The Exit Five CMO Podcast (Hosted by Dave Gerhardt)

Sylvia Lepoidevin, CMO at Kandji, shares her inspiring journey from employee #4 to leading a company worth $850M. She dives into the revolutionizing role of AI in marketing, enabling smaller, more efficient teams. Sylvia discusses strategies for impactful internal marketing, emphasizing storytelling to engage cross-functional teams. She also explores product-led growth strategies and the importance of aligning team autonomy with employer branding to drive success. Her insights into scaling and creative campaigns are both practical and motivating.

Haley Carpenter, founder of Chirpy, shares her expertise in conversion rate optimization. She discusses how CRO goes beyond A/B testing, emphasizing the need for research to guide decisions. Learn how to implement effective strategies even with limited traffic and the importance of messaging and social proof in boosting conversions. Haley also highlights common pitfalls in B2B marketing and reveals surprising test results that significantly improved sales. Her insights provide a practical roadmap for marketers looking to foster a culture of testing and data-driven decision-making.

In this engaging conversation, Chris Walker, CEO of Passetto and a leading voice in B2B marketing on LinkedIn, dives deep into the future of go-to-market strategies. He discusses the vital shift from 'growth at all costs' to sustainable growth, emphasizing the importance of effective feedback loops. Chris also elaborates on the transformative impact of AI on marketing roles and the need for creativity within structured frameworks. Through actionable insights, he outlines how to navigate the evolving landscape of B2B marketing.

Gurdeep Dhillon, CMO of Contentstack, brings a wealth of experience from leading marketing roles at top tech firms. He discusses the evolving landscape of demand generation, stressing the shift towards prioritizing brand and reputation over mere lead generation. Gurdeep reveals how urgency can close enterprise sales and emphasizes the need for bold marketing strategies. He also dives into Contentstack's innovative team structure and the transformative role of AI in enhancing marketing efficiency and creativity.

Holly Xiao, who leads B2B marketing at HeyGen, joins Dave Gerhardt for a deep dive into the intersection of AI and video marketing. They discuss why video is crucial in B2B and how to make it cost-effective. Holly reveals how AI is transforming content production, enabling marketers to focus on storytelling. They explore the evolving role of the CMO, AI's impact on creativity, and the importance of embracing technology to create authentic connections. Tune in for insights on scaling content and achieving effective engagement!

Jessica Lytle, a fractional growth marketing leader, discusses her no-code ROI calculator that sales reps use live during calls. Ugi Djuric from ContentMonk presents an AI workflow that streamlines content operations. Jillian Hoefer shares her innovative 'content concierge' GPT designed to extract key stats and quotes for marketing. Jake Heap demonstrates an exciting tool that animates mascots into 3D characters. Anton Ruis reveals his AI-powered buyer brief builder that customizes sales messaging with real-time data, showcasing practical AI applications in B2B marketing.

Emma Robinson, Head of B2B Marketing at Canva, and Kristine Segrist, VP of Consumer Marketing, share insights into Canva's success. They explore how Canva turns free users into enterprise clients by utilizing product signals. The importance of balancing brand-building with measurable ROI features prominently, alongside their innovative 'Love Your Work' campaign. They discuss leveraging data science for creative marketing strategies while maintaining an approachable brand identity, highlighting how their flat organizational structure fosters collaboration and drives growth across diverse audiences.

Kady Srinivasan, CMO at You.com, has a rich background leading marketing for Dropbox and Klaviyo. She shares her journey from engineering to marketing leadership, underscoring the importance of adaptability in today's fast-paced environment. Topics include aligning marketing strategies with company goals and effective team management systems. Kady discusses how AI is reshaping marketing roles and the necessity for CMOs to embrace flexibility and innovation. She inspires listeners to reinvent themselves while emphasizing the balance between automation and human creativity.

Brad Zomick, a savvy B2B marketing consultant, dives into the vital role of LinkedIn for founders. He discusses why LinkedIn is the best platform for building authority and attracting talent in today’s market. The conversation reveals tips on transforming daily communications into impactful content and highlights the unexpected ROI from founder-led posts. Brad also shares insights on maintaining authenticity while leveraging AI tools in content creation, and offers strategies for building a strong, engaging presence on the platform.

Sean Lane, Founding Partner at BeaconGTM and RevOps expert, dives into the essential ties between marketing, sales, and operations. With a decade of experience in B2B SaaS, he shares how aligning these functions drives business growth. Listeners will learn about the significance of continuous planning, the role of AI in operations, and tips for effective budgeting. Sean also highlights the importance of understanding customer journeys and the ideal traits to look for when hiring for operational roles in early-stage companies.