Future Fuzz - The Digital Marketing Podcast

Justin Campbell
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Sep 5, 2025 • 31min

Ep. 122 - The Stock Strategy Behind 12k Users - Sean Tepper

The Stock Strategy Behind 12K UsersIn this episode of Future Fuzz, host Vince Quinn interviews Sean Tepper, founder and CEO of Tykr, about the power of trust-building through content. Sean shares his background in tech and investing, the origins of Tykr, and how a robust content strategy helps the platform drive engagement, confidence, and community. You’ll hear how repurposed video content fuels podcasts and social presence, why genuine tone matters, and how customer feedback informs content creation.Guest BioSean Tepper is the Founder and CEO of Tykr, an investing education and stock analysis platform. With 20 years in tech and 15 years of investing experience, Sean developed a mathematical model inspired by Warren Buffett, Charlie Munger, and Phil Town to consistently beat the market—earning 15–50% annual returns. After validating the model via Excel, he launched Tykr in 2020; today, it serves over 12,000 customers across 50+ countries Tykr offers simplified analytics and educational content for retail investors, featuring open‑source calculations, AI‑powered tools, a “traffic light” rating system, and resources like blog posts, videos, courses, webinars, and a podcast mkestartup.news.TakeawaysBuild Trust Through Content Consistency: Sean produced a weekly deep-dive stock review for years, often suggested by customers, fostering trust and community.Use a Friendly, Human Tone: A conversational voice, reminiscent of talking to a friend, not corporate language, makes content more relatable and builds rapport.Repurpose Content Strategically: Start with video (e.g., YouTube), then convert the audio to podcast episodes, transcripts for written content, and social media posts—amplifying reach with one core piece.Front‑Load Production & Track Workflow: By scheduling content creation on Monday, managing progress in Google Sheets (with conditional logic for visual progress), and using Slack to divide tasks, Sean’s team maximizes efficiency.Source Ideas from Customer Feedback: Early-stage CEOs should personally handle customer service to collect common pain points. Apply the “10% rule”: feedback from 10% represents the concern of the silent 90%. Content should proactively address these issues.Favor Long‑Term Value Over Clickbait: Tykr prioritizes high‑value, evergreen content, even if it's lower in short-term traffic, to build sustained trust and credibility.CEO Visibility is Essential: In today’s internet age, leaders need to be front and center online, on YouTube, podcasts, LinkedIn, to humanize the brand and build trust.Set a Media Routine (Time‑Boxing): Allocate consistent blocks, for writing, recording, or filming, to reduce decision fatigue and ensure regular output without burnout.Chapters00:00 Intro & Guest Welcome 00:45 Sean’s Background & Origin of Tykr 03:08 The Role of Education in Tykr’s Value 05:19 Weekly Stock Reviews & Building Trust 07:58 Repurposing Content Across Formats 10:35 Front‑Loading Production & Workflow Tools 11:46 Using Customer Feedback to Guide Content 14:02 Trust and Access: Role of Authenticity 17:31 Long‑Game Content Strategy vs Clickbait 19:24 Why CEOs Should Appear in Media 21:05 Personal Trust vs Brand‑Only Communication 23:45 Production Value Has Evolved 25:25 Time‑Boxing Content Creation 26:28 Closing: Where to Find Sean & Tykr LinkedInFollow Sean Tepper Follow Vince Quinn
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Sep 3, 2025 • 30min

Ep. 115 - AI, Search, and the Future of Agencies - Alex Melen

In this episode of Future Fuzz, Justin sits down with Alex Melen, award-winning entrepreneur, best-selling author, and co-founder of SmartSites - America’s top-rated digital marketing agency. Alex shares how he and his brother scaled the business from a small team into a 400+ person global agency, landing a spot on the Inc. 5000 list nine years in a row.From navigating rapid technological shifts to staying ahead in a generative AI–driven world, Alex offers candid insights on sustaining growth, working with family, and helping SMBs thrive in changing markets. He also unpacks his views on the future of search, the rise of authentic video content, and why change is the biggest opportunity for agencies today.Guest BioAlex Melen is the co-founder of SmartSites, a digital marketing agency consistently ranked among America’s fastest-growing companies by Adweek and the Inc. 5000. Under Alex’s leadership, SmartSites has expanded to over 400 employees across six offices worldwide, earning a reputation for its data-driven, customer-centric approach.A serial entrepreneur since 1997, Alex has founded multiple tech ventures, authored best-selling books, and become a recognized thought leader in SEO, paid media, and digital transformation. Known for his industry candor, he’s spoken at leading conferences on topics ranging from AI in marketing to SMB growth strategies.TakeawaysSustaining growth requires discipline — SmartSites has achieved 35%+ year-over-year growth for over a decade.Partnering with family can work if roles and strengths are clearly divided.Generative AI poses the first real existential threat to the search model since its inception.Click volumes from search may decrease, but their value will rise.Authentic, unpolished short-form video outperforms big-budget productions for engagement.SMBs are agile but vulnerable in crises — diversification is key.Change creates opportunities for agencies willing to adapt quickly.Chapters 00:00 Welcome to Future Fuzz & Guest Intro 01:04 SmartSites’ 9-Year Streak on the Inc. 5000 03:05 Building a Business with a Sibling 06:14 The Existential Threat to Search Marketing 08:50 Generative AI vs. Traditional Search 13:37 Why Click Value Will Rise Despite Lower Volume 14:36 Lessons from TikTok’s Early Ad Days 16:09 The Future of Video Content in Marketing 18:15 Authenticity Over Production in Video Strategy 20:25 Embracing Change as a Competitive Advantage 22:30 Microsoft, AI, and Shifting Industry Perceptions 26:13 Serving SMBs — Opportunities and Risks 28:36 Staying Industry-Agnostic & Performance-Focused 29:20 Closing Thoughts & Future OutlookLinkedIn⁠Follow Alex Melen on LinkedIn here⁠ ⁠Follow Justin Campbell on LinkedIn here⁠
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Aug 27, 2025 • 29min

Ep. 114 - AI That Diagnoses Cancer Better - Darius Meadon

In this episode of Future Fuzz, we sit down with Darius Meadon, Chief Marketing Officer at OWKIN, one of Forbes and Sequoia Capital’s top 50 AI companies. OWKIN is pioneering the use of agentic AI and multimodal data in healthcare to accelerate diagnostics and drug discovery. Darius shares how his team communicates complex science to biotech and pharma clients, why video content and personalization are crucial in modern B2B marketing, and what it takes to build long-term trust in the highly regulated world of healthcare innovation.From live demos that stop traffic at global conferences to AI-powered personalization strategies, Darius reveals the mindset and tools that drive engagement and growth in a challenging sector. This episode is a must-listen for marketers, healthcare innovators, and tech leaders aiming to scale with science.Guest BioDarius Meadon is the Chief Marketing Officer at OWKIN, an agentic AI company on a mission to decode complex biology and accelerate the development of life-saving treatments and diagnostics. OWKIN's work spans cutting-edge areas such as spatialomics, proteomics, and multimodal data fusion. Prior to OWKIN, Darius built a robust career in marketing, brand strategy, and innovation with global giants like GSK, Bayer, Unilever, and Coca-Cola.With a Master’s in Science from Oxford and further studies at Harvard, Darius blends scientific depth with marketing expertise. He’s a passionate advocate for science communication, video-led storytelling, and smart segmentation strategies to cut through in a complex, regulated B2B space.TakeawaysPersonalization must align message, format, and channel to buyer pain pointsVideo is essential: explainer content, product sizzles, and authentic team videos all build engagementIn-person events demand standout visuals, live demos, and smart giveawaysFounder-led content can drive authenticity and start bold conversationsAI-powered tools like LLMs enable real-time product demos that resonate deeply with usersLong sales cycles in pharma require a robust, multi-touch, 360-degree marketing approachLinkedIn newsletters outperform email for engagement in saturated inboxesChapters00:00 Welcome and Intro to Darius Meadon 01:00 The Origin Story of OWKIN 02:10 Using AI to Diagnose and Predict Cancer Outcomes 03:45 Breaking Down Biology Complexity for Drug Discovery 05:20 How to Simplify Science for Sophisticated Buyers 06:40 The Power of Video in B2B Healthcare Marketing 07:50 Smart Segmentation and Multi-Touch Engagement Strategy 09:00 Navigating Long Sales Cycles in Pharma 10:10 Creating Demand Before Product Launches 11:00 Founder-led Content and Balancing Authenticity with Brand 12:20 How OWKIN Uses LinkedIn to Scale Thought Leadership 15:00 Thoughts on Personalization and Agentic AI 20:00 Matching Buyer Pain Points with the Right Channel and Format 24:00 How OWKIN Stands Out at Large Conferences 26:00 From Plushies to Illustrated Booklets: Smart Giveaways that Stick 28:30 Closing Thoughts and Where to Connect with DariusLinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Darius Meadon on LinkedIn here : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Justin Campbell on LinkedIn here :
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Jul 30, 2025 • 23min

Ep. 113 - Beyond ROI: CRO Secrets That Stick - Katie Desmond

In this episode of Future Fuzz, Justin is joined by Katie Desmond, Chief Revenue Officer and Partner at Imarc, a full-service digital agency with a 27-year legacy and one of the highest client retention rates in the industry. Katie shares how her agency leverages AI not for novelty but for real operational impact - from streamlining translation and content optimization to accelerating B2B research cycles. She also dives into the evolving expectations of B2B buyers, the importance of authenticity in digital marketing, and why relationships and strategic insights remain irreplaceable - even in an AI-driven age.Guest BioKatie Desmond is the Chief Revenue Officer and Partner at Imarc, a premier digital agency with over 35 employees and clients ranging from Marriott to JetBlue. With a background in business development, account leadership, and project management, Katie is focused on helping brands achieve measurable results through strategic custom marketing solutions. She is a vocal advocate for using AI to enhance, not replace - human creativity and decision-making. Under her leadership, Imarc has sustained a 27-year reputation for client loyalty, innovation, and exceptional outcomes.TakeawaysAI should solve real problems, not be used for its own sake.Authenticity in B2B is more vital than ever, especially on platforms like LinkedIn.Buyers often make decisions before ever contacting a business.Entry-level marketing roles are shifting toward prompting and data analysis.Client retention depends on trust, results, and being the voice of the client.Cross-functional team collaboration builds long-term agency success.B2B is catching up to B2C in leveraging video and authenticity.Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Introduction to Katie Desmond 01:11 The Evolving CRO Role in the Age of AI 03:00 Real-World AI Use Cases at Imarc 04:38 Using AI to Optimize Internal Applications 06:08 QA and Human Oversight in AI Workflows 07:05 Budget Pressures and Efficiency in Client Work 08:37 Paid Media Trends and AI Optimization 09:36 B2B Buyer Behavior Has Changed Drastically 10:40 Using ZoomInfo to Detect Early Interest 12:03 Is the Traditional Sales Call Dead? 13:42 Future of Entry-Level Roles in AI Marketing 14:18 Voice Search and Longer Prompts 15:15 Authenticity and the Role of Video in B2B 17:51 B2C vs. B2B: Speed vs. Depth 20:05 Tips for High Client Retention 21:45 Polite Push-Pull with Clients Builds Trust 23:26 What Makes the Imarc Team DNA Special 25:30 Where to Find KatieLinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow ⁠Katie Desmond ⁠on LinkedIn⁠Follow ⁠Justin Campbell ⁠on LinkedIn
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Jul 23, 2025 • 23min

Ep. 112 - Banking and Retail - United by Data - James House

In this episode of Future Fuzz, Justin sits down with James House, Chief Commercial Officer at Reward, a global leader in customer engagement and commerce media. James shares how Reward sits uniquely at the intersection of banking and retail, helping major banks and global brands turn transactional data into actionable insights. From driving personalized marketing to fostering loyalty through data-driven cashback programs, James explains the power of precision in digital marketing. He also unpacks how AI is changing personalization, why understanding "why" consumers behave the way they do is crucial, and how to balance trust, data privacy, and commercial success.Guest Bio James House is the Chief Commercial Officer at Reward, where he leads commercial strategy for a company that helps banks and retailers convert everyday spending into value through personalized marketing and commerce media. With over 25 years of experience in martech, SaaS, and data-led digital marketing, James has driven global growth across startups and enterprise businesses. He's also led AI-powered initiatives for some of the world’s most data-rich brands and is passionate about using tech to enhance customer engagement while maintaining trust and transparency.TakeawaysReward helps banks and retailers leverage transactional data to drive customer loyalty.The company manages over £140 billion in spend data, engaging 14 million consumers annually.Precision in marketing is more important than ever, especially with AI enhancing data integration.Consumers demand relevance but also care deeply about privacy, balance is key.Personalization is evolving into hyper-personalization through AI and better data.Trust and ROI drive successful B2B relationships, especially in finance.Retailers want to acquire new customers, regain lost ones, and increase wallet share.The future includes AI agents reshaping how consumers search and buy.Chapters 00:00 Introduction to James House and Reward 01:00 How Reward Sits Between Banking and Retail 03:00 Cashback Programs and Driving Loyalty Through Banks 04:45 Managing Multi-Sided Relationships: Banks, Consumers, Retailers 06:00 Importance of Precision Marketing in a Fragmented Landscape 07:30 AI’s Role in Personalization and Data Integration 09:30 Transaction Data Trends Across Age Groups 11:30 Building and Maintaining B2B Banking Relationships 13:30 What Retailers Want: Acquisition, Reactivation, Share of Wallet 15:00 Budget Constraints and Smart Media Spend 16:00 AI’s Impact on People, Product, and Data 18:00 Backend Innovations and Productivity Gains with AI 20:00 Fragmentation of Digital Media and the Open Internet 21:30 Future of Search and AI Agents in Commerce 22:30 Closing Thoughts and Rosé in CannesLinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow James House on LinkedIn⁠Follow Justin Campbell on LinkedIn
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Jul 16, 2025 • 31min

Ep. 111 - Why Mobile Video Crushes Traditional TV - Stephen Upstone

In this episode of Future Fuzz, Justin sits down with Stephen Upstone, Founder and CEO of LoopMe, a pioneer in mobile video advertising and AI-powered brand performance. With over two decades of experience, Stephen discusses how mobile video is outperforming TV advertising, the power of mid-funnel metrics, and the transformative role of AI in ad tech. From his early days selling an AI company to Adobe to LoopMe’s recent acquisition of Chartboost, Stephen shares actionable insights on real-time measurement, survey-based audience targeting, and the future of brand advertising in a mobile-first world.Guest BioStephen Upstone is the Founder and CEO of LoopMe, a mobile ad tech company revolutionizing brand advertising through AI optimization and real-time survey data. With two successful exits and one IPO under his belt, Stephen has spent over 20 years at the intersection of AI, mobile, and advertising. He was previously on the board of TouchClarity, an AI business acquired by Adobe, and continues to push innovation at LoopMe, whose platform processes over 300 million surveys annually and integrates across 30,000 mobile apps. Under Stephen’s leadership, LoopMe has scaled globally and recently acquired Chartboost to expand its end-to-end mobile capabilities.TakeawaysMobile video now rivals and can outperform traditional TV advertising.Mid-funnel optimization is key: actions like brand consideration are more measurable and actionable than ever.LoopMe runs 300M+ real-time surveys a year, enabling powerful, forward-looking audience insights.AI is not just hype—true computational AI drives massive efficiency in ad performance.Creative still matters: AI may generate concepts, but human editors remain vital for quality.The ad tech winners are those who embedded AI early and use it across media, measurement, and optimization.Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Introduction to Stephen Upstone 01:05 Why Results Matter More Than Setup 02:15 How Mobile Video Can Beat TV 04:03 The Shift to Mid-Funnel Metrics 05:26 Why TV Metrics Are Outdated 07:15 LoopMe’s End-to-End Stack and Tech Partners 09:28 Real-Time Surveys vs. Panels 12:53 Stephen’s First AI Company and Adobe Exit 14:59 Real Use of AI vs. Hype 17:28 The Future of Generative AI in Creative 22:39 Market Outlook: Green Shoots & Challenges 25:39 Why Brand Advertising During Downturns Matters 27:00 Acquiring Chartboost & Expansion Plans 29:12 Audio, Influencer Marketing, and What’s Next 30:23 Closing RemarksLinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Stephen on LinkedIn here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Justin on LinkedIn here
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Jul 9, 2025 • 29min

Ep. 110 - Beyond the Pitch Deck Illusion - Reggie James

In this episode of Future Fuzz, Justin chats with Reggie James, a seasoned digital strategist and founder of Digital Clarity. Reggie brings over 25 years of experience advising ambitious B2B tech and fintech companies on how to drive sustainable growth, navigate digital transformation, and make marketing actually work.Together, they unpack why most companies still fall for glossy agency pitch decks, the real reason buyers ghost after demos, and how to cut through with strategic clarity and transparency. Reggie shares lessons from the trenches, including a SaaS case study that doubled ARR in two years - and why too many companies chase growth but skip the gym work needed to get it.Guest BioReggie James is the founder of Digital Clarity and a director at DBMM Group. With decades of experience in digital strategy, AI-driven marketing, and go-to-market consulting, he has become a trusted advisor to startups, scale-ups, and Fortune 500 firms across tech, blockchain, fintech, and finance.Known for his candid communication style and deep expertise in buyer psychology and strategy, Reggie helps clients navigate complex marketing landscapes, turn visibility into value, and diagnose the hidden blockers inside their pipelines.TakeawaysMost Agencies Win on Pitch, Fail on Delivery: Slick decks don't guarantee execution. Transparency and alignment matter more.Buyers Want Truth and Trust: Clients crave honesty about who they’ll work with and what the journey looks like.Growth Needs Strategy + Flexibility: A rigid plan isn’t a strategy. Adaptability is key to staying relevant.AI Should Drive Efficiency, Not Just Buzz: Smart AI adoption means cost-effective gains, not gimmicks.Pipeline ≠ Progress: Many sales teams celebrate leads too early - Reggie stresses deep qualification.No Strategy = No Scale: Without clear strategic focus, marketing becomes noisy guesswork.Chapters 00:00 - Intro: Welcome Reggie James 01:40 - Reggie's Role in Growth Consulting 02:28 - Why Agencies Win with Pitch Decks 05:40 - Bait-and-Switch in Agencies 07:44 - Transparency and Real Onboarding 09:28 - Top 3 Marketing Problems Companies Face 10:00 - AI, Growth Consistency & LinkedIn Struggles 12:51 - Everything Leads Back to Strategy 13:19 - Why Strategy Must Stay Flexible 14:47 - Data Isn't the Whole Picture 15:47 - The Six Pack Analogy: Everyone Wants Growth 17:27 - How to Be a Better Podcast Guest 19:47 - SaaS Case Study: Diagnosing Pipeline Delusion 21:23 - Where the Ghosting Happens in the Sales Cycle 23:44 - Creating Focused Strategic Plans 25:00 - 60% ARR Growth in Year One 27:05 - The 95-5 Rule in Action 30:23 - Creating Authentic, Useful Content 32:06 - Where to Find Reggie OnlineLinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow ReggieJames⁠ on LinkedIn here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Justin Campbell⁠ on LinkedIn here
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Jul 2, 2025 • 24min

Ep. 109 - Mid-Funnel Magic: Vanessa Confessore Unpacks It

In this episode of Future Fuzz, Vanessa Confessore, VP at Nativo, explores the evolution of leadership, workplace dynamics, and customer engagement in the post-pandemic era. She shares how modern leaders can bridge the gap between strategy and execution, the role of curated experiences in B2B success, and the increasing importance of video and mid-funnel content in digital marketing. Vanessa also offers heartfelt insights on balancing parenting with a demanding career and how generational shifts are influencing digital habits and brand connection.Guest BioVanessa Confessore is a Senior Executive at Nativo, an ad tech company pioneering content-driven advertising with a network of over 7,000 premium publishers. With extensive leadership experience across marketing and digital strategy, Vanessa combines hands-on operational insight with C-suite collaboration to drive team performance and brand success. Her expertise spans experiential marketing, brand safety, and media innovation, making her a key voice on the future of human-centric B2B engagement.TakeawaysStrong leadership bridges strategy with day-to-day team empowerment.Remote work demands intentional connection through curated experiences.Human connection is the fabric between industry tentpole events.Video content is now a must-have in B2B marketing.Mid-funnel content is where brand affinity and decision-making happen.Clean supply and brand-safe environments are crucial in ad tech.Gen Alpha will likely consume less and value physical presence more.Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Introduction to Vanessa 01:08 Leadership in the Age of Remote Work 03:28 The Rise of In-Person Connection 05:45 Experiential Marketing Beyond Industry Events 07:44 Are Tentpole Events Still Valuable? 10:27 Rise of B2B Video Content Across Platforms 13:34 Why Mid-Funnel Content Matters 16:24 Nativo’s Clean Supply and Publisher Vetting 18:07 The Legacy of Resellers and Budget Waste 19:06 What’s Next for Content Marketing? 20:14 Digital Out-of-Home is Back 21:18 Generation Alpha and the Shift Away from Screens 24:33 Final Words on Empathy and LeadershipLinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Vanessa Confessore on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Justin Campbell on LinkedIn
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Jun 25, 2025 • 24min

Ep. 108 - Behind the Curtain at Veed.io - Samuel Beek

In this episode of Future Fuzz, Justin sits down with Samuel Beek, Chief Product Officer at Veed.io, to discuss how product-led growth, a culture of rapid iteration, and accessible AI tools are reshaping the video creation landscape. From building with speed to scaling a global video editing platform, Sam dives into Veed’s mission to make high-quality video content creation effortless for everyone - from beginners to power users.Sam also shares candid insights about the realities of building in public, the rising trend of vertical and ultra-short videos, and the trade-offs of integrating generative AI tools for scaling personalization and efficiency.Guest BioSam Beek is the Chief Product Officer at Veed.io, a fast-scaling video creation platform trusted by creators, marketers, and businesses around the world. With a background in engineering and product development, Sam brings a practical and passionate approach to building intuitive, accessible tools for video production.His journey spans failed startups, a stint at Sean Parker’s Airtime, and ultimately leading Veed's product team through rapid growth and technical innovation. Sam is known for his candid product storytelling on LinkedIn and his commitment to democratizing video creation through AI and user-friendly design.TakeawaysBuild Fast, Share Often: Sam emphasizes the power of transparency and feedback by shipping quickly - even if imperfect - and iterating in public.AI Drives Monetization and Access: Advanced AI features often serve as premium unlocks but are designed to make high-end tools accessible to non-tech users.Authenticity > Polish: Users respond more to honest, spontaneous content than to overly produced videos.Short, Vertical, Fast: Social video trends lean heavily toward short-form, vertical formats optimized for mobile attention spans.AI + Human = Future of Content: Purely AI-generated content still lacks emotional resonance, but blended approaches show promise.Lip Sync Editing Is Here: Veed’s new AI Rephrase tool allows subtle word replacements in video without full reshoots.Chapters 00:00 - Welcome to Future Fuzz 01:20 - Intro: Sam Beek and Veed.io 03:05 - Getting Recognized from LinkedIn Videos 04:30 - Product People Creating Content 05:12 - Transparency and Building in Public 06:29 - AI Features and Access for Free vs Paid Users 07:26 - Sam’s Journey from Engineering to Product 09:00 - Working with Sean Parker at Airtime 10:29 - Why Sam Took the Risk to Join Veed 10:57 - Philosophy Behind Veed’s Product 12:40 - Asking the Right Product Questions 13:43 - Trends: Shorter, Vertical, Reused Content 15:39 - Will Video Consumption Reverse to Long-form? 17:13 - Fully AI-Generated Videos: Future or Fad? 19:26 - The Power of Spontaneity in Video 20:24 - AI Use Cases: L&D and Scaling Content 21:41 - What’s Coming Next at Veed 24:25 - AI Rephrase and Lip Sync Editing 25:42 - Monthly Product Launches & Live Q&A 26:22 - Wrap-up and Where to Follow SamLinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Sam Beek on LinkedIn here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Justin Campbell on LinkedIn here
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Jun 18, 2025 • 31min

Ep. 107 - Automate, Don’t Replace, Your Spreadsheets - Hannah Recker

In this episode of Future Fuzz, Justin sits down with Hannah Recker, Head of Growth Marketing at Coefficient, to explore how one of the most common workplace tools - spreadsheets - can be transformed into live, automated dashboards without writing code or relying on data teams. Hannah shares how Coefficient grew from 40 to 600,000 users in just two and a half years, why they're betting big on spreadsheet-native workflows, and what it takes to build a product-led, community-driven brand in today’s noisy AI era. From embedding real-time analytics into HubSpot to creating long-tail SEO from Slack communities, Hannah offers a hands-on masterclass in growth, automation, and user obsession.Guest BioHannah Recker is the Head of Growth Marketing at Coefficient, a SaaS platform that transforms ordinary spreadsheets into live data command centers. With over a decade of experience across high-growth startups and B2B tech firms, Hannah has led marketing at the intersection of operations, automation, and community building. She's a former growth leader at Agorapulse and has worked with iconic brands like Fender, Spotify, Klaviyo, and Miro. A passionate builder, Hannah is known for her no-fluff approach to GTM strategy, her early-mover instincts in automation, and her deep understanding of the operational marketer.TakeawaysCoefficient connects spreadsheets to any data source - no data team required.Spreadsheets remain the most flexible reporting tools - don’t try to replace them, empower them.Fractional CFOs became a surprise power-user group for Coefficient.60%+ of users are self-serve, and Coefficient sees high virality from product-led growth.AI adoption must be user-first, not investor-driven - start by solving real user pain.Their Slack community isn't just about Coefficient - it’s a peer-learning space for ops teams.Using Slack’s API to extract community insights can power long-tail SEO content.Leaders need to get their hands dirty with AI to truly understand its value and hire well.The automation boom was about tools—this AI wave is about intentional use and value.Chapters00:00 Welcome and Intro to Hannah Recker01:39 The Real Problem Coefficient Solves02:33 From 40 to 600K Users—How They Did It04:25 Blending Data Sources Inside Spreadsheets06:00 Embedding Google Sheets in HubSpot—A Hidden Gem07:05 Supporting Big Brands Like Spotify and Fender08:21 Freemium to Enterprise: Their GTM Flywheel11:14 Comparing the Automation Boom to the AI Wave13:39 AI, Hype, and the Need for Hands-On Leadership16:55 The Consumer Pushback Against Pointless AI18:17 Suno and Summer Playlists—Using AI for Fun20:06 Why Coefficient Waited to Build AI Features22:23 When to Build a Product Community24:06 Community as a Catalyst for Feature Discovery26:19 Slack vs. Circle: Meeting Users Where They Are28:35 Pulling SEO Value From Slack API29:59 Why Long-Tail Content Is Winning Right Now30:40 Closing Thoughts and Where to Find HannahLinkedIn⁠⁠Follow Hannah Recker on LinkedIn here⁠⁠Follow Justin on LinkedIn here

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