“We’ve started to create a flywheel with AI workflows—connecting sales, marketing, and everything in between,” says Nathan Thompson, Head of Content Strategy at copy.aiIn this episode of The Content Cocktail Hour, Nathan Thompson, Head of Content Strategy at copy.ai, explains how AI workflows are reshaping marketing and copywriting. Nathan shares his journey from building scrappy, organic content strategies to leading innovative, AI-driven processes at copy.ai. He explains why the future of AI in marketing isn’t just about generating text but about connecting strategies, breaking silos, and creating cohesive workflows.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why AI workflows outperform task-based tools like ChatGPTHow to break data silos and align sales and marketing through AIPractical ways to use AI for thought leadership, SEO, and campaign executionResources:Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-gandolf/Check out The Juice HQ: https://www.thejuicehq.com/Connect with Nathan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-likes-writing/Learn more about copy.ai: https://www.copy.ai/Timestamps:(00:00) Intro(01:13) Nathan’s journey in content strategy and AI(05:57) Why workflows are the future of marketing(10:42) Breaking silos between sales and marketing with AI(15:20) How to create authentic thought leadership content at scale(20:45) The role of AI in building personalized campaigns(24:50) Nathan’s advice for marketers starting with AI

“Today, the best content is super fun. Don’t be afraid to let your brand freak flag fly,” says Rob Carpenter, Founder of AudienceLedIn this episode of The Content Cocktail Hour, Rob Carpenter, founder of AudienceLed, shares his journey from being a marketing leader to launching AudienceLed, a service helping B2B companies navigate a new era of audience-driven growth. Rob explains the evolution of marketing strategies, the diminishing returns of old playbooks, and why brands must embrace community-led and creator partnerships to build trust and relevance. He also gives practical advice on co-marketing, why fun and authenticity are key to standing out, and the importance of collaboration in today’s visible markets.In this episode, you’ll learn:What “audience-led growth” means and why it’s vital todayHow brands can co-create meaningful campaigns with creatorsWays to make your marketing fun, engaging, and impactfulResources:Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-gandolf/Check out The Juice HQ: https://www.thejuicehq.com/Connect with Rob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robmcarpenter/Learn more about AudienceLed: https://www.audienceled.com/Timestamps:(00:00) Intro(01:27) Rob’s journey to founding Audience Led(05:33) Why traditional marketing playbooks no longer work(09:40) Audience-led growth: how it works and why it matters(14:15) Co-marketing and building authentic relationships with creators(19:51) The power of fun and creativity in marketing(24:00) Rob’s thoughts on B2B influencer strategies

“If you do that in a kind of fake way, people are going to smell it from a mile away. Their BS radars are going to go off,” says Shawnie Hamer, Director of Brand and Content Marketing at CrossbeamIn this episode of The Content Cocktail Hour, Shawnie Hamer, Director of Brand and Content Marketing at Crossbeam, tells us how Crossbeam uses Ecosystem-Led Growth to strengthen partnerships and create authentic, value-driven content. Shawnie shares her unique journey from academia to content marketing leadership and emphasizes the importance of aligning marketing efforts with customer trust. She also talks about the misconceptions around AI in content creation and highlights the irreplaceable value of human creativity.In this episode, you’ll learn:What Ecosystem-Led Growth is and how it empowers go-to-market strategiesWhy authentic content outperforms keyword-focused traffic tacticsHow to create content that earns trust and delivers real valueResources:Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-gandolf/Check out The Juice HQ: https://www.thejuicehq.com/Connect with Shawnie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawniehamer/Explore Crossbeam: https://www.crossbeam.com/Timestamps:(00:00) Intro(01:06) Shawnie’s background: From teaching to content marketing(07:42) The power of trust in Ecosystem-Led Growth(11:49) Aligning with larger brands authentically(13:03) Quality vs. quantity in content strategy(16:29) Listening to customers to create impactful content(25:00) Why AI won’t replace authentic content creation(26:34) Crossbeam’s new website and interactive elements

“Sponsor is not a dirty word. And I think that when it’s handled correctly, it can be very effective,” says Aaron Leeder, VP of Partnerships & Alliances at PavilionIn this episode of The Content Cocktail Hour, Aaron Leeder, VP of Partnerships & Alliances at Pavilion, shares the art of balancing sponsorships with community building. Aaron explains how Pavilion prioritizes member-first values while creating meaningful partnerships with brands. He also explores the value of unique activations like salon dinners and the shifting impact of event sponsorships in cultivating genuine connections. From creative event strategies to building favorability within a community, Aaron highlights the importance of long-term relationship building in today’s marketing landscape.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why sponsorships can enhance both member and sponsor experiencesHow to balance sponsorship revenue without compromising community valuesThe power of creative activations like dinners and social experiencesResources:Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-gandolf/Check out The Juice HQ: https://www.thejuicehq.com/Connect with Aaron on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronleeder/Learn more about Pavilion: https://www.joinpavilion.com/Timestamps:(00:00) Intro(01:13) Aaron’s unique path from music to partnerships at Pavilion(05:29) Balancing member-first values with sponsorship strategies(10:17) The ROI of creative activations like salon dinners(14:42) Tips for maximizing sponsorships(18:32) Creating amazing customer experiences through salon dinners(20:26) Long-term thinking in sponsorship and relationship building

“AI makes content creation easier, but curating the right information at the right time is what truly drives success,” says Jesse Bourgeault-Trickey, Global Deployment Manager at HappeoIn this episode of The Content Cocktail Hour, Jesse Bourgeault-Trickey, Global Deployment Manager at Happeo, talks about the challenges and opportunities of knowledge management and intranet systems. Drawing from his extensive experience, Jesse shares why aligning HR, IT, and Ops creates a “three-legged stool” for efficiency, how AI is transforming intranet functionality, and why curation is now more critical than content creation. He also explains the impact of knowledge systems on employee retention and how proactive strategies can help organizations avoid costly inefficiencies.In this episode, you’ll learn:How AI-powered knowledge engines close content gapsThe ROI of self-serve intranets in reducing redundanciesWhy shared ownership leads to successful intranet adoptionResources:Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-gandolf/Check out The Juice HQ: https://www.thejuicehq.com/Connect with Jesse on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessebtrickey/Learn more about Happeo: https://happeo.com/Timestamps:(00:00) Intro(01:25) The importance of shared ownership in intranet success(04:10) How AI is transforming knowledge management(08:45) Proactive vs. reactive approaches to intranet adoption(12:30) The ROI of reducing redundancy through self-serve systems(17:20) Creating feedback loops for internal and external insights(21:40) Curation vs. content overload: Striking the right balance

“The distance between passable and great content is enormous—and only creativity can bridge the gap,” says David Ebner, President at Content Workshop.In this episode of The Content Cocktail Hour, David Ebner, President at Content Workshop, explores the future of B2B content marketing and why creativity and storytelling matter more than ever in the era of AI writing. He shares insights on balancing measurable outcomes with bold ideas, the limitations of AI in storytelling, and how to create campaigns that resonate emotionally with your audience. David and Jonathan also recount their LinkedIn campaign experiment and discuss the role of influence, collaboration, and choosing the right medium for content creation.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why taking creative risks leads to memorable contentHow to leverage co-creation and influence in your campaignsThe difference between “passable” and “great” contentResources:Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-gandolf/Check out The Juice HQ: https://www.thejuicehq.com/Connect with David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjebner/Learn more about Content Workshop: https://contentworkshop.com/Timestamps:(00:00) Intro(01:13) Why creativity is essential in measurable marketing(03:34) Leveraging storytelling to build emotional connections(07:24) Why AI struggles with great storytelling (12:12) The viral LinkedIn campaign experiment(17:38) The value of influence and co-creation in marketing(22:08) Bold ideas vs. safe strategies

“The thing with territory planning is that people think of it as boring and terrible, I wanted the whole thing to have good energy, like a Corona commercial,” says Kevin Davis, Co-Founder and CEO of BoogieBoardIn this episode of The Content Cocktail Hour, Kevin Davis, Co-Founder and CEO of Boogie Board, shares his journey from sales leader to startup founder and how his company is reimagining territory planning. Kevin explores the evolving challenges of territory design in a hybrid world, the intersection of account-based marketing and sales strategies, and the importance of aligning internal teams around customer focus. Kevin also talks about the value of open-sourcing internal resources and how it’s helped his team create meaningful content for both internal use and external distribution.In this episode, you’ll learn: How to align your sales territories with your marketing strategies How open-sourcing content can help small businesses and teams grow Lessons from launching a startup in a rapidly changing environmentResources:Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-gandolf/Check out The Juice HQ: https://www.thejuicehq.com/Connect with Kevin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinboogie/Learn more about BoogieBoard: https://boogieboard.ai/Timestamps:(00:00) Intro(01:13) Kevin’s journey from sales to startup founder(05:29) The evolution of sales territories in a hybrid world(07:33) Aligning sales territories and marketing strategies(10:18) The overlap of account-based marketing and territory design(17:10) Open-sourcing content for business growth(20:44) Transitioning to a founder-led strategy

“If you want your content to resonate, you need to understand your audience deeply and craft your message with intention,” says Tommy Walker, Founder of The Content StudioIn this episode of The Content Cocktail Hour, Tommy Walker, Founder of The Content Studio, shares some valuable marketing insights from their “State of Discontent” report on content marketing. He reveals why understanding audience motivations, conducting meaningful research, and prioritizing creative fulfillment are essential for creating content that truly connects with your audience. Tommy also discusses how the report’s findings can guide marketers toward more effective strategies in 2024 and beyond.In this episode, you’ll learn:Key challenges facing content marketers and how to overcome themThe role of audience research in driving authentic engagementPractical steps for improving creative satisfaction and executionResources:Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-gandolf/Check out The Juice HQ: https://www.thejuicehq.com/Connect with Tommy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tommyismyname/Learn more about The Content Studio: https://www.thecontentstudio.com/Timestamps:(00:00) Intro(03:14) Why content marketers feel “disconnected”(07:45) The importance of audience research(12:18) How to balance creativity with leadership expectations(15:40) The juiciest insights from the “State of Discontent” report(19:02) Strategies for content marketing success in 2024 and beyond

“Content isn’t just a lead magnet, it’s a strategic tool that can guide prospects at every stage of the buyer journey,” says Tom Rudnai, CEO of Demand-Genius. “In this episode of The Content Cocktail Hour, Tom Rudnai, CEO of Demand-Genius, discusses how high-value content drives revenue, and how we can effectively attribute our content to business growth. He shares insights from his background in media and B2B SaaS on redefining content marketing strategies, revealing how Demand-Genius uses content to close gaps in the buyer journey. Tom also talks about the compelling shifts in content creation, and why engaging your sales team as content “connectors” can make all the difference.In this episode, you’ll learn:How to turn B2B content into a revenue-driving assetWhy traditional metrics often miss the mark on measuring content effectivenessPractical tips for using AI and SEO strategies for high-impact contentResources:Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-gandolf/ Check out The Juice HQ: https://www.thejuicehq.com/ Connect with Tom on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-rudnai-0539b6151/Check out Demand-Genius: https://www.demand-genius.com/Timestamps:(00:00) Intro(02:46) The content strategy shift from branding to revenue(06:32) The role of content in guiding buyers through the funnel(10:18) Using data for content attribution and measurement(14:05) Why AI is reshaping SEO and content distribution(17:45) Empowering sales with content as “information connectors”

"There’s two ways to be creative: you can sing and dance, or you can create environments where singers and dancers can flourish. I’m the second," says Patrick Reynolds, CMO at BlueConicIn this episode of The Content Cocktail Hour, our guest is Patrick Reynolds, CMO of BlueConic. Patrick shares how BlueConic leverages first-party data to build tailored, empathetic customer experiences during busy shopping seasons like Black Friday. He also talks about his insights on the evolving role of AI, which helps marketers focus on creativity and strategy by automating repetitive tasks, and explains why the best marketing often works quietly in the background, enhancing customer engagement without overshadowing it.In this episode, you’ll learn:How to use first-party data to create personalized experiences that resonate with customers during high-stakes shopping seasonsThe importance of balancing data-driven insights with empathy to better serve consumersWhy AI can be a game-changer in freeing marketers to focus on strategic, creative workResources:Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-gandolf/ Check out The Juice HQ: https://www.thejuicehq.com/ Connect with Patrick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patreynolds/Check out BlueConic: https://www.blueconic.com/Timestamps:(00:00) Intro(03:24) Black Friday and Cyber Monday strategies(04:37) The importance of empathy in marketing(08:29) Leveraging customer data for better marketing(10:20) Balancing data and creativity in marketing(17:40) Content strategy and measurement(20:46) The role of AI in modern marketing(23:43) Why marketing should be invisible to the consumer