Best Story Wins Column Five

Only 5% of the market is ready to buy, so how do you ensure your brand is at the top of people's minds when they purchase?

In this episode, we are joined by Ian Elliott, the CMO of MAAP, a cutting-edge cycling apparel brand that's redefining the sport with a blend of performance and aesthetics. He delves deep into MAAP's unique approach to community building, the fine balance between brand campaigns and conversion marketing, and the nuances of maintaining authenticity while scaling in a competitive market.

We also discuss:The importance of building strong emotional connections through brand storytelling.The structure and strategy of MAAP's marketing team to achieve significant business impact.The slightly irreverent and no-nonsense spirit that differentiates MAAP in the market.

B2B marketing is always changing, and today we're seeing brand make a major comeback.
In this episode, we are joined by Jason Miller, Head of Brand Marketing Demand and Content at Tyk, as he takes us through his eye-opening journey from music into B2B marketing. Jason dives into his mission-driven approach to tackling tough problems, scaling up, and fine-tuning the technical side of B2B marketing. He also shares some non-traditional strategies and insights on brand identity, trust, and the unique hurdles of marketing to a tech-savvy audience.

We also discuss: 
The relevance of risk-taking in marketing for groundbreaking impactJason’s approach to measuring brand through metrics like direct traffic, referrals, and branded search trafficHow to future-proof companies by focusing on customer value rather than solely serving salesThe importance of balancing long-term planning with agile marketing adaptations

Exhausted parents, demanding children, and the increase in screen time have created a cocktail of anxiety for everyone in the household before going to bed.

In an effort to connect parents with their children, reduce anxiety, reinforce self-esteem, and improve sleep health, Francisco Cornejo, Co-Founder & CEO at StoryBook, joins hosts Josh Ritchie and Jason Lankow to talk about how the challenges of living overseas transformed into a promising app with over 3 million downloads since its launch. Francisco shares his unique perspective on brand growth and how he has navigated obstacles as a startup CEO.

We also discuss:
How identifying pain points in day-to-day situations can lead to disruptive business ideasStoryBook’s insights into creating a delightful customer experience that retains users in the long termFrancisco’s pillars for understanding growth and the importance of a smart, dedicated, and consistent team

As social and emotional beings, humans lean towards brands that foster community. So, how can you build one that deeply connects with your clients and catalyzes growth?

This week we are joined by Erik Martin, Head of Community at Midjourney, as he sheds light on the crucial role of online communities in building a brand narrative that fosters trust and integrates customer feedback into product development to create meaningful user experiences.. 

We also discuss:Erik’s extensive experience in building communities from Reddit to MidjourneyInsights into how Midjourney operates to produce AI-generated images in a co-creative environmentHow community stories contribute to consolidating a brand's identityWhy transparency and direct engagement with the community are crucial for growth and feedbackThe importance of understanding the process of community building at the smaller, human scale

Sustaining success in the competitive B2B landscape is no easy task. But what strategies truly secure a company's future?

In today’s episode, we are joined by Bryan Saftler, Global Head of Marketing for Communications, Media & Entertainment at Databricks, who explores the delicate balance between brand building and data-driven marketing. He shares why this fusion is pivotal and how it shapes top-of-the-funnel brand awareness and continuous brand enhancement for long-term success.

We also discuss: 
The business impact of the democratization of insights across teams.How to incorporate nuances in messaging for the stages of the sales funnel.The evolution of social media platforms towards video content and its implications in building brands.And much more! 

Most Fortune 500 companies rely on GitHub for planning, building, and collaborating on software. But how did they cultivate a brand with such a worldwide transformational impact?

In this episode, we are joined by Sam Oshin, Senior Director, Brand and Marketing Design at GitHub. He delves into GitHub's evolution from a version control tool to a dominant force in enterprise software development. Sam also explores how GitHub now harnesses AI technology to drive innovation and disruption across multiple industries, as well as the crucial role storytelling has played in this journey.

We also discuss:
Finding the balance between personal values, family commitments, and professional advancement.The hurdles of crafting a message that resonates with both enterprise buyers and individual developers.The significance of brand authenticity and ongoing innovation in connecting with technical audiences.