The Marketing Automation Moment Podcast

News, views and tips from the world of marketing automation. Learn what’s going on with vendors such as Marketo, Hubspot, Pardot, SharpSpring, Keep, Act-on and many more. Mike and Hannah discuss the latest from marketing automation vendors and analysts, providing context to the newest features, latest tools and regulations that impact marketing automation professionals. They also share tips on how to improve your marketing automation campaigns.

  1. JAN 21

    Navigating the AI Gold Rush: Insights on Marketing Automation in 2026

    In the first Marketing Automation Moment episode of 2026, Hannah and Mike dive into whether marketing automation and AI truly save marketers time. They discuss insights from recent Act-On and Salesforce webinars, exploring how lean teams can succeed, the growing scepticism around generative AI, and the need to balance technology with a human touch. The episode wraps with their Insightful Tip of the Week on using list segmentation and outside perspectives to strengthen personalization and strategy. About Napier Napier is a PR-lead, full service marketing agency that specialises in the B2B technology sector. We work closely with our clients to build campaigns, focusing on achieving results that have a significant positive impact on their businesses and which, above all, ensure maximum return on their investment.   About Mike Maynard Mike is the Chairman of Napier, a PR and marketing agency for B2B technology companies. A self-confessed geek who loves talking about technology, he believes that combining the measurement, accountability and innovation that he learnt as an engineer with a passion for communicating ensures Napier delivers great campaigns and tangible return on investment.   About Hannah Wehrly Hannah a Director at Napier and leads on pitching, proposal writing, lead nurturing, email marketing, social media and content creation. Hannah joined the Napier team back in 2017 as a Marketing Specialist after completing her degree in Marketing and Communications, and her role focuses on developing new relationships with potential clients.   Time Stamps 00:01:39 - Market Automation Tools: Do They Save Time? Exploration of whether marketing automation tools genuinely help save time for marketers.   00:05:03 - The AI Gold Rush: Is It Over? Analysis of the current state of AI in marketing and the shift in perception regarding its effectiveness.   00:11:11 - AI as a Tool, Not a Magic Wand Reflection on the realistic expectations of AI's capabilities in marketing.   00:12:56 - The Plateau of Productivity Exploration of the Gartner hype cycle and the future integration of AI into marketing practices.   00:18:01 - Insightful Tip of the Week: List Segmentation Hannah shares a tip on the importance of segmenting marketing lists for better personalization.   00:19:20 - Insightful Tip of the Week: Get an Outside Perspective Mike emphasizes the value of obtaining external insights to improve marketing strategies and content.   Follow Mike and Hannah: Mike Maynard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikemaynard/ Hannah Wehrly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-wehrly-b0706a107/ Napier website: https://www.napierb2b.com/ Napier LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/napier-partnership-limited/   If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to our podcast for more discussions about the latest in Marketing Automation and connect with us on social media to stay updated on upcoming episodes. We'd also appreciate it if you could leave us a review on your favourite podcast platform. Want more? Check out Napier’s other podcast – Marketing B2B Technology: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/marketing-b2b-technology/id1485417724

    22 min
  2. 10/23/2025

    The Next Phase of Marketing Automation: Lessons from Dreamforce and HubSpot

    In this episode of the Marketing Automation Moment podcast, Hannah Kelly and Mike Maynard explore whether marketing automation as we know it is truly over. They break down Salesforce’s decision to cut 4,000 support roles while adding 5,000 sales positions, share key takeaways from Dreamforce, including AI agents and deeper Slack integration, and take a closer look at HubSpot’s new loop marketing concept. The episode wraps up with guidance on recognizing when a campaign isn’t working and how to adjust.   About Napier Napier is a PR-lead, full service marketing agency that specialises in the B2B technology sector. We work closely with our clients to build campaigns, focusing on achieving results that have a significant positive impact on their businesses and which, above all, ensure maximum return on their investment.   About Mike Maynard Mike is the Managing Director/CEO of Napier, a PR and marketing agency for B2B technology companies. A self-confessed geek who loves talking about technology, he believes that combining the measurement, accountability and innovation that he learnt as an engineer with a passion for communicating ensures Napier delivers great campaigns and tangible return on investment.   About Hannah Kelly Hannah is the Head of Business Development and Marketing at Napier and leads on pitching, proposal writing, lead nurturing, email marketing, social media and content creation. Hannah joined the Napier team back in 2017 as a Marketing Specialist after completing her degree in Marketing and Communications, and her role focuses on developing new relationships with potential clients.   Time Stamps 00:00:00 - Introduction to Marketing Automation Moment Podcast 00:01:10 - Active Campaign's Bold Statement on Marketing Automation 00:03:00 - Salesforce's Controversial Staffing Changes 00:05:50 - Insights from Dreamforce: AI and Slack 00:08:06 - HubSpot's Loop Marketing Concept 00:11:01 - When to Give Up on a Campaign: Insights and Tips 00:15:27 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts   Follow Mike and Hannah: Mike Maynard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikemaynard/ Hannah Kelly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-kelly-b0706a107/?miniProfileUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afs_miniProfile%3AACoAABriH7cBjOKakLTry2oZpPzoqKYXgLp0ttY Napier website: https://www.napierb2b.com/ Napier LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/napier-partnership-limited/ If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to our podcast for more discussions about the latest in Marketing Automation and connect with us on social media to stay updated on upcoming episodes. We’d also appreciate it if you could leave us a review on your favourite podcast platform. Want more? Check out Napier’s other podcast – Marketing B2B Technology: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/marketing-b2b-technology/id1485417724

    16 min
  3. 09/26/2025

    Why AI Won’t Do It All, Adobe’s AI Agents & Dreamforce

    In this episode of the Marketing Automation Moment podcast, Hannah and Mike dive into the latest trends in MarTech. They kick off with Act-On’s new Marketing Technology Insights report, unpacking why small teams are struggling with complex tech stacks and why ease of use now tops the priority list. The conversation moves to AI, with a debate on whether the hype has peaked, discuss the realities of implementing AI effectively, and explore Adobe’s announcement of specialized AI agents designed to enhance customer experiences. Finally, they touch on the upcoming Dreamforce event and wrap up with Mike’s tip of the week on GDPR compliance, reminding marketers of the risks of outdated data and the importance of clean databases.   About Napier Napier is a PR-lead, full service marketing agency that specialises in the B2B technology sector. We work closely with our clients to build campaigns, focusing on achieving results that have a significant positive impact on their businesses and which, above all, ensure maximum return on their investment.   About Mike Maynard Mike is the Managing Director/CEO of Napier, a PR and marketing agency for B2B technology companies. A self-confessed geek who loves talking about technology, he believes that combining the measurement, accountability and innovation that he learnt as an engineer with a passion for communicating ensures Napier delivers great campaigns and tangible return on investment.   About Hannah Kelly Hannah is the Head of Business Development and Marketing at Napier and leads on pitching, proposal writing, lead nurturing, email marketing, social media and content creation. Hannah joined the Napier team back in 2017 as a Marketing Specialist after completing her degree in Marketing and Communications, and her role focuses on developing new relationships with potential clients.   Time Stamps 00:00:00 - Introduction to Marketing Automation Moment Podcast 00:00:53 - Act-On’s Marketing Technology Insights Report 00:01:15 - Insights on Small Marketing Teams and Tool Stacks 00:03:15 - The Importance of Ease of Use in Marketing Tools 00:04:34 - AI Capabilities and Marketer Priorities 00:06:13 - The Reality of AI in Marketing 00:08:40 - Adobe's New AI Agents Announcement 00:10:02 - Specific AI Functions vs. General AI Solutions 00:12:11 - The Future of AI in Marketing Platforms 00:13:35 - Discussion on Dreamforce Event 00:15:52 - GDPR Compliance and Data Management Tips 00:17:27 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts   Follow Mike and Hannah: Mike Maynard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikemaynard/ Hannah Kelly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-kelly-b0706a107/?miniProfileUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afs_miniProfile%3AACoAABriH7cBjOKakLTry2oZpPzoqKYXgLp0ttY Napier website: https://www.napierb2b.com/ Napier LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/napier-partnership-limited/ If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to our podcast for more discussions about the latest in Marketing Automation and connect with us on social media to stay updated on upcoming episodes. We’d also appreciate it if you could leave us a review on your favourite podcast platform. Want more? Check out Napier’s other podcast – Marketing B2B Technology: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/marketing-b2b-technology/id1485417724

    18 min
  4. 08/12/2025

    The Real ROI of AI Agents, Quizzes & Strategic Thinking

    In this episode of the Marketing Automation Moment podcast, hosts Mike and Hannah record from a professional studio in London, enjoying a change of scenery and face-to-face conversation. They dive into the latest in marketing automation updates, starting with HubSpot’s Breeze AI agents. The discussion explores the effectiveness of AI in B2B customer service, the challenges of training AI for complex queries, and the importance of balancing automation with human support. The episode also touches on ActiveCampaign’s use of quizzes and interactive content for customer profiling, as well as Salesforce’s latest backend AI developments. Mike unpacks the technical side, while Hannah brings it back to what matters for marketers. They wrap up with a reminder that strategy is still at the heart of successful marketing automation, emphasizing the need for clear goals and alignment between sales and marketing teams. About Napier Napier is a PR-lead, full service marketing agency that specialises in the B2B technology sector. We work closely with our clients to build campaigns, focusing on achieving results that have a significant positive impact on their businesses and which, above all, ensure maximum return on their investment. About Mike Maynard Mike is the Managing Director/CEO of Napier, a PR and marketing agency for B2B technology companies. A self-confessed geek who loves talking about technology, he believes that combining the measurement, accountability and innovation that he learnt as an engineer with a passion for communicating ensures Napier delivers great campaigns and tangible return on investment. About Hannah Kelly Hannah is the Head of Business Development and Marketing at Napier and leads on pitching, proposal writing, lead nurturing, email marketing, social media and content creation. Hannah joined the Napier team back in 2017 as a Marketing Specialist after completing her degree in Marketing and Communications, and her role focuses on developing new relationships with potential clients. Time Stamps 00:00:00 - Introduction to The Marketing Automation Moment Podcast 00:00:20 - HubSpot's Breeze AI Agents 00:04:27 - Using Quizzes for Customer Profiling 00:07:45 - Salesforce AI Updates 00:10:12 - Importance of Strategy in Marketing Automation 00:13:01 – Conclusion and Final Thoughts Follow Mike and Hannah: Mike Maynard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikemaynard/ Hannah Kelly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-wehrly-b0706a107/ Napier website: https://www.napierb2b.com/ Napier LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/napier-partnership-limited/ If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to our podcast for more discussions about the latest in Marketing Automation and connect with us on social media to stay updated on upcoming episodes. We’d also appreciate it if you could leave us a review on your favourite podcast platform. Want more? Check out Napier’s other podcast – Marketing B2B Technology: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/marketing-b2b-technology/id1485417724

    13 min
  5. 07/04/2025

    Why AI Falls Short on Strategy and What Marketers Miss About Customer Journeys

    In this episode of the Marketing Automation Moment Podcast, Hannah and Mike tackle the limits of AI in marketing strategy, reacting to a recent MarTech article that questions whether AI can truly plan campaigns. They debate Adobe’s position in the marketing automation space and discuss the rise of AI-generated creatives. Also in the episode, they break down why simplified customer journeys don’t work in B2B, and share a smart tip for improving your data quality over the quieter summer months. About Napier Napier is a PR-lead, full service marketing agency that specialises in the B2B technology sector. We work closely with our clients to build campaigns, focusing on achieving results that have a significant positive impact on their businesses and which, above all, ensure maximum return on their investment. About Mike Maynard Mike is the Managing Director/CEO of Napier, a PR and marketing agency for B2B technology companies. A self-confessed geek who loves talking about technology, he believes that combining the measurement, accountability and innovation that he learnt as an engineer with a passion for communicating ensures Napier delivers great campaigns and tangible return on investment. About Hannah Wehrly Hannah is the Head of Business Development and Marketing at Napier and leads on pitching, proposal writing, lead nurturing, email marketing, social media and content creation. Hannah joined the Napier team back in 2017 as a Marketing Specialist after completing her degree in Marketing and Communications, and her role focuses on developing new relationships with potential clients. Time Stamps 00:00:00 - Introduction to The Marketing Automation Moment Podcast 00:01:01 - AI and Marketing Strategy 00:02:12 - The Reality of AI in Marketing 00:03:28 - Adobe's Digital Experience Update 00:05:31 - Dynamic Image Generation 00:07:44 - Customer Journeys vs. Funnels 00:09:52 – Data Quality Improvement Tips 00:11:36 – Conclusion and Final Thoughts Follow Mike and Hannah: Mike Maynard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikemaynard/ Hannah Wehrly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-wehrly-b0706a107/ Napier website: https://www.napierb2b.com/ Napier LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/napier-partnership-limited/ If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to our podcast for more discussions about the latest in Marketing Automation and connect with us on social media to stay updated on upcoming episodes. We’d also appreciate it if you could leave us a review on your favourite podcast platform. Want more? Check out Napier’s other podcast – Marketing B2B Technology: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/marketing-b2b-technology/id1485417724

    12 min
  6. 06/09/2025

    Salesforce Summer Updates, Partner Tools and AI Workarounds

    In this episode of the Marketing Automation Moment Podcast, Hannah and Mike explore the latest trends in partner marketing automation platforms, featuring insights from Forrester’s recent report. They also break down Salesforce’s Summer ’25 release and what it means for marketers. The conversation continues with Microsoft’s new email marketing restrictions, DotDigital’s surprising rise in email volume, and growing SMS engagement across global markets. Plus, they share a clever way to integrate AI, even if your platform doesn’t support it. About Napier Napier is a PR-lead, full service marketing agency that specialises in the B2B technology sector. We work closely with our clients to build campaigns, focusing on achieving results that have a significant positive impact on their businesses and which, above all, ensure maximum return on their investment. About Mike Maynard Mike is the Managing Director/CEO of Napier, a PR and marketing agency for B2B technology companies. A self-confessed geek who loves talking about technology, he believes that combining the measurement, accountability and innovation that he learnt as an engineer with a passion for communicating ensures Napier delivers great campaigns and tangible return on investment. About Hannah Wehrly Hannah is the Head of Business Development and Marketing at Napier and leads on pitching, proposal writing, lead nurturing, email marketing, social media and content creation. Hannah joined the Napier team back in 2017 as a Marketing Specialist after completing her degree in Marketing and Communications, and her role focuses on developing new relationships with potential clients. Time Stamps 00:00:00 - Introduction to The Marketing Automation Moment Podcast 00:00:21 - Partner Marketing Automation Platforms 00:03:11 - Salesforce Summer 25 Release 00:05:37 - Email Marketing Restrictions by Microsoft 00:09:38 - DotDigital Email Marketing Report 00:10:53 - SMS Engagement Trends 00:12:46 – Insightful Tip of the Week: Integrating AI 00:14:45 – Conclusion and Final Thoughts Follow Mike and Hannah: Mike Maynard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikemaynard/ Hannah Wehrly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-wehrly-b0706a107/ Napier website: https://www.napierb2b.com/ Napier LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/napier-partnership-limited/ If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to our podcast for more discussions about the latest in Marketing Automation and connect with us on social media to stay updated on upcoming episodes. We’d also appreciate it if you could leave us a review on your favourite podcast platform. Want more? Check out Napier’s other podcast – Marketing B2B Technology: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/marketing-b2b-technology/id1485417724

    15 min
  7. 05/13/2025

    Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Marketing Automation Tools

    In this episode of the Marketing Automation Moment podcast, Hannah and Mike discuss exciting developments in the marketing automation space, including ActiveCampaign's partnership with Wix, and HubSpot's acquisition of Dashworks, an AI company that enhances internal document search capabilities. The conversation further explores HubSpot's commitment to user training, emphasising the importance of structured training sessions for different skill levels to improve user engagement and retention. About Napier Napier is a PR-lead, full service marketing agency that specialises in the B2B technology sector. We work closely with our clients to build campaigns, focusing on achieving results that have a significant positive impact on their businesses and which, above all, ensure maximum return on their investment. About Mike Maynard Mike is the Managing Director/CEO of Napier, a PR and marketing agency for B2B technology companies. A self-confessed geek who loves talking about technology, he believes that combining the measurement, accountability and innovation that he learnt as an engineer with a passion for communicating ensures Napier delivers great campaigns and tangible return on investment. About Hannah Wehrly Hannah is the Head of Business Development and Marketing at Napier and leads on pitching, proposal writing, lead nurturing, email marketing, social media and content creation. Hannah joined the Napier team back in 2017 as a Marketing Specialist after completing her degree in Marketing and Communications, and her role focuses on developing new relationships with potential clients. Time Stamps 00:00:00 - Introduction to The Marketing Automation Moment Podcast 00:00:54 - ActiveCampaign and Wix Partnership 00:02:57 - HubSpot Acquires Dashworks 00:04:49 - The Need for AI in Marketing Automation 00:07:13 - Importance of Ongoing Training in Marketing Platforms 00:10:06 - HubSpot's Inbound Conference 00:11:44 - Spring Cleaning Your Marketing Automation Platform 00:15:00 – Conclusion and Final Thoughts Follow Mike and Hannah: Mike Maynard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikemaynard/ Hannah Wehrly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-wehrly-b0706a107/ Napier website: https://www.napierb2b.com/ Napier LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/napier-partnership-limited/ If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to our podcast for more discussions about the latest in Marketing Automation and connect with us on social media to stay updated on upcoming episodes. We’d also appreciate it if you could leave us a review on your favourite podcast platform. Want more? Check out Napier’s other podcast – Marketing B2B Technology: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/marketing-b2b-technology/id1485417724

    16 min
  8. 04/15/2025

    Challenging Attribution, Repurposing Content, and Elevating Email

    This episode dives into the challenges of attribution in marketing, the benefits of content repurposing, and what’s new in Salesforce’s spring AI updates. Mike and Hannah also cover Marketo’s improved email designer and share a quick tip on boosting engagement with more creative CTAs. About Napier Napier is a PR-lead, full service marketing agency that specialises in the B2B technology sector. We work closely with our clients to build campaigns, focusing on achieving results that have a significant positive impact on their businesses and which, above all, ensure maximum return on their investment. About Mike Maynard Mike is the Managing Director/CEO of Napier, a PR and marketing agency for B2B technology companies. A self-confessed geek who loves talking about technology, he believes that combining the measurement, accountability and innovation that he learnt as an engineer with a passion for communicating ensures Napier delivers great campaigns and tangible return on investment. About Hannah Wehrly Hannah is the Head of Business Development and Marketing at Napier and leads on pitching, proposal writing, lead nurturing, email marketing, social media and content creation. Hannah joined the Napier team back in 2017 as a Marketing Specialist after completing her degree in Marketing and Communications, and her role focuses on developing new relationships with potential clients. Time Stamps [00:00:00] - Introduction [00:00:42] - Attribution vs. Incrementality [00:02:40] - Repurposing Content [00:05:02] - Salesforce's AI Agents [00:07:45] - Marketo's Email Designer Updates [00:10:41] – The Insightful Tip of the Week and Call to Actions in Marketing [00:12:36] - Conclusion and Key Takeaways Follow Mike and Hannah: Mike Maynard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikemaynard/ Hannah Wehrly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-wehrly-b0706a107/ Napier website: https://www.napierb2b.com/ Napier LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/napier-partnership-limited/   If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to our podcast for more discussions about the latest in Marketing Automation and connect with us on social media to stay updated on upcoming episodes. We'd also appreciate it if you could leave us a review on your favourite podcast platform. Want more? Check out Napier’s other podcast – Marketing B2B Technology: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/marketing-b2b-technology/id1485417724

    13 min

About

News, views and tips from the world of marketing automation. Learn what’s going on with vendors such as Marketo, Hubspot, Pardot, SharpSpring, Keep, Act-on and many more. Mike and Hannah discuss the latest from marketing automation vendors and analysts, providing context to the newest features, latest tools and regulations that impact marketing automation professionals. They also share tips on how to improve your marketing automation campaigns.

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