Marketing Trends

Mission HQ
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  • MARKETING
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY
Marketing Trends

What happens when marketing’s sharpest minds pull back the curtain? Hosted by Stephanie Postles, Marketing Trends drops listeners into the world of trailblazing CMOs, CEOs, and visionaries who share their journeys and groundbreaking strategies. From navigating the balance between automation and human touch to leading teams through unprecedented transformation, you’re getting an unfiltered look at the lessons and ideas driving the industry forward. Whether you're leading a team or aspiring to innovate, Marketing Trends is your new secret weapon.

  1. JUL 9

    The Secret To Scaling From $20 Million to $200 Million ARR (Extremely Fast)

    Harmony Anderson didn’t wait 90 days to make an impact at Superhuman — she launched a major campaign in her first five weeks. Harmony Anderson, Head of Marketing and Growth Product at Superhuman, breaks down why moving fast (and strategically) matters more than playing it safe, especially in high-growth startups. We dig into what it really takes to scale from $20M to $200M ARR, how to enter the enterprise market without abandoning your early adopters, and why traditional attribution models are falling behind in the age of AI and influencers. If you're navigating go-to-market pivots, building modern marketing infrastructure, or just trying to avoid another forgettable brand campaign — this episode is packed with insights. And congratulations to the Superhuman team for being acquired by Grammarly!  Key Moments:  00:00 Harmony Anderson on Moving Upmarket and Scaling  01:35 Welcome to Marketing Trends  02:05 Harmony Anderson’s Career Journey  08:33 Fast-Paced Marketing Strategies  13:20 Navigating the Dark Funnel  15:59 Balancing Brand and Attribution  16:47 The Role of Influencers in Modern Marketing  19:27 Positioning in the AI Market  24:41 Moving Up Market: Challenges and Strategies  35:06 Vision Setting and Company Evolution  36:11 Superhuman's Ambitious Roadmap  37:02 Unified Productivity and AI Integration  44:18 Scaling Operations for Rapid Growth  48:09 Innovative Tools and Harmony's Tech Stack  51:13 AI in Content Creation and Marketing  56:02 The Resurgence of Webinars  01:02:14 Superhuman for Startups Program Mission.org is a media studio producing content alongside world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

    1h 5m
  2. H&R Block Went Full Reality TV to Unlock Gen-Z Customers

    JUN 25

    H&R Block Went Full Reality TV to Unlock Gen-Z Customers

    What do you get when you mix a 70-year-old legacy brand, Gen Z tax filers, and a reality TV show called Responsibility Island? An absolute marketing fever dream. And Jill Cress — CMO of H&R Block — is the mastermind behind it. We unpack how she’s giving TurboTax-meets-Gen-Z realness. We’re talking Roblox integrations, bold brand storytelling, and what happens when you challenge a category that’s historically allergic to change. We cover: – How H&R Block turned tax season into a cultural moment – What marketers get wrong about Gen Z (and how to fix it) – Why AI is useful, but human empathy still pays the bills – The 4 E’s of customer experience (one of them might make you cry) This is legacy brand marketing with ✨main character energy.✨Press play. Take notes. Maybe even call your tax pro.   Key Moments: 00:00 Introduction to Jill Cress, CMO of H&R Block 01:49 H&R Block's Legacy and Innovation 13:03 Challenges and Surprises in Marketing 19:45 Responsibility Island: A Bold Marketing Move 25:41 Measuring Success and Future Plans 30:59 Differentiation and Brand Storytelling 33:15 Life Stage Stories and Customer Experience 38:21 The Role of Empathy in Customer Relationships 44:08 AI in Tax Assistance 51:33 The Future of Brand Storytelling 53:43 Advice for Young Marketers 57:02 Relevant or Irrelevant: Lightening Round Mission.org is a media studio producing content alongside world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

    1 hr
  3. Why Big Tech Is Spending Millions to Partner with Smart AI Startups

    JUN 11

    Why Big Tech Is Spending Millions to Partner with Smart AI Startups

    What if the next big wave in marketing isn’t about targeting people at all—but impressing their AI agents instead? Abhay Parasnis, CEO of Typeface and former CTO at Adobe, joins us to explain why the future of brand discovery is less “search bar” and more “autonomous agents doing your shopping.” Abhay makes a bold case that most traditional marketing (think SEO strategies, AB tests, and static brand books) is already becoming obsolete. Instead, the brands that win will be the ones building content systems smart enough to speak directly to intelligent agents that buy and sell on our behalf. But this conversation doesn’t stop at marketing disruption. Abhay pulls back the curtain on Typeface’s meteoric rise, driven in large part by early, strategic partnerships with companies like Microsoft, Salesforce, and Google. He argues that AI startups don’t need to outcompete the giants… they need to build what the giants can’t, and then let those giants bring them customers. It’s a refreshing take on B2B growth that flips the usual “go it alone” startup myth on its head. From identifying watermelon metrics to replacing agency workflows with AI copilots, Abhay brings sharp insight, grounded optimism, and just enough heresy to keep it interesting. If you’re trying to navigate the chaos of modern marketing, or just wondering what comes after search, this episode is your map.   Key Moments: 00:00 Abhay Parasnis: CEO of Typeface & Ex-Adobe CTO 06:48 Typeface’s Vision and Genesis 14:03 The Role of AI in Brand Management 17:29 The Future of Agencies in an AI-Driven World 25:06 Change Management and the Adoption of AI 37:46 AI in Campaign Creation and Performance Measurement 40:34 The Future of Search and SEO 46:53 Identifying High-Quality Content in AI-Driven Marketing 48:16 Offline Relationships and Physical Experiences 50:47 The Future of Partnerships in Tech 59:45 Transformation in the C-Suite 01:04:15 Relevant or Not Relevant: Quick Takes 01:05:49 The Future of Digital Content Marketing in an AI-Driven World Mission.org is a media studio producing content alongside world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

    1h 10m
  4. How Auvik’s CMO Cracked Reddit: The Untapped Goldmine for B2B Marketers

    MAY 28

    How Auvik’s CMO Cracked Reddit: The Untapped Goldmine for B2B Marketers

    Think LinkedIn is the place to reach technical buyers? Auvik CMO Susanne Rodriguez breaks down how her team built an insanely effective Reddit and Facebook strategy — yes, Facebook — to reach IT pros who dodge sales emails like it's their job (because it is). We’re talking memes that convert, subreddits that slap, and how to avoid getting flamed by Reddit mods who smell B2B fluff from a mile away. You’ll also hear how Auvik got dragged for a meme, owned it publicly, and came out stronger — a.k.a. how to market like a human. If you’ve ever uttered the words “we need more MQLs” while ignoring your company’s meme game… this one's for you. 🎯 Watch till the end — because the last 5 minutes might make you rethink your entire ABM budget.   Key Moments: 00:00 Who Is Suzanne Rodriguez, CMO at Auvik?02:50 Reddit Marketing for IT Pros: Painful, Petty, Perfect08:33 Meme Wars and Raspberry Pis: A Campaign Autopsy25:02 The Great Content Tug-of-War: Entertainment vs. Conversion27:38 Direct Traffic, Zero Conversions, and the Website that Won’t Work34:47 Getting Found in the AI Age: Search Visibility in a ChatGPT World36:13 Instagram and Facebook for IT Pros? Apparently, Yes37:29 No Faking It: Building Trust Through Realness43:36 Radical Candor and Proving the CMO Wrong50:13 Hiring for Grit, Curiosity, and a Love of Data58:21 Hot Takes, Hard Truths, and Lightning Round Wisdom Mission.org is a media studio producing content alongside world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

    1h 6m
  5. How a Simple Price Estimator Added 300% In Leads

    MAY 14

    How a Simple Price Estimator Added 300% In Leads

    You’re still optimizing for Google? That’s cute…   Marcus Sheridan, author of They Ask, You Answer, joins us for a high-energy episode, he joins host Stephanie Postles to break down why the playbook most B2B marketers are still running is dangerously outdated.   They dive deep into the collapse of traditional SEO, the rise of AI-generated answers, and why brands that aren’t building trust through video, transparency, and self-service tools are already falling behind. Marcus shares tactical examples from the likes of Liquid Death, Shasta Pools, and his own viral pool pricing content that generated $35M+ in sales. He also drops a bold prediction: your YouTube channel will soon matter more than your website.   Whether you’re a CMO tired of playing it safe or a marketer trying to sell bold ideas up the chain, this episode is your permission slip to think (and market) differently.   Key Moments:   00:00: Is Google Dead? Marcus Sheridan On Why Search Is Breaking for Marketers 00:23: Why Your YouTube Channel Will Soon Outrank Your Website 14:50: The #1 Interview Question CMOs Should Be Asking 16:39: The Big 5 Content Topics Buyers Actually Care About 29:03: Self-Service Tools: The Secret Weapon for Modern Marketers 40:55: How to Avoid the Pitfalls of Radical Transparency 43:15: Why SaaS Pricing Pages Are Failing the Modern Buyer 46:37: Will Websites Matter in 5 Years? AI Is Changing the Game Mission.org is a media studio producing content alongside world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

    1h 26m
  6. How to Outrank LLMs, Bypass AI Agents, and Actually Get Noticed!

    APR 30

    How to Outrank LLMs, Bypass AI Agents, and Actually Get Noticed!

    In a twist that flips the format, today’s Marketing Trends episode puts longtime host Stephanie in the guest seat as Lacey Peace — the show’s behind-the-scenes force for nearly a decade — grabs the mic.   What unfolds is a no-BS conversation about how AI is dismantling the old playbook, why cold emails are basically spam of the past, and what marketers need to do now to stay relevant. Stephanie unpacks why Account-Based Experiences (ABX) — not just ABM — are the new battleground for meaningful engagement, and why trust, speed, and human connection are the real growth levers in an AI-saturated world.   From digital buyer agents and decentralized discovery to building content that LLMs can’t summarize, this episode delivers sharp takes on where marketing is headed — and who’s already falling behind.   And if you're curious about cold texting, naming dogs after food, or whether mascots actually move the needle… don’t miss the lightning-fast Relevant or Irrelevant round.   Key Moments:   00:00 From 2,000 Interviews to the Hot Seat 01:08 How AI Is Reshaping B2B Marketing 02:25 The Collapse of Traditional Tactics 03:43 AI Disrupting Email & Search Marketing 04:39 Why ABX Is the Future of B2B Strategy 08:54 AI Buyer Agents Are Coming — Fast 13:32 Trust, Community & Decentralized Buying 17:07 ABM vs. ABX: What's the Real Difference? 21:34 Smarter Metrics for Long-Term Growth 23:13 LLMs vs. Google: The New Search Shift 24:46 Building Content LLMs Can’t Summarize 27:00 Enterprise Entertainment as a Marketing Play 30:39 Niche Content That Converts in B2B 33:50 Relevant or Irrelevant? Rapid-Fire Trends   Mission.org is a media studio producing content alongside world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

    40 min
  7. Bernard Slowey: Forget Chatbots! Smart Brands Are Moving to AI Agents!

    APR 16

    Bernard Slowey: Forget Chatbots! Smart Brands Are Moving to AI Agents!

    Imagine onboarding a new employee who never sleeps, speaks every language, knows all your products, and can handle thousands of customers at once. That's the reality Salesforce is building with Agentforce — and it’s already transforming customer success, marketing operations, and revenue growth. In this episode, Salesforce SVP of Digital Customer Success Bernard Slowey joins us to break down how they became Customer Zero for Agentforce, what went wrong (and right), and why agentic AI is reshaping the future of marketing and operations. If you lead marketing, operations, or customer success — and you’re serious about not falling behind — this episode is your AI playbook. Key Moments: 00:00: What Is Agentforce? Introducing Salesforce’s Digital AI Workforce  01:21: Meet Bernard Slowey: VP of Digital Customer Success at Salesforce  01:46: From AOL to Salesforce: Bernard’s Career Path Through the Tech Revolution  03:57: The Rise of AI Agents: Why Chatbots Are Officially Obsolete  06:36: AI Agents vs. Chatbots: What They Are and Why They Matter  11:22: Lessons from the Frontlines: What It Takes to Implement AI Agents  15:16: Inside Salesforce: How Agentforce Came to Life  18:55: How Salesforce Launched Agentforce in Just 4 Weeks (And What They Measured)  30:27: Rethinking Success: Metrics That Actually Matter in AI Rollouts  38:25: Why Traditional Customer Service Automation Is Failing Us  42:36: Real Use Cases: How Salesforce Clients Are Winning with Agentforce  44:11: AI Implementation Challenges (And How to Solve Them)  50:32: Cross-Functional Teams and the Future of AI Collaboration  57:18: Why AI Still Needs a Human Touch in Customer Experience  58:33: The New Job Titles and Skills Emerging in an AI-First Era  01:04:02 Human Intuition vs. AI Logic: Finding the Right Balance  01:09:35 Customer Obsession in the Age of Automation   Mission.org is a media studio producing content alongside world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

    1h 11m
  8. How GoDaddy Created The Best Super Bowl Ad With Walton Goggins

    APR 2

    How GoDaddy Created The Best Super Bowl Ad With Walton Goggins

    What does it take to launch an AI product on the biggest stage in advertising — and actually make it stick?  GoDaddy CMO Fara Howard joins us to unpack the strategy behind their standout Super Bowl campaign for GoDaddy Airo, featuring actor Walton Goggins (White Lotus, The Righteous Gemstones). From idea to execution, Fara shares how her team translated a complex product into a message that millions could instantly understand — without losing the creativity that made it unforgettable. We dive into the balance of data and storytelling, how to earn the right to be bold with your marketing, and why simplicity is a superpower in B2B. Whether you're a CMO, brand leader, or growth marketer, Fara’s insights into performance-backed creativity, product positioning, and campaign accountability will leave you rethinking how you launch, scale, and measure your next big idea. Key Moments: 00:00 Who is Fara Howard, GoDaddy CMO?00:21 Why GoDaddy Returned to the Super Bowl in 202401:37 The Evolution of GoDaddy’s Super Bowl Ad Playbook03:51 What Is GoDaddy Airo? Breaking Down the AI Product Launch05:57 Lessons from Launching a New AI Tool at Massive Scale09:30 How GoDaddy Chose Walton Goggins for the Super Bowl Spot15:56 Behind the Scenes: Building a Creative Campaign That Converts26:22 Real-World Marketing Advice from a CMO: Math vs. Magic34:43 Why Company Culture Should Shape Your Career Path35:39 A Cultural Misfit: The Vans Story You Have to Hear Mission.org is a media studio producing content alongside world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

    58 min
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4.8
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About

What happens when marketing’s sharpest minds pull back the curtain? Hosted by Stephanie Postles, Marketing Trends drops listeners into the world of trailblazing CMOs, CEOs, and visionaries who share their journeys and groundbreaking strategies. From navigating the balance between automation and human touch to leading teams through unprecedented transformation, you’re getting an unfiltered look at the lessons and ideas driving the industry forward. Whether you're leading a team or aspiring to innovate, Marketing Trends is your new secret weapon.

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