
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

9 snips
Sep 12, 2023 • 31min
How To Guarantee AI Won’t Replace You (#155)
Discover how to thrive in an AI-driven world where 2 out of 3 jobs are at risk. Embrace a 'paranoid optimist' mindset to leverage AI's benefits while staying aware of its challenges. Explore the evolving role of AI in content creation and the need for authenticity to distinguish your brand. Learn the importance of personality and storytelling in marketing success. Finally, gain insights into navigating rising customer acquisition costs and enhancing user engagement through innovative AI tools.

Sep 7, 2023 • 32min
5 Secret Marketing Strategies Hollywood Celebrities Use In Business (#154)
Discover the savvy marketing strategies of stars like Taylor Swift, who turned her Eras Tour into a billion-dollar success through innovative engagement techniques. Explore how the authenticity of politicians and celebrities resonates with audiences, while humor and storytelling keep brands relevant in today’s internet culture. Hear an inspiring story of kindness from a UFC fighter, showcasing the power of emotional connections in marketing. Finally, learn how icons like Conor McGregor and P. Diddy have built thriving spirits brands by leveraging their fame.

27 snips
Sep 5, 2023 • 32min
The Biggest Marketing Mistake 99% Of Companies Make (#153)
Marketing costs have surged by 108% in the past decade, raising concerns for customer acquisition. The importance of B2B creators is emphasized as key players in navigating challenges. The conversation tackles the pitfalls of comparing oneself to competitors and the necessity for accountability among marketers. Listeners learn about the dangers of consensus in decision-making and the vital nature of difficult conversations in business, linked to higher customer acquisition success. Humor and sports anecdotes weave through the insightful discussion.

10 snips
Aug 31, 2023 • 30min
OpenAI’s GPT 4 Pro Will Run Your Business Better Than You… (#152)
The discussion kicks off with the transformative launch of OpenAI's ChatGPT for enterprise, highlighting its impact on business operations. The hosts consider how new security features can ramp up AI adoption while presenting challenges for existing tools. They delve into customizing AI for specific business needs, enhancing efficiency and decision-making. The conversation also touches on startup strategies in the AI landscape and the competitive edge of early entrants. Lastly, they analyze the effects of open-source models on OpenAI's market dominance.

Aug 29, 2023 • 28min
How Meta’s New AI Translator Can Expand Your Business (#151)
Discover how Meta's AI translator can turn your business into a global phenomenon overnight. Explore the funny yet serious impact of AI advancements on communication and the consumerization of software. Dive into the revolutionary image editing features of MidJourney, enhancing creativity in marketing. The discussion highlights authenticity in digital marketing and the shift towards personalized AI solutions. Tune in for insights on the challenges and opportunities AI presents in expanding international business!

19 snips
Aug 24, 2023 • 30min
How Marketing Can Save Your Business From The AI Apocalypse (#150)
The podcast dives into how marketing can prevent businesses from facing an AI apocalypse. It argues that today’s successful marketer must embrace creativity and view themselves as creators. The rise of AI democratizes technology, making effective marketing crucial for brand differentiation. Individual creativity is highlighted as a winning strategy, while the shift towards automation transforms customer interactions. There’s a humorous take on apocalypse films that underscores the need for adaptability in marketing strategies.

55 snips
Aug 22, 2023 • 37min
AI Expert On How To Use Ai To Save Time & Grow Your Business (#149)
Rachel Woods, a former Facebook data scientist and founder of The AI Exchange, joins the conversation to illuminate the path to an AI-first business mindset. She discusses innovative AI applications in customer support and marketing, emphasizing the need for teams to adapt to and embrace AI tools. Rachel also advocates for hosting AI hackathons to spark creativity and collaboration within organizations, while stressing the importance of a robust data infrastructure for successful integration. Her insights make AI accessibility exciting and practical for any business.

5 snips
Aug 18, 2023 • 29min
Why Snap MyAI is the Sleeping Giant of AI Chat (#148)
Discover how Snapchat's MyAI is quietly revolutionizing the AI landscape, captivating millions with its user-friendly design. Kipp and Kieran analyze the shifting dynamics in AI competition, emphasizing that first mover advantage may not guarantee success. They explore monetization strategies linked to AI tools and the intriguing possibilities of upcoming innovations like ChatGPT-5. The conversation also delves into the balance between personalized experiences and data privacy, highlighting the evolving relationship between users and technology.

11 snips
Aug 15, 2023 • 38min
Tech Expert Reveals How AI Could Destroy Your Startup (#147)
Linus Ekenstam, an AI Gardener & Designer with a history at Typeform and Flodesk, shares his insights into the complexities of AI technology. He discusses the surprising drop in Chat-GPT 4's performance and the challenges of companies harnessing AI for customer interactions. Linus explores the future of websites in an AI environment, emphasizing the need for personalized user experiences. The conversation also covers how smaller enterprises can leverage AI for productivity, while navigating the evolving demands of this technology.

5 snips
Aug 10, 2023 • 39min
8 Leadership Habits You Need To Make $1 Billion (#146)
Dive into the habits that can unlock your potential for success. Discover why embracing boredom is crucial for clarity and how focusing on the right inputs can yield better results than mere busyness. Self-awareness emerges as a game changer in leadership, enabling genuine reflections and tough discussions. The balance between optimism and pessimism is addressed, steering leaders away from chaos. Plus, learn the art of simplification to communicate effectively and drive meaningful change.