Remarkable Content with Ian Faison

Emily Kramer, founder of MKT1 and a longtime voice in modern B2B marketing, joins Ian Faison to unpack how AI is reshaping marketing teams, roles, and expectations.

They explore Emily’s concept of the “gen marketer”,  and why traditional silos and specialist-heavy teams struggle in today’s high-velocity environment.

Key Takeaways

• Marketing teams need more generalists who can connect strategy, creativity, and distribution.
• Speed to execution matters more than perfect alignment across functions.
• Big marketing wins come from coordinated campaigns, not isolated tactics.
• AI increases the value of orchestration and taste, not specialization alone.
• Marketing leaders should think in portfolios of bets, not incremental activities.

Quote

“Every big initiative needs to have a chance to really win — not just deliver incremental results.”

Episode Timestamps

(03:51) What the “Gen Marketer” role actually means

(10:04) Why speed matters more than perfect alignment

(16:42) Escaping random acts of marketing with big bets

(24:58) How CMOs should think like producers or VCs

(31:37) When founder-led marketing works (and when it doesn’t)

Sponsor

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Links

Connect with Ian on LinkedIn

Connect with Emily Kramer on LinkedIn

Dear Marketers Podcast 

MKT1 Unboxing

Learn more about MKT1

Learn more about Caspian Studios

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Most B2B brands think growth comes from turning everything up: more campaigns, more hustle, more competitive swagger. But the brands people actually follow know when to slow down, tune out the noise, and get real.

That’s the unexpected lesson of KPop Demon Hunters, a movie that uses K-pop stardom, rivalry, and emotional honesty to show what makes an audience stay loyal. In this episode, we break down his marketing lessons with the help of our special guest Ray Lin, Fractional Head of Marketing.

Together, we explore what B2B marketers can learn from pacing for quality, standing for something bigger than the rivalry, and making vulnerability a trust engine that drives demand.

About our guest, Ray Lin

Ray Lin is a mission-driven marketing leader who turns messy funnels into clean revenue. Over 13+ years across SaaS, marketplaces, and wellness tech, he’s built demand gen and ABM machines that actually align with sales—and he’s unapologetically pro-AI when it lifts both creativity and efficiency.

A Bay Area native and former sports writer turned “accidental but strategic marketer,” Ray believes great marketing is H2H—human to human—before it’s ever B2B. He’s led and rolled up his sleeves across demand gen, digital, ABM, field, performance, growth, content, product marketing, and lifecycle CRM, with 8+ years inside B2B2C marketplaces like Grubhub, Wellhub and SeatGeek.

If your pipeline’s leaky, your teams are siloed, or “content” isn’t moving deals, Ray’s the marketing leader who fixes the system, centers the customer, and gets momentum back on the scoreboard.

What B2B Companies Can Learn From KPop Demon Hunters:

• Work smarter, not harder. KPop Demon Hunters shows that momentum dies when you confuse output with impact. Ray pulls a direct B2B parallel: “one of the lessons that come from Golden is working smarter, not harder… [Marketers] a lot think that extra 10 attempts at ad creative or 10 extra emails that you queue up in your CRM are gonna make all the difference. When in reality, it’s about quality, not quantity.” For B2B, this movie is your warning label: speed without intention burns out the team and blurs the story. Make fewer bets, make them sharper, and give your work room to land.
• Compete with conviction, not contempt. The movie’s diss track, Takedown, is a trap: when your identity becomes anti-them, you shrink your own story. Ray says it plainly: “Don’t let competitive obsession poison your well.” The point isn’t to never compete, it’s how you compete. If your positioning is mostly about your rival, you’ve already let them write your narrative. Lead with what you stand for, and you won’t need a villain to feel heroic.
• Let vulnerability be your differentiator. The movie’s emotional turn lands because the heroes stop performing perfection and start telling the truth. That’s the B2B move too: honesty travels farther than polish. Ray says, “ The power of vulnerability and transparency… can really skyrocket a B2B brand.” In B2B, authenticity isn’t a vibe, it’s a trust engine. Build a brand worth believing in.

Quote

“Always be ready. You don't know what's gonna be a hit and what's not going to. And when it does happen, know how to capitalize on it. And the multiple prongs, the octopus of this behemoth that is KPop Demon Hunters, I think, is that it has all these tentacles… [and] is what makes it so powerful. You can't plan for the success of one tentacle without thinking at least about the others.”

Time Stamps

[00:55] Meet Ray Lin, Fractional Head of Marketing

[02:15] Why KPop Demon Hunters?

[05:10] Role of a Fractional Head of Marketing

[06:20] Behind the Scenes of KPop Demon Hunters

[16:00] B2B Marketing Lessons from KPop Demon Hunters

[27:00] High Concept Storytelling in Media

[40:57] Final Thoughts and Takeaways

Links

Connect with Ray on LinkedIn

About Remarkable!

Remarkable! is created by the team at Caspian Studios, the premier B2B Podcast-as-a-Service company. Caspian creates both nonfiction and fiction series for B2B companies. If you want a fiction series check out our new offering - The Business Thriller - Hollywood style storytelling for B2B. Learn more at CaspianStudios.com. 

In today’s episode, you heard from Ian Faison (CEO of Caspian Studios) and Meredith Gooderham (Head of Production). Remarkable was produced this week by Jess Avellino, mixed by Scott Goodrich, and our theme song is “Solomon” by FALAK. 

Create something remarkable. Rise above the noise.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sometimes the biggest creative breakthroughs start with a mistake, and no one proves that better than Massimo Bottura.

The three-Michelin-star chef behind some of the world’s most iconic dishes built his reputation on turning accidents, constraints, and tradition itself into something entirely new. In this episode, we break down his marketing lessons with the help of our special guest Abel Grünfeld, VP of Marketing at Riverside.

Together, we explore what B2B marketers can learn from transforming mistakes into memorable stories, using constraints to spark better ideas, and leading with calm adaptability when things inevitably go off script.

About our guest, Abel Grünfeld

Abel Grunfeld is Riverside’s VP of marketing and first employee. He is a growth strategy expert, specializing in scaling our digital presence and building an efficient marketing pipeline. 

What B2B Companies Can Learn From Massimo Bottura:

• Turn mistakes into magnetic storytelling. Massimo Bottura’s most iconic dish was born from a dropped lemon tart, which is proof that imperfections can become brand-defining moments. Abel explains, “ [It’s] very inspiring to take this high stress environment… and transform it into something that actually is unique, much more creative, much more powerful in terms of storytelling.” In B2B, the same principle applies. When a campaign breaks, a launch misfires, or a plan goes sideways, don’t hide it. Shape it into a story. Audiences connect most with brands that reveal the creative, human process behind the work. Your “oops” moment might become your most memorable asset.
• Use constraints to fuel creativity. In high-pressure kitchens, limitations create innovation, not less of it. Abel notes, “Your constraints are your advantage… By being very intentional and aware of what your constraints and disadvantages are, you can be really focused on how to use these to actually create some sort of playing field where you can be more successful.” B2B teams often don’t have unlimited budgets, bandwidth, or time. That’s not a disadvantage, that’s focus. Constraints sharpen your narrative, strengthen your positioning, and force bold creative choices. The boundaries become the catalyst.
• Plan for surprises and lead through them. Massimo Bottura thrives by embracing unpredictability, treating chaos as a space for invention. Abel shares, “You always plan, but you cannot always control the outcomes… you need to plan to be surprised… and  to figure out how you make the most out of any situation.” For B2B marketers, this is the mindset shift. Markets shift. Teams change. Campaigns don’t go as expected. The brands that win are the ones that stay calm, adapt quickly, and turn the unexpected into momentum. Build flexibility into your strategy so you can transform disruption into differentiation.

Quote

“Real creativity, very often, it's a coincidence of different factors.  There's an unintentionality behind creation that when you plan everything out, you'll never come to that result. When you allow space for exploration, for playfulness, for doing things that you never planned… sometimes they're better than what you actually can envision and visualize yourself.” 

Time Stamps

[00:55] Meet Abel Grünfeld, VP of Marketing at Riverside 

[00:52] Why Massimo Bottura?

[01:59 The Role of VP of Marketing at Riverside

[03:02] Behind the Scenes of Massimo Bottura: The Italian Culinary Genius

[14:58] Marketing Lessons from Massimo Bottura

[26:19] Where are B2B Companies at with Video?

[32:07] The Importance of Video Content

[41:34] Content Strategy at Riverside

[44:47] Simplifying Video Production

[47:07] Consolidating Video Creation Tools

[49:07] Final Thoughts and Takeaways

Links

Connect with Abel on LinkedIn

Learn more about Riverside

About Remarkable!

Remarkable! is created by the team at Caspian Studios, the premier B2B Podcast-as-a-Service company. Caspian creates both nonfiction and fiction series for B2B companies. If you want a fiction series check out our new offering - The Business Thriller - Hollywood style storytelling for B2B. Learn more at CaspianStudios.com. 

In today’s episode, you heard from Ian Faison (CEO of Caspian Studios) and Meredith Gooderham (Head of Production). Remarkable was produced this week by Jess Avellino, mixed by Scott Goodrich, and our theme song is “Solomon” by FALAK. 

Create something remarkable. Rise above the noise.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Restoring a 250-year-old farmhouse isn’t just a renovation project. It’s a blueprint for modern marketing.

That’s the lesson from Jean-Christophe Pitié, Chief Marketing and Chief Partner Officer at Contentsquare, who’s spent the last five years bringing new life to a centuries-old home outside Paris. In this episode, we break down the marketing lessons hidden in his restoration journey.

Together, we explore what B2B marketers can learn from blending heritage with innovation, finding creativity in constraints, and designing connected experiences where every touchpoint matters.

About our guest, Jean-Christophe Pitié

With 20+ years of experience in international marketing and partner engagement, Jean-Christophe is committed to supporting companies of all sizes in their digital transformation. Passionate about technology and retail, he spent two decades at Microsoft, where he had the opportunity to contribute to the cloud transformation and to launch Microsoft 365 as well as leading Microsoft Stores. Today, as Chief Marketing and Partnerships Officer at Contentsquare, Jean-Christophe’s main mission is to drive customer demand in markets around the world, continue to grow our rich partner ecosystem, and bring holistic customer experience insights to more teams worldwide.

What B2B Companies Can Learn From the restoration of a French farmhouse:

• Honor your legacy while modernizing for today. Great brands, like great houses, balance tradition and innovation. Jean-Christophe explains, “I had architects who came initially, and they wanted to put glass everywhere, tear down some big stone walls, and I’m like, guys, this house has had oak beams for 250 years. I’m not gonna tear them down. I’m gonna keep them.” In B2B, the same logic applies. Your legacy, your history, and your customer trust are part of your brand’s foundation. Don’t tear them down for the sake of what’s trendy. Blend your legacy with fresh, modern layers such as new tech, new storytelling, and new energy, without losing what made your brand distinct. That balance between the old and the new is what gives it lasting beauty and credibility.
• Constraints fuel creativity. Jean-Christophe says, “Sometimes the best projects come when… you have a constraint… either a location constraint or timing or budget, you get very creative to work around the constraints.” His farmhouse’s three-foot-thick stone walls forced him to rethink how to add modern features, and that challenge sparked originality. In B2B, the same holds true. Limited budget? Shrinking timelines? Regulatory hurdles? These are the sparks for inventive ideas. Don’t let your constraints kill creativity; let them focus it.
• Every touchpoint shapes the experience. When restoring a house, you have to look at the whole picture; every room, material, and detail needs to connect. Jean-Christophe shared, “It’s a bit like your marketing strategy. You need to connect across channels… every touchpoint matters.” Just like a home’s design must flow seamlessly from one room to the next, so should your brand experience, across your website, content, product, and sales. Inconsistent moments break trust. When every touchpoint feels connected and intentional, you turn friction into flow, and customers into believers.

Quote

“History is part of who we are, human beings… It’s beautiful… It's like a brand. When you think about brand, you want something that's unique, differentiated, [and] people can relate to, which is so beautiful.”

Time Stamps

[00:55] Meet Jean-Christophe Pitié, Chief Marketing and Chief Partner Officer at Contentsquare

[01:04] Jean-Christophe’s French Farmhouse Restoration Project

[04:38] Balancing Tradition and Innovation in Restoration Projects

[13:56] Creative Solutions and Constraints in Restoration

[21:30] Importance of Legacy

[26:51] B2B Marketing Lessons from Restoring a French Farmhouse

[38:30] Innovations at Content Square

[43:33] Advice for CMOs on Investing in Brand

[45:45] Final Thoughts and Takeaways

Links

Connect with Jean-Christophe on LinkedIn

Learn more about Contentsquare

About Remarkable!

Remarkable! is created by the team at Caspian Studios, the premier B2B Podcast-as-a-Service company. Caspian creates both nonfiction and fiction series for B2B companies. If you want a fiction series check out our new offering - The Business Thriller - Hollywood style storytelling for B2B. Learn more at CaspianStudios.com. 

In today’s episode, you heard from Ian Faison (CEO of Caspian Studios) and Meredith Gooderham (Head of Production). Remarkable was produced this week by Jess Avellino, mixed by Scott Goodrich, and our theme song is “Solomon” by FALAK. 

Create something remarkable. Rise above the noise.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Everybody loves a good origin story, but not every story is worth retelling. The real skill is knowing when to evolve, not repeat.

That’s the lesson of Andor, the Star Wars series that turned subtle storytelling into a strategy for lasting relevance. In this episode, we explore its B2B marketing takeaways with the help of our special guest Rachel Sterling, CMO of Identity Digital. 

Together, we break down what B2B marketers can learn from spotting product fatigue early, tailoring stories for evolving audiences, and creating content that sparks conversation, not just clicks.

About our guest, Rachel Sterling

Rachel Sterling serves as Chief Marketing Officer where she is focused on expanding Identity Digital’s impact on driving awareness and adoption of our top level domain portfolio. Prior to joining Identity Digital, Rachel held senior leadership positions at Proximie, Instagram, Twitter, and Google where she developed impactful strategies around product, integrated, content, and event marketing.

Rachel also possesses a creative background, spending the first eight years of her career working in TV production and post-production. Rachel lives in Belmont, CA with her husband and two children.

What B2B Companies Can Learn From Andor:

• Recognize when the story has run its course. Just like Disney realized Luke Skywalker’s arc had reached its limits, Rachel ties that lesson to brand fatigue. Audiences, like customers, eventually want something new. As she puts it: “Their main characters had been exhausted… you have to consistently monitor for user sentiment.” Andor worked because it didn’t cling to nostalgia; it built from a blank slate. In B2B, that means knowing when your message or product line has hit its ceiling and having the courage to reinvent before your audience tunes out.
• Segment for meaning, not just demographics. Disney didn’t make Andor for everyone. It made it for the fans who grew up with A New Hope. Rachel explains: “By exploring more mature themes, you're building content specifically for the core audience that had been there since the very beginning.” The same rule applies in B2B. As your audience evolves, so should your tone, themes, and depth. Mature buyers crave nuance; new ones need accessibility. Build the right story for the right segment, and you’ll meet each generation where they are, not where they were.
• Make content that talks back. Rachel points out that Andor isn’t a passive show. It demands engagement long after the credits roll. As she says: “Content no longer exists in a passive experience… The sign of a good show is when you can engage in conversation beyond just a simple, ‘that was good.’” In B2B, the same holds true. The best content doesn’t just get attention; it gets people talking, sharing, and connecting around a shared idea. Don’t settle for applause, aim for conversation that keeps your brand in motion.

Quote

“Just because you feel affinity for the product does not mean that people will continue to share that affinity. I definitely think that marketers, from seeing the decision that Disney made to Greenlight Andor, can take away the message [to] understand when you have product fatigue.”

Time Stamps

[00:55] Meet Rachel Sterling, Chief Marketing Officer at Identity Digital

[01:51] Why Andor?

[03:36] The Role of CMO at Identity Digital

[04:45] What is Andor?

[22:32] B2B Marketing Lessons from Andor

[42:14] Identity Digital's Brand and Content Strategy

[45:52] Advice for First-Time CMOs

[48:27] Final Thoughts and Takeaways

Links

Connect with Rachel on LinkedIn

Learn more about Identity Digital

About Remarkable!

Remarkable! is created by the team at Caspian Studios, the premier B2B Podcast-as-a-Service company. Caspian creates both nonfiction and fiction series for B2B companies. If you want a fiction series check out our new offering - The Business Thriller - Hollywood style storytelling for B2B. Learn more at CaspianStudios.com. 

In today’s episode, you heard from Ian Faison (CEO of Caspian Studios) and Meredith Gooderham (Head of Production). Remarkable was produced this week by Jess Avellino, mixed by Scott Goodrich, and our theme song is “Solomon” by FALAK. 

Create something remarkable. Rise above the noise.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Real strength isn’t flashy. It’s earned through quiet discipline over time. The same goes for B2B marketing: sustainable growth comes from strong foundations, not sporadic wins.

That’s the lesson of Dr. Peter Attia, the longevity expert who reshaped how millions think about health. In this episode, we explore his B2B marketing parallels with the help of our special guest Ashley Sturm, VP of Marketing at Opengear.

Together, we uncover what B2B marketers can learn from building strong systems behind every campaign, committing to a long-term content strategy, and meeting audiences where they are with multichannel storytelling.

About our guest, Ashley Sturm

Ashley Sturm is VP of Marketing at Opengear. Ashley is a marketing and strategy leader with more than 15 years of experience developing strategic marketing initiatives to increase brand affinity, shape the customer experience, and grow market share. 

Before joining Opengear, she served as the Vice President of Marketing at Nautilus Data Technologies. Prior to that, she served as the Senior Director of Marketing Brand and Content for NTT Global Data Centers Americas, spearheading marketing efforts to open two out of six data center campuses.

Ashley has led global marketing through the startup of Vertiv’s Global Data Center Solutions business unit, where she developed the unit’s foundational messaging and established global and regional marketing teams. Ashley’s career experience includes extensive work with the US Navy through the Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness as well as broadcast journalism. A graduate of the University of Missouri’s School of Journalism, Ashley specializes in journalism and converged media.

What B2B Companies Can Learn From Dr. Peter Attia:

• Focus on strength in the unseen work. Just like Dr. Attia emphasizes strength in the eccentric phase of movement (the part no one sees), Ashley connects that to B2B marketing fundamentals. Campaigns fail when the foundation is weak. As she puts it: “[It’s] not just the big flashy campaigns or the launches, it’s about the control, the discipline, and the structure behind them.” By investing in process, frameworks, and messaging systems, brands build resilience and long-term performance. The lesson: don’t obsess over launch day, obsess over what holds it all together.
• Commit to the slow burn strategy. Dr. Attia didn’t explode overnight. He showed up for years through podcasts, long-form content, and thought leadership before publishing his book, Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity. Ashley calls out the power of consistency over time, saying: “He committed to the slow burn… we’re in this for the long haul.” In B2B, that translates to sticking with a point of view, consistently educating your market, and building credibility brick by brick. Thought leadership is earned, not launched, and trust compounds for brands that stay the course.
• Meet people on their terms. Dr. Attia doesn’t rely on one channel or format. He scales his ideas across podcasts, books, YouTube tutorials, social clips, and deep science blogs. Ashley ties that directly to B2B content strategy: “Where are they gonna be? How do they wanna consume it? Let’s make sure we’ve morphed the content to fit that medium.” Your buyers consume differently at different moments. Repurpose one core message into channel-native formats to reach them everywhere they are, not where you wish they were.

Quote

“Strength is built in the parts we sometimes overlook — the details, the structure, the lowering motion — that’s where you build resilience. Whether in health or in business.”

Time Stamps

[00:55] Meet Ashley Sturm, VP of Marketing at Opengear

[01:12] Why Dr. Peter Attia?

[04:02] Role of VP of Marketing at Opengear

[05:03] Deep Dive into Dr. Peter Attia’s Work

[11:23] B2B Marketing Lessons from Dr. Peter Attia

[39:48] Building Authentic Content Strategies

[45:57] Advice for Marketing Leaders

[48:35] Final Thoughts and Takeaways

Links

Connect with Ashley on LinkedIn

Learn more about Opengear

About Remarkable!

Remarkable! is created by the team at Caspian Studios, the premier B2B Podcast-as-a-Service company. Caspian creates both nonfiction and fiction series for B2B companies. If you want a fiction series check out our new offering - The Business Thriller - Hollywood style storytelling for B2B. Learn more at CaspianStudios.com. 

In today’s episode, you heard from Ian Faison (CEO of Caspian Studios) and Meredith Gooderham (Head of Production). Remarkable was produced this week by Jess Avellino, mixed by Scott Goodrich, and our theme song is “Solomon” by FALAK. 

Create something remarkable. Rise above the noise.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A great marketing engine doesn’t run in a straight line. It spins, gathers speed, and builds momentum with every turn.

That’s the lesson of the flywheel, a framework that transforms scattered marketing efforts into a self-sustaining system of growth. In this episode, we explore how to turn that theory into reality with Nataly Kelly, Chief Marketing Officer at Zappi.

Together, we unpack what B2B marketers can learn from building circular strategies that connect brand to demand, removing friction where it matters most, and compounding small wins into unstoppable momentum.

About our guest, Nataly Kelly

Nataly Kelly is CMO at Zappi. She has over 20 years of experience leading remote and global teams, and previously served 7 years as VP at HubSpot. She is a frequent contributor to Harvard Business Review, a published author of four books, keynote speaker on marketing, growth, and international expansion, and an award-winning leader. She has been named among the Top 50 CMOs on LinkedIn, as Marketing Executive of the Year, in the 40 under 40, and one of the Top 25 Content Marketers in Enterprise Software, as well as among the Women Worth Watching.

What B2B Companies Can Learn From the Flywheel:

• Marketing is a flywheel, not a funnel. Marketers love funnels because they’re measurable, but Nataly reminds us that the best marketing is circular, not linear. She says, “So often we have thought of marketing as like a linear funnel. But the flywheel’s really where you turn the funnel on the side and then connect the top to the bottom.” In her model, brand, demand, land, and expand all feed each other in an ongoing loop. Marketing shouldn’t be about one campaign that ends. It’s about creating continuous energy that connects awareness to advocacy.
• Friction kills momentum. Velocity doesn’t come from spending more, it comes from removing what slows you down. Nataly explains, “A general rule of thumb I’ve always used is the closer you get to someone’s wallet, the more important it is to remove friction…. Every touchpoint is a chance to delight a customer.” In B2B marketing, the same rule applies: every confusing process, clunky message, or slow response is a brake on your flywheel. Smooth the path, and speed will follow.
• Small improvements compound into unstoppable growth. Marketers often look for a big splash, but Nataly says momentum comes from micro progress. Nataly asks, “What are the small things we can do to create uplift today and momentum today?... And those things add up.” Each small optimization—an improved touchpoint, a clearer message, a faster follow-up—removes friction and accelerates the flywheel. Consistency, not chaos, creates compounding power.

Quote

“Your brand voice is really how you decide to communicate with your customer. And that is not just what we typically consider marketing communications. It touches every part of the customer experience.”

Time Stamps

[00:55] Meet Nataly Kelly, Chief Marketing Officer at Zappi

[01:09] Why Flywheels?

[05:16] Role of Chief Marketing Officer at Zappi

[07:30] What are Flywheels?

[20:52] Understanding Market Dynamics and Customer Segmentation

[22:11] Building and Maintaining a Flywheel Strategy

[26:11] Content Marketing Success Stories

[33:51] Leveraging LinkedIn for Effective Content Distribution

[39:22] Final Thoughts and Takeaways

Links

Connect with Nataly on LinkedIn

Learn more about Zappi

About Remarkable!

Remarkable! is created by the team at Caspian Studios, the premier B2B Podcast-as-a-Service company. Caspian creates both nonfiction and fiction series for B2B companies. If you want a fiction series check out our new offering - The Business Thriller - Hollywood style storytelling for B2B. Learn more at CaspianStudios.com. 

In today’s episode, you heard from Ian Faison (CEO of Caspian Studios) and Meredith Gooderham (Head of Production). Remarkable was produced this week by Jess Avellino, mixed by Scott Goodrich, and our theme song is “Solomon” by FALAK. 

Create something remarkable. Rise above the noise.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Survival isn’t just for dystopian dramas. The best B2B marketing strategies demand experimentation, curiosity, and the ability to outlast weaker ideas.

That’s the lesson of Squid Game, the global phenomenon where only the strongest contestants made it through each round. In this episode, we explore its marketing parallels with the help of our special guest Scott Leatherman, Chief Marketing Officer at Aviatrix.

Together, we uncover what B2B marketers can learn from gamifying campaigns to pull audiences in, running multiple “Squid Games” to see which campaigns win, and staying relentlessly curious by listening to what customers really say.

About our guest, Scott Leatherman

Scott Leatherman is an award-winning full-stack marketing and operations executive with 25+ years of leadership and business management experience. Scott is currently the Chief Marketing Officer at Aviatrix. Prior to joining Aviatrix, he was the CMO at Veritone, an AI platform company. Scott served as COO at SAP Labs US for 5 years. Scott was a Global Vice President of Marketing and was a founding member of the SAP HANA go-to-market team that disrupted the database market and built a billion-dollar business in less than three years. Also during Scott’s tenure at SAP he was part of the Strategic Account Sales Team and created new channel programs to reduce shelfware and support new solution adoption. Prior to SAP, Scott held senior marketing and business development roles at several startups.

Scott was recognized by the Silicon Valley Business Journal for his lifelong commitment to helping his local community with the 2018 Individual Community Champion Award. Both at work and in his personal life, Scott is focused on helping communities reduce food insecurities, supporting underserved children, funding cancer research and Native American educational programs.

What B2B Companies Can Learn From Squid Game:

• Gamify campaigns to move your audience. Marketing works best when it pulls people in emotionally, just like Squid Game. Scott explains, “Anytime you want to move an audience together, gamifying it so that they have an emotional pull on the winner is gonna make you successful.” By creating campaigns that feel participatory, competitive, or playful, brands can inspire curiosity and investment from their audience. It’s not just messaging—it’s making people feel like they have a stake in the outcome.
• Run “Squid Games” for your campaigns. Rather than guessing which message will resonate, Scott’s team tested multiple campaign “games” at once. “We invested over 500 engagements…we had 74 one-on-one engagements…to narrow it down to what we have as eight campaigns in the Squid Games.” Each campaign has a top, middle, and bottom funnel component, and their performance is tracked side by side. Scott explains, “The gamification of Squid Games is working in our B2B marketing approach…we rolled it out to the company as Squid Games…and it’s been really fun to have engineers across the world leaning in on what they think is gonna move the audience fastest.” The lesson: treat campaigns like contestants. Test widely, kill off the weak performers quickly, and double down on what wins.
• Stay curious and listen to your audience. One of Scott’s biggest lessons is that marketers often assume they know what works—but data and customer feedback may prove otherwise. He notes, “It really comes back to just what are your customers saying about you? And what are your prospects saying about you?…That listening exercise, while it sounds remedial and 101, it gets lost on a lot of us ‘cause we’re all running so fast.” Just like in Squid Game, survival depends on paying close attention and adapting quickly. In B2B marketing, curiosity and active listening turn campaigns into insights, and insights into growth.

Quote

“The gamification of Squid Games is working in our B2B marketing approach…we rolled it out to the company as Squid Games…and it’s been really fun to have engineers across the world leaning in on what they think is gonna move the audience fastest.”

Time Stamps

[00:55] Meet Scott Leatherman, Chief Marketing Officer at Aviatrix

[01:32] Why Squid Game?

[03:08] Behind-the-Scenes of Squid Game

[14:18] AI in Marketing

[17:33] B2B Marketing Takeaways from Squid Game

[42:39] AI Integration and Brand Evolution

[46:46] Final Thoughts and Takeaways

Links

Connect with Scott on LinkedIn

Learn more about Aviatrix

About Remarkable!

Remarkable! is created by the team at Caspian Studios, the premier B2B Podcast-as-a-Service company. Caspian creates both nonfiction and fiction series for B2B companies. If you want a fiction series check out our new offering - The Business Thriller - Hollywood style storytelling for B2B. Learn more at CaspianStudios.com. 

In today’s episode, you heard from Ian Faison (CEO of Caspian Studios) and Meredith Gooderham (Head of Production). Remarkable was produced this week by Jess Avellino, mixed by Scott Goodrich, and our theme song is “Solomon” by FALAK. 

Create something remarkable. Rise above the noise.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The New York Times isn’t just a newspaper; it’s a cultural institution, a daily habit, and a brand that has reinvented itself for every generation. 

That’s why in this episode, we’re taking lessons from their playbook with the help of our special guest Avery Akkineni, Chief Marketing Officer of VaynerX.

Together, we explore what B2B marketers can learn from building credibility into daily routines, using gamification and surprise to drive engagement, and picking the right moments to move fast while staying relevant.

About our guest, Avery Akkineni

A pioneer in digital marketing and emerging tech, Avery Akkineni spearheads brand strategy, content, events, and communications as Chief Marketing Officer at VaynerX.

In seven years at Vayner, Avery has catalyzed exponential growth by launching new companies and leading international expansion. She built VaynerMedia APAC from the ground up to over 150 employees in two years, opened key Asia Pacific markets like Singapore, Bangkok, Sydney, and Tokyo. During her tenure, VaynerMedia APAC was awarded Marketing Interactive's Agency of the Year. 

In 2021, Avery founded Vayner3, an innovation consultancy focused on emerging technologies like AI and Web3. Under her leadership, Vayner3 achieved significant industry acclaim; she was named an Ad Age Web3 Trailblazer, and an AI Thought Leader by Business Insider. Her proven ability to identify and leverage leading-edge channels to drive growth for Vayner and her brand partners has landed Avery advisory roles including Salesforce’s AI Council, Meta’s Creative Council, TikTok's #ForYouCollective, Tracer's Advisory Board, and with a weekly marketers podcast on CoinDesk (GenC).

Based in Miami, FL overseeing VaynerX's local office, Avery continues to push boundaries in marketing. She is a sought-after speaker on modern marketing and digital innovation, who empowers teams and companies to embrace new opportunities. She also serves on the Board of Peace Players, an organization using the power of sport to build peaceful and thriving communities.

What B2B Companies Can Learn From The New York Times:

• Build credibility into daily routines. The New York Times succeeds because it has become a trusted part of people’s everyday habits. For B2B brands, the lesson is to earn that same consistent place in your audience’s workflow. As Avery explains:
  “To me, the credibility of The New York Times is why I want to check there first and understand their point of view. What are the big stories of today.” When buyers trust your perspective enough to seek it daily, your brand moves from optional to indispensable.
• Use gamification and surprise to drive engagement. NYT didn’t just sell news—it made puzzles, games, and even cooking content part of its brand fabric. That levity created stickiness. Avery puts it this way: “The New York Times integration with their incredible games has really helped drive up that frequency… I play with my friends, everybody shares their scores… and I think that really drives up that frequency and user adoption and makes The New York Times even more relevant.” In B2B, “serious” brands can still add fun, surprise, or delight to deepen connection and engagement.
• Pick your moments and move fast. The Times doesn’t try to beat TikTok on breaking news—it chooses credibility as its edge, while still responding with speed when it matters. Avery notes:
  “You don’t need to have a thought on everything. You have a thought on certain things—what matters for you and, as a brand, what matters for your consumers. Either we’re part of the conversation or we’re not.” For B2B, that means defining the moments where your voice is essential, and showing up quickly with relevance and confidence.

Quote

“ You don’t need to have a thought on everything. You have a thought on certain things—what matters for you and as a brand, what matters for your consumers. Either we’re part of the conversation or we’re not.”

Time Stamps

[00:55] Meet Avery Akkineni, Chief Marketing Officer of VaynerX

01:05 Why The New York Times?

01:53 The Role of CMO at VaynerX

02:42 Gary Vaynerchuk's Influencer

09:51 Behind-the-Scenes of NYT

25:58 B2B Marketing Lessons from NYT

38:35 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

Links

Connect with Avery on LinkedIn

Learn more about VaynerX

About Remarkable!

Remarkable! is created by the team at Caspian Studios, the premier B2B Podcast-as-a-Service company. Caspian creates both nonfiction and fiction series for B2B companies. If you want a fiction series check out our new offering - The Business Thriller - Hollywood style storytelling for B2B. Learn more at CaspianStudios.com. 

In today’s episode, you heard from Ian Faison (CEO of Caspian Studios) and Meredith Gooderham (Head of Production). Remarkable was produced this week by Jess Avellino, mixed by Scott Goodrich, and our theme song is “Solomon” by FALAK. 

Create something remarkable. Rise above the noise.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Penn State Football isn’t just a sport; it’s a tradition, a community, and a way of life. That same mindset should guide how we think about B2B marketing.

That’s why in this episode, we’re taking lessons from Penn State’s legacy with the help of our special guest Jill Ransome, SVP of Marketing and Communications at Unite Us.

Together, we explore what B2B marketers can learn from building a brand people rally behind, leaning into differentiation, and playing the long game with consistency to drive lasting impact.

About our guest, Jill Ransome

Jill Ransome is a seasoned marketing executive with over 20 years of experience leading brand, communications, and growth strategies for technology and software companies. Currently SVP of Marketing at Unite Us, Jill previously served as Chief Marketing Officer at Jitterbit, where she led global brand transformation and demand generation efforts. She’s spent much of her career in high-growth environments, bringing a passion for storytelling, strategic execution, and building scalable marketing engines. Jill holds a B.S. in Global Marketing from Pennsylvania State University and lives in Fairfield, Connecticut.

What B2B Companies Can Learn From Penn State Football:

• Build a brand people rally behind. Penn State thrives on pride, emotion, and community, and Jill says B2B brands need the same. “Build a brand that your fans, your followers, your constituents really believe in and rally behind. What Penn State does really well is it’s consistent. It’s emotional and it’s human.” Even in B2B, you need advocates who feel connected enough to share, refer, and champion your story.
• Lean into differentiation. Just as Penn State owns its “Linebacker U” reputation, companies must find what sets them apart. “From a marketing strategy perspective, you always need to be… thinking about what is your differentiation in the market that’s going to set your brand apart.” In crowded B2B categories, leaning into your unique story is what attracts the right buyers.
• Play the long game with consistency. Penn State football hasn’t changed its brand for decades, and that repetition builds equity. Jill points out: “They have been the same navy, blue and white design for decades upon decades… it comes back to brand… You don’t see success overnight. It’s something that’s built over time with consistency.” Marketing results don’t happen instantly; they come from committing to your identity and showing up over time.

Quote

“ I think good marketers are great storytellers, but you can't be a great storyteller unless you're a good listener. You have to listen and learn from your buyers. You have to listen and learn from your frontline. You have to listen and learn from the world around you.”

Time Stamps

[00:55] Meet Jill Ransome, SVP of Marketing and Communications at Unite Us

[01:53] Why Penn State Football?

[02:50] Role of SVP of Marketing at Unite Us

[03:53] Penn State Football: Tradition and Identity

[19:08]  B2B Marketing Lessons from Penn State Football

[26:39] Brand and Marketing Strategies at Unite Us

[29:47] Effective Content and Campaigns

[36:24] Advice for CMOs

[38:02] Final Thoughts and Takeaways

Links

Connect with Jill on LinkedIn

Learn more about Unite Us

About Remarkable!

Remarkable! is created by the team at Caspian Studios, the premier B2B Podcast-as-a-Service company. Caspian creates both nonfiction and fiction series for B2B companies. If you want a fiction series check out our new offering - The Business Thriller - Hollywood style storytelling for B2B. Learn more at CaspianStudios.com. 

In today’s episode, you heard from Ian Faison (CEO of Caspian Studios) and Meredith Gooderham (Head of Production). Remarkable was produced this week by Jess Avellino, mixed by Scott Goodrich, and our theme song is “Solomon” by FALAK. 

Create something remarkable. Rise above the noise.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.