The Exit Five CMO Podcast (Hosted by Dave Gerhardt)

Matthew Carnevale, Head of Community at Exit Five, shares his expertise in scaling B2B communities. He reveals how to engage members and create value-driven programming, leading to over 5,000 community members. Matthew discusses the shift to a gated community format and the balance between in-person events and digital interactions. He offers insights on seeding communities with experts, measuring engagement, and balancing immediate wins with long-term growth strategies. Perfect for anyone looking to build a thriving B2B community!

Michael Cole, SVP of Marketing at Everflow, shares his inspiring journey of building Everflow's marketing function from the ground up. He reveals effective strategies for transforming satisfied customers into referral partners and discusses the delicate balance between organic growth and paid advertising. Michael emphasizes the importance of flexibility in team structures and collaboration with complementary businesses. His insights on delegation and accountability shed light on leading a thriving marketing team, making it a must-listen for aspiring marketing leaders.

Chris Walker, CEO of Passetto and a LinkedIn thought leader on B2B marketing, dives into the future of go-to-market strategies. He discusses the essential shift from growth at all costs to sustainable growth, emphasizing the role of CMOs and the transformative power of AI in marketing. Chris shares insights on the value of real-time feedback loops and effective social media engagement. He also highlights the complexities of marketing measurement and how to align marketing with financial strategies for long-term success.

In this discussion, Jessica Skovira, VP of Marketing, and Hannak Rankin, Growth Marketing Manager at Tenon, reveal how to create an effective marketing operating system. They emphasize the need for aligning marketing goals with business objectives to drive results. Practical strategies for campaign planning and managing tasks are shared, showcasing how to foster team collaboration. The duo also highlights the importance of flexibility in adapting to changes while maintaining clarity and performance in marketing efforts.

Ross Simmonds, Founder & CEO of Foundation, shares his expertise in B2B content marketing. He discusses the importance of prioritizing search as a distribution channel and why social media followers shouldn't be viewed as mere vanity. Ross emphasizes the power of repurposing successful content and leveraging the sales team for effective content distribution. He also highlights how evolving tone and strategy can maximize audience engagement, and shares insights on using AI tools like ChatGPT to enhance content creation.

In this discussion, Dan Cmejla, a B2B community expert and former VP of Community at Apollo and Chili Piper, shares his insights on building impactful B2B communities. He emphasizes how community marketing can transform brands by turning customers into advocates. Dan outlines three crucial phases for community development, from establishing a presence in key influence spaces to creating amazing community environments. He also touches on leveraging customer relationships to enhance engagement and drive measurable business outcomes.

Jason Lemkin, the founder of SaaStr and former CEO of EchoSign, shares insights on building a successful marketing strategy in the SaaS space. He emphasizes the crucial traits of a great VP of Marketing and the need for alignment between marketing teams and the CEO. Jason reflects on the shift in tech dynamics post-2020 and the evolving roles of CROs and CMOs. The conversation also delves into content creation, highlighting the power of LinkedIn for professional growth and the importance of fostering strong business relationships.

Kyle Coleman, CMO at Copy.ai and former SVP of Marketing at Clari, shares insights on utilizing AI to implement a $0 CAC strategy. He emphasizes the importance of developing a distinctive point of view to stand out in the market. Coleman also discusses the creation of a content flywheel that ensures efficiency and alignment across marketing efforts. Additionally, he tackles the challenges of go-to-market bloat and offers strategies for streamlining processes to drive sustainable growth. Gain tips on harnessing generative AI for impactful branding.

Amanda Natividad, VP of Marketing at SparkToro and a former journalist, shares her insights on balancing work and family after returning from parental leave. She discusses the evolving landscape of B2B marketing, emphasizing effective email strategies and optimizing LinkedIn for engagement. Natividad also reflects on career aspirations, the path to a CMO role, and the newfound joy of working as a team of one. Lastly, she highlights the importance of prioritizing happiness over financial gains in today's marketing environment.

Join Ding Zheng, co-founder of EventShark, as he brings his charisma to a lively celebration of the Exit Five community. The team reflects on their impressive growth, revealing that focusing on community as a product led to nearly 80% growth. They dive into the hottest B2B marketing topics for 2024 and teasingly preview what's coming in 2025. The fun escalates with games featuring marketing trivia and holiday spirit, revealing insights that make B2B marketing both engaging and entertaining!