In this episode of "Marketing in the Now," David Reske interviews Kristin Oelke, author of Trust: Unlocking B2B Growth in Today’s AI World and Managing Director of BrightRose Ventures. Kristin explains that as AI scales content creation and is embedded in products, buyer skepticism is rising, causing deals to stall in the middle and lengthening sales cycles. She details the two dimensions of AI's impact on trust (in content and in products/services) , arguing that success requires elevating authentic customer voices and consistently building trust across every stage of the buyer's journey. Kristin also introduces the critical concept of Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), which ensures companies build credibility with AI search systems themselves.

In this episode of "Marketing in the Now," David Reske interviews Dan Stratman, CMO of Bloomfire and a veteran of Amazon and Walmart. Dan shares his experience leading a strategic pivot from an ad-heavy approach that produced weak conversion rates to a content-driven engine focused on building trust and a qualified pipeline. He explains that a successful brand and content strategy must evolve together, especially when positioning for enterprise clients. He reveals the growing necessity of Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) to ensure content is surfaced by AI search. Dan outlines how Bloomfire uses hero content and rigorous customer insights—from closed-lost reviews to engagement metrics—to constantly adapt its messaging and prove that the most effective channel is always the one that drives revenue.

In this episode of "Marketing in the Now," David Reske interviews Nathan Girard, a serial entrepreneur from the Berkshires known for building solution-driven businesses in cannabis, tech, and real estate. Nate shares his unique approach to starting a company, which he believes begins with curiosity and a deliberate process of research, not assumptions. He recounts his journey from a career setback on day one to becoming an early employee at Wayfair, an experience that taught him the importance of adapting quickly. The conversation focuses on his philosophy of asking hard questions, seeking out mentorship, and creating realistic business plans as the true foundation for turning problems into profitable ventures.

In this episode of "Marketing in the Now," David Reske interviews Jen Anderson, a fractional CMO and co-owner of Contento, on building holistic B2B go-to-market strategies. Jen explains that many companies fail because they skip essential customer research and rely on assumptions. She provides a clear framework for a customer-led approach, starting with defining the Ideal Customer Profile (ICP) and conducting qualitative research to uncover the emotional drivers behind B2B purchasing decisions. The conversation covers how to translate these insights into actionable strategies for everything from pricing and product packaging to disciplined campaign execution and channel prioritization, helping businesses to lead, not just follow, their markets.

In this episode of "Marketing in the Now," David Reske interviews Zulfiya Forsythe, founder of The Amaldi Group and an expert in AI-driven business transformation. Zulfiya discusses how companies can leverage AI to "buy back time," boost sales efficiency, and deliver better customer experiences. She provides a practical, step-by-step guide on how AI is reshaping the entire B2B sales cycle—from AI-powered receptionists and sales briefs to automated proposal creation and client onboarding. The conversation highlights how moving from informal AI tools to integrated, system-wide workflows can create a consistent, repeatable competitive advantage that elevates performance and drives revenue.

In this episode of "Marketing in the Now," David Reske interviews Michel Moravia, CEO of Qualiverse, an AI-native SaaS solution for MedTech QA/RA teams. Michel shares his go-to-market philosophy that "distribution channels are the new moat". He argues that startups should prioritize building partnerships with trusted industry leaders—such as accelerators, law firms, and VC firms—to gain credibility and access to early customers, rather than relying on heavy spending on traditional marketing and branding. Michel emphasizes that the CEO must personally own this channel strategy in the early stages and that a company's ambition level, from a side hustle to a billion-dollar enterprise, should dictate its approach.

In this episode of "Marketing in the Now," David Reske interviews Becky Chandler, a P&L leader and former VP at Bright Horizons with deep expertise in business and digital transformation. Becky discusses the common challenges faced by tech-enabled businesses that have fallen behind their competitors due to tech debt, complacency, and underinvestment. She explains that successful transformation is not just a technology project, but a strategic effort that requires aligning people, process, and technology. The conversation delves into the importance of balancing investments (pebbles, rocks, and boulders), using a prioritization framework like RICE, and proactively managing the risk and resistance that often accompany significant organizational change.

In this episode of "Marketing in the Now," David Reske interviews J.D. Pincus, PhD, a psychologist and researcher who applies his expertise in human emotion to marketing. Dr. Pincus challenges the traditional view that marketing is a logical exercise, explaining that emotions are the primary drivers of decision-making in both consumer and B2B contexts. He discusses his 3x4 emotional needs model and the AgileBrain measurement technique, an image-based exercise that identifies a person's core emotional motivators. By focusing on emotional insights over logical differentiators, Dr. Pincus argues that marketers can create campaigns that truly resonate with their audience, avoiding the "logic trap" and missing "90% of what’s going on".

In this episode of "Marketing in the Now," David Reske speaks with serial entrepreneur and martech expert Nick Zeckets about the evolving world of Account-Based Marketing (ABM) and the strategic role of AI. Nick argues that true ABM is not about mass ad campaigns, but about deeply understanding and engaging ideal customers with hyper-relevant messaging. He introduces a powerful framework—Create, Harvest, Activate—for turning human insights from real-world conversations into scalable, automated campaigns. Nick also shares his perspective on the future of the martech landscape, predicting that lightweight, AI-first startups will challenge the dominance of traditional platforms and force marketers to prioritize adaptability over tool-specific skills.

In this episode of "Marketing in the Now," Nowspeed CEO Dave Reske interviews Kushagra Mallick and Alisha Mehta, co-founders of the startup SelfServe. The app allows guests at boutique hotels to control in-room devices and make service requests via their smartphones, eliminating the need to call the front desk. The idea was born from Kushagra's personal experiences with inefficient hotel service and the observation that the hospitality industry is lagging in digital transformation compared to large chains like Marriott. The co-founders explain their go-to-market strategy, which starts with a free beta program through university networks to build credibility and secure case studies. They plan to scale by targeting small hotel groups rather than individual properties, leveraging live showcases and a marketing strategy focused on LinkedIn, thought leadership, and industry publications to build trust in a relationship-driven market.

In this episode of "Marketing in the Now," Nowspeed CEO Dave Reske interviews Mary Crean, Marketing Director at Nassau Financial Group, about the biggest marketing mistakes nonprofits make and how to overcome them. Mary explains that many nonprofits treat digital presence as an afterthought, relying on outdated tactics like direct mail while ignoring their websites, which 72% of donors say influence their giving decisions. She highlights the pitfalls of neglecting data-driven decisions, mistaking volume for strategy, and failing to use impactful storytelling to convey their mission. Mary advises nonprofits to build a strong digital foundation, leverage data to refine their approach, and focus on consistent, authentic stories of impact to inspire action and thrive in the digital age.

In this episode of "Marketing in the Now," Nowspeed CEO Dave Reske interviews Tim Hamelen, CMO of iDesign, about shifting marketing strategies from traditional lead generation to a focus on customer lifetime value (LTV). Hamelen critiques the outdated "spray and pray" model, explaining how prioritizing low cost-per-lead often attracts unqualified customers who increase downstream costs and damage brand perception. He advocates for precision marketing, which involves analyzing ideal customer traits, micro-targeting audiences with integrated campaigns across multiple channels, and fostering a "symbiotic relationship" between front-end marketing and back-end performance data. Tim emphasizes that this transition to an LTV-focused model requires cultural transformation and alignment across marketing, sales, operations, and customer service, urging marketers to optimize for value rather than volume.

In this episode of "Marketing in the Now," Nowspeed CEO David Reske speaks with Andy Zimmerman, CMO of Tamr and a veteran marketing and tech leader, about the evolving landscape of marketing teams. Andy discusses the strategic imperative of running lean marketing teams, emphasizing the shift towards leveraging contractors, agencies, and AI to deliver more with fewer full-time staff. The conversation highlights how versatility is now prioritized over seniority in hiring, as marketers must be able to navigate diverse tools and functions, amplified by AI as a powerful accelerant. While acknowledging challenges like burnout, Andy offers strategic advice for CMOs on assessing talent, filling gaps wisely, and optimizing tech stacks for efficiency and impact.

In this episode of "Marketing in the Now," Dave Reske interviews Rob Thomas, CMO of RamClean, about the complexities of marketing multi-location local businesses, especially in B2B janitorial services. Rob shares insights from his dual role as an agency owner and CMO, highlighting the need for lead generation-focused, city-specific strategies over broad brand awareness. He details geo-specific keyword targeting, multi-channel lead generation tactics, and a content strategy centered on high-impact, industry-specific case studies. The conversation also explores the increasing use of AI for content, CRM data summarization, and developing AI agents for sales and support.

In this episode of "Marketing in the Now," David Reske interviews Sebastian Pestritto, a four-time CMO and author of "A Practical Guide to Account-Based Marketing," to explore the strategic approach of ABM. Sebastian emphasizes that ABM, unlike broad marketing, targets specific companies and individuals, and is often misunderstood due to a rush to tactics over strategy. He explains that successful ABM requires a deep understanding of customer problems, targeted content for various buyer personas, and leveraging the right technology stack for scalability. The conversation also covers the crucial alignment of marketing and sales for ABM success, the role of intent data in identifying in-market buyers, and how to effectively measure ABM's impact through funnel metrics and conversion analytics.

In this episode of "Marketing in the Now," Suzanne Carawan, CMO at Web2Market, Inc., challenges the view of e-commerce as a mere utility, arguing it should be a core revenue driver and central to a company's marketing and growth strategy. She explains how AI and accessible digital tools are revitalizing e-commerce by enabling advanced data activation for audience analysis and personalization. Suzanne emphasizes AI's role in democratizing capabilities for small to medium-sized businesses, allowing them to create personalized customer experiences and generate content more efficiently. She advises small business owners to build strong teams, embrace proactive planning, leverage new tools, think holistically about e-commerce, and tell authentic brand stories to drive significant growth.

In this episode of "Marketing in the Now," Chris Eustace, CEO of Spark Grid Software, discusses his company's new integration of HubSpot and Box, aiming to boost sales productivity. He explains how this integration streamlines document management, improves compliance, and enhances efficiency for sales and customer service teams by allowing HubSpot users to manage, share, and automate document workflows directly within their CRM. The solution tackles administrative burdens, centralizes document access, and automates e-signatures, ultimately empowering sales teams to focus on selling. Listen now to learn more!

In this episode of Marketing In The Now, host David Reske interviews Dr. Dawn Mueller, Chief Marketing Officer at Trinity Life Sciences and former CMO at Vitech Systems Group and Sapphire. Dawn shares how modern marketing leaders can evolve by becoming “T-shaped marketers”—combining deep expertise with broad cross-functional knowledge. The conversation covers how CMOs can better align with Sales, HR, IT, and Finance, adapt their leadership to company maturity, and foster collaboration across the business. Whether you're an experienced CMO or an aspiring leader, you’ll gain actionable insights to elevate your marketing impact.

In this episode of Marketing in the Now, host David Reske sits down with Scott Miller, CMO and former aerospace engineer, to explore how empathy-driven communication strategies can transform marketing outcomes. Scott draws on his diverse leadership background across industries to share actionable insights for CMOs leading multi-brand organizations. From building messaging grounded in real customer pain points to fostering internal buy-in and embracing iterative testing, Scott outlines a modern marketing playbook rooted in humility, cross-functional collaboration, and measurable impact. If you're looking to elevate your marketing leadership and build campaigns that truly resonate, this episode is packed with wisdom you won’t want to miss.

In this episode of Marketing in the Now, host David Reske speaks with Mark Brandau, CMO of Brightmine, about why CMO turnover remains high and what it takes to achieve long-term success in the role. With over 15 years of experience at companies like SAP SuccessFactors and Forrester, Mark brings a grounded, strategic perspective on how CMOs can stay relevant, resilient, and results-focused. He introduces the concept of the “All-Weather CMO,” a leader who balances data, team development, and customer connection—while staying agile in the face of change. Tune in to hear Mark’s advice on developing strategic playbooks, fostering internal trust, and leading with a stewardship mindset to thrive in today’s fast-paced marketing landscape.