The Agile Brand with Greg Kihlström®: Expert Mode Marketing Technology, AI, & CX

The Agile Brand
  • 4.9 (112)
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Expert mode marketing technology, AI, and CX insights from top brands and Martech platforms fill every episode, focusing on what leaders need to know to build customer lifetime value and long-term business value. The Agile Brand with Greg Kihlström® features executives and thought leaders from top brands and tech platforms discussing industry trends, such as AI adoption, first-party data strategies, artificial intelligence in the consumer journey, consumer data privacy, omnichannel customer experience, and more.The Agile Brand is hosted by Greg Kihlström, martech futurist, artificial intelligence transformation advisor, and consultant to leading brands, speaker, entrepreneur, and best-selling author. The show provides a fresh perspective on the continually evolving dynamic between brands and the audiences they serve.Topics include AI adoption, agentic commerce, brand strategy, content strategy. marketing operations, advertising technology, marketing analytics, and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. From PegaWorld: enGen's Richard Rutkowski on moving agentic AI from theoretical to practical

    17m ago

    From PegaWorld: enGen's Richard Rutkowski on moving agentic AI from theoretical to practical

    Most leaders think about AI as a tool to analyze data or assist with tasks. But what happens when your AI becomes an autonomous agent, not just providing insights but actively orchestrating complex processes on its own? Today, we are at PegaWorld 2026 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, and, we're going to talk about moving AI from a theoretical concept to a practical, value-driving reality. Specifically, we’ll explore: - The transition from predictive AI to agentic AI, and what that means for orchestrating complex customer journeys. - The architectural and data foundations required to successfully deploy autonomous AI agents at an enterprise scale. - How this approach enables a new level of proactive, personalized engagement that improves outcomes and drives business value. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Richard Rutkowski, Director of Product and Technology at enGen. About Richard Rutkowski Richard Rutkowski is Director of Product and Technology at enGen, where he leads the development of clinical care management solutions designed to improve patient outcomes, streamline administrative processes, and reduce healthcare costs. With a background in computer systems technology and expertise in product strategy, agile methodologies, and technology leadership, Richard works across cross-functional teams to develop and scale innovative solutions that address complex healthcare challenges.  enGen is the technology, operations, and services company of Highmark Health, one of the largest integrated health organizations in the United States. The company provides technology, data, and business solutions that help health plans, providers, and care teams modernize operations, improve efficiency, and enhance healthcare experiences. enGen focuses on leveraging emerging technologies, including AI and automation, to simplify complex healthcare processes and drive better outcomes across the healthcare ecosystem. Richard Rutkowski on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-rutkowski-35063410a/ ---------- Resources ---------- enGen: https://goengen.com/ Pega provides the leading AI-powered platform for enterprise transformation. The world’s most influential organizations trust Pega’s technology to reimagine how work gets done by automating workflows, personalizing customer experiences, and modernizing legacy systems. Since 1983, Pega’s scalable, flexible architecture has fueled continuous innovation, helping clients accelerate their path to the autonomous enterprise. Learn more at Pega.com We’re proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658 Reach your customers with Reddit. Spend $500 in ad spend, get $500 back in ad credit! Learn more: https://advertalize.com/r/491818c79fb1873f Don't miss We Make Future - the International Festival of Innovation in AI, Tech, and Digital Marketing, June 24-26 in Bologna. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/c80991afff416bb2 The most influential minds in software, AI, and engineering leadership will be at WeAreDevelopers World Congress North America, September 23-25 in San Jose. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/60a7299222a7bcf1 Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3 Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    18 min
  2. Twilio's Vanessa Thompson on moving to a unified view of your customers

    1d ago

    Twilio's Vanessa Thompson on moving to a unified view of your customers

    What if the marketing funnel, the foundational model we've relied on for decades, is fundamentally flawed and actively misleading us about what our customers actually want? Agility requires not just reacting quickly, but reacting with intelligence, which is impossible when your customer data is telling you the wrong story. Today, we're going to talk about the shift from legacy metrics to a more intelligent, unified view of the customer. Specifically, we'll cover: - Why traditional funnel metrics can obscure true customer intent and what to focus on instead. - The architectural shift required to move from generic, disjointed interactions to a unified, personalized customer experience. - How context-aware AI is graduating from simple automation to becoming a core driver of intelligent customer engagement. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Vanessa Thompson, VP of Revenue & Growth Marketing at Twilio. About Vanessa Thomspon Vanessa Thompson is Vice President of Revenue & Growth Marketing at Twilio, leading a global team that drives top-of-funnel growth. Her expertise spans all facets of go-to-market including demand generation, growth, lifecycle, analytics, product marketing and product strategy. Vanessa leads high-impact initiatives that drive acquisition and fuel business expansion - helping Twilio execute its vision to make every digital interaction between consumers and businesses amazing. Vanessa Thomspon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessathomps/ ---------- Resources ---------- Twilo: https://www.twilio.com The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703 We’re proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658 Reach your customers with Reddit. Spend $500 in ad spend, get $500 back in ad credit! Learn more: https://advertalize.com/r/491818c79fb1873f The most influential minds in software, AI, and engineering leadership will be at WeAreDevelopers World Congress North America, September 23-25 in San Jose. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/60a7299222a7bcf1 Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3 Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    24 min
  3. From PegaWorld: Unum CIO & CDO Shelia Anderson on AI-augmented enterprise modernization

    4d ago

    From PegaWorld: Unum CIO & CDO Shelia Anderson on AI-augmented enterprise modernization

    What if the biggest barrier to your company's transformation isn't your legacy technology, but your legacy thinking about it? Today, we are at PegaWorld 2026 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, and, we're going to talk about the immense challenge and opportunity of enterprise modernization. Specifically, we'll cover: - Translating a massive technology initiative into tangible improvements in the customer and partner experience. - The practical steps required to make an enterprise 'AI-ready' by bridging the gap between legacy systems and modern cloud platforms. - How transforming core operations can directly enable marketing and product teams to accelerate speed-to-market. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Shelia Anderson, EVP Chief Information & Digital Officer at Unum. About Shelia Anderson Shelia Anderson is Executive Vice President and Chief Information and Digital Officer at Unum, where she leads the company's technology and digital strategy. A four-time CIO with more than 25 years of technology leadership experience, Shelia has built a reputation for driving large-scale business transformation through cloud migration, AI adoption, digital modernization, and agile operating models. Prior to joining Unum in 2025, she served as Chief Information Officer at Aflac, where she led enterprise technology strategy, customer experience transformation, and AI-driven innovation initiatives. Throughout her career, Shelia has been recognized as one of the industry's leading technology executives, including recognition among the Top 100 Women in FinTech. Unum is a leading provider of workplace benefits and insurance products, serving millions of customers through disability, life, accident, critical illness, and supplemental health insurance offerings. The company works with employers across the United States and United Kingdom to provide financial protection and income replacement benefits that help individuals and families navigate life's unexpected challenges. In recent years, Unum has invested heavily in digital transformation, cloud modernization, automation, and AI initiatives designed to improve customer experiences, streamline operations, and accelerate innovation across the business. Shelia Anderson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheliaanderson/ ---------- Resources ---------- Unum: https://www.unum.com/ Pega provides the leading AI-powered platform for enterprise transformation. The world’s most influential organizations trust Pega’s technology to reimagine how work gets done by automating workflows, personalizing customer experiences, and modernizing legacy systems. Since 1983, Pega’s scalable, flexible architecture has fueled continuous innovation, helping clients accelerate their path to the autonomous enterprise. Learn more at Pega.com We’re proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658 Reach your customers with Reddit. Spend $500 in ad spend, get $500 back in ad credit! Learn more: https://advertalize.com/r/491818c79fb1873f Don't miss We Make Future - the International Festival of Innovation in AI, Tech, and Digital Marketing, June 24-26 in Bologna. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/c80991afff416bb2 The most influential minds in software, AI, and engineering leadership will be at WeAreDevelopers World Congress North America, September 23-25 in San Jose. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/60a7299222a7bcf1 Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3 Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    21 min
  4. From PegaWorld: Pega's Tara DeZao on marketing ROI with agentic AI

    6d ago

    From PegaWorld: Pega's Tara DeZao on marketing ROI with agentic AI

    We're told AI will revolutionize marketing, but many leaders are finding it just creates more content chaos and operational risk. Is the answer more AI, or a fundamentally different approach to how AI is managed? Today we are at PegaWorld 2026 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, and, we're going to talk about: - The shift from generative AI for content creation to agentic AI for end-to-end campaign execution. - How to orchestrate multiple AI agents to move from a marketing brief to a live, personalized campaign in minutes, not weeks. - Implementing the governance and human oversight necessary to scale AI-driven marketing responsibly and avoid the risks of uncontrolled automation. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Tara DeZao, Director of Product Marketing, AdTech and MarTech at Pega. About Tara DeZao Tara DeZao, Director of Product Marketing, AdTech and MarTech at Pega, is passionate about helping clients deliver better, more empathetic customer experiences backed by artificial intelligence. Over the last decade, she has cultivated a successful career in the marketing departments of both startups and Fortune 500 enterprise technology companies. She is a subject matter expert on all things marketing and has authored articles that have appeared in AdExchanger, VentureBeat, MarTech Series and more. Tara received her bachelor's degree from the University of California, Berkeley and an MBA from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Tara DeZao on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taradezao/ ---------- Resources ---------- : https://www.pega.com Pega provides the leading AI-powered platform for enterprise transformation. The world’s most influential organizations trust Pega’s technology to reimagine how work gets done by automating workflows, personalizing customer experiences, and modernizing legacy systems. Since 1983, Pega’s scalable, flexible architecture has fueled continuous innovation, helping clients accelerate their path to the autonomous enterprise. Learn more at Pega.com We’re proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658 Reach your customers with Reddit. Spend $500 in ad spend, get $500 back in ad credit! Learn more: https://advertalize.com/r/491818c79fb1873f Don't miss We Make Future - the International Festival of Innovation in AI, Tech, and Digital Marketing, June 24-26 in Bologna. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/c80991afff416bb2 The most influential minds in software, AI, and engineering leadership will be at WeAreDevelopers World Congress North America, September 23-25 in San Jose. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/60a7299222a7bcf1 Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3 Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    26 min
  5. From PegaWorld: Pega CTO Don Schuerman on AI ambitions versus reality

    Jun 15

    From PegaWorld: Pega CTO Don Schuerman on AI ambitions versus reality

    Nearly every marketing leader has been told to "do more with AI" — and many of them are now sitting on a pile of pilots, a growing bill, and not much to show their CFO. So why is it that adoption of AI in marketing is so high, while the number of organizations actually getting predictable returns from it is so low? Agility requires the discipline to reimagine how work gets done before automating it — because pointing AI at a broken process just produces a faster broken process. Today, we're going to talk about: - Why so many enterprise AI initiatives stall between ambition and production, and what separates the organizations that succeed from the ones that quietly cancel their projects - How marketing and CX teams can move from disconnected experiments to a governed, agent-powered operating model that turns a brief into live 1:1 engagement - How to make the economics of AI predictable — so the people approving these investments can actually forecast both outcomes and cost To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Don Schuerman, CTO & Head of Marketing at Pega. About Don Schuerman As CTO and Vice President of Marketing & Technology Strategy at Pegasystems, I see my role as being a "Chief Translation Officer" – bridging the gap between cutting-edge technology and real-world business value. With 25 years of experience in orchestration and AI technology, I'm passionate about translating complex technical concepts into meaningful solutions that drive digital transformation for global organizations. My approach to technology leadership has been shaped by an unexpected source: 20 years of improv comedy at ImprovBoston's Mainstage. The skills I honed there – active listening, storytelling, and thinking on my feet – now help me connect with both technical teams and business leaders. It's where I also met my wife, proving that sometimes the best partnerships form when you say "yes, and..." At Pega, I lead the intersection of technology and go-to-market strategy across our enterprise AI decisioning and workflow automation platform. My focus is two-fold: translating the power of technology into tangible value for our Fortune 500 clients, while ensuring our technology roadmap reflects the evolving needs of these organizations. Don Schuerman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donschuerman/ ---------- Resources ---------- : https://www.pega.com Pega provides the leading AI-powered platform for enterprise transformation. The world’s most influential organizations trust Pega’s technology to reimagine how work gets done by automating workflows, personalizing customer experiences, and modernizing legacy systems. Since 1983, Pega’s scalable, flexible architecture has fueled continuous innovation, helping clients accelerate their path to the autonomous enterprise. Learn more at Pega.com We’re proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658 Reach your customers with Reddit. Spend $500 in ad spend, get $500 back in ad credit! Learn more: https://advertalize.com/r/491818c79fb1873f Don't miss We Make Future - the International Festival of Innovation in AI, Tech, and Digital Marketing, June 24-26 in Bologna. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/c80991afff416bb2 The most influential minds in software, AI, and engineering leadership will be at WeAreDevelopers World Congress North America, September 23-25 in San Jose. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/60a7299222a7bcf1 Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3 Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    24 min
  6. Mavlers' Matt Kelly on Lifecycle Marketing in the AI Era

    Jun 12

    Mavlers' Matt Kelly on Lifecycle Marketing in the AI Era

    How many marketing leaders can confidently tell their CEO which specific AI use cases are actually driving revenue right now, and which ones are just running up the bill as experiments? Agility isn't just about adapting to new tech like AI. It's about building the solid data and operational models that let you connect those innovations directly to business growth. Today, we are here at CRMC 2026 in Frisco Texas, and we're going to talk about: - Moving beyond campaign metrics to directly link lifecycle marketing programs to revenue. - Separating the hype from reality to identify where AI is delivering tangible results in marketing right now. - Rethinking your operating model—what to own, what to outsource, and how to build a first-party data foundation that supports it all. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Matt Kelly, Growth Strategy Partner at Mavlers. About Matt Kelly Matt Kelly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewscottkelly/ ---------- Resources ---------- : mavlers.com This episode is brought to by CRMC. Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://www.thecrmc.com We’re proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658 Reach your customers with Reddit. Spend $500 in ad spend, get $500 back in ad credit! Learn more: https://advertalize.com/r/491818c79fb1873f Don't miss We Make Future - the International Festival of Innovation in AI, Tech, and Digital Marketing, June 24-26 in Bologna. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/c80991afff416bb2 The most influential minds in software, AI, and engineering leadership will be at WeAreDevelopers World Congress North America, September 23-25 in San Jose. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/60a7299222a7bcf1 Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3 Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    27 min
  7. Brillio's Kathleen Ulrich and Anuj Mathur on moving from personalization to agentic transformation

    Jun 11

    Brillio's Kathleen Ulrich and Anuj Mathur on moving from personalization to agentic transformation

    What if the future of marketing isn’t about creating better campaigns, but about designing intelligent agents that render campaigns obsolete? Agility requires not just adapting to new technologies, but fundamentally re-architecting our operating models to harness their potential. Today, we’re going to talk about the move from personalization to agentic experiences and what that means for enterprise marketing. We’ll cover: - How “agentic experiences” are moving beyond simple personalization to fundamentally change the economics of customer acquisition and retention. - The shift in talent and technology required, moving from managing campaigns to orchestrating AI agents across the customer journey. - The practical first steps for building an “agentic foundation” within a complex enterprise environment, focusing on governance and core systems. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Kathleen Managing Director of Marketing and Anuj Mathur, Managing Director of CX Transformation at Brillio About Kathleen Ulrich Kathleen Ulrich is Managing Director of Marketing at Brillio, where she leads the company’s global marketing strategy and brand growth. She oversees brand, content, digital marketing, social media, corporate communications, analyst and media relations, research, and insights. Known for her multifaceted leadership, she brings together cross-functional teams around a unified vision, driving measurable impact across a rapidly evolving marketplace. Kathleen Ulrich on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kulri/ ---------- Resources ---------- Brillio: https://www.brillio.com This episode is brought to you by Brillio. Founded in 2014 as a full-service digital transformation services and consulting firm, we apply our expertise in customer experience transformation, data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), platform and product engineering, cloud infrastructure, and security to help customers quickly innovate for growth, create digital products, build service platforms, and drive smarter, data-driven performance. We strive to provide not only what the customers want, but also what they need. To us, success means leading our customers to better outcomes, and aligning our priorities so that we win when they win. We ensure that every individual is fully invested in the success of our customers. We’re proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658 Reach your customers with Reddit. Spend $500 in ad spend, get $500 back in ad credit! Learn more: https://advertalize.com/r/491818c79fb1873f Don't miss We Make Future - the International Festival of Innovation in AI, Tech, and Digital Marketing, June 24-26 in Bologna. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/c80991afff416bb2 The most influential minds in software, AI, and engineering leadership will be at WeAreDevelopers World Congress North America, September 23-25 in San Jose. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/60a7299222a7bcf1 Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3 Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    33 min
  8. From CRMC: Phaedon's Jaclyn Wands on humanizing loyalty in an AI-driven world

    Jun 10

    From CRMC: Phaedon's Jaclyn Wands on humanizing loyalty in an AI-driven world

    As brands invest billions in AI to personalize the customer experience, are they inadvertently creating a more transactional, less human relationship with their most valuable customers? Agility requires not just the rapid adoption of AI-based solutions, but the wisdom to know when and how to apply them to enhance—without replacing—the human element of the customer relationship. Today, we're going to talk about: - The growing disconnect between what AI-powered loyalty programs deliver and what discerning consumers actually value. - Practical strategies for using AI to understand non-transactional signals and create more meaningful customer interactions. - How to evolve measurement beyond simple engagement metrics to quantify the strength of genuine brand affinity. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Jaclyn Wands, VP of Product & AI at Phaedon. About Jaclyn Wands Jaclyn Wands is an AI Practicalist and VP of Product & AI at Phaedon, a loyalty enterprise SaaS and strategic services company. A product leader at the intersection of human-centered AI and customer experience, Jaclyn brings technical fluency in machine learning, NLP, and data operations to a discipline that's fundamentally about people. She has built and launched products across large enterprise SaaS platforms and founded her own human-centered AI application. All experience that shapes her belief that the most powerful technology disappears and make room for the human moment. At Phaedon, Jaclyn leads the product and AI strategy behind loyalty programs that go beyond points and discounts to build genuine emotional connection between brands and their customers. Her work bridges the gap between what AI can do and what customers actually want. A balance she explores through Phaedon's Humanizing Loyalty research and its practical implications for how brands design, measure, and evolve their loyalty strategies. Jaclyn Wands on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaclyn-wands-bb507a24/ ---------- Resources ---------- Phaedon: https://www.phaedon.com This episode is brought to by CRMC. Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://www.thecrmc.com We’re proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658 Reach your customers with Reddit. Spend $500 in ad spend, get $500 back in ad credit! Learn more: https://advertalize.com/r/491818c79fb1873f Don't miss We Make Future - the International Festival of Innovation in AI, Tech, and Digital Marketing, June 24-26 in Bologna. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/c80991afff416bb2 The most influential minds in software, AI, and engineering leadership will be at WeAreDevelopers World Congress North America, September 23-25 in San Jose. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/60a7299222a7bcf1 Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3 Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    21 min
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Expert mode marketing technology, AI, and CX insights from top brands and Martech platforms fill every episode, focusing on what leaders need to know to build customer lifetime value and long-term business value. The Agile Brand with Greg Kihlström® features executives and thought leaders from top brands and tech platforms discussing industry trends, such as AI adoption, first-party data strategies, artificial intelligence in the consumer journey, consumer data privacy, omnichannel customer experience, and more.The Agile Brand is hosted by Greg Kihlström, martech futurist, artificial intelligence transformation advisor, and consultant to leading brands, speaker, entrepreneur, and best-selling author. The show provides a fresh perspective on the continually evolving dynamic between brands and the audiences they serve.Topics include AI adoption, agentic commerce, brand strategy, content strategy. marketing operations, advertising technology, marketing analytics, and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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