Marketing In The Now

How Top CMOs Build Communication Strategies

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.

The All-Weather CMO: Leading Through Changing Winds

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.

How CMOs Can Quickly Make an Impact in a New Organization

In this episode of Marketing In The Now, host David Reske sits down with Ritu Kaul, CMO of Calance, to discuss how CMOs can drive fast, strategic impact when stepping into a new organization. Ritu shares her framework for evaluating company challenges from both internal and external perspectives, aligning marketing efforts with the CEO’s growth vision, and using hands-on research balanced with data-driven insights. From repositioning legacy brands like Speedo to building strong cross-functional teams, Ritu outlines how CMOs can become true growth partners by mastering stakeholder alignment, leveraging early data, and earning executive trust within the first 90 days.

Building a High-Impact Marketing Function from Scratch

In this episode of Marketing in the Now, Dave Reske, CEO of Nowspeed Marketing, interviews Lindsay O’Brien, Head of Marketing and Operations at Predictive. Lindsay shares her journey of building the marketing function at Predictive from the ground up and discusses her approach to balancing brand, demand generation, product marketing, content, and rev ops within a lean team.

Marketing for Early-Stage Startups

In this episode of Marketing In The Now, host David Reske sits down with Abby Borden, Founder & CEO of Inkwell GTM, to unpack what marketing really looks like in the earliest stages of startup growth. Drawing from her deep experience advising B2B startups, Abby explains how to craft a buyer-centric story that cuts through the noise, why positioning and a focused ICP are essential from day one, and how to avoid common pitfalls like tech bloat and over-indexing on investor messaging. From measuring traction across the full customer journey to building the right marketing team, this episode is packed with actionable insights for any founder or early marketing hire trying to gain market traction without burning through budget.

The Hidden Growth Potential of B2B E-Commerce

In this episode of Marketing and Now, David Reske, CEO of Nowspeed Marketing, interviews Andrew Carlson, a seasoned three-time CMO with over 15 years of experience leading global marketing teams. The conversation dives deep into the nuances of B2B e-commerce and highlights Carlson’s framework of "21 Rules of B2B E-Commerce," which serves as a strategic playbook for building successful e-commerce operations.

Creating Categories to Win in B2B Marketing

In this insightful episode of "Marketing In The Now," host Dave Reske sits down with Kari Hanson, CMO of Robin and an accomplished B2B marketing leader who helped take SailPoint public. Kari shares the strategic nuances of category creation—a bold but resource-intensive marketing move that can set startups apart from industry giants. Drawing from her experiences at SailPoint, where she successfully coined and established the category of "identity governance," Kari outlines the essentials of defining clear market positioning, engaging influential analysts, and maintaining consistent, visionary messaging. Listen in to learn why category creation isn't for everyone, how to determine if it aligns with your business goals, and when opting for a coined term could be your smarter strategy for rapid traction.

Blending Creativity with Data-Driven Marketing

In this episode of Marketing in the Now, host Dave Reske interviews Justin Steinman, a seasoned healthcare marketing executive who has held leadership roles at Ensora Health, Definitive Healthcare, Aetna, and GE Healthcare. Justin emphasizes the importance of a data-driven marketing approach, highlighting key metrics like MQLs, conversion rates, and bookings to ensure measurable outcomes and effective collaboration with sales teams. He shares practical advice on transforming traditional marketing teams into analytics-driven organizations by balancing rigorous data analysis with creative storytelling, fostering a transparent, supportive culture, and clearly communicating strategic objectives.

Artificial Intelligence in Marketing

This week on "Marketing In The Now," we're joined by Cindy Machles, a visionary leader who has revolutionized marketing practices across industries. In this episode, Cindy dives deep into the practical applications of AI in marketing, showcasing its transformative impact in areas such as compliance and content creation. She shares insights from her extensive experience, highlighting how AI is reshaping workflows in regulated sectors like healthcare and finance, making the review of promotional materials more efficient and less error-prone.
Cindy also explores how AI is advancing content production, enabling marketers to quickly generate and customize content for different audience segments without sacrificing quality. This episode is a must-watch for marketers aiming to leverage AI to enhance operational efficiency and engage audiences more effectively. Join us to discover how integrating AI into marketing strategies can lead to significant advancements in creativity and campaign management.

How Generative AI is Transforming Search & Brand Marketing

In this enlightening episode of "Marketing In The Now," host David Reske welcomes Mike Ensing, CEO and Co-founder of Revere, to explore the seismic shifts in digital marketing driven by generative AI and large language models like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Microsoft's AI-powered Bing. Mike, with a robust background that includes scaling AI businesses at RealNetworks and leadership roles at Microsoft, dives into how these technologies are reshaping consumer search behaviors and brand engagement. The discussion will cover the rise of AI-driven search platforms, the evolution from traditional SEO to Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), and the strategic adjustments marketers must make to thrive in this new AI-dominated landscape. Tune in to learn how to leverage AI to enhance brand visibility, personalize customer interactions, and future-proof marketing strategies in a world where AI not only supports but dictates consumer discovery and decision-making processes.