The Next Wave - AI and The Future of Technology Marketing Stunts That Helped this AI Company Raise $100M
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Sep 30, 2025 Varun Anand, Co-founder and COO of Clay, shares insights into the bold marketing stunts that helped the AI company raise $100M. He discusses their playful billboard campaigns inspired by famous artists and the pivotal shift from fancy spreadsheets to a robust AI solution for go-to-market teams. Varun highlights the significance of unforgettable real-world experiences, their 'Schemer in Residence' strategy, and hiring from non-traditional backgrounds. Curiosity is emphasized as a valuable trait in both interviews and AI development, leading to inventive customer use cases.
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Invest In Creative Brand Talent Early
- Invest in a dedicated brand team early if creativity is core to your identity.
- Hire creatives full-time and fund bold out-of-home experiments to buy disproportionate mindshare.
Schemer In Residence Drives Wild Stunts
- Jessica, their "Schemer in Residence," drove stunts from dildo marches to Snoop Dogg joint-rolling classes.
- Clay used her to create guerrilla events, billboards, and IRL experiences that match company DNA.
IRL Experiences Cut Through Digital Noise
- Real-world, human experiences cut through conference fatigue and online noise.
- Experiential IRL programming creates memorable connections that generic happy hours rarely achieve.
