Behind the Brief | Honest Stories from the World of Marketing

In this episode of Behind the Brief, I sit down with Div Manickam — 6x Top 100 Product Marketing Leader — to dive deep into how the world of product marketing, AI, and mindful leadership is evolving.

We explore what success looks like today: beyond KPIs, beyond hustle culture, and into customer-centric marketing, team wellbeing, and data-driven go-to-market strategies.

Div shares real-world examples of using AI in marketing to build smarter GTM strategies, improve sales enablement, and strengthen customer engagement, while leading teams with empathy and emotional intelligence.

If you're navigating the fast-changing landscape of B2B marketing and wondering how to stay human while leveraging technology, this episode is for you.

Being a fractional PMM isn’t just about strategy—it’s about mastering the art of influence, navigating client pushback, and learning when to say yes and when NOT to.

In this episode of Behind the Brief, I sit down with Jonathan Pipek to uncover what it really takes to succeed as a fractional PMM in B2B SaaS. We break down:

✅ How to handle clients who ignore customer feedback
✅ Strategies for building trust and influence—without formal authority
✅ When to push back and when to say yes (even if it’s not ideal)
✅ Why flexibility and collaboration are key to driving impact

Jonathan shares real stories from the trenches—think tricky clients, unexpected pivots, and creative solutions that turned challenges into wins.

If you’re a consultant, fractional PMM, or just curious about the behind-the-scenes world of product marketing, this episode is packed with honest insights and practical tips.

Why do 90% of early startups fail to stand out? (Hint: It’s NOT what you think.)

In this debut episode of Behind the Brief, we’re sitting down with Micah McGuire — a 0-1 product marketing expert who’s helped countless startups avoid costly missteps and nail their messaging before they launch.

Whether you're building your first SaaS or refining your go-to-market, this episode is full of gold.

Storytelling is the heartbeat of product marketing — but in today’s AI-driven world, crafting impactful narratives is both an art and a science. In this episode of Behind the Brief, I sit down with Divya, a Senior GTM Marketing Manager at Compt, to explore:

• How to define clear and compelling B2B messaging
• The biggest misconceptions about storytelling in SaaS
• How AI tools are reshaping content creation — for better or worse
• Top marketing tools that save time and boost creativity
• How Divya navigated her biggest messaging challenge — and what you can learn from it to improve your PMM skills

Whether you're a seasoned marketer or just starting out, you'll walk away with actionable insights to elevate your storytelling and create content that resonates.

Ever felt like you’re the only one figuring things out as you go in marketing? You’re not alone. Welcome to Behind the Brief—the podcast where we talk about the real, unfiltered side of marketing.

In this episode, I’m sharing:

✅ Why I started this show (spoiler: I’ve had my share of tough moments too).

✅ What you’ll get weekly (hint: just real stories). If you’re tired of polished case studies and want actionable lessons from people who’ve been in the trenches, hit Subscribe and join the conversation.

Drop your biggest marketing challenge in the comments—let’s get real together. 🎙️ Check out Riverside, my podcast partner here: https://www.riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_5&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=shruti

Looking to break into product marketing or stand out in your next PMM interview? 🚀
In this episode of Behind the Brief, I sit down with Amruta Hunnurkar, a seasoned Product Marketing leader at Amazon Alexa Echo (EMEA), to talk about:

✅ What hiring managers really look for in PMM candidates
✅ Why most job descriptions are broken (and what to do instead)
✅ How to position yourself like you would a product
✅ Trends shaping product marketing in 2025 – from AI to specialization
✅ Why executive presence and GTM thinking are no longer optional

This is the episode every PMM, aspiring or seasoned, needs to watch. 🔥