AI Marketing Pioneers

AI Marketing Pioneers

Discover how AI is transforming marketing from the experts doing it right now. Each episode, we sit down with marketing leaders, AI innovators, and employer branding specialists who share what's actually working in AI marketing. Just practical strategies and real-world insights you can use. Whether you're implementing your first AI tool or scaling advanced campaigns, you'll walk away with actionable ideas for personalizing customer experiences, creating smarter content, building stronger employer brands, and staying ahead in an AI-driven world.

Episodes

  1. Why the Best DTC Operators Are Slow AI Adopters

    Apr 27

    Why the Best DTC Operators Are Slow AI Adopters

    In this episode of AI Marketing Pioneers, Eli Weiss, VP of Retention Advocacy at Yotpo and one of the most respected voices in the DTC world, makes a case most people are afraid to make. Being slow to adopt AI was actually the right call. Discover why enterprise CX teams are still struggling with AI, how to build tools that actually save you time without a technical background, and why the brands that win on retention will be the ones that treat their best customers like guests at an 11 Madison dinner. AI Marketing Pioneers - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0M4PNG3Pp92VWSBvJ8Vdqh?si=DRzuVzU6SbW-ywNPwUwjZw AI Marketing Pioneers - Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ai-marketing-pioneers/id1870690211 Eli Weiss's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eliweisss/ Seijin Jung’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seijinjung/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enrichlabs.ai?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@enrich.labs?_r=1&_t=ZP-936UM0DruRC X: https://x.com/EnrichLabsAI?s=20 Threads: ​​https://www.threads.com/@enrichlabs.ai?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== Helena - Autonomous AI Marketer: https://hirehelena.com Learn More: https://enrichlabs.ai/ Join our Discord community! https://discord.gg/7eYazKy6nY Timestamps 0:00 - Why Most DTC Brands Quietly Dropped Their AI Tools 2:35 - How Ollipop and Jones Road Shaped the Future of DTC Retention 8:18 - The Decision Making Framework That Built a Career Without a Single Job Application 18:35 - Why Spending 6 Hours to Automate a 10 Minute Task Is the AI Trap Nobody Talks About 24:45 - Why Customers Still Hate AI Bots and What Actually Fixes It 29:15 - How to Design a CX Team From Scratch When AI Handles 80 Percent of Tickets 39:36 - What 25000 DTC Operators Are Actually Worried About Right Now 44:50 - How to Build AI Tools That Save You 10 Hours a Week With Zero Technical Background

    48 min
  2. The AI Adoption Lie: What's Really Happening Inside Marketing Teams

    Apr 7

    The AI Adoption Lie: What's Really Happening Inside Marketing Teams

    In this episode of AI Marketing Pioneers, Melissa Rosenthal, co-founder of OutLever, challenges the hype around AI adoption and makes the case for a more human-first approach to modern marketing. Discover why enterprise marketing teams are slower to adopt AI than the headlines suggest, how account-based media is replacing broken go-to-market playbooks, and why the brands that win will be the ones that compound trust and not content. AI Marketing Pioneers - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0M4PNG3Pp92VWSBvJ8Vdqh?si=DRzuVzU6SbW-ywNPwUwjZw AI Marketing Pioneers - Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ai-marketing-pioneers/id1870690211 Melissa Rosenthal’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissarosenthal5/ Seijin Jung’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seijinjung/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enrichlabs.ai?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@enrich.labs?_r=1&_t=ZP-936UM0DruRC X: https://x.com/EnrichLabsAI?s=20 Threads: ​​https://www.threads.com/@enrichlabs.ai?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== Helena - Autonomous AI Marketer: https://agent.enrichlabs.ai/ Learn More: https://enrichlabs.ai/ Join our Discord community! https://discord.gg/7eYazKy6nY Timestamps 0:00 - Why the Best Marketers Are Obsessed With Starting Conversations 2:36 - How BuzzFeed Cracked the Code on Viral Content 7:52 - What a Super Bowl Ad Taught Us About Compounding Brand Awareness 11:42 - Why AI Adoption in Marketing Is Slower Than Everyone Claims 21:33 - How to Turn Your Brand Into the Number One News Source in Your Industry 27:28 - Why Automating Your Marketing Will Kill Your Brand 42:51 - How to Future-Proof Your Marketing Career in the Age of AI

    46 min
  3. Why Your AI Media Buying Tool Is Working Against You And What to Do Instead

    Mar 17

    Why Your AI Media Buying Tool Is Working Against You And What to Do Instead

    In this episode of AI Marketing Pioneers, Curtis Howland, co-founder of Misfit Marketing, breaks down the hard truth about AI in D2C media buying: why platform tools like Meta's AI are optimizing for their goals, not yours, how to build a creative tagging system that eliminates ad fatigue, and why the best media buyers of the future will be the ones who stay the most human. AI Marketing Pioneers - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0M4PNG3Pp92VWSBvJ8Vdqh?si=DRzuVzU6SbW-ywNPwUwjZw AI Marketing Pioneers - Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ai-marketing-pioneers/id1870690211 Curtis Howland’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/curtishowland/ Seijin Jung’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seijinjung/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enrichlabs.ai?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@enrich.labs?_r=1&_t=ZP-936UM0DruRC X: https://x.com/EnrichLabsAI?s=20 Threads: ​​https://www.threads.com/@enrichlabs.ai?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== AI Marketing Agent: https://agent.enrichlabs.ai/ Learn More: https://enrichlabs.ai/ Join our Discord community! https://discord.gg/7eYazKy6nY Timestamps 00:00 – From Data Analyst to D2C Media Buyer: Curtis Howland's Story 03:44 – What a Modern AI-Enabled Media Buying Day Actually Looks Like 07:35 – Why Facebook's AI Is Optimizing for Facebook, Not Your Business 12:24 – How to Use AI to Find Unique, Brand-Specific Creative Insights 20:48 – The Creative Tagging System That Prevents Ad Fatigue 24:23 – Where AI Helps and Where Humans Must Stay in the Loop 42:13 – What Media Buying Will Look Like in 5 Years 48:14 – Top Advice for D2C CMOs and Operators Right Now

    57 min
  4. Beyond Generic AI: The Workflows Turning Content Into Competitive Advantage

    Mar 10

    Beyond Generic AI: The Workflows Turning Content Into Competitive Advantage

    In this insightful episode of AI Marketing Pioneers, Andy Crestodina shares his expertise on leveraging AI for content marketing, SEO, and conversion optimization. Discover how to move beyond generic prompts, build effective AI workflows, and harness the power of persona-driven strategies to gain a competitive edge in digital marketing. AI Marketing Pioneers - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0M4PNG3Pp92VWSBvJ8Vdqh?si=DRzuVzU6SbW-ywNPwUwjZw AI Marketing Pioneers - Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ai-marketing-pioneers/id1870690211 Andy Crestodina’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andycrestodina/ Seijin Jung’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seijinjung/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enrichlabs.ai?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@enrich.labs?_r=1&_t=ZP-936UM0DruRC X: https://x.com/EnrichLabsAI?s=20 Threads: ​​https://www.threads.com/@enrichlabs.ai?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== AI Marketing Agent: https://agent.enrichlabs.ai/ Learn More: https://enrichlabs.ai/ Join our Discord community! https://discord.gg/7eYazKy6nY Timestamps 00:00 – Andy’s #1 AI Use Case: Gap Analysis for Content 04:50 – Why Topline Traffic Is a Bad SEO Metric 05:40 – Content That Wins in AI Search: Opinions & Original Data 09:15 – Using AI to Find Missing Content Gaps 12:12 – Persona-Driven AI Audits for Websites & Landing Pages 30:28 – How AI Search Will Change Website Traffic & Conversions

    48 min
  5. Why 95% of AI Projects Fail and What Nike's Former VP of Marketing Data Did Differently

    Mar 3

    Why 95% of AI Projects Fail and What Nike's Former VP of Marketing Data Did Differently

    In this episode of the AI Marketing Pioneers podcast, Seijin Jung interviews Linda Serita, former VP of Marketing Data at Nike. They discuss the shift from AI automation to true AI transformation, the importance of data as a strategic asset, and how to empower marketers with data and AI. Linda shares her experiences with the Sneakers app, the challenges of AI adoption in enterprises, and the need for critical thinking in the next generation of marketers. AI Marketing Pioneers - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0M4PNG3Pp92VWSBvJ8Vdqh?si=DRzuVzU6SbW-ywNPwUwjZw AI Marketing Pioneers - Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ai-marketing-pioneers/id1870690211 Linda Cereda’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-cereda-b1b5a11/ Seijin Jung’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seijinjung/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enrichlabs.ai?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@enrich.labs?_r=1&_t=ZP-936UM0DruRC X: https://x.com/EnrichLabsAI?s=20 Threads: ​​https://www.threads.com/@enrichlabs.ai?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== AI Marketing Agent: https://agent.enrichlabs.ai/ Learn More: https://enrichlabs.ai/ Join our Discord community! https://discord.gg/7eYazKy6nY Timestamps 00:00 – Why Data Shouldn’t Be Your Strategy 07:15 – Scaling the Sneakers App with AI & Machine Learning 10:32 – Reducing Forecast Error by 44% with AI 21:41 – 70% of AI Success Is People & Process 31:14 – AI Decision Engines vs Traditional A/B Testing 39:07 – AI Automation vs AI Transformation Explained 41:50 – Why AI Efficiency Alone Isn’t a Competitive Advantage

    1h 2m
  6. What’s Next for AI in Marketing & Employer Branding: Lessons from Silicon Valley’s Top Minds

    Jan 27

    What’s Next for AI in Marketing & Employer Branding: Lessons from Silicon Valley’s Top Minds

    In this episode, we sit down with José Benitez Cong, Global Head of Core Recruiting at Airbnb and former leader at Apple and Nest, to explore how elite companies approach AI differently than average brands. Discover why "taste is the moat" in today's digital landscape and why the rush to automate is missing the bigger picture. José shares insights from his time at Apple on using AI as a thought partner rather than a replacement, and reveals the critical questions top-tier companies ask about AI integration. Learn how to harness AI's transformative power while maintaining the human creativity and strategic thinking that drives real innovation. José Cong’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josecong/ Seijin Jung’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seijinjung/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enrichlabs.ai?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@enrich.labs?_r=1&_t=ZP-936UM0DruRC X: https://x.com/EnrichLabsAI?s=20 Threads: ​​https://www.threads.com/@enrichlabs.ai?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== AI Marketing Agent: https://agent.enrichlabs.ai/ Learn More: https://enrichlabs.ai/ Join our Discord community! https://discord.gg/7eYazKy6nY Timestamps 00:00 – Leaders Are Treating AI Like a Chatbox 02:51 – “Taste Is the Ultimate Moat” (Steve Jobs Lesson) 04:52 – Why AI Is Making Companies Lazy 07:38 – Elite Companies vs Average AI Adoption 10:06 – AI Should Redesign Systems, Not Replace People 17:06 – Breaking the Executive Echo Chamber With AI 35:26 – Companies That Don’t Go AI-Native Will Disappear

    44 min
  7. How Upwork Reinvented Organic Growth: The AEO & GEO Playbook

    Jan 20

    How Upwork Reinvented Organic Growth: The AEO & GEO Playbook

    In this episode of AI Marketing Pioneers, Seijin Jung interviews Glen McMurry, the director of GEO, AEO, and SEO at Upwork. They discuss the transformative impact of AI on organic growth strategies, the shift from traditional SEO to AEO, and the new metrics and mindsets required for success in this evolving landscape. Glen shares his journey in the SEO space, the practical steps Upwork is taking for AEO success, and the importance of reputation management and first-party data. The conversation also touches on common mistakes marketers make in AEO, non-traditional channels for visibility, and how to stay updated in this fast-paced field. Glen McMurry’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glen-mcmurry-growth-marketing-expert/ Seijin Jung’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seijinjung/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enrichlabs.ai?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@enrich.labs?_r=1&_t=ZP-936UM0DruRC X: https://x.com/EnrichLabsAI?s=20 Threads: ​​https://www.threads.com/@enrichlabs.ai?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== AI Marketing Agent: https://agent.enrichlabs.ai/ Learn More: https://enrichlabs.ai/ Join our Discord community! https://discord.gg/7eYazKy6nY Timestamps 00:00 – Intro: SEO to AEO & Glenn’s Background 02:36 – How AI Changed Organic Growth at Upwork 05:01 – New AEO KPIs: Visibility, Mentions & Omni-Search 12:32 – Practical AEO Tactics: Reviews, Reddit & Reputation 18:08 – Winning LLM Citations with First-Party Data 25:01 – Common AEO Mistakes & Future of SEO

    35 min

About

Discover how AI is transforming marketing from the experts doing it right now. Each episode, we sit down with marketing leaders, AI innovators, and employer branding specialists who share what's actually working in AI marketing. Just practical strategies and real-world insights you can use. Whether you're implementing your first AI tool or scaling advanced campaigns, you'll walk away with actionable ideas for personalizing customer experiences, creating smarter content, building stronger employer brands, and staying ahead in an AI-driven world.