In this episode of CMOs Unscripted, host Lisa Martin sits down with longtime AI in marketing advocate and CMO of Dynatrace, Laura Heisman. With more than three decades of experience building brands and businesses, Laura shares how AI is reshaping B2B marketing - from productivity gains to deeper customer insights- while emphasizing the importance of human potential and community.

Laura dives into the evolution of AI Marketing Councils, the integration of AI into existing marketing platforms, and the critical balance between speed and thoughtfulness. She also offers practical advice for CMOs looking to embrace AI and drive measurable business impact.

Key Takeaways:

• Why AI is essential: Embracing AI to stay competitive, without losing the human touch.

• Building AI Marketing Councils: How cross-functional teams drive innovation and intentional strategy.

• Measuring AI’s impact: Real-world Dynatrace ROI: 3x content output, 2x faster translations, richer targeting.

• Integrating AI into workflows: Embedding AI into your CRM, automation, and data platforms.

• Future-forward marketing: Bite-sized content, storytelling, and evolving customer expectations.

No matter where you are in your marketing journey, this episode delivers valuable insights and real-world strategies you can put into action. Don’t miss out, watch now on YouTube and subscribe for biweekly conversations with top industry leaders.

00:00 If You’re Not Using AI, You’re Legacy 00:54 Welcome to CMOs Unscripted 01:21 Meet Laura Heisman, CMO of Dynatrace 02:05 Laura’s Career Journey: From Music to Tech 03:12 The Current State of AI in Marketing 03:42 Why Every Team Needs an AI Co-Pilot 04:47 AI Adoption: How Far Have CMOs Come? 06:23 Building a Marketing AI Council 08:01 The Art & Science of Marketing with AI 09:05 AI ROI: Productivity, Speed & Team Happiness 10:59 How AI Improves Digital Marketing & SEO 12:39 Speed, Relevance & the New Customer Expectation 13:48 Balancing AI with Human Potential 14:44 Integrating AI into CRM, MAP & CDPs 16:37 How AI Strengthens Sales & Marketing Alignment 18:01 Understanding Customers Without Being “Creepy” 19:15 Advice for CMOs: Where to Start with AI 20:40 Choosing the Right Tools & Avoiding Overlap 22:17 The Breakneck Speed of AI Evolution 24:12 Emerging Trends Beyond AI in B2B Marketing 25:32 Why Storytelling Still Matters in the AI Era

Artificial intelligence is reshaping marketing - and with it, the language we use to connect, convert, and cultivate trust. In this episode of CMOs Unscripted, host Lisa Martin sits down with Emily Foley, Chief Marketing Officer of Cisco Capital, to explore the subtle but powerful influence of words in AI model training.

Together, they unpack how marketers can leverage tone, empathy, and intentional language to train AI responsibly and reduce bias. Emily shares real-world examples from Amazon, IBM, and Google, as well as Cisco’s own ethical frameworks for inclusive AI development. From behavioral intent prediction to human-centered personalization, this conversation is a compelling reminder: marketers don’t just feed the models—they shape them.

Key Takeaways:

• AI as a Marketing Force Multiplier: Hyper-personalization, dynamic recommendations, and behavioral intent mapping are revolutionizing customer engagement. 

• Human Behind the Data: AI must interpret, not just collect, data with emotional intelligence to create relevant experiences.

• Tone & Language Shape AI: The words marketers use directly influence model training. Inclusive, empathetic language helps reduce bias and exclusion.

• Real-World AI Bias Examples: From Amazon’s scrapped hiring tool to IBM’s inclusive datasets, Emily highlights how biases can creep on, and how auditing protects fairness.

• Marketing's Ethical Responsibility: Emily advocates for cross-functional collaboration and frameworks that prioritize transparency, fairness, and privacy.

• Emerging Trends: Conversational AI, sentiment analysis, and natural language processing are making digital engagement feel increasingly human.

Whether you’re refining your AI strategy, leading digital transformation, or building trust through customer-first marketing, this episode is a masterclass in responsible, inclusive leadership. Watch now on YouTube and subscribe for biweekly episodes featuring the world’s top CMOs.

00:00 AI is Transforming Customer Connections 01:44 Meet Emily Foley, CMO of Cisco Capital 02:21 Key AI Use Cases in Marketing 03:48 Personalization at Scale: Beyond First Names 05:07 Why Language and Tone Matter in AI 06:07 Predictive AI: Relevance Over Speed 06:43 Building Trust Through Empathy 07:13 How Marketing Language Shapes AI 08:37 Are CMOs Paying Enough Attention? 09:55 Real-World Examples of AI Bias 12:18 IBM’s Approach to Fairer AI 13:29 Why AI Audits Are Non-Negotiable 14:29 Inclusive Language and Ethics Frameworks 16:35 Governance, Privacy, and Speed 17:49 Data Privacy as the Foundation of Trust 18:33 Inclusive Language in Practice 19:00 Cultural Nuances and Data Diversity 20:51 Responsibility and Opportunity for Marketers 21:41 Auditing and Human Oversight in AI 22:15 Emerging Trends in Conversational AI 24:57 The Surprising Truth About Language and AI 25:59 How Subtle Bias Shapes AI Behavior 26:53 Closing Thoughts and Key Takeaways

In this episode of CMOs Unscripted, host Lisa Martin sits down with Mandy Dhaliwal, CMO of Nutanix, to explore how integrated marketing has become a strategic operating model for high-growth organizations. With over 25 years of experience in cloud and software markets, Mandy shares how modern CMOs can elevate marketing from a siloed function to a powerful, company-wide driver of value.

Mandy outlines why integrated marketing isn’t just a tactic—it’s a mindset. She shares practical insights on interlocking with sales, product, customer success, and the boardroom, all while keeping the customer at the center of every decision. From navigating a major business transformation at Nutanix to integrating AI into the marketing stack, Mandy breaks down what it really takes to lead with vision, impact, and agility.

Key Takeaways:

● Integrated Marketing as Operating Model: It’s not a fad—it’s how modern CMOs lead. ● Stakeholder Buy-In: Speak their language, not marketing jargon.

● Customer-Centric Storytelling: Why clarity and consistency matter most.

● Full-Stack Marketing: A look at how Nutanix structures product, brand, data, campaigns, and more.

● AI-Driven Future: Why Mandy’s putting agents on the org chart.

● From Brand to Revenue: How today’s CMOs measure success by business outcomes, not just MQLs.

Whether you're scaling a startup, leading a global enterprise, or trying to align your team around shared goals, this episode offers a masterclass in integrated, customer-first marketing leadership. Watch now and subscribe for biweekly episodes featuring the world’s top CMOs.

00:00 Why Integrated Marketing Matters 00:46 Meet Mandy Dhaliwal, CMO of Nutanix 01:46 Marketing as a Business Passion 02:23 Integrated Marketing as a Strategic Lever 03:41 Why CMOs Still Struggle to Evolve 05:11 Gaining Buy-In Without the Jargon 06:54 Aligning Sales & Marketing Around Events 07:27 Nutanix’s Marketing Transformation 08:44 One Company, One Story 09:51 Leading Through Structural Change 10:22 Marketing Org Structure: What’s Inside 11:31 Should CMOs Own BDRs? 12:29 Measuring Impact: From Brand to Revenue 13:56 Moving Past MQLs 14:18 The Rise of Account Engagement 15:31 Optimizing Channels Without Over-Measuring 16:28 Responding to Competitive Market Shifts 17:58 The Power of Alignment and Execution 18:34 Messaging with Empathy 19:20 How Nutanix is Embracing AI 20:49 Agents on the Org Chart? Yes, Really 21:24 AI as a Creative and Strategic Enabler 22:09 Encouraging AI Exploration and Leadership 23:17 Why Mandy Chose Lisa Martin and LuccaZara 24:17 The Bold Power of Customer Stories 25:02 Subscribe for More CMO Real Talk!

In this episode of CMOs Unscripted, host Lisa Martin sits down with Ash Parikh, CMO of Trellix, to unpack the essentials of succeeding as a private equity-backed CMO. Ash shares his perspective on the two non-negotiables for every marketing leader: Efficiency and Effectiveness, revealing how data-driven decision-making and results-focused execution set the best CMOs apart.

This conversation is packed with insights on how PE-backed CMOs sharpen their approach to ROI, demand generation, and boardroom credibility. Whether you're leading marketing for a startup, a pre-IPO company, or a post-IPO enterprise, this episode is full of game-changing lessons to elevate your leadership.

Key Takeaways:

• Efficiency & Effectiveness: The foundation of PE-backed marketing leadership.

• Data-Driven Decisions: Why mastering ROI metrics is a must.

• Empty Calories vs. Real Impact: What boards expect from marketing.

• Leading with EQ & IQ: How top CMOs build trust across the C-suite.

• ABC to the Power of Five: Ash’s strategy for continuous marketing excellence.

No matter where you are in your marketing journey, this episode delivers valuable insights and real-world strategies you can put into action. Don’t miss out, watch now on YouTube and subscribe for biweekly conversations with top industry leaders.

00:00 Real Talk Kickoff 00:40 Meet Ash Parikh: Full-Stack CMO 01:45 Ash's Unconventional Path to Marketing 02:33 Sales, Support & Empathy in Marketing 05:05 The PE CMO Experience 05:35 Efficiency vs. Effectiveness 07:00 Data Mastery = Trust Currency 08:50 Applying PE Lessons Across B2B 11:05 The 3 Pillars of Modern Marketing 14:00 Brand Perception vs. Branding 15:30 Building Trust with a PE Board 17:00 Avoiding Empty Marketing Calories 18:30 The Power of the Buyer’s Journey 19:47 Value-Driven Marketing Connections 21:03 Becoming a Trusted Partner 22:30 EQ at the Executive Level 23:30 5 CXOs Walk Into a Bar 26:00 Marketing's Role in Product Strategy 27:30 Post-Purchase Engagement Matters 29:00 Leading with Humility & Self-Awareness 31:00 Try Fast. Fail Fast. Scale Fast. 32:00 ABCs to the Power of 5 33:30 Tech-Enabled, Human-Centered Marketing 35:30 What Really Needs to Be Measured 37:30 Closing Insights & Final Thoughts

Welcome to the premiere episode of CMOs Unscripted—a refreshingly candid series where top CMOs share bold insights, unfiltered strategies, and honest conversations that cut through the noise. Hosted by Lisa Martin, this show is designed for marketing leaders looking for real talk, not fluff.

In this episode, Lisa sits down with Eric Herzog, a highly accomplished CMO and multi-award winner with an extensive background spanning Fortune 500 companies and startups. Together, they delve into the importance of integrated marketing, exploring how it enhances the customer experience and how aligning marketing with sales drives pipeline and revenue growth.

Key Takeaways:

• About Integrated Marketing: Why some CMOs still hold onto outdated strategies.
• Breaking Down Silos: How large organizations can unify their marketing functions.
• Metrics that Matter: The tangible results of an effective integrated marketing approach.
• Sales & Marketing Alignment: Eric’s winning formula for collaboration and success.
• Future of Marketing: The evolving role of AI and adapting to customer behavior shifts.

Whether you're a seasoned CMO or an aspiring marketing leader, this episode delivers actionable insights and candid advice you won’t want to miss! Catch the full episode here or ⁠⁠watch it on YouTube⁠⁠. And be sure to subscribe for biweekly episodes featuring industry-leading CMOs!

Chapter Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome to CMOs Unscripted01:00 – Meet Eric Herzog: CMO, CRO, and Serial Startup Veteran03:30 – Why Some CMOs Are Still Stuck in the Past06:10 – Breaking Down Silos: The Power of True Integration08:45 – Leadership Over Management: Building Aligned Teams11:20 – The Mind-Numbing Results of Integration14:50 – Aligning Marketing and Sales: The Real Challenge17:30 – Inside Eric’s Playbook: Accountability and Execution21:00 – Business Is a Team Sport24:00 – Understanding the Customer: The Ultimate Advantage26:45 – The Future of Integrated Marketing30:15 – How AI Is Changing the Game33:00 – Ride the Wave: Adapting to Constant Change35:10 – Advice for the Next Generation of CMOs37:30 – Closing Thoughts & What’s Next on CMOs Unscripted

CMOs Unscripted is the podcast where top marketing leaders ditch the talking points and get real. Hosted by veteran tech broadcaster Lisa Martin, each episode dives into candid, off-the-record conversations with the world’s most innovative CMOs—from startups to Fortune 500s. Expect bold stories, hard-won lessons, and unfiltered insights on brand strategy, AI, data, customer experience, and the ever-evolving role of the CMO. If you want to hear what’s really shaping modern marketing, this is your seat at the table.