

Marketing Against The Grain
Hubspot Media
Kipp Bodnar (HubSpot’s CMO) and Kieran Flanagan (Hubspot's SVP of Marketing), lead you down the rabbit hole of marketing trends, growth tactics and innovation. On the way you’ll pick up undiscovered strategies to give you that slight edge for success. These are not your typical twitter thread regurgitated marketing tactics that everyone is doing. These are new methods, with unfiltered examination of successful fresh ideas.
Episodes
Mentioned books

56 snips
Sep 4, 2025 • 28min
Marketing is Broken - This is the Future of Conversions (Loop Framework)
Aja Frost, Sr. Director of Global Growth at HubSpot and expert in search and AI, joins to discuss the radical shifts in marketing. With 60% of Google searches ending without a click, she highlights the failings of traditional methods. Aja introduces the Loop Framework, emphasizing the need for personalized experiences in an AI-driven world. The conversation uncovers how storytelling and niche marketing are crucial in adapting to new consumer behaviors, and explores the exciting future of engagement strategies.

60 snips
Sep 2, 2025 • 35min
The Startup Letting 99% of People Build Apps Without Code
In this engaging conversation with Anton Osika, co-founder of Lovable, listeners discover how this platform is revolutionizing app development by allowing 99% of users to create without coding. Anton shares Lovable's meteoric rise and the implications for marketers, emphasizing the shift towards no-code solutions. He discusses the balance of development and distribution in startups and how AI is reshaping creativity in product development. Plus, there’s insight into fostering a curious mindset to attract talent in the tech industry!

139 snips
Aug 28, 2025 • 22min
How the Top 1% Use AI to 10x Their Productivity (Before Lunch)
Discover how top executives are harnessing AI to maximize productivity before lunch. Learn about overcoming the staggering failure rates of AI projects with insights from an MIT study. Explore the role of AI in streamlining communication and identifying blockers in your morning routine. Delve into strategic problem-solving techniques that leverage AI for crafting effective marketing strategies, targeting platforms like TikTok. It's about using AI as a thought partner while retaining essential critical thinking skills!

64 snips
Aug 26, 2025 • 45min
Inside the $130M AI Startup Growing Faster Than ChatGPT
Elena Verna, a growth leader known for driving product-led success, dives into the rapid ascent of Lovable, the fastest-growing AI app outpacing even ChatGPT. She discusses how AI-native companies are reshaping the tech landscape by embracing autonomy and end-to-end ownership among teams. Elena also highlights the diminishing role of traditional management as leaders shift towards hands-on involvement. Moreover, she shares insights on redefining growth strategies through AI, fostering creativity, and enhancing user experiences in product development.

101 snips
Aug 21, 2025 • 12min
The New Marketing Playbook: Identity Over Algorithm
Is the golden age of content creation fading? Experts discuss the vital shift towards building a strong brand identity over simply churning out content. They dive into the significance of taste and speed in today's marketing landscape. Listeners will learn how network effects and data quality are enhancing user experiences and providing companies with a competitive edge. The conversation also touches on the evolving roles of marketers, emphasizing the need for adaptability and a blend of AI tools to stay relevant.

66 snips
Aug 19, 2025 • 15min
Only 2 Types of Marketers Will Survive the AI Era (Which Are You?)
Discover how AI is reshaping marketing teams with a decisive shift from specialists to generalists. Learn about the two types of marketers poised to thrive in this new landscape: creative storytellers and problem-solving engineers. Dive into the evolving roles that prioritize storytelling and personalized engagement, showing that despite potential downsizing, marketing is becoming more vital and enjoyable than ever. Get ready to adapt and embrace the future of marketing!

156 snips
Aug 14, 2025 • 22min
Turn GPT-5 into Your Creative Writer with this one trick
Discover how GPT-5 can revolutionize creative writing! Learn the vital trick that marketers often overlook to enhance their AI writing experience. Uncover the importance of crafting a content ideal customer profile and why generic marketing tactics fall flat. The discussion emphasizes the power of tailored AI prompts backed by audience insights, allowing for original and impactful content creation. Plus, find out how creative analogies can simplify marketing strategies and boost engagement!

73 snips
Aug 12, 2025 • 35min
This AI Startup Is Beating Apple and NVIDIA at Their Own Game
Join Darius Lam, CEO of NEX, a revolutionary AI content platform for CPG brands, as he explores the intriguing intersection of AI and creativity. He discusses how AI can dilute originality and emphasizes the necessity of human imperfections in marketing. Darius also shares insight on the challenges of maintaining brand identity in a world of uniform AI outputs, and why future marketing success hinges on a blend of creativity, authenticity, and innovation.

141 snips
Aug 7, 2025 • 15min
GPT-5 Just Dropped: What Marketers Need to Know
GPT-5 is a game changer for marketers, offering remarkable advancements like enhanced voice interaction and improved coding abilities. The discussion highlights how this technology may shift user behavior, with more opting for ChatGPT over traditional search engines. The ability to process video content adds a new dimension to its potential. Plus, there's a humorous critique of Apple's marketing strategies, hinting at deeper discussions to come. It's a transformative time for content creation and customer engagement.

165 snips
Aug 7, 2025 • 36min
Everyone’s Using AI Wrong – This Is the Real Unlock
In this engaging discussion, Allan Guo, Cofounder & CEO at Willow, a leading voice dictation app, reveals how voice AI can drastically enhance productivity for marketers and busy professionals. They explore the potential of voice technology to streamline communication tasks like emails and messaging, arguing that it can boost efficiency four to five times compared to typing. Allan shares insights on optimizing workflows, embracing creative processes, and the user-friendly aspects of Willow that make dictation easier than ever. Discover the future of productivity powered by voice!