The Agile Brand with Greg Kihlström® | What CMOs Need to Know About Marketing Technology, AI & CX

The Agile Brand with Greg Kihlström® | What CMOs Need to Know About Marketing Technology, AI & CX

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The Agile Brand with Greg Kihlström® | What CMOs Need to Know About Marketing Technology, AI & CX episodes

  • #804: GenLayer CEO Albert Castellana on AI's accountability gap

    When an AI agent makes a decision that costs your company millions in a lawsuit, who do you fire?


    Agility requires both the speed to adopt new technologies like AI agents, as well as the foresight to build the guardrails that prevent that speed from driving your brand off a cliff.


    Today, we're going to talk about the hidden crisis brewing behind the AI revolution: the accountability gap. As companies race to replace roles with autonomous AI agents, a critical question is being ignored: when an agent makes a biased, unethical, or simply wrong decision that harms a customer or an employee, who is actually responsible? This isn't a future problem; it's happening right now, and it poses a massive threat to brand trust, customer relationships, and legal standing.


    To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Albert Castellana, Co-Founder & CEO at GenLayer.


    About Albert Castellana
    Albert Castellana is Co-Founder & CEO at GenLayer. A serial crypto entrepreneur since 2013, Albert has co-founded and led major blockchain projects including Radix DLT, NEM.io, BadgerDAO, and StakeHound, reaching over $25B in combined market value. Albert brings extensive experience in decentralized finance and governance. Albert’s leadership is driven by firsthand insight into how existing legal systems fall short for digital assets, fueling his passion to create a trustless, global arbitration layer.

    Albert Castellana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/acastellana/

    Resources

    GenLayer: https://www.genlayer.com

    Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code AGILE at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: ⁠https://incogni.com/agile⁠ 


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

    Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://www.thecrmc.com/

    Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://ratethispodcast.com/agile

    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

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    23 min
  • #803: Apollo.io CMO Marcio Arnecke on agentic Go-To-Market approaches

    For years, we've heard about AI transforming software development. But what if that same level of agentic, AI-driven collaboration could be applied not just to writing code, but to writing your entire go-to-market playbook?


    Agility requires that your go-to-market teams operate at the speed of insight, not at the speed of manual data entry and fragmented workflows. This means empowering them with tools that don't just provide data, but automate action based on strategic intent.


    Today, we're going to talk about the concept of an 'agentic' go-to-market platform, where AI doesn't just assist, but actively collaborates with sales and marketing teams to automate entire workflows, from strategy to execution.


    To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Marcio Arnecke, Chief Marketing Officer at Apollo.io.
    About Marcio Arnecke

    As Apollo.io's Chief Marketing Officer, Marcio Arnecke brings a visionary approach to scaling high-growth B2B SaaS marketing in the AI-driven sales landscape. With over two decades of experience driving revenue acceleration across global markets, he has consistently transformed early-stage technology companies into market-defining brands. His expertise in AI-powered go-to-market strategies uniquely positions him to accelerate Apollo's mission of empowering sales teams through intelligent data and automation.

    Previously, he played a pivotal role in scaling marketing functions at SaaS giants like Intercom and Zendesk, where he drove remarkable growth from $40M to $1.7B, culminating in a successful IPO that raised $100 million in 2014. Leveraging his comprehensive background in demand generation, product marketing, and strategic storytelling, Marcio is focused on positioning Apollo as the go-to AI sales platform for SMB and mid-market teams.

    His approach combines data-driven insights with targeted narrative strategies, translating Apollo's technological capabilities into practical business value. Drawing from his global experience across Silicon Valley and international markets, Marcio aims to expand Apollo's brand and demonstrate how AI can meaningfully improve sales engagement for growing businesses. Marcio holds advanced degrees from Stanford University's Graduate School of Business and Golden Gate University, complemented by a BS in Business Administration from Universidade Feevale in Brazil.

    Marcio Arnecke on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcioarnecke/

    Resources

    Apollo.io: https://www.apollo.io


    Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code AGILE at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/agile 

    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/

    Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://www.thecrmc.com/

    Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://ratethispodcast.com/agile

    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

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    18 min
  • #802: eTail's Lena Moriarty on e-commerce in the year ahead

    What happens when your best customer is no longer a person, but an AI agent acting on their behalf?


    Agility requires not just adapting to new technologies, but fundamentally rethinking the customer journey when those technologies change the very definition of a customer. It demands a proactive stance on what’s next, rather than a reactive one.


    Today, we're going to talk about the seismic shifts happening in e-commerce, fresh off the floor of NRF 2026, and what it all means for the year ahead. We’ll explore the real-world impact of AI on the customer experience, the rise of agentic commerce, and how marketing leaders can prepare for a future that’s arriving faster than anyone expected.
    To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome back Lena Moriarty, Head of Marketing at eTail.

    About Lena Moriarty

    Lena Moriarty is the Head of Marketing at eTail, the conference community designed to power your growth 365 days a year. At eTail, she takes charge on all things omnichannel marketing and strategy, from point A to point Z.

    Lena Moriarty on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/lenamoriarty

    Resources

    eTail Palm Springs: https://etailwest.wbresearch.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/

    Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://www.thecrmc.com/

    Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://ratethispodcast.com/agile

    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

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    27 min
  • #801: Brandlight CEO Imri Marcus on GEO, AI browsers, and the new search experience

    For the last two decades, marketers have lived by the decisions one company has made and the experience customers have with that company’s search bar (and in many cases, browser). But what happens when Google is dethroned by an AI?


    Agility requires not just adapting to new channels, but fundamentally rethinking the entire customer discovery journey when the rules are rewritten overnight. It’s about moving from optimizing for keywords to influencing AI-driven conversations.


    Today, we're going to talk about the rise of AI browsers and Generative Engine Optimization, or GEO. Whether it’s using ChatGPT or Perplexity to search the web or with tools like OpenAI’s Atlas browser, we’re seeing a convergence of search, shopping, and conversation that could fundamentally change how brands are discovered, evaluated, and purchased, creating a new battleground for customer data and attention.


    To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Imri Marcus, CEO and Co-Founder at Brandlight.

    About Imri Marcus

    Imri Marcus is the CEO and Co-Founder of Brandlight AI, the strategic data and influence partner for Fortune 500 enterprises navigating the shift to AI-driven consumer discovery. A serial entrepreneur with multiple successful exits in the media and AI sectors, Imri is now focused on empowering the world’s leading brands to own their narrative in this new, zero-sum marketing channel. Imri earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Reichman University and splits his time between Tel Aviv and New York.

    Imri Marcus on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/imri-marcus-89074a79

    Resources

    Brandlight: https://www.brandlight.ai/

    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/

    Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://www.thecrmc.com/

    Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://ratethispodcast.com/agile

    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

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    25 min
  • #800: Five9 VP of CX Jenn Edwards on building great customer experience when behavior shifts

    When 62% of your customers are making decisions based on deals and discounts, is investing in premium customer experience a luxury you can still afford, or is it the only thing that can actually save you?


    Agility requires brands to move beyond seasonal planning and into a state of continuous listening. It’s about having the insight and infrastructure to pivot your customer experience strategy in real-time based on economic signals and shifting consumer priorities.


    Today, we're going to talk about decoding the often-conflicting signals consumers sent during the last holiday season. Five9 posted some of their findings in a report that we’ll link out to in the show notes.


    We'll explore how deep-seated economic pressures are reshaping shopping habits, and how AI is moving from a back-office tool to a front-line differentiator that can deliver both the savings customers crave and the experiences that build loyalty.


    To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Jenn Edwards, VP of Customer Experience at Five9.
    About Jenn Edwards

    Jenn Edwards is an accomplished professional in customer experience and marketing, currently serving as the VP of Customer Experience at Five9. With a robust background that includes roles such as Marketing and Customer Experience Advisor at JME Consulting and Co-Founder of Community Art Collaborative, Jennifer has demonstrated strong leadership and innovative thinking. Previously, Jennifer held the position of Americas Field Marketing Leader at Cisco and served as VP Global Demand at WalkMe™. Educationally, Jennifer holds a Master of Science in Telecommunications Management from UCL and a Bachelor of Science in Marketing/International Business from Manhattan College.

    Jenn Edwards on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifermaciveredwards/

    Resources

    Five9: https://www.five9.com/

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

    Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://www.thecrmc.com/

    Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://ratethispodcast.com/agile
    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

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    28 min
  • #799: ISM President Dave Simon on maximizing retail media network investments

    Retail Media Networks are generating billions of dollars, but not all brands benefiting from them equally.


    Agility requires more than just shifting budgets to the newest channel; it demands a fundamental rethinking of how internal teams collaborate and how technology is applied to the unique environment of retail.


    Today, we're going to talk about the nuanced reality of Retail Media Networks. They represent one of the biggest shifts in marketing, but many brands are finding that the playbook from traditional digital advertising doesn't quite translate. We'll explore why simply plugging in programmatic tools isn't the silver bullet it's promised to be, how to navigate the internal budget battles between trade and media teams, and what it really takes for AI to deliver on its potential in a retail context.


    To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Dave Simon, President of In-Store Marketplace at ISM.
    About Dave Simon

    David Simon, EVP of Advertising for Mood Media and President of Vibenomics and In-Store Marketplace (ISM), is a seasoned ad tech executive with extensive experience driving programmatic advertising growth across mobile app, CTV and web platforms. As former Chief Revenue Officer at Fyber, he led the mobile app ad monetization platform from $100 million to $500 million in revenue before its acquisition by Digital Turbine. His career spans leadership positions at Moloco, Jounce Media, Verizon Media, Vidible (acquired by AOL), Turn, Right Media and Yahoo. Simon specializes in programmatic strategy, marketplace development and bridging supply-demand gaps in retail media advertising.

    Dave Simon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjsimon/

    Resources

    ISM: https://instoremarketplace.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/

    Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://www.thecrmc.com/

    Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://ratethispodcast.com/agile

    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

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    28 min
  • #798: Phill Agnew of the Nudge Podcast on the psychology of successful marketing and CX

    In a world obsessed with Martech optimization and AI, is the most overlooked competitive advantage simply understanding how the human brain actually works?


    Agility requires more than just adapting to new technologies; it requires a deep, empathetic understanding of the timeless human behaviors that drive customer decisions.


    Today, we're going to talk about the intersection of marketing and human psychology. We'll explore how understanding cognitive biases and behavioral science isn't just an academic exercise, but a critical tool for creating more effective customer experiences, more persuasive messaging, and ultimately, a more resilient and agile brand.


    To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Phill Agnew, Host of Nudge Podcast at Nudge Podcast.
    About Phill Agnew

    Phill Agnew hosts Nudge, the UK's #1 marketing podcast. It's a critically acclaimed behavioural science show that has featured world-renowned guests such as Richard Shotton, Rory Sutherland, Tali Sharot, Jonah Berger, Dan Pink, and Chris Voss. With a knack for demystifying complex psychological concepts, Phill translates cutting-edge behavioural science into actionable insights for marketers, business leaders, and everyday professionals. His podcast has been downloaded by hundreds of thousands across the globe, establishing Phill as a trusted voice in behavioural marketing.,Yes,This has been completed

    Phill Agnew on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phill-agnew/

    Resources

    Nudge Podcast: https://www.nudgepodcast.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/

    Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://www.thecrmc.com/

    Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://ratethispodcast.com/agile
    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

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    32 min
  • #797: Vitam CMO Lisa Avvocato on AI's Growing Role from Search to Transaction

    With AI like ChatGPT now handling the customer journey from search to potentially the entire transaction, are we about to witness the end of the brand website as the primary point of conversion?


    Agility requires not just reacting to new technologies like AI, but proactively redesigning the core operating model of the marketing organization. It demands a shift from mastering a set of fixed channels to building a flexible system that can learn, test, and scale with entirely new platforms for discovery and engagement.


    Today, we're going to talk about how AI is fundamentally rewriting the playbook for marketing—from how customers discover brands in the first place, to the very nature of content creation, and the operational realities of building a team and a tech stack that can keep up. It's a topic filled with both existential threats and massive opportunities.
    To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Lisa Avvocato, Chief Marketing Officer at Vitam and former VP of Marketing and Community at Sama.

    About Lisa Avvocato

    Lisa Avvocato on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lisaavvocato

    Resources

    Vitam: https://thevitam.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/

    Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://www.thecrmc.com/

    Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://ratethispodcast.com/agile
    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

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    26 min
  • #796: Shutterstock's Allison Sitzman on how to counter the marketing impact gap

    What if I told you that for every new dollar you’ve added to your marketing budget in the last two years, your actual impact on customers has gone down?


    Agility requires moving beyond the muscle memory of simply increasing ad spend. It demands a continuous reassessment of what truly connects with customers and a willingness to pivot creative strategy based on real-time cultural and emotional insights.


    Today, we're going to talk about a paradox that's likely keeping many marketing leaders up at night: the massive increase in global ad spend versus the startling drop in marketing impact. It's what Shutterstock's latest research calls the "impact gap," and we'll explore why the old playbook of just spending more is broken, and what the new drivers of success—like emotional connection, cultural relevance, and AI-powered personalization—actually look like in practice.


    To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Allison Sitzman, Vice President of Brand Strategy at Shutterstock.

    About Allison Sitzman

    Drawing on over 20 years of experience, Allison Sitzman is a strategic marketing leader who helps brands navigate inflection points, translating customer insight into growth and differentiation. Allison leads Shutterstock’s Brand Strategy organization, overseeing the global brand portfolio. She is responsible for defining and evolving Shutterstock’s positioning, audience strategy, and brand architecture. Allison’s leadership is focused on meaningful connection, business growth, and the consistent expression of the company’s purpose to fuel great work. Beyond her marketing leadership, Allison is deeply committed to building inclusive, high-performing teams. She previously co-chaired Cox Automotive’s women’s employee resource group and now serves as co-executive sponsor of Shutterstock’s LGBTQ+ employee resource group, advocating for belonging, empathy, and emotionally intelligent leadership across creative and marketing organizations.

    Allison Sitzman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsitzman/

    Resources

    Shutterstock: https://www.shutterstock.com

    Read the Shutterstock report: The Impact Gap: Uncovering the Hidden Drivers That Make Creativity More Powerful

    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/

    Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://www.thecrmc.com/

    Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://ratethispodcast.com/agile

    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

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    29 min
  • #795: Resident Expert: Novi CEO Kimberly Shenk on how agentic AI changes buyer's journey

    This episode is brought to you by Novi. Novi is the infrastructure powering brand growth in AI commerce. By connecting brands, certification bodies, and major retailers, Novi ensures verified product data is accurate, consistent, and surfaced where shoppers and AI models search, turning credibility into authority, visibility, and conversion. Learn more at noviconnect.com


    As we look ahead to the next holiday season, will your marketing strategy even matter if an AI agent is making the final recommendation for the consumer?

    Agility requires more than just the latest AI tools. It sometimes requires fundamentally re-engineering how your brand earns visibility and trust in an algorithm-driven world. It demands a shift from winning clicks on a search page to becoming the definitive answer for an AI agent.

    Today, we're going to talk about how agentic AI is quietly becoming the new gatekeeper between brands and consumers, radically changing e-commerce discovery and purchase behavior, especially in the CPG and retail space.

    To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Kimberly Shenk, CEO at Novi, our Resident Expert on AI-Driven Commerce. Kimberly, welcome to the show!

    About Kimberly Shenk

    Kimberly Shenk is co-founder and CEO of Novi, a technology company that helps CPG brands and retailers ensure consumers can easily discover and select their products when using AI assistants to shop. A serial tech entrepreneur, Shenk has led data science teams at early and midstage startups such as Eventbrite, Domino Data Labs and NakedPoppy, where she was a co-founder and Head of Product. Before transitioning to the private sector, Shenk served as a United States Air Force Captain for five years, holding the chief data scientist position at the Pacific Air Force headquarters in Hawaii. She holds a BS from the U.S. Air Force Academy and an MS in data science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). In 2025, she was named to the Inc. Female Founders 500 list for a second time.

    Kimberly Shenk on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberlyshenk/

    Resources

    Novi: https://www.noviconnect.com/

    This episode is brought to you by Novi. Novi is the infrastructure powering brand growth in AI commerce. By connecting brands, certification bodies, and major retailers, Novi ensures verified product data is accurate, consistent, and surfaced where shoppers and AI models search, turning credibility into authority, visibility, and conversion. Learn more at noviconnect.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/


    Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://www.thecrmc.com/

    Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://ratethispodcast.com/agile


    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

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    29 min

About The Agile Brand with Greg Kihlström® | What CMOs Need to Know About Marketing Technology, AI & CX

From the publisher's feed

Marketing technology, AI, and customer experience, explained by the people building it. Three times a week, Greg Kihlström interviews CMOs, product leaders, and martech executives from platform…

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