experience of watching LiveRamp grow from a 25-person startup to becoming the leading data connectivity platform. The conversation explores the future of the ad tech ecosystem at large and its role in burgeoning industries like telehealth. We also find out that Vincent loves watching The Bachelor.

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In this episode, VP of B2B Products, Vincent Pietrafesa and CEO Ajay Gupta chat with Kristina Prokop, CEO and Co-founder of Eyeota. Kristina explains how being a “Swiss Army knife” led to the success of founding a company, how she had a leg up in complying with GDPR, and how she found herself living in Germany. And Vincent invites himself to an online happy hour. Give it a listen.

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In this bonus episode, Vincent talks with Stirista co-founders Ajay and Candy Gupta on the heels of the company’s 10-year anniversary. Ajay recalls how moving from India as a teenager led to his interest in wrestling, Candy finds “gold” in working with one of their first clients, and they both share who inspired their work ethic. Give it a listen.

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In this episode, VP of B2B Products, Vincent Pietrafesa and CEO Ajay Gupta talk with Andy Keith, CEO of MultiView. Andy shares the story of his quick rise within the company, explains why you can’t come back from bad data, and how haircut tutorials maintain company morale. Give it a listen.

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In this episode, VP of B2B Products, Vincent Pietrafesa and CEO Ajay Gupta chat with Jason Wertheimer, VP of Media Technology at Horizon Media. Jason tells the guys how he’s been handling the explosive growth of his team, why maintaining morale is worth the effort, and how his time at Netflix changed his perspective on media. He and Vincent also swap stories about where they drank while attending SUNY Oswego. Give it a listen.

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In this episode, VP of B2B Products, Vincent Pietrafesa and CEO Ajay Gupta catch up with Keith Goodman, VP of Corporate Solutions at Modern Postcard. Keith shares why his company avoids industry trade shows, his association with the band RATT and how ruining his senior prom jump started his career. Give it a listen.

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In this episode, VP of B2B Products, Vincent Pietrafesa and CEO Ajay Gupta chat with Auren Hoffman, CEO of SafeGraph, and former co-founder and CEO of LiveRamp. Auren discusses supporting employees and customers alike while they’re stuck at home, the future of industry conferences and events, and why you should never begin an email by saying “I hope you are well.” Give it a listen.

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In this episode, Vincent & Ajay catch up with Michael Hussey, Founder & President of StatSocial. Michael recalls the wins and mishaps of founding ratemyprofessor.com, as well as navigating both the dot com bust & 9/11. Vincent also reveals to Michael that producer Jared Walls used to be a professor with a chili pepper on ratemyprofessor.com.

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In this episode, VP of B2B Products, Vincent Pietrafesa and CEO Ajay Gupta talk with Gretchen Littlefield, CEO of Moore DM Group. Gretchen shares her journey of how she came to work in the nonprofit sector, as well as creative approaches to fundraising. The discussion also takes a turn into Zoom happy hours and the future of face-mask fashion.