Humans of Martech

Jeff Lee, Lifecycle Marketing Technical Lead at Calm, is an expert in forging impactful engineering-marketing partnerships. He shares insights on the crucial relationship between lifecycle marketing and engineering, emphasizing the need for technical credibility in collaboration. Jeff humorously recounts sleep challenges, connecting unique audio content to relaxation techniques. He also discusses the complexities of push notifications, the significance of a united marketing tech stack, and the balance of technical implementation with creative strategies.

Sandy Mangat, Head of Marketing at Pocus and an expert in AI and product marketing, dives into the crisis of outbound sales. She discusses how automation has wreaked havoc on genuine connections, leaving inboxes flooded with generic messages. Sandy highlights the importance of using AI for insights that personalize outreach and advocates for a hybrid sales approach that combines technology with relationship-building. They also touch on the complexities of lead scoring and the vital need for collaboration between sales and marketing teams.

Chris Golec, Founder and CEO of Channel99, shares his remarkable journey from chemical engineering to Silicon Valley’s marketing tech landscape. He discusses the essential role of company culture in B2B success and the challenges of remote work. Golec dives into his pioneering work in AI-powered attribution, aiming to revolutionize marketing ROI predictions. He also reflects on turning marketing failures into growth opportunities and explores the future of Account-Based Marketing, emphasizing data-driven strategies and financial alignment for success.

In this conversation, Meg Gowell, Director of Growth Marketing at Typeform, shares her journey from wedding planning to leading growth strategies. She discusses the challenges of modern marketing leadership, emphasizing the need for a balance between technical skills and strategic thinking. Meg highlights the importance of fostering a culture of experimentation and the shift from traditional CRM systems to integrated data management. With insights on work-life balance and innovative marketing tools, this chat is a must for budding marketers.

Join Gab Bujold, a messaging expert and marketing advisor for startups, and Zach Roberts, an influencer with a rich background at Dropbox and LinkedIn. They tackle the chaotic misuse of Go-to-Market (GTM) terminology and share tales from their product marketing journeys. The duo explores the essential collaboration between product marketers and channel experts, emphasizing the need for clear communication and effective strategy development. They also critique the blandness of B2B marketing messages, advocating for authentic storytelling that connects with customers.

Sundar Swaminathan, former Growth Marketing Data Science Lead at Uber and author of the experiMENTAL newsletter, shares his wealth of knowledge on marketing effectiveness and data-driven decisions. He reveals that Facebook ads provided zero incremental value for Uber, helping save $30 million annually. Sundar discusses mastering incrementality testing and the importance of A/B testing for small companies. He emphasizes the balance between marketing ROI and growth while sharing insights on effective brand strategies and the joys of navigating parenthood in Amsterdam.

Join Sarah Krasnik Bedell, Director of Growth Marketing at Prefect, as she shares her unique journey from data engineering to marketing. Delving into the intersection of data and creativity, she critiques the limitations of tools like Google Analytics while advocating for real-time data processing. Sarah emphasizes the importance of aligning marketing strategies with robust data structures and discusses how AI can enhance human creativity rather than replace it. With insights on bridging gaps between teams, she provides a fresh roadmap for modern marketing success.

Austin Hay, Co-founder and Co-CEO of Clarify, shares his insights on the rapidly evolving landscape of marketing technology. He envisions AI agents evolving into intelligent digital assistants that seamlessly enhance productivity. The discussion covers the importance of flexible tech stacks and the transformation of Customer Data Platforms into sophisticated capabilities. Austin emphasizes the need for effective data management, teamwork in leadership, and the future of CRM systems, all while reflecting on the importance of finding joy in everyday life.

The podcast welcomes Darrell Alfonso as a new co-host, blending his journey into parenthood with fresh insights on marketing technology. They predict a shift to warehouse-native architectures and the emergence of Generative AI, reshaping the marketer's role. Personal stories about navigating parenthood add warmth, while discussions on data quality highlight its importance in corporate strategy. Exciting content plans for 2025 are shared, alongside a commitment to community and an upgraded podcasting setup.

Kacie Jenkins, SVP of Marketing at Sendoso, brings her diverse background—from a recording artist to marketing powerhouse—to the conversation. She challenges the limitations of last-touch attribution, advocating for multi-touch metrics that reflect true marketing impact. Kacie emphasizes collaboration between marketing and finance, focusing on long-term goals instead of obsessive data tracking. Her insights include the significance of intuition in strategy and the importance of hiring for traits like integrity in the fast-paced startup world.