Public relations is shifting, and few know it better than Richard Learmer, a PR veteran with over 30 years in business. We sat down to dive deep into what makes PR indispensable, even as AI-generated content and automation flood the market. Richard reveals the timeless strategies that still work, why genuine media relationships matter more than ever, and how events and real-world connections are gaining new ground.

I prefaced the conversation with the current state of content, media, B2B, and PR several months after our chat in RLM's Manhattan office. This initial conversation left an impression, and we've bundled it into a standalone PR episode as we're heading into a busy Q4 again and right before the voting season.

You’ll walk away with insights on:

• The evolving role of PR in a post-AI landscape
• How traditional media and real-world events are making a comeback
• Practical tips for leveraging earned media to stand out in a crowded market
• The secret sauce to building lasting media relationships in 2024

Don't miss this conversation—it might just change how you think about your marketing strategy this year. Got questions for Richard? Drop them in the comments!

2024 has been a turning point for B2B marketing - and every progressive B2B company on the planet has been integrating this piece of technology.

As organic and social channels have been drying up for many and paid ads performing far less efficiently, maximizing conversion rates and data collection are more important than ever. So while being able to capture company-level account data has been possible for years (albeit not too affordable), progressive products like SiteStop now provide visibility for individual level data - names, email addresses, LinkedIn profiles, and even phone numbers.

I sat down to discuss the next stage of B2B marketing with Mani Iyer, the CEO of Kwanzoo. We covered a number of key points around how personal visitor identity is reshaping the way businesses engage with prospects and customers, turning cold leads into warm conversations.

Mani shares insights on:

1. The shift from company-level data to understanding individual visitors and their unique journeys.
2. How personal insights can enhance lead generation and nurture relationships effectively.
3. The importance of integrating visitor identity into your marketing strategy for better results.
4. Practical tips for automating processes that save time and improve lead quality.

Join us as we explore how this human-centric approach can transform your marketing efforts and foster genuine connections in a digital world. Get ready to rethink your strategy and embrace the power of personal engagement!

What drives successful agency acquisitions?

Dominic Wells, CEO of Onfolio Holdings, dives into the intricacies of acquiring profitable online businesses. With a focus on the unique challenges and advantages of agency ownership, Dominic shares how consolidating diverse teams can create unexpected synergies and foster innovation.

One of his latest ventures provides unique opportunities for active angel investors or successful entrepreneurs seeking investing opportunities into profitable companies, including dividend-sharing. I made two investments myself and we cover this opportunity on the episode, too.

Explore how agencies can leverage their people-centric nature to adapt and thrive in a competitive landscape. Discover the strategic benefits of acquiring complementary businesses and how collaboration among teams enhances service offerings.

Key takeaways include:

• Unit economics of acquiring and scaling agencies
• Building a diverse portfolio of agencies complementing their services
• The value of talent density in agency growth
• Strategies for identifying lucrative acquisition targets
• Insights into market trends affecting agency valuations
• How to foster a culture of collaboration across acquired teams

This conversation is essential for anyone looking to understand the future of agency operations and growth strategies!

How to overcome the digital noise in crowded and oversaturated markets? Discussing agency strategy, performance marketing, omnichannel tips this week with Chris Henrotin, Director of Business Development at Playbook Media, a seasoned expert and former Google executive (one of the first 1,000 hires there), as he shares invaluable insights on navigating product market fit and the evolving landscape of performance marketing.

Discover how companies can effectively identify their target audience while avoiding the pitfalls of diminishing returns in ad channels. With a wealth of experience from both Google and startups, Chris discusses the challenges agencies face in differentiating themselves in a competitive market and the importance of reinvesting in brand awareness.

Key takeaways include:

-Strategies for overcoming diminishing returns in advertising

-The critical role of tailored creative for different platforms

-Insights on how political campaigns impact marketing dynamics

-Effective sales strategies for agencies looking to stand out

Whether you’re a B2B leader or an aspiring entrepreneur, this conversation will reshape your understanding of growth strategies in today’s digital marketplace.

Newsletters are the key engine of building a 1st party data pool as a defensive mechanism in the B2B space.

Meet Emanuel Cinca - Founder of Stacked Marketer, the leading newsletter network for marketing professionals and readers from companies like Meta, Google, Apple, Shopify, Salesforce, HubSpot, Semrush, TikTok (to name just a few!) Manu and I break down the math behind growing Stacked Marketer, building a loyal audience, their data insights, and the Pro marketing platform.  

Emanuel shares:

- The importance of data-driven storytelling in marketing and how visual stories make complex insights actionable.

- How generational differences (Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, and Boomers) impact spending habits and how marketers can reach each group through the right platforms (TikTok, email, etc.).

- Real examples of how major brands like HubSpot and Shopify use first-party data to optimize campaigns and generate better ROI.

- Why newsletters are essential for building first-party data strategies and how B2B companies can use them for lead generation and brand building.

For every founder seeking the path to future exit and investors exploring M&A opportunities and strategic growth deals:

We've got you covered with the world's largest marketplace for selling sites and apps.

The B2B Growth Hacking Playbook dives into data insights of 450,000+ businesses sold with Blake Hutchison, CEO of Flippa, to uncover how modern B2B organizations are thriving in the ever-evolving digital marketplace. Whether you're looking to buy, sell, or just understand the M&A landscape, this conversation breaks down the power of digital assets and what it takes to succeed.

Blake shares:

1. How Flippa’s matching engine connects the right buyers with the right businesses
2. Why smaller M&A deals ($100k to $5M) are on the rise and what that means for entrepreneurs
3. The growing demand for assets like YouTube channels, newsletters, and AI-based tools
4. Data-driven insights from over 425,000 weekly programmatic matches

We also dive into how strategic acquisitions are becoming a game changer for businesses looking to grow fast.

Whether you’re a startup founder or an established business leader, this will shift how you think about buying and selling digital assets.

Struggling with GA4 for B2B analytics, custom event handling or attributing publishing revenue?

The B2B Growth Hacking Playbook digs deep into why Google Analytics 4 falls short for businesses focused on detailed user journeys and event-level analytics.

I sat down with Gareth Glaser, CEO of Gamera, to discuss how his company is revolutionizing the way we track, visualize, and act on website data.

Garreth walks us through:

• How Gamera solves the pain points of GA4
• The power of user journey mapping to improve conversions
• Why personalized experiences based on data are the future of marketing

We also touch on the future of analytics, advertising, and the growing influence of tools like perplexity on content discovery.

If you're frustrated with GA4 or simply want better insights for your business, this episode will give you a new perspective on the tools available.

Ever wondered how email courses can transform your B2B growth?

Join us in this episode of The B2B Growth Hacking Playbook with Alexander Dimitrov, the brain behind highly converting B2B email courses and the voice behind renowned executive accounts online. We dig into the power of email courses, LinkedIn ghostwriting, and how to create a seamless lead capture experience that turns prospects into loyal clients.

Alexander shares actionable insights on:

• Crafting effective email sequences that nurture and convert
• Leveraging LinkedIn for maximum B2B impact
• The underrated power of thank you pages and personalized emails

Whether you're in SaaS, Fintech, or any B2B sector, these tips are game-changers.

If you’re serious about taking your business to the next level, this video is a must-watch. And don’t forget to check out my book, MBA Disrupted, a bestseller in entrepreneurship and the startup category.

B2B podcasts, ROI on video strategy in 2024, and why YouTube is king in the era of autogenerated GPT content: 

The first episode of The B2B Growth Hacking Playbook featuring Ryan Sullivan, founder of Podcast Principles, the mastermind behind some of the most successful B2B video podcasts on the planet. Ryan has interviewed titans like Chris Walker in his shows, the demand gen king of dark social and tracking attribution through non-obvious channels (link to the episode below).

We dive deep into why every B2B should be investing in their own podcast, how authentic content can drive business success, and the secrets to repurposing content for maximum impact. 

Podcasts are on the rise - and the ROI is clear. That's why I'm finally launching a video podcast here, too.