
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

13 snips
Jun 6, 2023 • 24min
A.I. Design Wars: Why Adobe Is Going To Crush MidJourney (#126)
The discussion delves into how new AI design tools are revolutionizing creativity by lowering production costs. Kipp and Kieran explain how these innovations are changing skill acquisition from years to mere days. They highlight the rising importance of feedback loops and the competitive edge that established players like Adobe have over agile newcomers like MidJourney. The podcast emphasizes that it’s a thrilling time to be in the creative field as AI continues to enhance productivity and streamline design processes.

6 snips
Jun 2, 2023 • 21min
Photoshop’s New A.I. Update + 4 More A.I. Tools You Must Try (#125)
Explore the latest transformative AI tools that are revolutionizing image editing and content creation. Discover Adobe's Firefly updates, which allow creatives to use natural language for design. Learn how innovative technologies like Paragraphica harness location data for enhanced AI-generated imagery. Delve into the competitive landscape of AI in marketing, with insights on productivity tools like VimCal and Hushl. Uncover how AI is reshaping onboarding and CRM processes, ensuring smoother access to essential business information.

May 31, 2023 • 33min
AI Shark Tank: 5 Founders Pitch Us Their Ai Products (#124)
The future of video marketing is here, with hosts revealing the impact of personalized video and evaluating various AI startups. They delve into innovative tools like Capsule for video editing and Kaju.ai's impressive ability to transform designs into code. Exciting marketing strategies, including unique competitions, emphasize user engagement. Discussions also cover AI's role in enhancing travel planning and data innovation, illustrating the endless possibilities that emerging technologies bring to the table.

May 27, 2023 • 37min
Previous CMO Of ClassPass & Skyscanner Shares Her Growth & Brand Playbook (#123)
Joanna Lord, an experienced marketing executive and former CMO at ClassPass and Skyscanner, shares her insights on mastering both brand and growth strategies. She discusses the importance of authentic customer understanding for effective marketing. Joanna emphasizes building a world-class brand, even in an AI-driven market, and offers practical tips for creating compelling brand identities. The conversation also covers the necessity of team dynamics between brand and growth teams and the humorously complicated nature of collaboration in the marketing landscape.

13 snips
May 26, 2023 • 16min
AI Weekly Update: ChatGPT’s New App + 5 Ai Tools You Must Try (#122)
Explore the thrilling world of AI innovation and its impact on marketing! Discover the newly launched ChatGPT iPhone app and Meta's latest tools aimed at enhancing user engagement. The discussion delves into how AI is transforming advertising and the risks of automation stifling creativity. Learn about fascinating tools like Yoodli for presentations, DraGAN for image creation, and Quiver for data management. This dynamic conversation navigates the balance between productivity and the essence of original thinking in the era of AI.

May 25, 2023 • 10min
4 Growth Hacks That Scaled HubSpot To $1 Billion (#121)
Discover how HubSpot soared to a billion-dollar valuation through innovative growth hacks. Delve into the concept of product-led growth and why it’s essential for modern businesses. Learn the critical role of early adopters in creating new categories and how investing in customer happiness fuels advocacy. The hosts stress the importance of focusing on distribution strategies over mere conversion rates, emphasizing that intentional growth demands a mix of boldness and strategy.

22 snips
May 23, 2023 • 41min
The State Of A.I. In 2023: Useful Tools Vs Hype (#120)
Discover the practical uses of AI tools for marketers that drive growth and enhance customer experiences. The hosts delve into the gap between AI's hype and reality, emphasizing the need for personalization and creativity in automated communications. They discuss the future of customer support with AI enhancements and the evolving marketing landscape influenced by artificial intelligence. Light-hearted anecdotes about life, tennis, and travel offer a humorous contrast to the serious implications of AI in the digital world.

16 snips
May 18, 2023 • 30min
Google’s Master Plan To Destroy ChatGPT (#119)
Unpack Google's groundbreaking AI advancements that aim to upend the competition! Discover how features like Bard and voice input will transform user experience and marketing strategies. Explore the shift from traditional marketing to more creative, influential tactics in an AI-driven world. Learn how businesses must adapt to the evolving landscape of search and community dynamics. Finally, assess how these changes affect branding and the urgent need to embrace AI's disruptive potential for future growth.

71 snips
May 16, 2023 • 32min
The Future Of Content In An A.I. World (#118)
Explore how AI is revolutionizing content marketing, pushing towards a creator-first mindset. Discover the balance between human creativity and AI's capabilities, emphasizing the need for original ideas. Learn about the potential risks of AI, including idea recycling, and the importance of diversifying content strategies. The shift towards relationship-building and community investment is crucial for brands. Finally, see how embracing AI tools can foster innovation and enhance audience engagement in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

15 snips
May 11, 2023 • 25min
Leaked Google Memo Reveals A Huge Opportunity For Entrepreneurs (#117)
A leaked memo from Google sparks a lively discussion about the shifting AI landscape. The hosts reveal how open source technology is democratizing AI, giving small businesses a fighting chance against tech giants. Meta's surprising edge in the AI wars is unpacked, along with the rising importance of innovative strategies like product-led growth. The conversation also emphasizes adapting to new competitive advantages in business, urging entrepreneurs to embrace community engagement and versatility in this rapidly evolving tech era.