Best Story Wins Column Five

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.

This week, we’re joined by Jon Miller, (Prev: Co-Founder/CMO of Marketo, Cofounder/CEO of  Engagio, CMO of Demandbase), who shares his hard-won insights on all things marketing and MarTech. Jon has made a dynamic and innovative career out of identifying big opportunities in MarTech and has built some of the most iconic brands in the space. We talked at length about how B2B marketing and sales have changed and continue to evolve and how teams need to operate to win in today’s market, including leveraging the power of community, positioning, brand, and AI.

Join us as we discuss:
Effective strategies for entering market categories filled with established playersHow companies can position themselves as trusted authorities in their industryCurrent challenges and opportunities for marketers And much more. 

Disruption isn't just a buzzword—it's the lifeline of growth and innovation in today's business landscape.

In this episode, Melissa Rosenthal, CMO at Insight Timer, shares her non-traditional approach to marketing and brand growth, which has successfully propelled her to scale and redefine companies in both the media and tech spaces. Melissa also delves into the creation of a wellness app that goes beyond meditation, emphasizing a community-driven model for holistic well-being.

Join us as we discuss:The significance of cultivating a movement larger than your productThe shift towards prioritizing retention over brand awarenessThe pitfalls of adhering to the growth-at-all-costs playbook

In this episode, we are joined by Nick Levesque, Creative Director at Asana, who shares valuable tactics and approaches on going upmarket and migrating from an SMB image to an enterprise one. With extensive experience managing teams, Nick also emphasizes the importance of becoming a salesperson in the creative industry to effectively communicate and sell your vision and creative ideas.

Join us as we discuss: Nick’s four Cs brand philosophyHow Distinctive Brand Assets can elevate your marketing strategy to the next levelExpert tips for balancing passion projects with full-time jobs