With increased AI Adoption, is the most valuable skill for a modern marketer empathy with customers, or is it successfully prompting?

Contentful, in partnership with Atlantic Insights, The Atlantic’s marketing research division, recently conducted a study of over 425 marketing decision makers including 103 CMOs. This study, “When Machines Make Marketers More Human,” challenges the notion that AI will replace many marketing functions and instead demonstrates how AI can amplify marketers’ effectiveness, creativity and impact.

Today, we're going to talk about how AI is reshaping the very definition of a modern marketer. We'll explore the shift from simply automating tasks to augmenting human creativity, the rise of the ‘full stack’ marketer, and what skills are becoming non-negotiable in an AI-driven world.
To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Elizabeth Maxson, CMO at Contentful.

About Elizabeth Maxson

Elizabeth Maxson is the Chief Marketing Officer of Contentful, a content management platform trusted by more than 4,200 companies around the world. Elizabeth brings nearly two decades of integrated marketing leadership to the role and is focused on driving marketing strategies that leverage AI and personalization to help brands deliver personalized and scalable content to their audiences.

Prior to Contentful, Elizabeth served as the Chief Marketing Officer at Tableau, a Salesforce company, where she led go-to-market strategy, drove end-to-end marketing initiatives, and spearheaded strategic technology partnerships, launching critical relationships with industry giants such as AWS, Google, Alibaba, Apple, and many others. In addition to her role at Tableau, Elizabeth has also served as the Head of Marketing at Quip, another Salesforce acquisition. She holds a BAA in Facility Management and Marketing from Central Michigan University.
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Elizabeth Maxson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emaxson/

Resources

Contentful: contentful.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Contentful, in partnership with Atlantic Insights, The Atlantic’s marketing research division, conducted a new study, When Machines Make Marketers More Human, challenging the notion that AI will replace many marketing functions and instead demonstrates how AI can amplify marketers’ effectiveness, creativity and impact. They surveyed 425 marketing decision makers, including 103 CMOs, across industries, company sizes, and regions to show how forward-thinking marketing leaders are incorporating AI into their critical infrastructure. Get the report here
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com  
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

What if the very system you invested in to create brand consistency and efficiency is now the biggest thing slowing down your digital transformation and costing you innovation?

Agility requires more than just speed; it demands a shared language and a foundational framework that allows teams to build, test, and innovate without being crushed by the weight of their own complexity.

This episode is brought to you by The Office of Experience, a design-driven, digital-first, vertically integrated and collaborative agency that believes in the power of ideas and the strength of people.

Today, we're going to talk about design systems. But probably not in the way you're used to thinking about them. We’re moving past the idea of a design system as just a rulebook or a library of components, and exploring how it can become a true catalyst for digital transformation—a tool that breaks down silos, accelerates business outcomes, and fundamentally changes how teams work together.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Nigel Dennis, Creative Director at The Office of Experience.

About Nigel Dennis

Nigel Dennis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nigelevandennis/

Resources

The Office of Experience: https://www.officeofexperience.com

This episode is brought to you by The Office of Experience, a design-driven, digital-first, vertically integrated and collaborative agency that believes in the power of ideas and the strength of people.

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Is the increasing investment in marketing by SMBs a sign of growth and optimism, or is it masking a deeper struggle with confidence and effectiveness?

Agility requires not only adapting to the rapid pace of technological change but also understanding the core challenges faced by your customers, like SMBs struggling to measure marketing ROI. It also demands a willingness to simplify complex tools and processes, empowering businesses to achieve more with less.

Today, we're going to talk about the evolving landscape of marketing for small and medium-sized businesses, the challenges they face, and how B2B marketers can become essential partners in their success. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Frank Vella, CEO at Constant Contact.
About Frank Vella

I am the CEO of Constant Contact, a comprehensive digital and ecommerce marketing platform that makes it simple and effective for a business to market or sell their idea in today’s complex online marketing world. We strive to anticipate our customers’ needs and provide them with the tools and support they need to improve their businesses. Because when they succeed, we succeed.
Prior to joining Constant Contact, I built best-in-class operations at various sized tech firms across the globe, including top-tier companies like Microsoft, GE Capital, HP Enterprise and Xerox. I have led companies through growth, transformation and successful exits while remaining focused on building a terrific culture and keeping a company's product and presence ahead of the crowd. I’m a proud Canadian expat now living in New York City, and in my free time I enjoy traveling with my family.

Frank Vella on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-vella/

Resources

Constant Contact: https://www.constantcontact.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

In a world obsessed with conversion rates and customer acquisition costs, have we forgotten the one thing that actually makes both of them better?
Agility requires more than just the ability to react quickly to market signals. It demands a stable, strategic core—a brand—that provides the necessary context and direction to ensure your pivots are purposeful, not just panicked.

Today, we're going to talk about a fundamental truth that many organizations are wrestling with: what looks like a growth problem is often a brand problem. When acquisition costs are climbing and churn is a constant threat, the default response is often to double down on performance marketing. But in crowded markets, that's a race to the bottom. We’ll explore why brand is the ultimate lever for creating sustainable demand, pricing power, and the kind of loyalty that performance channels simply can't buy.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Kimberly Storin, CMO at Zoom.

About Kim Storin

Kimberly Storin is the CMO at Zoom, where she leads global marketing and communications. Prior to Zoom, Kim held marketing leadership roles at various tech companies, from SaaS start-ups to Fortune 50 companies, and was an M&A consultant at Deloitte earlier in her career. 

She lives in Austin, is deeply involved with the Austin philanthropic community through the Austin Community Foundation, and serves on the Advisory Board for Women in Revenue.

Kim Storin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberlystorin/

Resources

Zoom: www.zoom.us

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

How can large organizations embrace the speed and adaptability of a startup while navigating the complexities of established processes and legacy systems, especially in the rapidly changing world of AI-driven consumer experiences?

Agility requires adopting new technologies while fundamentally shifting how teams operate, experiment, and learn from data. It demands a cultural evolution that embraces change and empowers individuals to respond quickly to market demands.

Today, we're going to talk about the transformative potential of AI-powered shopping and the significant implications it has for brands, retailers, and the entire supply chain. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Eugene Amigud, Chief Innovation Officer at Infios.

About Eugene Amigud

As Chief Innovation Officer, Eugene is leading Infios’s transformation of intelligent supply chain execution, creating a differentiated set of solutions for warehousing, transportation and order management that help businesses turn supply chain volatility into a competitive advantage. His career is marked by purposeful innovation, customer-centric design and a focus on measurable business impact, delivering adaptable solutions that meet businesses where they are - regardless of size or complexity – and equipping them with the innovative edge to thrive in an everchanging world. 
 
Before joining Infios, Eugene founded Yantriks, pioneering a microservices-based order management platform adopted by some of the world’s largest retailers. He also drove advancements in order management and supply chain execution at Blue Yonder and IBM. With over 25 years of experience, Eugene consistently delivers adaptable solutions that enable enterprises to rapidly deploy new capabilities and realize business value faster. 
 
Eugene holds a master’s degree in software engineering from Harvard Extension School and a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Based in the U.S., he works with organizations and partners worldwide. 

Eugene Amigud on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eugene-amigud-a054992/

Resources

Infios: https://www.infios.com/en?_gl=1*tszg0*_up*MQ..*_gs*MQ..&gclid=CjwKCAjw_fnFBhB0EiwAH_MfZld1UyefOsqEBs3kGimP6qfyNQvUpQ-ejrgPcQCqt45G0VOwg6PwABoCKNQQAvD_BwE&gbraid=0AAAAAog9AS9c2QH86yGM6ujUe-E13sbIZ

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

What if your customers could talk directly to your brand, without scaling your your customer service teams to a 1:1 capacity?

This episode is brought to you by Krisp.ai, the all-in-one voice AI that makes every conversation sound professional. With industry-leading noise cancellation, real-time accent conversion, accurate transcription, and smart call summaries, Krisp helps teams and individuals stay clear and productive. Trusted worldwide and powering over 75 billion minutes of conversations each month, Krisp is the easiest way to elevate every call. Try it free at krisp.ai.

Agility sometimes requires fundamentally rethinking the core business assumptions around how we fund growth, build teams, and create value.
Today, we're going to talk about the strategic decisions that underpin the AI revolution. It's not just about the technology itself, but about the crucial choices leaders make around how to finance innovation, how to structure teams, and how to stay ahead of the curve on what’s actually possible versus what’s just hype.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Arto Minasyan, Co-Founder & President at Krisp.ai.

About Arto Minasyan

Arto Minasyan is a visionary entrepreneur and co-founder of Krisp.ai and 10Web, two successful VC-backed startups that collectively raised $28 million and achieved profitability. He leads teams of around 300 professionals across both companies, driving innovation and operational excellence. Under his guidance, Krisp was honored as one of TIME’s Best Inventions of 2020, while 10Web’s AI Website Builder has powered over one million websites. Arto frequently shares insights on balancing venture capital with bootstrapping, advancing AI voice technology, and building diverse global tech teams beyond Silicon Valley.

Arto Minasyan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/artominasyan/

Resources

Krisp.ai: https://www.krisp.ai

This episode is brought to you by Krisp.ai, the all-in-one voice AI that makes every conversation sound professional. With industry-leading noise cancellation, real-time accent conversion, accurate transcription, and smart call summaries, Krisp helps teams and individuals stay clear and productive. Trusted worldwide and powering over 75 billion minutes of conversations each month, Krisp is the easiest way to elevate every call. Try it free at krisp.ai.

Register now for Sitecore Symposium, November 3-5 in Orlando Florida. Use code SYM25-2Media10 to receive 10% off. Go here for more: https://symposium.sitecore.com/
Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

As we’re increasingly inundated with AI-generated content and algorithm-driven ads, what’s more powerful: yet another new technology, or the authentic voice of the small business owner on the corner?

Agility requires not just reacting to market shifts, but deeply understanding the very fabric of the communities you serve and having the conviction to amplify their voices over your own. It’s about finding strength not in shouting louder, but in listening closer.

Today, we're going to talk about how a brand can cut through an increasingly crowded market by turning its most loyal customers into its most powerful advocates. We'll explore the strategy of reasserting brand relevance through authentic, community-driven storytelling, and what it takes to execute this when competitors are focused on features and scale.
To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Lindsey Irvine, Chief Marketing Officer at Square.

About Lindsey Irvine

Lindsey Irvine is the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) at Square, the technology company that makes commerce and financial services easy and accessible. With nearly two decades of experience in marketing, strategy, and leadership across both large enterprises and fast-growing startups, Irvine is responsible for overseeing Square’s global marketing efforts, driving brand awareness, customer engagement, and market growth around the world, all in service of the company's mission to empower businesses and entrepreneurs worldwide.
Before joining Square, Irvine was CMO at Benchling, pioneer of the R&D Cloud powering the biotechnology industry. Prior to that, she spent nearly a decade at Salesforce, where she held several leadership roles, including global CMO for MuleSoft, and played a key part in developing go-to-market strategies across IoT, industry verticals, and cloud solutions. She is credited with driving high-impact global marketing strategies and helping position Salesforce as a leader in the enterprise software space.

Lindsey Irvine on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindseyirvine/

Resources

Square: https://squareup.com/us/en

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show

Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

When it comes to your digital experience, how often does a ‘great idea’ from a senior leader’s gut feeling get completely dismantled by actual user data?
Agility requires the willingness to be wrong and the systems to prove it quickly. It’s about building a culture that values learning over being right and relentlessly iterates based on real human behavior, not internal assumptions.

Today, we're going to talk about moving beyond ‘best practice’ and intuition to build a truly data-driven digital experience. We'll explore how to create a disciplined conversion rate optimization program where usability testing, A/B experimentation, and personalization aren’t just separate tactics, but a unified system, especially within a powerful platform like SitecoreAI, to build experiences that adapt to customer needs, not just our assumptions about them.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, George Chang, Senior Director, Digital Experience & Technology Corporate Marketing at Hexagon AB.
About George Chang

George Chang is the Senior Director of Digital Experience at Hexagon, leading digital transformation efforts to modernize web experiences, streamline operations, and drive business impact. With 25+ years of experience in development, marketing technology, content strategy, and digital platforms, he brings a unique ability to turn technical insights into strategic impact. A 9-time Sitecore MVP, George is an active voice in the DX community, advocating for scalable, user-centric experiences.

George Chang on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgechang/

Resources

Hexagon AB: https://www.hexagon.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

What if your brand's voice is drifting off-key in the ears of your customers, and you're the last one to know?

Agility requires more than just rapid execution; it demands a real-time, nuanced understanding of customer sentiment and the ability to translate that intelligence directly into action.

We are here at Sitecore Symposium in Orlando, Florida, and today we're going to talk about closing the gap between brand promise and customer perception. In an era of endless customer reviews, social media posts, and feedback channels, how can a large organization truly listen at scale and ensure its voice remains consistent and effective?

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Mark Wagner, Senior Director of Strategy at Horizontal Digital.
About Mark Wagner

With over 20 years of experience in digital product strategy, design, and innovation, I am a Senior Digital Experience and Product Strategist at Horizontal Digital, a leading digital consultancy specializing in serving and delivering amazing solutions for clients, their customers, and their employees. I am a highly collaborative, strategic client partner tirelessly focused on helping solve the things that keep our clients up at night.
My core competencies include digital experience and product strategy, customer experience strategy, Lean UX, agile product design and delivery, service design, and user research. I specialize in financial services, diversified, commerce, and B2B products and services that are people-centered and purpose-built for both business and customer value. As part of my large portfolio of noteworthy accomplishments, I am most passionate about solving complex digital transformation challenges, delivering needle-moving digital products, and fostering collaboration and inclusion.

Mark Wagner on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrkwgnr/

Resources

Horizontal Digital: https://www.horizontal.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Pega provides the leading AI-powered platform for enterprise transformation. The world’s most influential organizations trust Pega’s technology to reimagine how work gets done by automating workflows, personalizing customer experiences, and modernizing legacy systems. Since 1983, Pega’s scalable, flexible architecture has fueled continuous innovation, helping clients accelerate their path to the autonomous enterprise. Learn more at Pega.com
What if the most valuable use of AI in the enterprise is actually the often overlooked yet incredibly costly work of untangling decades of legacy code and process documents?

Agility requires the ability to adapt and evolve, but for many enterprises, that ability is trapped inside decades of legacy systems and byzantine processes. What if the same AI that's creating the new could also be the key to understanding and modernizing the old?

Today, we're going to talk about moving beyond the hype we’re so used to hearing about AI and into the practical, high-impact world of agentic AI. We’ll explore how this approach can help large organizations finally tackle their technical debt, not by ripping and replacing, but by understanding and redesigning from the inside out, fostering a new level of collaboration between business and IT along the way.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Don Schuerman, CTO at Pega.

About Don Schuerman

As CTO and Vice President of Marketing & Technology Strategy at Pegasystems, I see my role as being a "Chief Translation Officer" – bridging the gap between cutting-edge technology and real-world business value. With 25 years of experience in orchestration and AI technology, I'm passionate about translating complex technical concepts into meaningful solutions that drive digital transformation for global organizations.
My approach to technology leadership has been shaped by an unexpected source: 20 years of improv comedy at ImprovBoston's Mainstage. The skills I honed there – active listening, storytelling, and thinking on my feet – now help me connect with both technical teams and business leaders. It's where I also met my wife, proving that sometimes the best partnerships form when you say "yes, and..."
At Pega, I lead the intersection of technology and go-to-market strategy across our enterprise AI decisioning and workflow automation platform. My focus is two-fold: translating the power of technology into tangible value for our Fortune 500 clients, while ensuring our technology roadmap reflects the evolving needs of these organizations. I believe that inclusivity is a key ingredient of innovation and am honored to service as Executive Sponsor of the Pride@Pega Employee Resource Group.

Don Schuerman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donschuerman/

Resources

Pega: https://www.pega.com

Pega provides the leading AI-powered platform for enterprise transformation. The world’s most influential organizations trust Pega’s technology to reimagine how work gets done by automating workflows, personalizing customer experiences, and modernizing legacy systems. Since 1983, Pega’s scalable, flexible architecture has fueled continuous innovation, helping clients accelerate their path to the autonomous enterprise.

Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show
Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com
The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company