The Dave Gerhardt Show (from Exit Five)

By Exit Five

Interviews with top marketers sharing tactical tips, strategies, and lessons learned to help you grow your business. Hosted by Dave Gerhardt, founder of Exit Five, former CMO, and author of Founder Br... more

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The podcast currently has 386 episodes available.

The Dave Gerhardt Show (from Exit Five) episodes:

September 22, 2025How to Use Cognitive Behavioral Branding to Create New Categories with Ari Yablok, Head of Brand at Island
#284 Brand | Dave sits down with Ari Yablok, Head of Brand at Island, to share his approach to creating a brand in the cybersecurity space. Ari shares his journey from agency life to leading the brand narrative at Island, where he helped build the concept of the "enterprise browser."

Dave and Ari Cover:
The key differences between category creation and strategic positioning, and why it matters for B2B marketers
The steps to building a brand story that resonates with both your internal team and your target audience
How focusing on the last 20% of branding efforts can elevate your company above the competition

Timestamps
(00:00) - - Intro to Ari
(03:24) - - Rapidly Growing Enterprise Browser Company Secures $375M in Series D Funding
(07:33) - - SEO Strategy vs Branding
(13:00) - - How Brand is an Art and a Science
(18:15) - - Challenges in Cybersecurity Branding
(19:59) - - Early Stage Marketing
(26:54) - - Cognitive Behavioral Branding
(32:03) - - How Ari Manages Projects with the Brand Team
(34:13) - - Comfortable vs. Uncomfortable Approaches to Brand Strategy
(38:31) - - What Founders Really Want to Do
(43:37) - - Balancing the Day-to-Day with Visionary Goals
Join 50,0000 people who get Dave's Newsletter here: https://www.exitfive.com/newsletter
Learn more about Exit Five's private marketing community: https://www.exitfive.com/

***

Brought to you by:
Webflow - A website platform built for the agentic web, helping modern marketing teams build fully custom sites—no developer needed—that perform in AI search. Learn more at webflow.com/for/exitfive.
Markup AI - A content quality platform that scans your content against brand voice, preferred terms, messaging standards, and AI-search readiness before it goes live, right inside Google Docs. Learn more at markup.ai.
Optimizely - A no-code AI platform where autonomous agents execute marketing work across webpages, email, SEO, and campaigns. Learn how to deploy agents on your marketing team at Agents in the Mix. Learn more at optimizely.com/exitfive.
Walker Sands - An integrated B2B marketing and growth services agency that helps marketing leaders turn strategy into measurable business impact through their Outcome-based Marketing model. Learn more at walkersands.com/exitfive.

Knak - A no-code, campaign creation platform that lets you go from idea to on-brand email and landing pages in minutes, using AI where it actually matters. Learn more at knak.com/exitfive, or check out the MCP server by clicking this link.

***

Thanks to my friends at hatch.fm for producing this episode and handling all of the Exit Five podcast production.

They give you unlimited podcast editing and strategy for your B2B podcast.
Get unlimited podcast editing and on-demand strategy for one low monthly cost. Just upload your episode, and they take care of the rest.
Visit hatch.fm to learn more
...more
47min
September 18, 2025From Employee #4 to CMO: The Path to Marketing Leadership with Sylvia Lepoidevin, CMO at Kandji
#283 Marketing Leadership | In this episode, Dave is joined by Sylvia Lepoidevin, CMO of Kandji, a leading platform for managing and securing Apple devices in the workplace. Sylvia shares her journey from employee #4 to CMO at Kandji, driving the company’s growth to a $850M valuation. She talks about her experience building efficient marketing teams, leveraging AI, and creating impactful brand experiences.

Dave and Sylvia cover:
How AI is reshaping marketing roles and enabling smaller, more efficient teams
Strategies for internal marketing that align and energize cross-functional teams
Product launches and creative campaigns for brand-driven growth
Timestamps
(00:00) - - Intro to Sylvia
(03:48) - - From Marketing Hire to CMO
(08:33) - - Understanding Equity and Financial Outcomes
(11:15) - - Wealth and Career Growth
(13:55) - - Why It’s Important to Have a Clear Career Narrative
(18:47) - - Mastering Storytelling in Team Meetings
(22:05) - - How to Engage Your Team
(22:41) - - Leveraging Feedback Loops to Build a Successful Team
(28:12) - - AI Is Enabling Smaller, More Efficient Teams
(31:55) - - AI’s Impact on Marketing
(34:55) - - How Kandji Is Expanding Their Team
(37:46) - - Achieving 10x Growth Through Product-Led Strategies
(41:26) - - Leveraging Competitor and Apple-Specific Keywords
(44:50) - - Minimizing Hiring Risk: Test Roles First
Join 50,0000 people who get Dave's Newsletter here: https://www.exitfive.com/newsletter
Learn more about Exit Five's private marketing community: https://www.exitfive.com/

***

Brought to you by:
Webflow - A website platform built for the agentic web, helping modern marketing teams build fully custom sites—no developer needed—that perform in AI search. Learn more at webflow.com/for/exitfive.
Markup AI - A content quality platform that scans your content against brand voice, preferred terms, messaging standards, and AI-search readiness before it goes live, right inside Google Docs. Learn more at markup.ai.
Optimizely - A no-code AI platform where autonomous agents execute marketing work across webpages, email, SEO, and campaigns. Learn how to deploy agents on your marketing team at Agents in the Mix. Learn more at optimizely.com/exitfive.
Walker Sands - An integrated B2B marketing and growth services agency that helps marketing leaders turn strategy into measurable business impact through their Outcome-based Marketing model. Learn more at walkersands.com/exitfive.

Knak - A no-code, campaign creation platform that lets you go from idea to on-brand email and landing pages in minutes, using AI where it actually matters. Learn more at knak.com/exitfive, or check out the MCP server by clicking this link.

***

Thanks to my friends at hatch.fm for producing this episode and handling all of the Exit Five podcast production.

They give you unlimited podcast editing and strategy for your B2B podcast.
Get unlimited podcast editing and on-demand strategy for one low monthly cost. Just upload your episode, and they take care of the rest.
Visit hatch.fm to learn more
...more
50min
September 15, 2025Research-First CRO: How Data Leads to Better Marketing Decisions with Haley Carpenter
#282 CRO | Matt is joined by Haley Carpenter, founder of Chirpy, a conversion rate optimization agency. Haley has nearly a decade of CRO experience across agency, SaaS, and eCommerce, and she’s known for helping brands use research and testing to make smarter marketing decisions.

Matt and Haley cover:
Why CRO isn’t just A/B testing, and how research should guide every optimization effort
How to approach CRO when you don’t have massive website traffic, including scrappy testing methods and tools
The role of messaging, value props, and social proof in driving higher conversions (and where B2B often lags behind DTC)
By the end, you’ll have a clearer picture of how to approach CRO as a system, not just a set of tests.

Timestamps
(00:00) - – Intro
(01:00) - – Who is Haley Carpenter
(02:00) - – What CRO really means
(05:00) - – Research vs. testing explained
(09:00) - – Where to start CRO on a website
(12:00) - – Testing with limited traffic
(16:00) - – Using data for smarter decisions
(19:00) - – Building a culture of testing
(23:00) - – How to report CRO results
(28:00) - – Scrappy tools: Clarity & Hotjar
(32:00) - – What B2B can learn from DTC
(36:00) - – Why messaging matters more than features
(40:00) - – The power of social proof
(46:00) - – Common blockers to CRO success
(48:00) - – A surprising test result (+7% sales)
(50:00) - – Vanity metrics vs. real business outcomes
(54:00) - – Closing thoughts
Join 50,0000 people who get Dave's Newsletter here: https://www.exitfive.com/newsletter
Learn more about Exit Five's private marketing community: https://www.exitfive.com/

***

Brought to you by:
Webflow - A website platform built for the agentic web, helping modern marketing teams build fully custom sites—no developer needed—that perform in AI search. Learn more at webflow.com/for/exitfive.
Markup AI - A content quality platform that scans your content against brand voice, preferred terms, messaging standards, and AI-search readiness before it goes live, right inside Google Docs. Learn more at markup.ai.
Optimizely - A no-code AI platform where autonomous agents execute marketing work across webpages, email, SEO, and campaigns. Learn how to deploy agents on your marketing team at Agents in the Mix. Learn more at optimizely.com/exitfive.
Walker Sands - An integrated B2B marketing and growth services agency that helps marketing leaders turn strategy into measurable business impact through their Outcome-based Marketing model. Learn more at walkersands.com/exitfive.

Knak - A no-code, campaign creation platform that lets you go from idea to on-brand email and landing pages in minutes, using AI where it actually matters. Learn more at knak.com/exitfive, or check out the MCP server by clicking this link.

***

Thanks to my friends at hatch.fm for producing this episode and handling all of the Exit Five podcast production.

They give you unlimited podcast editing and strategy for your B2B podcast.
Get unlimited podcast editing and on-demand strategy for one low monthly cost. Just upload your episode, and they take care of the rest.
Visit hatch.fm to learn more
...more
56min
September 11, 2025The Future of GTM and Sustainable Growth with Chris Walker, CEO at Passetto
#281 Growth | In this episode, Dave is joined by Chris Walker, CEO of Passetto, and a prominent voice on LinkedIn, where he has been pushing the boundaries of B2B marketing for years. Chris shares actionable insights and tactics on social media strategy, what has changed in marketing over the last five years, and how to build effective feedback loops and flywheels.
Dave and Chris also cover:
The future of GTM and the evolving role of the CMO
Why sustainable growth is the only path forward
The transformative role AI will play in B2B marketing
Timestamps
(00:53) - - Intro to Chris Walker
(02:40) - - Managing different perspectives on social media
(07:12) - - The ROI of podcasts and social media engagement
(12:35) - - Why real-time feedback loops are valuable
(18:10) - - Shifting from "growth at all costs" to sustainable growth
(24:00) - - Rethinking marketing measurement and ROI
(30:10) - - Splitting marketing teams: strategy vs. pipeline creation
(37:15) - - How AI is reshaping B2B marketing teams
(45:20) - - Chris’s approach to creativity and focus
(50:05) - - Predictions for the future of B2B marketing
(51:43) - - Outro
Join 50,0000 people who get Dave's Newsletter here: https://www.exitfive.com/newsletter
Learn more about Exit Five's private marketing community: https://www.exitfive.com/

***

Brought to you by:
Webflow - A website platform built for the agentic web, helping modern marketing teams build fully custom sites—no developer needed—that perform in AI search. Learn more at webflow.com/for/exitfive.
Markup AI - A content quality platform that scans your content against brand voice, preferred terms, messaging standards, and AI-search readiness before it goes live, right inside Google Docs. Learn more at markup.ai.
Optimizely - A no-code AI platform where autonomous agents execute marketing work across webpages, email, SEO, and campaigns. Learn how to deploy agents on your marketing team at Agents in the Mix. Learn more at optimizely.com/exitfive.
Walker Sands - An integrated B2B marketing and growth services agency that helps marketing leaders turn strategy into measurable business impact through their Outcome-based Marketing model. Learn more at walkersands.com/exitfive.

Knak - A no-code, campaign creation platform that lets you go from idea to on-brand email and landing pages in minutes, using AI where it actually matters. Learn more at knak.com/exitfive, or check out the MCP server by clicking this link.

***

Thanks to my friends at hatch.fm for producing this episode and handling all of the Exit Five podcast production.

They give you unlimited podcast editing and strategy for your B2B podcast.
Get unlimited podcast editing and on-demand strategy for one low monthly cost. Just upload your episode, and they take care of the rest.
Visit hatch.fm to learn more
...more
52min
September 08, 2025Why Cookie Cutter Marketing Doesn’t Work with Gurdeep Dhillon, CMO at ContentStack
#280 Strategy | In this episode, Dave is joined by Gurdeep Dhillon, CMO of Contentstack. Gurdeep has built an impressive career leading marketing at some of the biggest names in enterprise software, from SAP to Adobe, Marketo to Zoura. Now at Content Stack, he's challenging conventional B2B marketing wisdom in rethinking how enterprise companies should approach demand generation and brand building. In this conversation, Dave and Gurdeep dive deep into why marketing is ultimately a game of memory and reputation, not just lead generation.

Dave and Gurdeep cover:
The role of Demand Gen in 2025 (and what's changed)
Why Brand and Reputation should be prioritized over Lead Generation
Proven strategies to create urgency and close sales deals in enterprise markets
A glimpse into ContentStack’s team structure and how they plan for growth
Timestamps
(00:00) - - Intro to Gurdeep
(05:42) - - Brand and Audience Marketing
(06:54) - - How the Role of Demand Gen is Changing
(11:04) - - Brand and Reputation > Lead Generation
(15:54) - - How Contentstack is Doing Demand Gen
(18:32) - - How to Create Urgency to Win Sales Deals
(20:13) - - Making a Good Offer in B2B Marketing
(21:29) - - Why Being Bold and Taking Risks is Important in Marketing
(26:03) - - Selling Your Vision to Leadership
(28:44) - - How Contentstack Has Over 10,000 Global ICP Accounts
(33:27) - - Team Structure at Contentstack
(38:25) - - Running Marketing and Operating a High-Performing Team
(40:41) - - Setting Effective Annual Plans
(42:56) - - AI’s Role in Marketing
(46:30) - - Closing Thoughts
Join 50,0000 people who get Dave's Newsletter here: https://www.exitfive.com/newsletter
Learn more about Exit Five's private marketing community: https://www.exitfive.com/

***

Brought to you by:
Webflow - A website platform built for the agentic web, helping modern marketing teams build fully custom sites—no developer needed—that perform in AI search. Learn more at webflow.com/for/exitfive.
Markup AI - A content quality platform that scans your content against brand voice, preferred terms, messaging standards, and AI-search readiness before it goes live, right inside Google Docs. Learn more at markup.ai.
Optimizely - A no-code AI platform where autonomous agents execute marketing work across webpages, email, SEO, and campaigns. Learn how to deploy agents on your marketing team at Agents in the Mix. Learn more at optimizely.com/exitfive.
Walker Sands - An integrated B2B marketing and growth services agency that helps marketing leaders turn strategy into measurable business impact through their Outcome-based Marketing model. Learn more at walkersands.com/exitfive.

Knak - A no-code, campaign creation platform that lets you go from idea to on-brand email and landing pages in minutes, using AI where it actually matters. Learn more at knak.com/exitfive, or check out the MCP server by clicking this link.

***

Thanks to my friends at hatch.fm for producing this episode and handling all of the Exit Five podcast production.

They give you unlimited podcast editing and strategy for your B2B podcast.
Get unlimited podcast editing and on-demand strategy for one low monthly cost. Just upload your episode, and they take care of the rest.
Visit hatch.fm to learn more
...more
49min
September 04, 2025The Unfiltered Truth About Video Marketing and AI with Holly Xiao and Dave Gerhardt
#279 Content Strategy | In this episode, Dave joins Holly Xiao from HeyGen for an unfiltered conversation about where AI and video marketing are headed. Holly leads B2B marketing at HeyGen, an AI-powered video platform, and she sat down with Dave to dig into what’s working (and what’s not) when it comes to creating content that actually connects.
This recording is from a discussion Dave and Holly did with the AI Marketing Alliance --> https://www.aimarketingalliance.com/

Dave and Holly cover:
Why video hits differently in B2B and how to make yours stand out without blowing your budget
How AI is reshaping the content production cycle and freeing up marketers to focus on storytelling
Why early adoption matters, and how small teams can use AI to punch above their weight
You can expect a candid, practical conversation about how to scale content, stay relevant, and make the most of AI.

Timestamps
(00:00) - – Intro
(00:18) - – Why this conversation matters
(01:35) - – AI is making marketing exciting again
(02:44) - – Dave’s early bet on video
(04:44) - – How LinkedIn video exploded
(06:01) - – ROI vs. brand building
(07:16) - – From connection to conversion
(09:01) - – Why video feels more human
(11:07) - – “Maybe your videos suck”
(13:13) - – The problem with corporate videos
(15:01) - – The value of repetition and reps
(17:25) - – How AI speeds up content cycles
(19:42) - – Real AI tools Dave is using
(21:19) - – Decks, data, and automation
(23:44) - – Why creativity still wins
(26:06) - – The return of the creative CMO
(28:20) - – Personalized content at scale
(30:19) - – AI vs. in-person experiences
(33:01) - – Do audiences care if it’s AI?
(35:47) - – What makes an AI video work
(38:24) - – Using AI to test and scale video
(41:05) - – What small teams should do first
(44:43) - – Final advice: be an early adopter
Join 50,0000 people who get Dave's Newsletter here: https://www.exitfive.com/newsletter
Learn more about Exit Five's private marketing community: https://www.exitfive.com/

***

Brought to you by:
Webflow - A website platform built for the agentic web, helping modern marketing teams build fully custom sites—no developer needed—that perform in AI search. Learn more at webflow.com/for/exitfive.
Markup AI - A content quality platform that scans your content against brand voice, preferred terms, messaging standards, and AI-search readiness before it goes live, right inside Google Docs. Learn more at markup.ai.
Optimizely - A no-code AI platform where autonomous agents execute marketing work across webpages, email, SEO, and campaigns. Learn how to deploy agents on your marketing team at Agents in the Mix. Learn more at optimizely.com/exitfive.
Walker Sands - An integrated B2B marketing and growth services agency that helps marketing leaders turn strategy into measurable business impact through their Outcome-based Marketing model. Learn more at walkersands.com/exitfive.

Knak - A no-code, campaign creation platform that lets you go from idea to on-brand email and landing pages in minutes, using AI where it actually matters. Learn more at knak.com/exitfive, or check out the MCP server by clicking this link.

***

Thanks to my friends at hatch.fm for producing this episode and handling all of the Exit Five podcast production.

They give you unlimited podcast editing and strategy for your B2B podcast.
Get unlimited podcast editing and on-demand strategy for one low monthly cost. Just upload your episode, and they take care of the rest.
Visit hatch.fm to learn more
...more
58min
September 01, 2025How B2B Marketers Are Actually Using AI for Content
#278 Content | In this episode, Dave brings together five B2B marketers who aren’t just talking about AI, they’re actually using it to change how their teams work. Each finalist from the Exit Five x Walnut AI Sessions takes the (virtual) stage to demo their workflow, share results, and answer questions from the judges.

Here’s what you’ll hear:
Jillian Hoefer’s “content concierge” GPT trained on proprietary research to surface stats, quotes, and data for blogs, sales decks, and thought leadership
Jake Heap’s workflow using Meshy + VEO 3 to turn a simple mascot into animated 3D brand characters in minutes
Jessica Lytle’s no-code ROI calculator built in Lovable that sales reps now run live on calls to build business cases
Ugi Djuric’s high-volume content engine that scrapes industry news and sales call transcripts, then uses AI to summarize, generate content ideas, and even score leads
Anton Ruis’ AI-powered buyer brief builder that pulls real-time economic data and tailors sales messaging to specific personas
It’s part workshop, part competition, and packed with creative, tactical ways to put AI to work in B2B marketing today.

Timestamps
(00:00) - – Dave kicks off in a tux
(01:35) - – Record-breaking registrations
(02:13) - – Meet the judges: Benny & Jess
(07:01) - – Jillian’s “victim of repurposing” intro
(07:41) - – Building a “content concierge” GPT from research data
(09:05) - – Injecting stats + quotes into blogs and decks
(13:01) - – How one report fueled 9+ months of content
(18:01) - – Jake on bringing AI into marketing ops
(19:24) - – Turning a mascot into a 3D character with Meshy
(20:09) - – Animating it in VEO 3 (no designer needed)
(23:24) - – Cutting animation time from weeks to minutes
(27:38) - – Jessica builds a no-code ROI calculator in Lovable
(30:47) - – AEs use it live on sales calls
(31:31) - – Adding benchmarks + transparency to ROI math
(38:49) - – Ugi’s AI engine scrapes + summarizes industry news
(41:06) - – Training custom GPTs on expert insights
(47:46) - – Anton’s real-time buyer briefs from economic data
(50:21) - – Tailoring briefs for CROs, enablement, PMMs
(54:05) - – Judges crown the winning use case + Dave’s wrap-up
Join 50,0000 people who get Dave's Newsletter here: https://www.exitfive.com/newsletter
Learn more about Exit Five's private marketing community: https://www.exitfive.com/

***

Brought to you by:
Webflow - A website platform built for the agentic web, helping modern marketing teams build fully custom sites—no developer needed—that perform in AI search. Learn more at webflow.com/for/exitfive.
Markup AI - A content quality platform that scans your content against brand voice, preferred terms, messaging standards, and AI-search readiness before it goes live, right inside Google Docs. Learn more at markup.ai.
Optimizely - A no-code AI platform where autonomous agents execute marketing work across webpages, email, SEO, and campaigns. Learn how to deploy agents on your marketing team at Agents in the Mix. Learn more at optimizely.com/exitfive.
Walker Sands - An integrated B2B marketing and growth services agency that helps marketing leaders turn strategy into measurable business impact through their Outcome-based Marketing model. Learn more at walkersands.com/exitfive.

Knak - A no-code, campaign creation platform that lets you go from idea to on-brand email and landing pages in minutes, using AI where it actually matters. Learn more at knak.com/exitfive, or check out the MCP server by clicking this link.

***

Thanks to my friends at hatch.fm for producing this episode and handling all of the Exit Five podcast production.

They give you unlimited podcast editing and strategy for your B2B podcast.
Get unlimited podcast editing and on-demand strategy for one low monthly cost. Just upload your episode, and they take care of the rest.
Visit hatch.fm to learn more
...more
59min
August 28, 2025The Strategy Behind Canva’s B2B Growth with Emma Robinson and Kristine Segrist
#277 Growth | Dave is joined by Emma Robinson, Head of B2B Marketing at Canva, and Kristine Segrist, VP of Consumer Marketing at Canva. Together, Emma and Kristine lead the teams driving Canva’s growth across both enterprise and consumer audiences, helping the company scale into a platform now used by over 95% of the Fortune 500.

Dave, Emma, and Kristine cover:
How Canva balances brand-building with pipeline accountability, and why they view brand investment as long-term growth.
The playbook Canva uses to turn bottom-up adoption into enterprise deals, including how product signals guide upsell and expansion.
How their team structure, data science investments, and creative bets (like the Love Your Work campaign) work together to scale B2B marketing without losing Canva’s approachable brand identity.
This episode offers a practical look at how one of the world’s most recognizable platforms approaches B2B growth.

Timestamps
(00:00) - – Intro
(02:00) - – Canva’s marketing org structure
(05:00) - – Blurring B2B and B2C
(10:00) - – How Canva measures marketing impact
(15:00) - – Turning free users into enterprise deals
(20:00) - – Data science’s role in marketing
(23:00) - – Balancing brand bets with ROI
(28:00) - – Inside the “Love Your Work” campaign
(35:00) - – How Canva executes large campaigns
(39:00) - – Building enterprise credibility and trust
(42:00) - – FedEx case study on brand governance
(46:00) - – Lessons from Google and Meta
(50:00) - – Why creativity is a marketing superpower
(52:00) - – Closing thoughts
Join 50,0000 people who get Dave's Newsletter here: https://www.exitfive.com/newsletter
Learn more about Exit Five's private marketing community: https://www.exitfive.com/

***

Brought to you by:
Webflow - A website platform built for the agentic web, helping modern marketing teams build fully custom sites—no developer needed—that perform in AI search. Learn more at webflow.com/for/exitfive.
Markup AI - A content quality platform that scans your content against brand voice, preferred terms, messaging standards, and AI-search readiness before it goes live, right inside Google Docs. Learn more at markup.ai.
Optimizely - A no-code AI platform where autonomous agents execute marketing work across webpages, email, SEO, and campaigns. Learn how to deploy agents on your marketing team at Agents in the Mix. Learn more at optimizely.com/exitfive.
Walker Sands - An integrated B2B marketing and growth services agency that helps marketing leaders turn strategy into measurable business impact through their Outcome-based Marketing model. Learn more at walkersands.com/exitfive.

Knak - A no-code, campaign creation platform that lets you go from idea to on-brand email and landing pages in minutes, using AI where it actually matters. Learn more at knak.com/exitfive, or check out the MCP server by clicking this link.

***

Thanks to my friends at hatch.fm for producing this episode and handling all of the Exit Five podcast production.

They give you unlimited podcast editing and strategy for your B2B podcast.
Get unlimited podcast editing and on-demand strategy for one low monthly cost. Just upload your episode, and they take care of the rest.
Visit hatch.fm to learn more
...more
49min
August 25, 2025How to Evolve as a CMO: Navigating New Markets, Personas, and Business Models with Kady Srinivasan
#276 Career Growth | Dave is joined by Kady Srinivasan, CMO at You.com, an AI-first company building infrastructure for enterprise agents. Kady has led marketing at some of the world’s most recognizable companies, including Dropbox, Klaviyo, and Lightspeed, where she scaled teams, drove massive revenue growth, and navigated ICP pivots. Now, she’s bringing that experience into the fast-changing world of AI.
Dave and Kady cover:
How to evolve as a CMO across industries, personas, and business models
The three core systems CMOs need to scale teams and drive alignment
How AI is reshaping marketing roles, workflows, and the skills future CMOs will need
You’ll walk away with lessons you can apply to your own career, no matter what market or role you’re in.
Timestamps
(00:00) - – Intro
(01:15) - – From engineer to reluctant marketer
(03:49) - – Gaming years and “coolest mom” cred
(06:04) - – The story behind You.com’s domain
(07:43) - – Why she jumped into AI
(10:12) - – Reinventing yourself as a CMO
(12:12) - – Fundamentals that never change in marketing
(14:25) - – Aligning marketing with company strategy
(17:36) - – Pivoting the ICP at Lightspeed
(20:38) - – Lessons on cross-functional alignment
(23:20) - – Letting go to grow as a leader
(26:05) - – Systems every CMO should set up
(31:20) - – Why no single playbook works
(33:01) - – How AI is reshaping marketing roles
(47:41) - – Building an AI-first marketing org and closing thoughts
Join 50,0000 people who get Dave's Newsletter here: https://www.exitfive.com/newsletter
Learn more about Exit Five's private marketing community: https://www.exitfive.com/

***

Brought to you by:
Webflow - A website platform built for the agentic web, helping modern marketing teams build fully custom sites—no developer needed—that perform in AI search. Learn more at webflow.com/for/exitfive.
Markup AI - A content quality platform that scans your content against brand voice, preferred terms, messaging standards, and AI-search readiness before it goes live, right inside Google Docs. Learn more at markup.ai.
Optimizely - A no-code AI platform where autonomous agents execute marketing work across webpages, email, SEO, and campaigns. Learn how to deploy agents on your marketing team at Agents in the Mix. Learn more at optimizely.com/exitfive.
Walker Sands - An integrated B2B marketing and growth services agency that helps marketing leaders turn strategy into measurable business impact through their Outcome-based Marketing model. Learn more at walkersands.com/exitfive.

Knak - A no-code, campaign creation platform that lets you go from idea to on-brand email and landing pages in minutes, using AI where it actually matters. Learn more at knak.com/exitfive, or check out the MCP server by clicking this link.

***

Thanks to my friends at hatch.fm for producing this episode and handling all of the Exit Five podcast production.

They give you unlimited podcast editing and strategy for your B2B podcast.
Get unlimited podcast editing and on-demand strategy for one low monthly cost. Just upload your episode, and they take care of the rest.
Visit hatch.fm to learn more
...more
51min
August 21, 2025Why Every Founder Needs a LinkedIn Strategy with Brad Zomick
#275 LinkedIn Strategy | In this episode, Dave is joined by Brad Zomick, a B2B marketing consultant and host who has helped founders and executives build their presence on LinkedIn. Together they break down why a strong LinkedIn strategy is no longer optional for founders, it’s one of the most effective growth levers in B2B today.
Dave and Brad cover:
Why LinkedIn is still the best channel for founders to build authority, attract talent, and connect with customers
How to turn everyday founder communications into high-impact LinkedIn content
The unexpected ROI of founder-led content, from recruiting and partnerships to real-time message testing
If you’ve been wondering how to turn LinkedIn into a real growth engine for your brand, this episode is your blueprint.
Timestamps
(00:00) - – Intro
(02:00) - – Early days of LinkedIn
(07:30) - – Building Drift with founder brand
(13:30) - – Why every founder needs LinkedIn
(17:30) - – The hidden ROI of posting
(24:30) - – Dave’s personal posting system
(28:00) - – How to never run out of content
(32:00) - – Unexpected benefits of being visible
(36:30) - – Is it too late to start?
(39:30) - – Who inspires Dave today
(41:45) - – What’s next for Exit Five
(43:30) - – Closing thoughts
Join 50,0000 people who get Dave's Newsletter here: https://www.exitfive.com/newsletter
Learn more about Exit Five's private marketing community: https://www.exitfive.com/

***

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Optimizely - A no-code AI platform where autonomous agents execute marketing work across webpages, email, SEO, and campaigns. Learn how to deploy agents on your marketing team at Agents in the Mix. Learn more at optimizely.com/exitfive.
Walker Sands - An integrated B2B marketing and growth services agency that helps marketing leaders turn strategy into measurable business impact through their Outcome-based Marketing model. Learn more at walkersands.com/exitfive.

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***

Thanks to my friends at hatch.fm for producing this episode and handling all of the Exit Five podcast production.

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