How to Turn AI Potential into Performance w/ Aby Varma, Founder and Principal at Spark Novus

CMOs are more optimistic about AI than ever—yet many organizations are still stuck at the starting line. In this episode, Aby Varma, founder of Spark Novus, joins us to share how marketing leaders can move from AI curiosity to meaningful adoption. Drawing on real-world examples from Fortune 500 companies, Aby reveals why asking “Can AI do this?” is the wrong place to start, how to build a strategy anchored in business value, and what cultural shifts are essential for lasting change.

If you’re a marketing leader looking to integrate AI into your team’s workflows without the chaos, this conversation will give you the mindset, frameworks, and practical steps you need.

What You’ll Learn:

• The four mindset shifts CMOs must make to drive effective AI adoption.
• How to align AI initiatives with your strategic “North Star” for maximum impact.
• Proven ways to overcome internal resistance and build a culture of AI experimentation.

Resources: 

FREE Content Consolidation Tools: https://97thfloor.com/articles/podcasts/how-to-consolidate-optimize-and-finally-see-seo-results/ 

Request a free AI Audit: https://97thfloor.com/ai-audit/ 

Join Spark Novus's Marketing AI Pulse Community: https://sparknovus.com/marketing-ai-pulse

Connect with Aby on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abyvarma/ 

Connect with Paxton on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paxtongray/ 

Looking for an agency that'll be worth the investment? 97th Floor creates custom, audience-first campaigns that drive pipeline and conversions. Get started here: https://97thfloor.com/lets-talk/. 

About Aby Varma:
Aby is the founder and principal at Spark Novus, transforming marketing through AI, digital, content, and brand strategies. He aligns marketing, sales, and product teams to drive brand positioning and demand activation. Known for his strategic vision and energy, Aby builds inclusive, high-performing teams.

He advances AI in marketing through the 'Marketing AI SparkCast' podcast and as the founder of the Marketing AI Pulse and Future Crafters communities. Aby is a member of the Forbes Communication Council.

Timestamps:
02:51 - Why "Can AI do this?" is the wrong question

06:22 - Enterprise case study: asset management vs. cold prospecting AI

10:19 - The overlooked change management problem in AI adoption

28:18 - The "human AI sandwich" concept introduced

33:22 - Complete four-pillar mindset framework

38:18 - Practical next steps for getting started

"The first is to shift from 'can AI do this?' to 'what can I do with AI?' The second is to shift from outputs to outcomes. The third is to shift towards reclaiming time to think, imagine, lead, and inspire. And the fourth is to shift towards embracing ideas that we would have never considered otherwise." - Aby Varma