
Marketing Against The Grain
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.
Latest episodes

Oct 17, 2023 • 24min
5 Marketing Lessons You Need To Learn From 2023’s Best Ads (#165)
Discover how the best ads of 2023 turn customers into heroes through powerful storytelling. Explore emotional connections with iconic brands like Apple and Coca-Cola that cleverly leverage relatable themes. Learn the art of building tension in advertising, using humor before tackling serious issues. Dive into campaigns that challenge unrealistic beauty standards and promote body positivity by addressing societal influences. These insights will enhance your marketing strategies and engage your audience on a deeper level.

Oct 12, 2023 • 26min
6 Marketing Mistakes Holding You Back From 10Xing Your Business (#164)
Rigid processes can stifle growth; flexibility is key. Discover how to create a winning business plan amidst uncertainty. The hosts emphasize the importance of strategic simplicity and leveraging your unfair advantages. Learn about the value of crafting a one-year vision while aligning goals with company strategies. They dive into the critical difference between systems and processes for fostering creativity. Prioritization and strong leadership are highlighted as essential for achieving exceptional results.

Oct 10, 2023 • 25min
Mark Zuckerberg’s AI Ray-Bans + 3 More Ai Gadgets You've Never Heard Of (#163)
The discussion kicks off with Mark Zuckerberg's collaboration with Ray-Ban on AI-powered sunglasses, stirring excitement and concern over privacy. The idea of AI as a 'second brain' is explored, showcasing tools that enhance daily tasks. The hosts ponder whether OpenAI can disrupt the smartphone market like the iPhone did. Additionally, they highlight innovative AI wearables, pondering the fine line between genius and gimmick. Overall, they foresee a transformative future for mobile design and user interactions shaped by AI.

Oct 5, 2023 • 36min
AI CEO Reveals 3 Ways Marketers Can Win In The AI Era | May Habib (#162)
Join May Habib, CEO and co-founder of Writer, as she delves into the future of marketing in the AI era. With her extensive background in AI-driven language generation, she highlights how AI transforms marketers into innovative creators. May shares crucial traits of early adopters, emphasizing the importance of impatience and adaptability. The conversation touches on navigating the shift from traditional search to language models, underscoring strategies for personalized content and enhanced customer experiences. Discover how to thrive in this evolving landscape!

4 snips
Oct 3, 2023 • 31min
How AI Will Save Your Business From A High Churn Rate (#161)
The hosts delve into the surprising failures of the first act of AI and the groundbreaking potential of its second act. They explore the significance of customer retention in tech, emphasizing how AI can enhance personalized experiences. The influence of creators, like Mr. Beast, on business dynamics is discussed, shedding light on traditional models adapting to new trends. Furthermore, advancements such as GPT-4 Vision are highlighted for their transformative impact on digitization, accessibility, and strategic growth in the competitive digital landscape.

6 snips
Sep 28, 2023 • 22min
GPT4 Gets Massive Upgrade… You’ll Never Use Google Again (#160)
Discover the groundbreaking upgrades of GPT-4 and how they're set to revolutionize user interaction with AI. Learn about Spotify's innovative partnership with OpenAI that makes podcasts more accessible through voice translation. The discussion dives into the rapid evolution of AI, prompted by substantial investments from tech giants, and forecasts exciting changes in marketing strategies. Get insights on how these advancements will reshape storytelling and engage audiences like never before.

Sep 26, 2023 • 29min
Google’s Secret Weapon To Destroy OpenAI For Good (#159)
The podcast dives into the escalating AI rivalry between Google and OpenAI, focusing on Google's impressive Bard extensions and its Gemini AI model. Discussions reveal how Google's vast data resources, especially from YouTube, give it a competitive edge. Legal implications and market reshaping tendencies also come into play. Humor punctuates the analysis as the hosts recommend some entertaining podcasts while poking fun at rivalry dynamics in the tech world.

24 snips
Sep 21, 2023 • 22min
Marketing Basics 99% Of Businesses Don’t Get Right (#158)
Dive into the five crucial rules that even seasoned marketers often overlook for attracting customers. Discover smart strategies for optimizing website conversions and utilizing automation for lead follow-up. Learn how referral programs can amplify your reach while keeping customer satisfaction in check. The focus is on actionable steps that drive sustainable growth across any business. Tune in for insights that can transform your marketing game!

13 snips
Sep 19, 2023 • 36min
AI Founder Reveals How AI Exposes Lazy Employees (#157)
Gabriel Hubert, Co-founder of Dust and former product leader at Stripe, dives into the transformative power of AI for knowledge workers. He discusses the balance of control versus efficiency in AI adoption and highlights the need for teams to adapt to new tools. The conversation explores how AI can revolutionize business problem-solving and enhance team dynamics through personalized communication. Gabriel also emphasizes the importance of equipping workers with the skills necessary to navigate the evolving landscape of AI in the workplace.

17 snips
Sep 14, 2023 • 22min
Steven Bartlett’s Exact Framework To Get +35 Million Downloads A Month (#155)
Discover a million-dollar framework for growing your online brand! The hosts explore the art of exclusive storytelling, emphasizing how to engage your audience by making them feel in-the-know. They share reflections from a recent live performance, including humorous insights and a playful rivalry. Dive into actionable takeaways for team dynamics and leadership, and explore the importance of emotional storytelling in creating impactful experiences. Plus, enjoy recommendations for other engaging podcasts to enrich your listening journey!