Paris Talks Marketing

Want to learn how a bootstrapped cybersecurity company can outsmart well-funded competitors? Jitendra is Chief Marketing Officer  at Infopercept Consulting, a platform-led managed services provider in cybersecurity. In this episode, we talk about how to win CISOs’ trust, what really drives buying decisions in this space, and how to cut through the noise with creative outreach that actually gets attention.If you’ve ever felt stuck trying to differentiate your security product in a crowded market, or you’re wondering how to prove marketing ROI without vanity metrics, this one’s for you.We also explore the role of AI in marketing, the evolving buyer journey, and what Jitendra would never spend on—even with 5x the budget. In this episode, you’ll learn:- Why Infopercept bets on use cases, not features- How compliance drives buying decisions (more than security itself!)- Why  Infopercept  avoids exhibitions and big conferences- What fingerprint marketing is and how to build yours- The power of highly personalized outreach for CISOs- How AI is helping them scale insights and content creationResources and links:1. Connect with Jitendra Bulani : https://www.linkedin.com/in/jitendra-bulani-21557510/2. Connect with Paris Childress on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/parischildress/3. Learn more about Infopercept : https://www.infopercept.com/4. Listen to  Barry Mainz Episode here: https://youtu.be/9HlYBu1pFCc?si=V32qyZgLCkCkNWMWLet us know your biggest takeaway on LinkedIn!

In this episode, Paris speaks with Lalit Shinde, Chief Growth Officer at Sequretek. With over 30 years of experience in AI and cybersecurity, Lalit leads global growth, sales, and partnerships at the company. He also serves as a board member and mentor across multiple organizations in the tech space.Lalit Shinde shares how his team built a cybersecurity company from the ground up and grew it to $25 million in revenue. He explains the mistakes many founders make when entering new markets, including overreliance on direct sales, unclear pricing, and targeting the wrong customers.He discusses why channel partnerships offered a more effective path and how a clear focus helped drive growth. The conversation also looks at the role of AI in cybersecurity, including how to position it as a tool that supports human teams rather than replaces them.Lalit also introduces Continuous Threat Exposure Management, a model that gives CISOs real-time insight into risk and offers a more practical approach than traditional risk assessments.Topics Covered:Going from $0 to $25M in revenueAvoiding GTM and pricing misstepsWhen and why to use channel salesAI’s real role in cybersecurityCTEM vs. periodic risk assessmentTune in to refine how you build, grow, or improve your cybersecurity  brand.

What does it take to lead a cybersecurity company that protects some of the world’s most sensitive systems?Barry Mainz, CEO of ForeScout, shares what he's learned about decision-making, trust, and communication in a high-pressure industry. This episode pulls back the curtain on how ForeScout operates—and what keeps it grounded.Barry also talks about what gets a CISO to respond, how messaging shapes outcomes, and why internal alignment matters just as much as external strategy.This is a clear, practical conversation about leadership, risk, and the people behind the systems.What You’ll Hear What messaging actually lands with security buyersHow ForeScout balances AI automation with human control.What it takes to keep teams focused when the pressure doesn’t stopHow ForeScout works with government and critical infrastructureThe leadership habits that drive long-term trust🎧 Like this episode?Share it and leave us a review!  Then subscribe to get more real-world stories from the people doing the work.

Paris interviews Ido Weisenberg, CEO of Voyantis, a company revolutionizing customer lifetime value (LTV) prediction with AI and machine learning. Ido shares  on utilizing predictive analytics to optimize customer acquisition, retention, and revenue growth for SaaS and consumer companies. He also discusses how aligning marketing and revenue goals can drive sustainable business success.In this Episode:- The role of AI in predicting customer LTV- How predictive analytics improves ad spend efficiency-Why finding the right co-founder is crucial for startup success-How B2B SaaS companies can maximize ROI with value-based bidding-Overcoming short-term vs. long-term revenue challenges-The future of cookies and first-party data strategies-How Voyantis helps companies scale with data-driven growthResources and Links1. Voyantis -voyantis.ai2. LinkedIn- Ido Wiesenberg3. LinkedIn-Paris Childress

This 2024 blog post reviews advancements in Large Language Models (LLMs). Key themes include the breaking of the GPT-4 barrier, with multiple organizations surpassing its capabilities; significant improvements in model efficiency and price reductions, making LLMs more accessible; the rise of multimodal models incorporating vision, audio, and even live video; and the emergence of inference-scaling "reasoning" models. The author also discusses challenges like the prevalence of "slop" (unwanted, unreviewed AI-generated content), the difficulty of using LLMs effectively, and the uneven distribution of LLM knowledge. The overall purpose is to summarize the year's progress in the field, highlighting both achievements and remaining obstacles.

In this episode, Paris sits down with Anne Clara Laugesen,, the CMO and Head of ESG at Stella Energy and Viggo. Anne shares how Viggo disrupted the traditional Danish taxi market with its all-EV fleet. And how the strategic rebranding to Stella Energy set the stage to cater to international markets and industry competitors.Tune in to hear the challenges of launching a sustainable ride-hailing service, how to market to B2C and B2B audiences, and why Stella Energy's fast-charging network is vital for the future of mobility.Key Highlights:00:00 Introduction 00:22 Anne Clara's Background and Passion for Mobility01:00 The Evolution of Viggo: From Startup to Success02:05 Challenges and Innovations in EV Ride-Hailing04:04 Rebranding to Stella: Strategy and Impact15:00 Marketing Strategies for Viggo and Stella31:23 Future of EVs36:33 Conclusion.Resources:1. Viggo- https://www.viggo.com/2.Stella Energy -https://www.stellaenergy.io/3. Anne Clara Laugesen- https://www.linkedin.com/in/anneclara/4. Paris Childress- https://www.linkedin.com/in/parischildress/

In this episode, Guus Goorts, education marketing expert and author of Genuinely Helpful: A Practical Guide to Effective University Websites, joins Paris to share insights on enhancing digital marketing for higher education. They discuss optimizing university websites, leveraging AI, and creating authentic student experiences that resonate with them. The conversation also dives into using data and analytics to refine enrollment strategies, avoiding common digital outreach pitfalls, and adapting to the challenges of a digital-first world. Paris reflects on the opportunities for higher education to stay competitive, highlighting why Guus’ strategies are essential for institutions looking to thrive.Key Talk Points00:00 -Introduction02:40- The Role of University Websites04:32- Google’s E-E-A-T Principles in Education Marketing09:55 -Balancing Social Media and Websites14:59- Common Website Mistakes in Higher Education25:18-AI and the Future of Higher Education Marketing30:00-User-Generated Content: A Game-Changer35:00 -Future Trends in Education Marketing38:53 -Balancing AI and Human Connection 40:00 -Resources.Resources Mentioned:1.Genuinely Helpful: A Practical Guide to Effective University Websites by Guus Goorts – Free Copy here: https://guusgoorts.com/book/genuinely-helpful/2. NHL Stenden University – A case study in dynamic, student-focused digital marketing: https://www.nhlstenden.com/enSubscribe to Paris Talks Marketing for more insights on education marketing, digital strategies, and the future of student recruitment.

In this episode, Paris hosts Martijn van de Veen, Chief Business Development Officer at ICEF, for a discussion about the digital transformation reshaping education marketing. They discuss how the pandemic drove education institutions to adopt virtual recruitment tools, hybrid learning models, and digital marketing strategies, highlighting the benefits and challenges of these innovations.Top Discussion Points1. Pandemic-Driven Shifts in Education Marketing.2. Role of Aggregators and Digital Platforms in Recruitment.3. Balancing Automation with Human Connection in Education.4. AI-Powered Tools in Education Marketing.5. ICEF Events.Listen to the full episode for a closer look at how education marketing is evolving through digital innovation, and how to retain the human element that makes high-impact decisions feel right.Links and Resources: Martijn van de  Veen : https://www.linkedin.com/in/martijnvandeveen/  Paris Childress: https://www.linkedin.com/in/parischildress/ Register for ICEF Events : https://www.icef.com/events/

In this episode Paris hosts  Curphy Smith, the  Business Development Manager at Century Solutions Group. Curphy has a rich background in managed services and understands  the evolving cyber threat landscape.In this conversation, Curphy  provides listeners with a roadmap to safeguard businesses. He also shows how to utilize cybersecurity as a catalyst for brand  growth. Tune in to know how to enhance your brand’s resilience against cyber threats while driving growth.00:00 Introduction 02:13 -AI in Cybersecurity and Marketing 07:12- Lead Generation Strategies 13:11- How Fear Influences Cybersecurity Sales 18:22- AI-Driven Cybersecurity Solutions 21:10- The Human Element in Cybersecurity 26:11- Marketing Hooks and Conversion Funnels 38:01 -The Role of Social Engineering Training39:21 -Balancing AI and Genuine Content (39:21)48:00 -ConclusionConnect with Us:1. Curphy Smith2. Paris Childress

In this episode  Paris is joined by Jeff Umbro, CEO of The Podglomerate, to dive deep into the world of podcasting. Podcasting has become a powerful medium for brands, thought leaders, and content creators to engage with their audience, but it's not without its challenges. Paris and Jeff explore key strategies for podcast production, marketing, and monetization. Jeff shares insights on leveraging podcast advertising platforms like AdvertiseCast, Gumball, and Spotify Ad Analytics to grow your podcast and measure ad performance. They also discuss innovative podcast formats and the value of appearing as a guest on other shows.  But as Jeff Umbro puts it, it’s not a one-size-fits-all strategy. The key is to approach podcasting with clear goals, be willing to experiment with formats and marketing strategies, and consistently measure success. Tune in to learn how to use podcasting to enhance brand awareness and drive business growth.00:00 Introduction 00:30 About The Podglomerate04:05 Why Start a Podcast?10:37 Effective Podcast Advertising22:17 Podcast Measurement and Analytics26:48 Innovative Podcast Formats32:45 Jeff's Favorite PodcastsConnect with Us:1. Jeff Umbro2. Paris Childress