Renegade Marketers Unite

Inbound and outbound aren’t opposing forces—they’re two sides of the same motion.   When marketing owns both, it opens the door for tighter execution, faster learning, and better performance. But that kind of momentum doesn’t come from chasing tactics. It comes from reworking how the work actually gets done. In this episode, Drew Neisser talks with Christina Kyriazi of PhotoShelter about how she rebuilt the company’s go-to-market engine from the inside out. From bringing outbound under marketing, to embedding product marketing early, to using experiments to guide spend, Christina shares how structure and process—not just tactics—made all the difference. What You’ll Learn:  ✔ Why outbound now rolls up to marketing and how that changed execution  ✔ How product marketing helped define segments, use cases, and “wow” moments  ✔ What “speed to lead” actually looks like and why it’s working  ✔ How underperforming tactics became high-converting plays  ✔ Where AI is helping accelerate research, content, and workflows without replacing the human voice If you're reworking how your team goes to market—structure, process, and all—tune in!  For full show notes and transcripts, visit https://renegademarketing.com/podcasts/ To learn more about CMO Huddles, visit https://cmohuddles.com/

Is your 'go play with AI' strategy actually sabotaging adoption across your marketing team?  In this Huddles Quick Take, AI consultant Tahnee Perry reveals the three critical mistakes CMOs make when trying to drive GenAI adoption and shares her proven 4-step formula for building a truly AI-savvy marketing organization. What You'll Learn: Why "go play with AI" is a recipe for failure and what to do instead How to avoid implementing AI tools without clear strategic goals The importance of addressing fear and uncertainty around AI A 4-step framework for successful AI adoption  For the full conversation covering Tahnee’s favorite GenAI tools, real-world examples, and how to attribute ROI to AI, visit our YouTube channel (CMO Huddles Hub) or click here: [https://youtu.be/HRRqFTAuHl4?si=sR36YNiniy86-B3u].  Plus, surprise guest Liza Adams joins the conversation to share the biggest GenAI unlocks for CMOs and their teams today. Coming Soon: Join Tahnee Perry and Lisa Adams for another Bonus Huddle in June where they'll share how a lean 25-person marketing team transformed into a 45-member human-AI powerhouse. Apply for membership at cmohuddles.com to participate. For full show notes and transcripts, visit https://renegademarketing.com/podcasts/ To learn more about CMO Huddles, visit https://cmohuddles.com/

When marketing and comms teams aren’t aligned, it shows. In this episode, Drew Neisser is joined by CMOs Cary Bainbridge (ABM Industries), Laura MacGregor (Center for Internet Security), and Grant Johnson (Chief Outsiders) for a candid look at what it really takes to get marketing and comms moving in sync. From co-owning messaging to embedding AI tools and crisis plans into the mix, these leaders share how to stay coordinated without stepping on each other’s toes. Here’s what you’ll hear: How Cary and her comms partner rolled out a brand relaunch to 100,000 employees Why Laura brought marketing and comms under one roof, and what that made possible How Grant built cross-functional accountability with the right metrics Plus: What to do when misinformation hits, and the playbooks you’ll want ready How AI is speeding up localization, automation, and cross-team coordination How to activate internal brand champions and cross-functional councils What stakeholder engagement looks like when it’s done right Why comms needs a direct line to the C-Suite, and what happens when it doesn’t If you’re done playing telephone across departments, this episode offers a practical path to alignment so marketing and comms stay in sync. Tune in! For full show notes and transcripts, visit https://renegademarketing.com/podcasts/ To learn more about CMO Huddles, visit https://cmohuddles.com/

GenAI has moved past the “what if” stage. Now it’s more like, “what else can we use this for?” And that change in mindset is reshaping the day-to-day—from big-picture strategy to the smallest tasks. In this episode, Drew Neisser talks with Karen Feldman (Iron Mountain), Adriana Gil Miner (Iterable), and Jeff Morgan (Elements), three marketing leaders who’ve made GenAI part of their daily toolkit. They’re applying GenAI to content engines, campaign strategy, customer journeys—and they’re seeing results that are hard to ignore.  Here’s what you’ll hear: How IBM used Adobe Firefly to produce 10x more content and beat campaign benchmarks by 26x. The Iterable ad challenge that doubled demo requests and surfaced unexpected creative talent. Why GenAI is showing up in customer journeys, sales enablement, and day-to-day ops. How small teams are using tools like Descript, RAG, and custom GPTs to scale smartly. What it looks like when AI becomes a creative partner, not just a shortcut.  Plus: How to steer clear of the GenAI “sea of sameness” Why personalization at scale is finally within reach The shift from doing more to doing better If you’re trying to move from GenAI curiosity to confident action, this one’s worth a listen. For full show notes and transcripts, visit https://renegademarketing.com/podcasts/ To learn more about CMO Huddles, visit https://cmohuddles.com/

CMO job searches come with baggage—pressure to be perfect, high expectations from CEOs and investors, and a market where one misstep can cost you. Add in emotional residue from your last gig, and it’s no wonder the process feels heavy. In this episode, executive recruiter Erica Seidel joins Drew Neisser for a grounded pep talk on how marketing leaders can take control of the job search. It’s about being intentional—knowing what you want, how to show up, and how to manage the emotional rollercoaster along the way. What You’ll Learn: How an Ideal Company Profile (ICP) can focus your search—and your energy.  The paradox-filled CMO role: changemaker, peacemaker, and how to keep it together.  Smart ways to stand out—think prep docs, dashboards, and well-placed hypotheses.  Why “ready to start tomorrow” might be your strongest asset.  What CEOs and investors really want from you in the first 100 days. Whether you’re actively interviewing or just thinking ahead, this episode offers the mindset and tools to help you lead your search—with intention and impact. Tune in!  For full show notes and transcripts, visit https://renegademarketing.com/podcasts/ To learn more about CMO Huddles, visit https://cmohuddles.com/

The career mistake that haunts CMOs most? Waiting until they're laid off to build their personal brand. Career transition expert Catherine Altman Morgan reveals the three career management mistakes even seasoned CMOs make—and they might be sabotaging your future opportunities. In this quick-hitting conversation, Catherine delivers straight talk on building your personal brand, maintaining critical relationships, and positioning yourself for success whether you're job hunting or not.  From market disruptions to political shifts, CMOs are feeling the pressure. CFOs are tightening budgets, customers are hesitating, and entire industries are being forced to adapt. So, what’s a savvy marketing leader to do?  For the full conversation covering 'nose to the grindstone syndrome,' navigating toxic work environments, and how to product-ize yourself, visit our YouTube channel (CMO Huddles Hub) or click here: [https://youtu.be/f9_qZKSYDbM].  Get more insights like these by joining our free Starter program at cmohuddles.com.  Until then, keep those renegade thinking caps on and strong.  For full show notes and transcripts, visit https://renegademarketing.com/podcasts/ To learn more about CMO Huddles, visit https://cmohuddles.com/

In a perfect world, every marketing dollar would be easy to track and justify. In reality, proving impact is a constant battle In this episode, Drew Neisser brings together Julie Kaplan, Michael Callahan of Salt Security, and Bindu Chellappan of Corpay to explore the metrics that matter—and how to make sure they resonate in the boardroom. In This Episode:  Julie Kaplan shares why marketing-driven pipeline is the metric that truly resonates with the C-suite—and how simplifying the conversation makes it easier to prove marketing’s value to the CFO.  Michael Callahan reveals why broad pipeline metrics don’t resonate with sales—and how shifting to territory-level goals helped drive alignment and better results.  Bindu Chellappan expands the conversation beyond pipeline, sharing how Corpay is tackling the challenge of measuring brand awareness, retention, and upsell impact—and why long-term marketing influence is just as important as net-new pipeline.   Key Takeaways: The #1 metric that makes marketing’s impact undeniable.  Why marketing-influenced revenue deserves more credit—and how to make the case for it.  How to align marketing with sales—without the usual friction.  Why brand awareness is more measurable than you think—and how to track it.  Marketing’s value isn’t simple to prove—but the right numbers get the C-suite’s attention. Tune in to learn which ones matter most.  For full show notes and transcripts, visit https://renegademarketing.com/podcasts/ To learn more about CMO Huddles, visit https://cmohuddles.com/

Every ten episodes, Drew Neisser turns the mic on himself to tackle the biggest challenges facing B2B CMOs. This time, it’s all about navigating uncertainty. From market disruptions to political shifts, CMOs are feeling the pressure. CFOs are tightening budgets, customers are hesitating, and entire industries are being forced to adapt. So, what’s a savvy marketing leader to do? Key Takeaways:  Go Micro: Control the controllables—starting with yourself. Build personal resilience and create a strong microculture within your team.  Lead with Empathy: Uncertainty breeds anxiety. CMOs don’t need all the answers, but they do need to listen, reassure, and check in with employees, customers, and partners.  Protect the Brand: The political landscape is shifting fast. Word choices on your website could impact contracts and reputation. CMOs need to guide these conversations at the C-suite level.  Build a Marketing Engine That’s an Asset: In a downturn, marketing is often the first to be cut—but not if it’s seen as a growth driver that increases company valuation.  🎧 Listen now and keep your renegade thinking caps on—and strong!   For more, read: “The Political Tightrope: A CMO’s Guide to Navigating DEI & ESG in Polarized Times”  For full show notes and transcripts, visit https://renegademarketing.com/podcasts/ To learn more about CMO Huddles, visit https://cmohuddles.com/

Buyers trust other buyers more than they trust you—that’s just reality. A great video testimonial is proof, reassurance, and persuasion all rolled into one, but that only happens if people actually see it and act on it. So how do you keep testimonials from collecting digital dust and turn them into a true sales and marketing asset? That’s exactly what Drew Neisser and Alexander Ferguson, Founder & CMO of TeraLeap, tackle in this episode. From getting customers to say “yes” to crafting stories that resonate, Alex shares the strategies that make testimonials impossible to ignore. What You’ll Learn: The biggest mistakes that keep video testimonials from delivering real results. Ways to integrate testimonials across sales, marketing, and branding. How to measure impact, track conversions, and prove value to leadership. The right timing and approach to get more customers on camera. Don’t let your best customer stories go to waste. Catch the full conversation now! For full show notes and transcripts, visit https://renegademarketing.com/podcasts/ To learn more about CMO Huddles, visit https://cmohuddles.com/

If you haven’t read The First 90 Days by Michael Watkins, what are you waiting for?  This bestselling guide to leadership transitions is a must-read for any executive stepping into a new role, and it’s a staple in the CMO Huddles community. A CMO’s first 90 days will set the course—either laying the groundwork for success or paving the way for an uphill battle. Drawing on more than two decades of research, Michael Watkins joins host Drew Neisser to share essential transition strategies and reveal the critical mistakes executives make in their early days—and exactly how to avoid them. What You’ll Learn: The biggest mistakes executives make in their first 90 days—and how to sidestep them.  How to address the real problems within an organization—not just the ones you're familiar with. The importance of early wins and strategies to resist the "action imperative" The critical role of shifting perspectives for achieving long-term success. The power of process leadership and how to use it to accelerate your impact. Michael also shares insights from his new book, The Six Disciplines of Strategic Thinking, and why strategy has never been more critical (stay tuned for that episode). Tune in ASAP! For full show notes and transcripts, visit https://renegademarketing.com/podcasts/ To learn more about CMO Huddles, visit https://cmohuddles.com/