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

How much of your marketing and CX investment is being undermined in the final mile by a sales conversation that goes off the rails?

Agility requires our customer-facing teams do more than recite a script; they need the situational awareness to navigate complex conversations in real time. This capability isn't just a sales skill—it's a critical component of the overall customer experience.

Today, we're talking about the gap between traditional sales training and real-world performance. Most reps forget the majority of what they learn, and classroom theory often fails to prepare them for the pressure and unpredictability of live buyer interactions. We'll explore how AI-powered simulation is moving beyond static role-play to create deliberate practice environments where teams can build the muscle memory needed for high-stakes conversations.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Sam Dorison, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer at ReflexAI.

About Sam Dorison

Sam Dorison is the Cofounder and CEO at ReflexAI. An expert in artificial intelligence strategy and product deployment, Dorison has been involved with AI-powered products in industries ranging from mental health to cybersecurity to smart cities. Before launching ReflexAI, he served as Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer at The Trevor Project, the world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ young people. There, he published 5 peer-reviewed articles on mental health and oversaw teams including crisis services, training, research, technology, and finance. Dorison previously worked at McKinsey & Company and Harvard Kennedy School. He graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Princeton University’s School of Public and International Affairs. He also holds an LL.M. from Cambridge University and a master’s degree from University College London, both as a Marshall Scholar. Beyond ReflexAI, Dorison is heavily involved in causes that support families impacted by cancer. Dorison lives in New York City with his husband.

Sam Dorison on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samdorison/

---------- Resources ----------

ReflexAI: https://www.reflexai.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703

We’re proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658

Reach your customers with Reddit. Spend $500 in ad spend, get $500 back in ad credit! Learn more: https://advertalize.com/r/491818c79fb1873f

Chaser is the only Slack-native project management platform that helps teams turn messages into tracked tasks, automate follow-ups, and maintain team-wide visibility, without adopting another tool. Now integrated with Claude and other generative AI tools, Chaser is the only platform that brings AI-powered project management into Slack, where teams already work. Chaser is based in Toronto, Canada. Learn more at trychaser.com.

The most influential minds in software, AI, and engineering leadership will be at WeAreDevelopers World Congress North America, September 23-25 in San Jose. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/60a7299222a7bcf1

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3

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://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba

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.

In a world of infinite entertainment choices, how does a sports franchise earn a fan's loyalty when the game isn't being played?

Agility requires meeting fans where they are, with the right message at the right moment, whether they're on their couch or in their seat. This means adapting communication strategies in real-time to create a conversation, not just a broadcast.

Today, we're going to talk about how sports franchises are navigating an incredibly crowded calendar to build deeper relationships with their fans. It's no longer just about what happens on the field or the court; it's about merging technology and creativity to design a seamless fan journey that extends from their living room to the stadium and back. This means looking beyond traditional broadcast and email to create interactive, personalized experiences that add real value.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Ben Lewis, VP of Marketing and Growth at Infobip.

About Ben Lewis

Ben Lewis is the Vice President of Marketing and Growth at Infobip, a global cloud communications platform, appointed in December 2022. Based in Israel, he leads global marketing, aiming to increase brand awareness and market share. He previously held roles at OpenMarket and has extensive experience in omnichannel communications and strategic commercial innovation.

Ben Lewis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-lewis-082b7915/

---------- Resources ----------

Infobip: infobip.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703

We’re proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658

Reach your customers with Reddit. Spend $500 in ad spend, get $500 back in ad credit! Learn more: https://advertalize.com/r/491818c79fb1873f

Chaser is the only Slack-native project management platform that helps teams turn messages into tracked tasks, automate follow-ups, and maintain team-wide visibility, without adopting another tool. Now integrated with Claude and other generative AI tools, Chaser is the only platform that brings AI-powered project management into Slack, where teams already work. Chaser is based in Toronto, Canada. Learn more at trychaser.com.

The most influential minds in software, AI, and engineering leadership will be at WeAreDevelopers World Congress North America, September 23-25 in San Jose. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/60a7299222a7bcf1

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3

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://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba

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.

With every vendor claiming their platform is a revolutionary AI silver bullet, how do enterprise leaders distinguish between genuine innovation and what's essentially just marketing hype wrapped in a new algorithm?

Agility requires a clear-eyed strategy for adopting new technologies, especially AI, focusing on practical outcomes over speculative promises.

Today, we're going to talk about moving past the theoretical promise of AI and into its practical application for enterprise marketing. We’ll discuss:

- How to demystify AI for the broader marketing organization so your teams can actually use it.

- Moving beyond theory to discuss tangible applications that drive efficiency and better customer experiences.

- Why a solid data foundation isn't just important for AI, but is the absolute prerequisite for its success.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Daniella Harkins, SVP, Product GTM at LiveRamp.

About Daniella Harkins

Daniella Harkins is SVP, Product Go To Market at LiveRamp (NYSE: RAMP), the leading data collaboration platform. She works at the intersection of product and commercial teams to drive the structure and transformation of the two functions team toward the next evolution — empowering them to achieve max productivity. She holds a deep understanding of the market and field and translating it into GTM activities such as pricing, product stories, salesplays, and launches. Daniella holds a Bachelor of Arts in French from Temple University and an MBA from St. John’s University Rome, and speaks French and Italian.

Daniella Harkins on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dharkins/

---------- Resources ----------

LiveRamp: https://www.liveramp.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703

We’re proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658

Reach your customers with Reddit. Spend $500 in ad spend, get $500 back in ad credit! Learn more: https://advertalize.com/r/491818c79fb1873f

Chaser is the only Slack-native project management platform that helps teams turn messages into tracked tasks, automate follow-ups, and maintain team-wide visibility, without adopting another tool. Now integrated with Claude and other generative AI tools, Chaser is the only platform that brings AI-powered project management into Slack, where teams already work. Chaser is based in Toronto, Canada. Learn more at trychaser.com.

The most influential minds in software, AI, and engineering leadership will be at WeAreDevelopers World Congress North America, September 23-25 in San Jose. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/60a7299222a7bcf1

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3

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://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba

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.

As generative and agentic AI promise to accelerate everything we do, are we at risk of becoming incredibly efficient at producing forgettable customer experiences?

Today, we are here in Brooklyn at Forrester CX Forum East and we're going to talk about building better experiences with an AI-enabled design workflow. Specifically, we’ll cover:

- Balancing the speed of AI with the intentional, human-led decisions required to craft exceptional experiences.

- The role of a robust design system in scaling high-quality, AI-powered experiences consistently across the enterprise.

- How to identify high-value AI use cases for your design workflow while maintaining responsible practices that build customer trust.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Gina Bhawalkar, Principal Analyst at Forrester.

About Gina Bhawalkar

Gina's research focuses on digital accessibility and experience design. Gina established and now leads Forrester’s coverage of the digital accessibility space and has a deep background and interest in the topic. She advises organizations on how to establish and scale sustainable accessibility practices and is an expert on the digital accessibility platform (DAP) market. Her research on accessibility has appeared in publications such as The Wall Street Journal and The Financial Brand, and she is a frequent speaker at accessibility events and podcasts. Gina’s other areas of expertise include inclusive and responsible design, design systems, personas, and measuring the impact of digital experience design improvements.

Gina has over 20 years of experience as both a UX/CX practitioner and leader, with eight years in the financial services industry. Prior to joining Forrester, Gina was the director of customer experience research at Bank of the West, a subsidiary of BNP Paribas. There, she led the bank’s digital voice-of-the-customer program and conducted primary research to inform digital product development. Previously, Gina led the user experience and accessibility department at Scottrade, where she built the two disciplines from the ground up. Earlier in her career, Gina was a UX consultant at Perficient, leading design and research projects for clients in the financial services, agribusiness, utilities, insurance, and retail industries. She has also served as an accessibility consultant at both Criterion 508 and the Georgia Tech Research Institute.

Gina holds bachelor’s degrees in psychology and computer science from Trinity University and an MS in human-computer interaction from the Georgia Institute of Technology, where her research focused on evaluating the accessibility of physical and digital products to people with disabilities.

Gina Bhawalkar on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginabhawalkar/

---------- Resources ----------

Forrester: https://www.forrester.com

We’re proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658

Reach your customers with Reddit. Spend $500 in ad spend, get $500 back in ad credit! Learn more: https://advertalize.com/r/491818c79fb1873f

The most influential minds in software, AI, and engineering leadership will be at WeAreDevelopers World Congress North America, September 23-25 in San Jose. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/60a7299222a7bcf1

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3

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://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba

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

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

What if your next customer isn't a person, but an AI agent acting on their behalf? And what if that agent is evaluating your brand on a purely logical, data-driven basis, completely devoid of the emotional hooks your marketing has always relied on?

Agility requires not just adapting to changing customer behaviors, but also redefining who—or what—our customer even is. It demands that we build operational and strategic frameworks that can cater to both human emotional drivers and the cold, hard logic of machines.

Today, we are at Forrester CX in New York City, and we're going to talk about a fundamental shift in the customer journey: the rise of the AI agent as an influential, and in some cases, decision-making persona. This isn't just about using AI in our marketing; it's about marketing to AI. We'll explore what it means when our brand's message needs to be optimized not just for human perception, but for machine interpretation and evaluation.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Chuck Gahun, Principal Analyst at Forrester.

About Chuck Gahun

Chuck is a leader in Forrester’s Digital Business & Strategy practice serving business and digital executives. His research coverage includes content management systems (CMSes), product information management (PIM) systems, and commerce services and strategy for B2B and B2C companies. Chuck helps executives design strategies that deliver customer and business value by partnering with technology vendors and services providers. Chuck has 20 years of experience in content and commerce. He specializes in digital strategy, experience design, and technology initiatives in CMSes, e-commerce systems, digital asset management (DAM) systems, PIM systems, digital experience platforms (DXPs), and several others. He has led strategy and implementations for brands like Goldman Sachs, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Hilti, Marriott, AARP, and the Centers for Disease Control. Prior to joining Forrester, Chuck was a managing director and partner at Shift7 Digital (a Merkle company) and held senior management positions at ZS Medullan and Publicis Sapient. Chuck holds a BA in government and international politics and an MS in technology management from George Mason University.

Chuck Gahun on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuckgahun/

---------- Resources ----------

Forrester: https://www.forrester.com

We’re proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658

Reach your customers with Reddit. Spend $500 in ad spend, get $500 back in ad credit! Learn more: https://advertalize.com/r/491818c79fb1873f

The most influential minds in software, AI, and engineering leadership will be at WeAreDevelopers World Congress North America, September 23-25 in San Jose. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/60a7299222a7bcf1

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3

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://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba

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.

What if the most common point of failure in your digital customer experience: the 'no results found' page, could become your greatest opportunity for conversion and discovery?

Agility requires not just adopting new technologies, but fundamentally rethinking core customer interactions, like search, that have remained static for far too long. It demands a shift from rigid rules to responsive, intelligent systems that learn from and adapt to customer intent in real time.

Today, we're going to talk about the evolution of on-site search. For years, it's been a functional, yet often frustrating, utility for customers. But with advancements in AI, it's transforming from a simple keyword-matching tool into a conversational discovery engine that can anticipate intent and drive a more intelligent customer experience.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Nitin Mangtani, GM and EVP of Agentforce Commerce at Salesforce.

About Nitin Mangtani

Nitin Mangtani is the SVP & GM of Retail at Salesforce. At Salesforce, Nitin's focus is building Agent-first commerce solutions. Previously, Nitin was the Founder & CEO of PredictSpring, a leader in Modern POS. Salesforce acquired PredictSpring in September 2024.

Nitin Mangtani on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitinmangtani/

---------- Resources ----------

Salesforce: https://www.salesforce.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703

We’re proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658

Reach your customers with Reddit. Spend $500 in ad spend, get $500 back in ad credit! Learn more: https://advertalize.com/r/491818c79fb1873f

Don't miss We Make Future - the International Festival of Innovation in AI, Tech, and Digital Marketing, June 24-26 in Bologna. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/c80991afff416bb2

The most influential minds in software, AI, and engineering leadership will be at WeAreDevelopers World Congress North America, September 23-25 in San Jose. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/60a7299222a7bcf1

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3

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://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba

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.

Most leaders think about AI as a tool to analyze data or assist with tasks. But what happens when your AI becomes an autonomous agent, not just providing insights but actively orchestrating complex processes on its own?

Today, we are at PegaWorld 2026 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, and, we're going to talk about moving AI from a theoretical concept to a practical, value-driving reality. Specifically, we’ll explore:

- The transition from predictive AI to agentic AI, and what that means for orchestrating complex customer journeys.

- The architectural and data foundations required to successfully deploy autonomous AI agents at an enterprise scale.

- How this approach enables a new level of proactive, personalized engagement that improves outcomes and drives business value.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Richard Rutkowski, Director of Product and Technology at enGen.

About Richard Rutkowski

Richard Rutkowski is Director of Product and Technology at enGen, where he leads the development of clinical care management solutions designed to improve patient outcomes, streamline administrative processes, and reduce healthcare costs. With a background in computer systems technology and expertise in product strategy, agile methodologies, and technology leadership, Richard works across cross-functional teams to develop and scale innovative solutions that address complex healthcare challenges. 

enGen is the technology, operations, and services company of Highmark Health, one of the largest integrated health organizations in the United States. The company provides technology, data, and business solutions that help health plans, providers, and care teams modernize operations, improve efficiency, and enhance healthcare experiences. enGen focuses on leveraging emerging technologies, including AI and automation, to simplify complex healthcare processes and drive better outcomes across the healthcare ecosystem.

Richard Rutkowski on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-rutkowski-35063410a/

---------- Resources ----------

enGen: https://goengen.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. Learn more at Pega.com

We’re proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658

Reach your customers with Reddit. Spend $500 in ad spend, get $500 back in ad credit! Learn more: https://advertalize.com/r/491818c79fb1873f

Don't miss We Make Future - the International Festival of Innovation in AI, Tech, and Digital Marketing, June 24-26 in Bologna. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/c80991afff416bb2

The most influential minds in software, AI, and engineering leadership will be at WeAreDevelopers World Congress North America, September 23-25 in San Jose. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/60a7299222a7bcf1

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3

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://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba

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.

What if the marketing funnel, the foundational model we've relied on for decades, is fundamentally flawed and actively misleading us about what our customers actually want?

Agility requires not just reacting quickly, but reacting with intelligence, which is impossible when your customer data is telling you the wrong story.

Today, we're going to talk about the shift from legacy metrics to a more intelligent, unified view of the customer. Specifically, we'll cover:

- Why traditional funnel metrics can obscure true customer intent and what to focus on instead.

- The architectural shift required to move from generic, disjointed interactions to a unified, personalized customer experience.

- How context-aware AI is graduating from simple automation to becoming a core driver of intelligent customer engagement.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Vanessa Thompson, VP of Revenue & Growth Marketing at Twilio.

About Vanessa Thomspon

Vanessa Thompson is Vice President of Revenue & Growth Marketing at Twilio, leading a global team that drives top-of-funnel growth. Her expertise spans all facets of go-to-market including demand generation, growth, lifecycle, analytics, product marketing and product strategy. Vanessa leads high-impact initiatives that drive acquisition and fuel business expansion - helping Twilio execute its vision to make every digital interaction between consumers and businesses amazing.

Vanessa Thomspon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessathomps/

---------- Resources ----------

Twilo: https://www.twilio.com

The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703

We’re proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658

Reach your customers with Reddit. Spend $500 in ad spend, get $500 back in ad credit! Learn more: https://advertalize.com/r/491818c79fb1873f

The most influential minds in software, AI, and engineering leadership will be at WeAreDevelopers World Congress North America, September 23-25 in San Jose. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/60a7299222a7bcf1

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3

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://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba

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.

What if the biggest barrier to your company's transformation isn't your legacy technology, but your legacy thinking about it?

Today, we are at PegaWorld 2026 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, and, we're going to talk about the immense challenge and opportunity of enterprise modernization. Specifically, we'll cover:

- Translating a massive technology initiative into tangible improvements in the customer and partner experience.

- The practical steps required to make an enterprise 'AI-ready' by bridging the gap between legacy systems and modern cloud platforms.

- How transforming core operations can directly enable marketing and product teams to accelerate speed-to-market.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Shelia Anderson, EVP Chief Information & Digital Officer at Unum.

About Shelia Anderson

Shelia Anderson is Executive Vice President and Chief Information and Digital Officer at Unum, where she leads the company's technology and digital strategy. A four-time CIO with more than 25 years of technology leadership experience, Shelia has built a reputation for driving large-scale business transformation through cloud migration, AI adoption, digital modernization, and agile operating models. Prior to joining Unum in 2025, she served as Chief Information Officer at Aflac, where she led enterprise technology strategy, customer experience transformation, and AI-driven innovation initiatives. Throughout her career, Shelia has been recognized as one of the industry's leading technology executives, including recognition among the Top 100 Women in FinTech.

Unum is a leading provider of workplace benefits and insurance products, serving millions of customers through disability, life, accident, critical illness, and supplemental health insurance offerings. The company works with employers across the United States and United Kingdom to provide financial protection and income replacement benefits that help individuals and families navigate life's unexpected challenges. In recent years, Unum has invested heavily in digital transformation, cloud modernization, automation, and AI initiatives designed to improve customer experiences, streamline operations, and accelerate innovation across the business.

Shelia Anderson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheliaanderson/

---------- Resources ----------

Unum: https://www.unum.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. Learn more at Pega.com

We’re proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658

Reach your customers with Reddit. Spend $500 in ad spend, get $500 back in ad credit! Learn more: https://advertalize.com/r/491818c79fb1873f

Don't miss We Make Future - the International Festival of Innovation in AI, Tech, and Digital Marketing, June 24-26 in Bologna. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/c80991afff416bb2

The most influential minds in software, AI, and engineering leadership will be at WeAreDevelopers World Congress North America, September 23-25 in San Jose. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/60a7299222a7bcf1

Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3

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: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba

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

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

We're told AI will revolutionize marketing, but many leaders are finding it just creates more content chaos and operational risk. Is the answer more AI, or a fundamentally different approach to how AI is managed?

Today we are at PegaWorld 2026 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, and, we're going to talk about:

- The shift from generative AI for content creation to agentic AI for end-to-end campaign execution.

- How to orchestrate multiple AI agents to move from a marketing brief to a live, personalized campaign in minutes, not weeks.

- Implementing the governance and human oversight necessary to scale AI-driven marketing responsibly and avoid the risks of uncontrolled automation.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Tara DeZao, Director of Product Marketing, AdTech and MarTech at Pega.

About Tara DeZao

Tara DeZao, Director of Product Marketing, AdTech and MarTech at Pega, is passionate about helping clients deliver better, more empathetic customer experiences backed by artificial intelligence. Over the last decade, she has cultivated a successful career in the marketing departments of both startups and Fortune 500 enterprise technology companies. She is a subject matter expert on all things marketing and has authored articles that have appeared in AdExchanger, VentureBeat, MarTech Series and more. Tara received her bachelor's degree from the University of California, Berkeley and an MBA from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Tara DeZao on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taradezao/

---------- Resources ----------

: 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. Learn more at Pega.com

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