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

If Google sent you zero traffic tomorrow morning, would your P&L still be breathing by lunchtime?

Agility requires re-engineering your revenue model at the speed of AI.
Today we’re going to talk about how AI chatbots are siphoning off audience attention—and what forward-thinking publishers can do about it instead of panic-refreshing their analytics dashboards.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Sean King, Chief Revenue Officer and GM of Media & Entertainment at Veritone.

About Sean King

Sean King is the Chief Revenue Officer & GM, Commercial at Veritone, leading all sales and marketing activities for the organization in addition to overseeing Veritone’s Commercial division, including SaaS technologies and managed services. With a keen ability to drive growth and operational excellence, Sean has played a pivotal role in scaling Veritone’s AI-driven solutions. His leadership was instrumental in establishing Veritone Licensing as North America’s premier AI-powered content licensing firm and in guiding Veritone One to become a top AI-driven audio and influencer advertising agency before its successful divestiture in 2024. With over 20 years of experience in sales management, technology operations and strategic partnerships, Sean is passionate about optimizing business operations, unlocking new opportunities and applying AI and synthetic media to drive innovation.

Sean King on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryansteelberg/

Resources

Veritone: https://www.veritone.com

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

Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150

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.

Are brands prepared for a consumer base that's simultaneously more confident and more cautious?

Agility requires not just reacting to current consumer behavior but anticipating the shifts to come. It also requires a deep understanding of the nuances within different consumer segments, particularly as generational behaviors diverge.

Today, we're going to talk about the evolving landscape of consumer confidence, especially among Gen Z and Millennials, and what this means for brands navigating the current market. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Eric Miao, Chief Strategy Officer at Attentive.
About Eric Miao

Eric Miao on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-miao-62313b9/

Resources

Attentive: https://www.attentive.com

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

Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150

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.

Are most brands still designing customer journeys, or are they just trying to keep up with where their customers are leading them?

Agility requires a willingness to meet your customers where they are—not just where you wish they’d convert. In an era where the consumer journey can begin and end on a social platform or anywhere in between, brands must be fluid enough to engage meaningfully across channels while still connecting the dots behind the scenes.

Today we’re going to talk about the changing consumer journey and why a connected ecosystem that includes social commerce, audience targeting, and measurement is now table stakes.
To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Janna Navarro, VP, Brand & Media Strategy at Wpromote.

About Janna Navarro

Janna has two decades of experience spearheading brand evolution across sectors such as automotive and quick-service restaurants. As VP of Brand, Media & Consumer Strategy, she leads with an integrated approach to digital-first marketing. Before Wpromote, Janna led teams at CPB, collaborating with brands like Domino’s Pizza to leverage data-driven decision-making and new media. Her experience also includes working with GM on its Cadillac EV line.

Janna Navarro on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jannatopolewski/

Resources

Wpromote: https://www.wpromote.com

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

Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150

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.

If you had to pick one of the biggest challenges facing CMOs today, how high on your list would customer loyalty be?

Agility requires a deep understanding of your customer and the ability to adapt to their ever-changing needs and expectations. It also requires a willingness to experiment and learn from failures, quickly iterating on strategies and tactics.

Today, we're going to talk about the evolving landscape of travel loyalty programs and how brands can best engage with different generations of travelers, particularly in the face of changing economic conditions and emerging generational trends.

To help me discuss this topic and other highlights from arrivia’s Loyalty and the Changing Traveler report, I'd like to welcome, Jeff Zotara, Chief Marketing Officer at arrivia.

About Jeff Zotara

Jeff Zotara is the Chief Marketing Officer of arrivia, a travel technology company providing travel loyalty, booking, and marketing solutions to consumer-facing companies that want to deliver exceptional value to customers, uncover new revenue streams, and drive growth through exciting travel rewards and member benefits. With more than two decades as a strategic and operational marketing leader, Jeff is focused on driving growth and marketing technology across brands and providing the best member experience at the intersection of travel and tech.  

Jeff Zotara on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffzotara/

Resources

arrivia: https://www.arrivia.com

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

Get a copy of arrivia's Loyalty and the Changing Traveler report: https://resources.arrivia.com/report-survey-loyalty-changing-traveler
Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150"

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.

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

Is your brand ready to thrive, not just survive, in the face of evolving global consumer expectations and market shifts?

Agility requires more than just quick reactions; it demands proactive foresight, strategic adaptability, and a willingness to embrace continuous evolution. This is particularly critical in today's ever-changing global ecommerce landscape.

Today, we are here at eTail Boston and we're going to talk about navigating the complexities of global ecommerce, from peak season delivery strategies and regional fulfillment, to the latest on de minimis thresholds and tariffs. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Helaine Rich, Vice President Strategic Sales and Administration at ePost.
About Helaine Rich

As the VP of Strategic Sales and Administration at ePost Global, Helaine’s team is responsible for onboarding and managing multi-carrier platforms, involved with the development of new services and tools for customers while growing revenue through strategic account acquisition. 

Helaine Rich on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helaine-rich-b61a207/

Resources

ePost: https://epostglobalshipping.com/

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

Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150

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.

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

Are you building your customer data strategy around your goals, or are your goals constrained by your data platform?

Agility in today’s marketing technology landscape isn’t just about speed—it’s about flexibility. Brands need data architectures that adapt to their needs, not the other way around. And with the right approach, that agility can fuel personalization, better customer outcomes, and real business value.

Today we’re going to talk about composable customer data platforms and how AI is enhancing decision-making to increase customer lifetime value.
To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Tejas Monahar, co-CEO and co-Founder of Hightouch.

About Tejas Manohar

Tejas Manohar is the cofounder/co-CEO of Hightouch. Prior to founding Hightouch, Tejas was an early engineer at Segment, the leading company in the Customer Data Platform (CDP) space that was acquired by Twilio for $3.2B. At Segment, Tejas realized that many of the challenges of building a best-in-class CDP would be better solved on top of the data warehouse and a modern data stack and hence, he founded Hightouch. When Tejas isn’t thinking about data, he likes running and playing competitive table tennis.

Tejas Manohar on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tejasmanohar/

Resources

Hightouch: https://www.hightouch.com https://www.hightouch.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 Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands
Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150"

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.

When consumer trust is more fragile than ever, how can brands, particularly in highly scrutinized categories like infant nutrition, utilize the latest approaches to not only build trust but also deepen consumer relationships?

Agility requires not only adapting to evolving consumer expectations and technological advancements but also maintaining ethical and transparent practices, especially when dealing with sensitive topics such as infant health. It also demands a willingness to experiment, learn, and iterate quickly in response to market feedback and emerging trends.

Today, we're going to talk about building trust in a digital age, navigating the complexities of launching a purpose-driven CPG brand, and redefining what “healthy” means for a new generation of parents. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Meika Hollender, Chief Marketing Officer at Nara Organics.

About Meika Hollender

Meika Hollender is the Chief Marketing Officer of Nara Organics, a pioneering brand redefining infant nutrition with its first-of-its-kind USDA-certified organic whole milk formula.

Before joining Nara, Meika served as Vice President of Brand and Corporate Communications at Grove Collaborative, a leading sustainable consumer products company and the first plastic-neutral retailer in the world. At Grove, she led the development and execution of communications strategy across brand, sustainability, and innovation, driving awareness through powerful storytelling and purpose-driven campaigns. Grove, a certified B Corp, is on a mission to move Beyond Plastic and be 100% plastic-free by 2025.

Meika first made her mark as the Co-Founder and CEO of Sustain, the pioneering brand of natural sexual wellness products for women. After growing Sustain into a category leader, the company was acquired by Grove in 2019. Meika stayed on as President of Sustain while stepping into a broader role at Grove, where she brought her passion for product innovation, social impact, and women’s health to a wider CPG platform.
She holds an MBA from NYU’s Stern School of Business and is the author of Get on Top, published by Simon & Schuster in 2018. Meika also serves on the board of Net Impact and the Young Visionaries Committee for Planned Parenthood of New York City.

Meika Hollender on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meika-hollender-b574b519/

Resources

Nara Organics: https://nara.com/ https://nara.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 Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands
Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150"

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.

Is the most effective way to understand real human behavior to simulate it first?
Agility requires a willingness to test ideas that sound strange at first—like asking bots to act more human by narrowing their point of view, or treating synthetic personas as real sources of insight. But when applied correctly, this thinking unlocks entirely new ways to scale customer understanding.

Today we’re going to talk about how synthetic research is reshaping how we understand audiences—and how asking the right questions can make these insights feel far less synthetic and far more human.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Mike Taylor, Founder & CEO of Ask Rally.

Mike – welcome to the show!

About Mike Taylor

Mike Taylor is the CEO & Co-Founder of Rally. He built a 50 person marketing agency in the US and EU, has taught 300,000 students in online courses, and wrote a prompt engineering book for O’Reilly.

Mike Taylor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mjt145/

Resources

Ask Rally: https://www.askrally.com

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

Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150

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.