
The Agile Brand with Greg Kihlström®
Expert mode marketing technology, AI, and CX insights from top brands and Martech platforms fill every episode, focusing on what leaders need to know to build customer lifetime value and long-term business value. The Agile Brand with Greg Kihlström® features executives and thought leaders from top brands and platforms discussing the industry's trends, like first-party data strategies, artificial intelligence, consumer data privacy, omnichannel customer experience, and more. The Agile Brand is hosted by Greg Kihlström, advisor and consultant to leading brands, speaker, entrepreneur, and best-selling author. It provides a fresh perspective on the continually evolving dynamic between brands and the audiences they serve.
Latest episodes
Jun 10, 2024 • 23min
#534: Employee Financial Wellness as Competitive Advantage with Nico Simko, Clair
In today's work environment, financial wellness benefits are increasingly recognized for their role in enhancing employee satisfaction, retention, and productivity. Also, as we delve deeper into the modern workforce's expectations, particularly among younger generations, it's clear that innovative solutions like on-demand pay are not just perks but essential components of a competitive employee benefits package.To explore these developments and their implications for both employers and employees, I’d like to welcome Nico Simko, Founder & CEO of Clair, with us today.ResourcesListen to The Agile Brand without the ads. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3ymf7hdHeaded to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycvDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.comThe Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnowThe 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.companyLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 7, 2024 • 31min
#533: Real-World Application of AI in Marketing and CX with Kathryn Murphy, Twilio
As businesses increasingly integrate AI into their marketing and customer experience strategies, understanding the real-world applications and implications becomes essential. Joining us today to share insights on these topics is Kathryn Murphy, SVP Product Communications at Twilio, who recently released their State of Customer Engagement Report with a lot of information reinforcing the need for businesses to have a strong foundation of data to drive ROI from their AI investments.ResourcesTwilio's 2024 State of Customer Engagement report: https://bit.ly/3UEKxqsListen to The Agile Brand without the ads. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3ymf7hdHeaded to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycvDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.comThe Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnowThe 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.companyLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 5, 2024 • 27min
#532: Staying ahead in e-commerce, with Laura Ritchey, CEO, Radial
As the retail landscape continues to evolve at a rapid pace, staying ahead of the curve requires keen insights into technological advancements and emerging trends. Today, we're fortunate to have Laura Ritchey, CEO of Radial, to share her valuable perspectives on what retailers are changing in 2024 to remain competitive, from AI and omnichannel trends to the latest in e-commerce fulfillment.ResourcesListen to The Agile Brand without the ads. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3ymf7hdHeaded to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycvDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.comThe Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnowThe 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.companyLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 3, 2024 • 30min
#531: Customer engagement and loyalty in travel with Jeff Zotara, arrivia
Today, we’re diving into some crucial aspects of customer engagement and loyalty programs in the travel industry. We'll explore how leading brands are bridging consumer preferences with their brand offerings, enhancing customer lifetime value in today's market, and effectively communicating the value of their loyalty programs to customers.To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Jeff Zotara, Chief Marketing Officer at arrivia.ResourcesHeaded to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycvDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.comThe Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnowThe 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.companyLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 31, 2024 • 30min
#530: Creating valuable CX using Gen AI with Eli Finkelshteyn, Constructor
In an era where customer expectations are continually evolving, the intelligent use of technology and data can significantly enhance the user experience. Today, we're joined by Eli Finkelshteyn, CEO of Constructor, who will share insights on creating value-driven customer experiences with generative AI, harnessing data effectively, and why mere relevance isn’t enough in product search.ResourcesConstructor website: https://constructor.io/Headed to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycvDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.comThe Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnowThe 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.companyLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 29, 2024 • 28min
#529: Better software testing for improved CX with Stephen Feloney, Perforce
Today we’re going to talk about the impact of software testing on the customer experience, and how rising customer expectations mean that brands need to up their testing game, using more agile methods, and AI-based solutions.To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Stephen Feloney, VP of Products - Continuous Testing at Perforce. ResourcesPerforce website: https://www.perforce.comHeaded to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycvDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.comThe Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnowThe 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.companyLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 27, 2024 • 26min
#528: The role of design in shaping the customer experience with Kaaren Hanson, Chief Design Officer at Chase
We are living in an era where customer experience is paramount, and the role of design in shaping that experience cannot be overstated. Joining us today to explore this concept as well as how an organization operationalizes a seamless end-to-end customer experience, is Kaaren Hanson, Chief Design Officer at Chase.ResourcesHeaded to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycvDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.comThe Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnowThe 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.companyLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 24, 2024 • 22min
#527: Optimizing data operations for AI in marketing, with Eric Madariaga, CData
Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a pivotal tool for organizations seeking to enhance their marketing strategies and operational efficiency. Yet, adopting AI effectively presents a set of challenges and opportunities. Today, we're exploring how organizations can optimally set up their data operations for AI, the implications of the maturity gap in AI adoption, and envisioning the future that involves a collaboration of sorts between AI and the human touch in sales and marketing.To navigate these topics, I’d like to welcome Eric Madariaga, Co-Founder of CData.ResourcesHeaded to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycvDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.comThe Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnowThe 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.companyLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 22, 2024 • 31min
#526: Building extraordinary teams with Martin Gonzalez, Google
We talk a lot on this show about how it takes people, process, data, and platforms working well together to make a successful company. Today we’re going to talk about the critical principles needed to effectively build an extraordinary team to help achieve your goals, whether you are an enterprise organization or a startup.To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Martin Gonzalez, Principle: org, talent, leadership development for AI research, Tech & Society, Core Engineering at Google and Co-author of The Bonfire Moment. ResourcesHeaded to MAICON 24 - the premier marketing and AI conference? Use our discount code AGILE150 for $150 off your registration code. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/5jpwhycvDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.comThe Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnowThe 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.companyLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 20, 2024 • 28min
#525: Operationalizing AI in the Enterprise with Peter Roschke, Coherent
AI is, of course, at the top of every business leader's mind as questions come up about how it will inevitably fit into their tech stack. The issue here is that bringing in disruptive tech like AI where the details aren't 100% ironed out introduces a whole lot of risk when dealing with highly sensitive financial data, health records, etc.Today we’re going to talk about operationalizing AI in industries where highly sensitive customer data is involved, and how to be successful while balancing those privacy and security requirements.To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Peter Roschke, CTO at Coherent. ResourcesThe Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcastSign up for The Agile Brand newsletter here: https://www.gregkihlstrom.comShortform makes the world’s best ideas more accessible, by creating high-quality book guides and summaries. We’re comprehensive, detailed, and add original insights and analysis. Get a FREE trial and a 20% discount by joining through our special link: https://www.shortform.com/agileCheck out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.comThe Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnowThe 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.companyLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices