Missing Half

50 Marketing

Rather than being distracted or overwhelmed by new marketing developments, tactics, and technologies, 50 Marketing focuses on studying the strategies that truly produce results in the B2B and manufacturing world, new and old–and we want to share our findings with you. Marketing managers: You're charged with all things digital marketing--there's a lot on your plate. We're here to help you pick the most critical path of priorities among all of the options that are available as you pursue digital transformation.  Learn more about 50 Marketing's experience and playbook, keep up with marketing insights, and sit down with professionals ready to share their own stories.

  1. Private Equity Branding: The Missing Lever in Value Creation | Marc Rust | Ep 84

    19 МАР.

    Private Equity Branding: The Missing Lever in Value Creation | Marc Rust | Ep 84

    Private equity has evolved beyond financial engineering, but branding and messaging are still widely underutilized as value creation levers. In this episode of The Missing Half Podcast, Bill sits down with Marc Rust to explore how private equity firms and portfolio companies can use brand clarity, internal alignment, and audience-focused messaging to drive growth and increase valuation.Marc Rust is CEO and Founder of Consequently Creative, a creative strategist, TEDx speaker, and narrative troublemaker who helps organizations find their true voice and use it boldly. Known for bringing strategic clarity with a poetic edge, Marc works with private equity firms and portfolio companies to turn brand fog into messaging that drives alignment, growth, and differentiation.In this conversation, Marc introduces the concept of “acquisition turbulence,” explains why most companies lead with what they do instead of why it matters, and shares how better messaging can improve employee retention, customer clarity, and long-term business performance.If you’re a private equity professional, operator, or B2B leader trying to improve growth during the hold period, this episode will challenge how you think about branding and its role in value creation.https://www.50marketing.com/contact/Connect with Guest on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcrLearn more about Consequently Creative:https://www.linkedin.com/company/consequently/https://consequentlycreative.com/Connect with Bill on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-woods-i/Follow 50 Marketing:https://www.linkedin.com/company/50-marketing/Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe to our channel for more insights from industry experts, and let us know your thoughts below!

    1 ч.
  2. AI in Manufacturing: What Private Equity Operators Must Get Right in the Next 24 Months

    3 МАР.

    AI in Manufacturing: What Private Equity Operators Must Get Right in the Next 24 Months

    AI is everywhere in manufacturing right now, but most companies are still stuck in pilots, hype cycles, and half-finished experiments. In Episode 83 of The Missing Half, Bill sits down with Sebastian Chedal, Founder & CEO of Fountain City and Co-Founder of TestFox AI, to break down what it actually takes to move beyond proof-of-concept and into repeatable, scalable AI outcomes inside mid-market and enterprise manufacturing companies .Sebastian has spent decades leading digital transformation initiatives and now works directly with manufacturing leaders implementing AI in real operational environments. Together, he and Bill unpack why so many AI initiatives stall after early wins, where executive expectations disconnect from technical reality, and how poor data hygiene and undefined processes quietly sabotage promising projects. They explore the importance of humility in AI adoption, why smaller, focused implementations outperform grand transformation mandates, and how leadership maturity ultimately determines whether AI becomes a competitive advantage or an expensive experiment.The conversation also dives into one of the most pressing issues in manufacturing today: capturing tribal knowledge before it walks out the door. With a generational workforce shift underway, AI presents a powerful opportunity to preserve institutional expertise, democratize it across teams, and accelerate onboarding for the next generation of engineers and operators. Bill and Sebastian also discuss how private equity and investors are evaluating “AI-enabled” companies, how to distinguish real operational leverage from performative AI branding, and why the asymmetrical upside of AI makes experimentation not just worthwhile — but necessary.If you’re a manufacturing executive, operator, or investor trying to separate AI signal from noise, this episode offers a grounded, strategic look at what works now and what will matter most over the next 24 months.Connect with Sebastian at Fountain City: https://fountaincity.techExplore TestFox AI: https://testfox.aiConnect with Sebastian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastianchedal/Connect with Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-woods-i/Follow 50 Marketing: https://www.linkedin.com/company/50-marketing/Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe for more conversations with founders, executives, and investors shaping the future of manufacturing, marketing, and growth strategy. Let us know your biggest AI challenge in the comments below.

    52 мин.
  3. De-Risking Investments Through Strategic Marketing & GTM Systems | Brian Gustason | Ep 77

    04.12.2025

    De-Risking Investments Through Strategic Marketing & GTM Systems | Brian Gustason | Ep 77

    In this episode, Bill talks with Brian Gustason, a growth-focused operator and advisor with deep experience accelerating revenue and EBITDA across lower and middle-market B2B and technology companies. Brian has built a career transforming private equity portfolio companies through disciplined leadership, integrated revenue systems, and clear go-to-market strategy.Together, they explore how today’s private equity landscape has shifted, highlighting why capital efficiency, longer hold periods, and increased competition for higher multiples necessitate a more strategic approach to marketing, sales, and customer success. Brian outlines the patterns he sees across portfolio companies, the risks of founder-led sales, the importance of buyer clarity and differentiation, and how a strong GTM engine both fuels growth and de-risks an investment. This conversation provides practical insights for PE operators, CEOs, and those leading B2B and manufacturing organizations through value creation.Connect with Brian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-gustason/Learn more about Craig Group: https://www.craiggroup.io/Connect with Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-woods-i/Follow 50 Marketing: https://www.linkedin.com/company/50-marketing/Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe to our channel for more insights from industry experts, and let us know your thoughts below!

    1 ч.

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Rather than being distracted or overwhelmed by new marketing developments, tactics, and technologies, 50 Marketing focuses on studying the strategies that truly produce results in the B2B and manufacturing world, new and old–and we want to share our findings with you. Marketing managers: You're charged with all things digital marketing--there's a lot on your plate. We're here to help you pick the most critical path of priorities among all of the options that are available as you pursue digital transformation.  Learn more about 50 Marketing's experience and playbook, keep up with marketing insights, and sit down with professionals ready to share their own stories.