The Revenue Room™, by H2K Labs

In this episode of The Revenue Room™ Podcast, Heather Holst-Knudsen and David explore how B2B media companies can shift from chasing volume to delivering efficiency. Instead of overwhelming audiences with endless information, the winning strategy is helping professionals find the right insights faster and make better decisions with less friction.Why Listen:Learn why audience time is the most valuable currency in mediaUnderstand how B2B media companies can shift from content volume to decision valueHear how media platforms and trade shows work together to build stronger industry ecosystemsDiscover how trusted industry brands can create new revenue by reducing complexity for their audienceCONNECT WITH DAVID: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidnewcorn/About RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

In this episode of The Revenue Room, host Heather Holst-Knudsen sits down with Jacob Donnelly, founder of A Media Operator (AMO). They discuss why media business models built on algorithmic traffic are operating on borrowed time, and why anyone dependent on it is simply "done for". Between the threat of AI replicating "average" content and a shifting M&A landscape heavily influenced by Private Equity, the old publishing playbook is broken. Jacob reveals how the smartest CEOs are future-proofing their businesses by abandoning the mass-reach illusion and building a durable "three-legged stool": Media, Events, and Data.Why Listen:Learn why Artificial Intelligence makes "average" content obsolete, and why CEOs need to have hard conversations with PE owners about compressing short-term EBITDA to invest heavily in elite, proprietary content.Discover why publishers must prioritize the Lifetime Value (LTV) of their audience and treat advertising as a high-margin secondary model behind reader revenue—much like Uber's advertising model. Understand the current M&A market, why Private Equity buyers assign premium valuations to diversified media and event assets, and why pure-play event companies are leaving massive value on the table.Hear the hard truth on why the easiest way to make 7 figures is a media company, but the hardest way to make 8 figures is a media company.Find out why founder-led companies with clear-cut voices and rapid decisiveness drastically outperform executive-run media brands during times of industry disruption.About RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

In this episode of The Revenue Room™, host Heather Holst-Knudsen sits down with Max Gabriel, the Co-Founder and CEO of Markus AI. Drawing on his extensive experience as the former Chief Transformation Officer at Informa and leading tech transformations at Pfizer, Max discusses the monumental shift from the bloated "Tool Economy" of SaaS apps to the highly anticipated "Agent Economy". He shares the secrets behind building Informa's massive IIRIS data engine—which captured over 1.8 billion audience interactions—and how he empowers ordinary teams to achieve extraordinary things.Why ListenDiscover the "Agent Economy": Learn why the era of overpaying for 15,000 fragmented SaaS tools is coming to an end, and how AI agents will soon orchestrate complex, multi-step workflows.Master Data Transformation: Uncover practical strategies for organizing siloed data, deploying data lakes, and balancing compliance with commercial revenue generation in complex enterprise environments.Leadership Insights: Find out how to inspire cross-functional teams and secure the top-down leadership buy-in required to execute massive tech projects successfully.The Future of Events: See how AI event crews are replacing clunky event apps to deliver intentional connections, contextual matchmaking, and actionable ROI for sponsors and attendees.CONNECT WITH MAX GABRIEL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxgabriel/About RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

In this episode of The Revenue Room™ Podcast, Heather Holst-Knudsen sits down with Billy Carney, Co-Founder of RocaNews, to explore how a next-generation media company built for Gen Z turned social attention into owned revenue and profitability.Launched in 2020 as an Instagram experiment, RocaNews has grown to more than 3 million followers and subscribers across social platforms, newsletters, a gamified news app, and YouTube. With a lean team of roughly 11 people, the company became profitable in late 2024 and quickly crossed $1M in annual recurring revenue, challenging long-held assumptions about young audiences, subscriptions, and media economics.Why ListenThis episode is essential listening for CEOs and media executives who are:Rethinking audience growth in a platform-first worldLooking to diversify revenue beyond advertisingExploring product-led growth in media and information servicesTrying to reach Gen Z without eroding brand trustBuilding sustainable, profitable media businesses in a data-driven economyConnect with Billy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billy-carney-02a041152/If you’re a CEO, CRO, product leader, or media operator navigating the future of digital media, this conversation delivers practical insight into how new business models are being built from the ground up.About RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

In this episode of The Revenue Room™, host Heather Holst-Knudsen sits down with visionary media and advertising executive, President and Founder of Monarch Advisory Collective, Laura Molen. With a career spanning MTV Networks, Paramount, Univision, and NBCUniversal, Laura has had a front-row seat to every major shift in media over the last two decades. Laura shares her incredible journey of navigating constant industry disruption—from the days when cable challenged broadcast television, to the rise of social media fandoms, to the streaming revolution. She offers an inside look at how she spearheaded NBCUniversal’s "One Platform" cross-channel strategy, successfully led the high-stakes launch of Peacock's ad-supported streaming business, and ultimately made the brave personal decision to step away from the C-suite to focus on her family and advisory work.Key Takeaways:• Disruption is an Environment, Not a Phase: Leaders must stop waiting for periods of transition to settle down.• Sell the Vision Before the Proof Exists: When launching the ad-supported tier of Peacock, Molen’s team had just six weeks to secure 10 exclusive launch partners without any historical data to prove it would work. • Break Down Internal Silos to Focus on the Customer: A major hurdle at NBCUniversal was that teams were selling in rigid product silos (broadcast, cable, digital, etc.). • Leverage and Monetize "Fandom": To truly connect with audiences, brands must tap into existing passions. Molen highlighted a BravoCon partnership where Lay's created custom potato chip recipes based on Real Housewives cast members, leading the brand to trend in the top three on Twitter. • Secure Executive "Air Cover" to Break Legacy Rules: Driving massive transformation requires the backing of visionary leaders.About RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

Revenue isn't just about transactions; it's about creating ecosystems where value compounds across multiple stakeholders. In this episode of The Revenue Room™, host Heather Holst-Knudsen sits down with Michelle Metter, CEO and Co-Founder of Fast Forward Events, to decode how modern event leaders build scalable, accelerated growth strategies.Over the last two decades, Michelle has transformed a regional food festival into a nationally recognized economic driver, proving that live experiences aren't cost centers—they are sophisticated revenue platforms. Today, she services over 100,000 industry professionals annually across a growing portfolio of interconnected B2B and B2C properties. In this episode, we unpack her playbook for turning live media and events into dynamic ecosystems where consumer passion directly fuels B2B growth.Key Takeaways:• The B2B/B2C Hybrid Ecosystem: Discover how converging B2C consumer events with B2B trade initiatives allows your sales team to meet almost any brand objective and solve multiple stakeholder challenges.• Mastering "Evolutionary Management": Learn Michelle's unique philosophy of intentionally treating every cultural movement as a direct revenue opportunity.• Leveraging Data as Demand Signals: Understand why you should stop viewing attendees as mere ticket-buyers. Learn how to use registration data to predict future travel trends, attract non-endemic sponsors, and justify your pricing.• Engineering Viral Brand Activations: Ditch the standard "menu" sponsorships. Hear the story behind the famous Monkey Shoulder Porta-Potty Speakeasy, a surprise activation that generated massive social engagement, residual media value, and raised the bar for all other event sponsors.• Building Resilience Through Diversification: Hear a real-world case study on pivoting during a crisis with the launch of "Pitch Box Media". Learn why diversifying across new industry verticals protects your business against market compression.• Empowering Women in Leadership: Discover the importance of building diverse teams, fostering mentorship, and teaching women to overcome the fear of "asking" and inserting themselves into spaces where they belong.About RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

In this episode, host Heather Holst-Knudsen is joined by industry titan Doug Emslie, Chairman, Cuil Bay Capital & Raccoon Media Group; former CEO, Tarsus Group With a career spanning "nearly a third of a century", from negotiating multi-million pound deals in his 20s to guiding Tarsus to a billion-dollar exit—Doug offers a masterclass on the tension between financial efficiency and creative soul.Doug discusses the dangers of "optimizing serendipity out of existence," the rise of the Middle East as a global event hub, and why the trust component of face-to-face interaction will command a higher premium in an AI-saturated world.Key Takeaways:• The Geographic Market Shift: The global map is changing. Legacy markets like Germany are losing ground because they fail to deliver energy and fun. Meanwhile, the Middle East is capturing market share, with LEAP in Saudi Arabia dethroning CES as the largest technology show.• The Trust Premium: As artificial intelligence floods digital channels with synthetic content, face-to-face interaction commands a premium. Live events are the only remaining environment where buyers and sellers can verify reality.• Engineering Strategic "Inefficiency": Deep relationships require shared experiences. Jacobs Media structures 30-minute meetings with 25 minutes dedicated to an experience and only five minutes for business. At TrailCon, organizers replaced standard expo formats with a 100-meter sprint for elite ultra-runners, creating viral social media engagement.• Time Creation: Technology must handle the mundane. Using AI for sales prospecting and list building should buy leaders 20 percent of their day back specifically to think and execute creative strategy.About RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

In this engaging conversation, Taylor Kessel-Salomonsson, Chief Growth Officer at Naylor Association Solutions, shares her unconventional career journey from marketing to revenue leadership. She emphasizes the importance of storytelling in sales, the need for organizational alignment, and the significance of understanding the buyer journey. Taylor introduces the bow tie model as a new approach to viewing the customer lifecycle and discusses key metrics for revenue success. She also highlights the role of content as a growth engine and the differences between PE-backed and VC-backed companies. Throughout the discussion, Taylor provides valuable insights for CEOs and revenue leaders on becoming more data-driven and building strong relationships with C-suite stakeholders.Takeaways:Taylor's career path is unconventional, starting in marketing and transitioning to revenue leadership.A strong marketing foundation is crucial for building effective revenue engines.Organizational alignment is key to overcoming revenue challenges.Understanding the buyer journey is essential for effective sales strategies.The bow tie model provides a comprehensive view of the customer lifecycle.Key metrics include volume, velocity, conversion rates, and time to value.Content should be viewed as a growth engine, not just a lead generation tool.PE-backed companies focus on efficient growth, while VC-backed companies prioritize rapid scaling.Taylor's transition to Naylor involved unpacking complex revenue challenges.The gap index presents opportunities for media companies to leverage their data.CEOs should ask about CAC to LTV ratios to understand revenue generation.Data is a starting point for conversations with C-suite stakeholders.About RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

In this episode of The Revenue Room™ Podcast, Heather Holst-Knudsen sits down with Mark Shashoua, CEO of Hyve Group, to unpack how Hyve has built a portfolio of market-leading, founder-led events backed by private equity while maintaining performance, culture, and long-term growth.Mark shares Hyve’s acquisition philosophy, why protecting founder vision matters, and how events are shifting from floor space and sponsorships to data-driven meetings, performance guarantees, and year-round ecosystems. The conversation also explores navigating economic downturns, scaling brands globally, and why public markets often undervalue events businesses.WHY LISTENIf you’re responsible for scaling revenue in events, media, or information services, this episode offers a rare, operator-level view of what growth really looks like at scale.You’ll gain insight into:How to scale through acquisitions without losing culture or qualityWhy events must shift from transactions to performance-based revenueHow data-driven meetings and curated experiences prove ROIHow to hedge risk during economic uncertaintyWhy long-term thinking often requires private ownershipThis episode is essential listening for leaders building durable, defensible growth in experience-led businesses.CONNECT WITH MARK : https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-shashoua-956b8b12/About RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

In this episode of The Revenue Room™ Podcast, Heather Holst-Knudsen is joined by Marilu Paez, managing director and co-founder of Events Venture Group (EVG), for an insightful conversation on why operational know-how and strategic guidance are just as critical as capital for early-stage event ventures.Marilu shares how she transitioned from 17 years in senior leadership roles across major tech companies in Mexico to building EVG in Miami—a nonprofit consortium connecting event founders with seasoned operators and investors. She breaks down how EVG evaluates ventures, the signals investors watch for, and what makes an events business truly investment-ready. Drawing on her experience scaling Intuit in Mexico and advising early-stage founders, Marilu explains why collaboration accelerates growth, how founders can avoid common mistakes, and the strategic play behind EVG’s four standout investments: Quantum World Congress, Deep Tech Momentum, Explor, and Stable Con.WHY LISTENThis episode is essential listening for CEOs, founders, and event entrepreneurs who are:Seeking guidance on scaling early-stage events with limited capital and resourcesNavigating operational, strategic, and investor expectationsLooking to build sustainable, profitable, and investable event businessesCurious about how mentorship, community, and strategic capital intersect in the events ecosystemInterested in actionable lessons from industry veterans who have built and exited major eventsIf you’re a founder, investor, or operator in the events, media, or data-driven experience industries, this episode offers practical insights and frameworks for turning a passionate idea into a scalable, revenue-generating business.CONNECT WITH MARILU: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marilu-paez/About RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

In this episode of The Revenue Room™ Podcast, Heather Holst-Knudsen is joined by Lia Bliss, CEO of Bliss Magic Consulting, for a timely and eye-opening conversation on why LinkedIn has become one of the most misunderstood yet most powerful revenue platforms in the digital economy.Lia breaks down how executives are still treating LinkedIn like a digital resume or announcement board and why that mindset is quietly limiting reach, credibility, and enterprise value. Drawing on proprietary LinkedIn algorithm research and hands-on experience training global sales teams and CEOs, Lia reframes LinkedIn as the modern boardroom where conversations drive relationships, trust influences valuation, and visibility translates into revenue.WHY LISTENThis episode is essential listening for CEOs and revenue leaders who are:Using LinkedIn as a resume or announcement channel instead of a growth engineNavigating algorithm and AI-driven changes in visibility and reachLooking to convert executive presence into credibility and enterprise valueRethinking how conversations, not broadcasts, drive growthBuilding authority in a market where trust is digital-firstIf you’re a CEO, CRO, CMO, founder, or operator responsible for growth in a data- and AI-driven economy, this episode offers a clear, practical framework for turning LinkedIn into a strategic revenue asset rather than a passive platform.CONNECT WITH LIA: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liabliss/About RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

In this episode of The Revenue Room™ Podcast, Heather Holst-Knudsen sits down with Philip Thomas, Chief Creative Officer at Informa PLC and Chairman of Cannes Lions, to unpack why creativity, experience, and human connection have become some of the most powerful revenue levers in today’s data- and AI-driven economy.From the transformation of Cannes Lions into a global brand ecosystem, to why public markets consistently undervalue event businesses, Philip shares a candid, operator-level view of what actually drives long-term enterprise value in B2B media and events.This conversation explores how innovation must be paired with process, why not every business should chase a 365 model, and how AI will ultimately increase, not replace, the value of in-person connection.Why ListenThis episode is essential for leaders who are:Rethinking creativity, experience, and brand as core revenue driversNavigating the shift from transactional events to experience-led ecosystemsManaging complex global portfolios across media, events, and communitiesBalancing innovation, process, and scalability in growth strategiesEvaluating when 365 engagement models make sense — and when they don’tUnderstanding AI’s role in trust, authenticity, and human connectionIf you’re a CEO, CMO, CRO, or revenue-critical executive building for 2025 and beyond, Philip’s insights offer clarity, perspective, and a grounded framework for creating long-term enterprise value.CONNECT WITH PHILIP THOMASLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-thomas-127a541/About RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

In this episode of The Revenue Room™ Podcast, Heather Holst-Knudsen sits down with Jason Bateman, Vice President of Community at XPRIZE, for a deep exploration of what it truly takes to build, scale, and sustain high-impact communities.Jason brings more than 25 years of experience designing and growing elite membership organizations, from Vistage to XPRIZE. He shares hard-earned insights on why community is not a “nice-to-have,” but a strategic growth engine when executed with intention, discipline, and care. This conversation goes beyond surface-level engagement tactics and dives into the mechanics of trust, curation, retention, and long-term value creation.This episode is a masterclass in community as infrastructure: how purpose-driven networks compound value, how diversity strengthens group dynamics, and why leadership, curation, and accountability determine whether a community thrives or fails.WHY LISTENThis episode is essential for CEOs, founders, and revenue-critical leaders who are:Building executive communities, networks, or membershipsStruggling with churn, engagement, or long-term retentionRethinking community as a business model, not a side projectLooking to align purpose, growth, and measurable impactExploring how innovation ecosystems actually scaleIf you’re a leader who believes community can drive both economic and societal outcomes, this conversation offers practical frameworks, real-world lessons, and a powerful reminder: the right people, curated with care, can change everything.CONNECT WITH JASON: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonbateman/About RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

In this episode of The Revenue Room™, Heather Holst-Knudsen sits down with Janice Liu, the Mantis Group CEO reveals why "every company is a data company" whether they like it or not. Janice breaks down her proprietary methodology for appraising data assets—often proving they are worth more than a company's traditional operating business—and explains how this valuation can radically increase M&A multiples. We dive deep into "shadow inefficiencies," the mechanics of brokering data deals with Large Language Models (LLMs), and why ethical consent is the single most critical factor in future-proofing your revenue. If you think your data is just a compliance risk, this conversation will change your entire balance sheet. WHY LISTENThis episode is essential for leaders who are:Leading transformation inside legacy or scaled organizationsManaging growth through acquisitions or portfolio complexityAligning leadership teams during periods of uncertaintyUsing data to drive clarity and confidence in decision-makingNavigating AI disruption without losing organizational trustBalancing performance, culture, and long-term value creationIf you’re a CEO, CMO, CRO, or senior operator steering an organization through change, this episode delivers grounded, experience-driven perspective.CONNECT WITH JANICE LIU: linkedin.com/in/janice-liu-89905620About RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

In this episode of The Revenue Room Podcast, Heather Holst-Knudsen sits down with Diana Florescu, Founder and CEO of Media for Growth, to unpack one of the most powerful alternative funding models reshaping consumer brand growth and media monetization today: Media for Equity.With more than 25 years of global precedent and recent expansion from Europe into the U.S., Media for Equity is gaining momentum as media companies and brands rethink capital efficiency, valuation, and long-term growth. Diana explains why this model is accelerating now, how it transforms underutilized media inventory into equity value, and why it offers a compelling path for both media owners and high-growth consumer brands.WHY LISTEN This episode is essential for executives who are: Exploring Media for Equity as a revenue or investment strategyDiversifying media revenue beyond traditional ad salesSupporting challenger brands without increasing cash burnTreating brand as a growth driver, not a cost centerNavigating valuation, liquidity, and exit pathsTurning underutilized media inventory into long-term equity valueIf you’re a CEO, CRO, CFO, investor, or corporate development leader operating at the intersection of media, consumer growth, and capital strategy, this episode provides a practical framework for understanding Media for Equity and its role in modern revenue growth.CONNECT WITH DIANA: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianaflorescuAbout RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

In this episode of The Revenue Room™, Heather Holst-Knudsen sits down with Christine Shaw, CEO and President of Naylor Association Solutions, to explore how modern associations are transforming their business models in a data-driven, AI-accelerated world. Christine shares how her leadership was shaped in high-velocity environments at PennWell and Future PLC, why clean data is the ultimate stabilizer in disruption, and how she built the business analyst role that now powers insights and decision-making across every organization she leads.Christine breaks down the complexity of Naylor’s multi-line business—from member communications and job boards to AMS technology platforms—and explains how associations can stay relevant as generational shifts reshape how people consume information, learn, and build community. She also offers a candid look at how AI is transforming internal workflows, client-facing products, and the future of year-round member engagement.Why listenThis episode is essential for leaders who are: • Navigating the shift from legacy business models to intelligence-driven operations • Building scalable, privacy-aware data foundations • Managing complex multi-line revenue organizations • Reimagining sales, marketing, and community engagement in an AI-first world • Leading multi-generational teams through disruption • Seeking a practical roadmap for modernizing associations, media companies, or membership-driven businessesIf you’re a CEO, CMO, CRO, association leader, or revenue-critical executive building for 2025 and beyond, Christine’s insights offer clarity, direction, and a blueprint for sustainable growth.CONNECT WITH CHRISTINE SHAWLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christineashaw/About RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

In this episode of The Revenue Room™, Heather Holst-Knudsen sits down with Sean Griffey, co-founder and former CEO of Industry Dive, one of the biggest B2B media success stories of the past decade.Sean shares the real playbook behind scaling Industry Dive from five scrappy newsletters into a multi-vertical powerhouse that reached millions of executives, generated $100M+ in revenue, and ultimately sold to Informa for over $500M.Heather and Sean unpack what made the model work—from niche-audience obsession, to portfolio-wide sales strategy, to operational discipline most media companies still struggle to adopt. Sean also reflects on intent data, first-party strategies, sales org structure, account penetration, AI’s impact on search and audience behavior, and the evolving relationship between digital media and events.This is a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how one of the most respected operators in B2B media built a modern, high-margin, high-value company by focusing on what really matters: audience, product, and customer outcomes.Why ListenListen to this episode if you’re a leader who is:Rethinking your B2B media or marketing modelTrying to build repeatable, scalable revenue across multiple verticalsNavigating audience quality, first-party data, or intent strategyRe-architecting your sales org for enterprise accountsPreparing for AI’s impact on audience acquisition and customer valueSearching for sustainable, high-margin business model lessonsIf you’re a CEO, founder, CMO, CRO, or revenue-critical operator, this conversation will reshape how you think about modern B2B growth.About RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

In this episode of The Revenue Room™, Heather Holst-Knudsen sits down with Amanda Landsaw, Chief Marketing Officer at EndeavorB2B, to unpack how one of the industry’s largest B2B media and intelligence platforms is transforming into a modern data-driven growth engine.From rebranding a legacy publisher into a full-scale intelligence business, to redefining audience value, to building privacy-first data systems that still unlock revenue—Amanda offers a candid, strategic look at what it really takes to scale in an AI-powered, fast-moving B2B landscape.They also dive deep into the new role of the CMO, the rise of audience lifetime value as a mission-critical KPI, the realities of sales–marketing alignment, and how organizations can responsibly integrate AI without slowing their teams down.Why ListenThis episode is essential for leaders who are:- Navigating the shift from legacy media to intelligence-driven business models- Building scalable, privacy-first data strategies- Reimagining sales–marketing alignment for a multi-product world- Preparing teams for AI adoption without overwhelming them- Redefining audience engagement, value, and lifetime impactIf you’re a CEO, CMO, CRO, or revenue-critical leader building for 2026 and beyond, this conversation is a blueprint for modern transformation.About RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

In this powerful and wide-ranging conversation, Heather Holst-Knudsen sits down with Blair LaCorte—Founder and Managing Director of LaCorte Ventures —to unpack what truly drives performance, transformation, and long-term success in business and in life.Blair has led and scaled companies across aviation, entertainment, AI, private equity, and tech. He’s built the world’s largest private charter airline, run the global leader in live event production, navigated major turnarounds, and coached some of the highest-performing CEOs in the country. But what makes this episode extraordinary is his radical clarity about why businesses win—and why leaders fail.Together, Heather and Blair dive into the essential truths leaders often overlook: how to identify the “one thing” that matters in your business model, why patterns and people are the real drivers of performance, how AI is reshaping the workforce, and why self-awareness—not strategy—is a CEO’s greatest competitive advantage.They also explore Blair’s work in longevity and healthspan at the Buck Institute, what CEOs can learn from athletes, and why community, authenticity, and curiosity may be the most powerful business levers of all.Why ListenThis episode is essential for leaders who are navigating:Business model transformationAI-driven shifts in operations, talent, and salesScaling teams while reducing complexityDecision-making under pressurePersonal performance, energy, and longevityBuilding communities and tribes that accelerate growthIf you're a CEO, founder, investor, or ambitious operator who wants to grow smarter—not just harder— This conversation is a blueprint for leading, scaling, and thriving in the new era of business. About RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

In this insightful conversation, Heather Holst-Knudsen sits down with Michael Barnett, CEO of InGo, and a leading expert in digital transformation and data-driven business strategies to explore the systems, processes, and leadership approaches that drive predictable revenue growth in complex B2B environments.Michael shares practical strategies for building revenue operating plans, aligning critical roles, and using data to uncover opportunities and measure impact—while also highlighting the cultural and leadership shifts needed to make revenue processes stick.Why ListenThis episode is essential listening for revenue leaders, executives, and operators who are:Turning revenue into a repeatable, scalable processAligning teams and roles around data-driven growthOptimizing KPIs for measurable business impactLeading organizations through operational and cultural change If your goal is to transform uncertainty into a steady growth trajectory, this conversation delivers actionable strategies for the year ahead. About RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

In this powerful conversation, Heather Holst-Knudsen sits down with two industry innovators—Allison Markert of Future PLC and Jaime Schultheis of Bombora—to unpack how data, AI, and intent intelligence are redefining the future of media and revenue growth.Together, they reveal how Future PLC’s massive B2B portfolio is leveraging first-party and intent data to uncover hidden buyers, build audience intelligence, and measure real business impact—while also tackling the leadership and cultural shifts needed to thrive in an AI-driven economy.Why ListenThis episode is essential listening for leaders in media, marketing, or technology who are:Shifting from impressions to impactBuilding data-fueled growth strategiesNavigating AI transformationLeading teams through rapid changeIf you’re a CEO, CMO, CRO, or data-driven decision maker redefining growth in 2025 and beyond, this episode is your playbook.Resources & MentionsRevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy.Across two intensive days — March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort, St. Petersburg, FL — the event functions as a high-stakes strategy lab where leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver.From revenue engines to board expectations, RevvedUP equips executives to turn data, disruption, and intelligent reinvention into competitive advantage. Click here to learn more:  https://info.h2klabs.com/revvedup-2026About RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

In this episode of Revenue Room™, Jerry Li shares his hard-won lessons on building, scaling, and thriving in the age of AI. From navigating the leap from startup scrappiness to sustainable scale, to reshaping work and leadership for the next economy, Jerry’s playbook is equal parts visionary and practical.You’ll learn how to:Rethink growth strategies beyond short-term winsLead teams through rapid innovation cyclesHarness AI without losing the human edgePrepare your business for the economy that’s coming nextWhether you’re a founder, operator, or future-focused leader, Jerry’s insights will change how you think about growth, technology, and the future of work.About Jerry LiJerry Li is the CEO and Co-Founder of Gradual, the all-in-one community platform built to turn engagement into insight and scale connection with purpose. Before starting Gradual, he led engineering teams at Amazon and Groupon, focusing on building systems at scale and mentoring emerging leaders.  His passion for community took shape through building ELC—the Engineering Leadership Community—which has grown into the world’s largest and most recognized network for engineering leaders and executives. What began as small, in-person gatherings evolved into a global community. During the shift to virtual at the start of the pandemic, the internal tools created to support ELC became the foundation for Gradual.  Today, Gradual powers communities for companies like OpenAI, Perplexity, Fiverr, Scale AI, and Siemens. Jerry remains focused on helping organizations build community-led ecosystems that drive growth, deepen relationships, and unlock collective intelligence.About RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

In this episode of The Revenue Room™, Pete Pachal, founder of The Media Copilot and longtime tech journalist, joins Heather Holst-Knudsen for a sharp, future-forward conversation on how AI is reshaping the media landscape. From the decline of brand trust to the rise of zero-click content, Pete unpacks the brutal clarity that AI brings—and why it may force media companies to finally prove their real value.Key Topics Discussed:Why AI’s biggest disruption isn’t productivity—it’s radical transparency.How zero-click content is changing content discovery and engagement.Why media brands must differentiate or risk being buried by algorithms.The case for authenticity as the next competitive advantage.What tech’s evolution tells us about the future of media.How Pete built The Media Copilot to help publishers and marketers navigate the AI transition.What it takes to thrive in a world where AI can replicate—but not originate—trust.About Pete PachalPete Pachal is the founder of The Media Copilot, a consulting and strategy platform for helping media and marketing leaders make sense of AI. He is also a longtime tech journalist, having served in editorial leadership roles at CoinDesk, Mashable, and PCMag. Pete is known for his sharp analysis and ability to demystify emerging technologies in plain language. He’s appeared as a tech expert on The Today Show, CNN, Fox Business, CNBC, and more.About RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

In this episode of The Revenue Room™, Samantha Skey, CEO of SHE Media, shares her bold, human-centered take on leadership, AI disruption, and the future of digital publishing. From reframing imposter syndrome as a systemic issue to building a diversified media model grounded in authenticity, Samantha offers a masterclass in leading with courage, clarity, and purpose in a time of massive change.Key Topics Discussed:-How Samantha approaches leadership with a focus on ethics, empathy, and long-term impact—not just short-term performance.-The tension between AI as an operational asset vs. existential threat to publishers.-Her prediction of a new industry for authenticity verification in content.-Samantha redefined imposter syndrome as a systemic issue, not a personal flaw.-A call to redesign environments to be more inclusive of non-traditional leaders.-SHE Media’s three-pronged business model: owned brands, creator monetization, and immersive brand partnerships.-The importance of leveraging both quantitative and qualitative inputs to drive business decisions.About Samantha SkeyAbout Samantha Skey Samantha Skey is CEO of SHE Media, a top 10 media company reaching 80 million monthly unique visitors through brands like SheKnows, Flow Space, StyleCaster, Soaps, and TVLine. Acquired by Penske Media Corporation in 2018, SHE Media also operates one of the largest networks of independent lifestyle publishers and creators in the U.S. via the SHE Media Collective, which Skey launched in 2016 to support underrepresented voices.In 2021, she introduced Meaningful Marketplaces (MMP), helping advertisers scale media buys while supporting premium independent media. That equity-driven mission continued with the 2023 launch of Flow Space, a women’s health platform that won Anthem and Viddy Gold Awards. She also led the debut of SHE Media’s Co-Lab Whole Life Health at SXSW, earning honors from Fierce Pharma and the Anthem Awards.With over 25 years in digital media and tech, Skey has held leadership roles at CNET, Disney, RecycleBank, and SheKnows. She’s been honored by Ad Age, Folio, and DM News, and serves on the boards of The Ad Council, World Surf League, and Acast. She lives in Princeton with her husband and two children and coaches girls’ lacrosse on weekends.About RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

What do hamster photos, AI-powered marketing, and global event domination have in common? In this episode, Heather Holst-Knudsen sits down with Laura Davidson, CEO and co-founder of Tag Digital, to uncover how she turned a scrappy startup into a global performance marketing powerhouse for events. From their first client win with UBM to building AI-powered digital twins and tackling the zero-click future, Laura shares bold insights on data, creative, authenticity, and the leadership grit it takes to grow in a rapidly changing market.Key Topics CoveredHow Tag Digital went from local web agency to global event marketing leaderThe hamster photo dispute that sparked their pivot to eventsWhy clean, segmented data is non-negotiable for ROIAI, automation, and the rise of the zero-click economyWhy emotional creative and authenticity drive true event successHow AI will change attribution—and why media mix modeling is your new best friendBuilding confidence, adaptability, and humor as leadership superpowersAbout Laura DavidsonLaura Davidson is currently the CEO and Director at Tag Digital, a company specializing in paid media across various platforms exclusively within the events sector. With over 2500 event campaigns run annually in 40 countries, Laura has a wealth of experience in this field. Prior to her role at Tag Digital, Laura worked as a Lecturer at the Digital Marketing Institute, teaching courses in SEO, PPC, ecommerce, and analytics. She also worked as the Communications Director at Moviecom.tv and as a Contributing Writer at LiPulse Magazine. Laura holds a 2:1 degree in Law and English from the University of Strathclyde.About RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

In this episode of The Revenue Room, host Heather Holst-Knudsen speaks with Michelle Troop, Chief Revenue Officer of Ai4, the world’s largest artificial intelligence event. Michelle shares how she helped scale Ai4 from boutique gatherings into an 8,000+ attendee juggernaut—and how her entrepreneurial mindset has led to multiple successful event acquisitions.She breaks down the playbook behind Ai4’s revenue transformation, including:How to enable your sales team to go beyond square footageWhy modern sponsors expect customization and real-time ROIHow to use AI tools like ChatGPT to boost outbound performanceRethinking hosted buyer models and 1:1 meetingsWhat signals you're ready to scale or sellWhether you lead events, sales, or strategy, Michelle’s insights will inspire you to rethink how you monetize audience, data, and content in today’s fast-moving B2B environment.About Michelle TroopMichelle Troop is currently the Chief Revenue Officer of Ai4, the largest and most significant international artificial intelligence event, which was recently acquired by CloserStill Media—a global events organization with over 200 award-winning brands spanning Business Technology, Learning, HR & Education, Healthcare, and Future Transport & Infrastructure.With over 35 years of trade show experience across consumer events, trade shows, and conferences, Michelle has consistently transformed and scaled events into industry-leading platforms. Her career highlights include rebuilding key trade shows into Trade Show Top 35 events, traveling the globe for the launch of the original PlayStation, and—over the past 13 years—co-founding and building several premier events such as InsureTech Connect (ITC), Mobile Apps Unlocked (MAU), and LeadsCon. All of these grew from launch to critical mass and were ultimately acquired by Clarion and Access Intelligence.Most recently, she helped reshape the strategy and scale of Ai4, growing it from a series of 300-person events in New York into the leading global AI event, drawing over 8,000 attendees to Las Vegas.Michelle is passionate not only about building great events, but also building exceptional teams. Together, they’ve delivered exponential growth in attendance, revenue, and audience experience.When she's not driving innovation in the events world, Michelle enjoys rescuing anAbout RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

In this episode, Heather sits down with Brian Weaver, the innovative mind behind Chronicle, MEDQOR's proprietary data platform that is redefining how B2B media companies deliver performance and prove ROI.Brian shares the story of acquiring MEDQOR in 2009—then a traditional print publisher—and turning it into a data-powered marketing engine that delivers buyer intelligence, real-time leads, and measurable outcomes. He pulls back the curtain on how Chronicle combines AI, CRM integration, and predictive analytics to create a completely new value proposition for healthcare marketers—and how it’s scalable across verticals.This is a masterclass for any media, events, or B2B leader looking to move beyond impressions and into the era of performance-proofed media.Key Takeaways:Why media companies need to evolve from content sellers to strategic growth partnersHow Chronicle turns passive media engagement into revenue-driving buyer signalsWhat it takes to build proprietary platforms that deliver guaranteed performanceThe power of first-party data in transforming advertiser relationships and revenue modelsWhy today’s marketers demand proof—and how media companies can rise to meet itAbout Brian WeaverBrian is the Chairman of MEDQOR, a healthcare intelligence media company and CEO of Torch.AI, an AI-powered data infrastructure platform. He’s an expert in behavioral data science and enterprise-grade machine learning and an endurance athlete who brings that same mindset to business transformation.Connect with Brian on LinkedInAbout RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

In this episode of The Revenue Room Podcast, Heather Holst-Knudsen sits down with Anne Lafère, Co-CEO of Easyfairs, to explore how the company is transforming the events industry through deep digital integration, centralized technology, and a fiercely data-driven culture. Anne shares how Easyfairs uses AI to improve personalization, predict attendee no-shows, and enhance both customer and employee experience. They discuss the company’s transition from family-owned to private equity-backed, the power of a co-CEO leadership model, and why Easyfairs is eyeing global expansion—including the U.S. market.Anne also dives into how her team operationalizes innovation—from acquisitions and onboarding to training and talent management—backed by a proprietary data lake and real-time dashboards. With a focus on mission alignment and sustainable growth, she offers tactical and strategic insights for leaders navigating rapid change in a tech-driven world.About RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

In this episode of The Revenue Room, host Heather Holst-Knudsen sits down with Orson Francescone, Managing Director of FT Live—the global events division of the Financial Times. Under Orson’s leadership, FT Live has delivered record-breaking growth, producing over 240 events in 2024 alone.Join us as we explore Orson’s 20-year journey in the B2B events industry, from his early days as a conference producer to running massive global trade shows, and now leading one of the most innovative event organizations in the world. We dig into:How FT Live blends editorial credibility with commercial performanceBalancing scale with quality in a rapidly growing event portfolioThe rise of hybrid events and how they’re driving first-party data and subscriber growthAI’s impact on the event industry—and why the barriers to entry are falling fastThe future of event production, personalization, and content repurposingWhy the venue matters (and the story behind a luxury event in Venice)Whether you’re in media, marketing, or events, this episode is packed with insights on strategy, innovation, and staying competitive in the modern data-driven economy.About RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

In this episode, Tina Hannagan, EVP & GM of Asset Intelligence at Fusable, shares how she led the transformation of Fusable from a traditional media business into a data powerhouse. Tina discusses the journey from siloed brands to a unified data strategy, the importance of strategic partnerships, and how data integration enhances customer value. She also dives into the role of AI, sales transformation, and leadership development in building a modern revenue organization.🔹 Key Topics:Breaking down data silos to deliver integrated solutionsLeveraging AI to accelerate data insights and transactionsStrategic partnerships for expanding market reachTransforming sales teams to drive revenue growthLeadership lessons in change management🎧 Tune in to discover how Fusable is redefining customer value through data-driven innovation.About RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

Narisa Wild, Chief Digital Officer at Clarion Events North America, joins The Revenue Room to share her expertise in leading digital transformation and championing AI-driven initiatives in the events and media industries. From building customer-centric experiences to leveraging cutting-edge technologies, Narisa provides actionable insights on how businesses can future-proof themselves while creating value for customers and employees alike. This episode is a must-listen for leaders navigating the evolving landscape of data, digital, and customer engagement.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Rethinking Digital Transformation: Why digital transformation should be viewed as "customer transformation" and how focusing on customer needs drives real results.AI-Powered Innovation: Real-world examples of how Clarion Events uses AI to enhance attendee experiences, create personalized outreach, and generate deeper insights from events.Preparing for the Next Generation: Strategies for engaging Gen Z and Gen A to ensure long-term success in a rapidly evolving marketplace.Value-Based Leadership: How humility, accountability, and active listening can transform organizational culture and boost employee retention.Disrupting the Status Quo: Lessons from launching City Eats to compete with OpenTable and how they apply to event and media innovation today.Key Quote from Narisa Wild:"Customer transformation is at the heart of digital transformation. It’s about serving evolving customer needs and creating experiences that are truly impactful—internally and externally."About RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

Constance Sayers, President and Chief Revenue Officer of GovExec, joins The Revenue Room to share her journey of transforming a traditional media company into a data-driven intelligence platform. From managing 16 acquisitions in one year to pioneering innovative AI-driven solutions, Constance offers invaluable insights on redefining revenue streams and scaling businesses in the information and media industry. This episode is a must-listen for leaders navigating the challenges of transitioning to data-centric business models.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Building a Data-Driven Business: How Constance led GovExec’s transformation into a platform delivering actionable insights for government leaders and contractors.Scaling Through Acquisitions: Lessons learned from integrating 16 acquisitions in one year and ensuring seamless alignment of data and tech stacks.AI as a Growth Driver: The role of GovTribe and AI-powered tools in creating new products, enhancing customer engagement, and accelerating revenue.Customer-Centric Innovation: Why listening to customer challenges is key to creating solutions that drive long-term value.Practical Advice for Revenue Leaders: Strategies for balancing traditional revenue streams with innovative, data-driven growth opportunities.Key Quote from Constance Sayers:“We started solving problems for our customers using the data we already had—and the results were transformational. It's about using insights to create value and stay indispensable in their daily workflows.”Don’t miss Constance Sayers’ session, “Accelerating New Revenue Streams: How GovExec Turned Data into Dollars” on Wednesday, February 26th, 2025 at RevvedUP in Sarasota, FL.About RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

Welcome to another episode of The Revenue Room™ Podcast! This week, Heather Holst-Knudsen sits down with Will Lee, CEO of Adweek, to discuss his journey from traditional media to leading one of the most influential brands in marketing and advertising. Will shares his vision for transforming Adweek from a trade publication into a cutting-edge business intelligence platform, and the role AI, data, and innovative thinking play in that journey.Key Takeaways:Will Lee's impressive career trajectory, from NPR to Adweek, and how his experiences shaped his leadership approach.The major industry news of the week, including the OmniCom-IPG acquisition, and its implications for the advertising ecosystem.Adweek’s transformation under Will’s leadership which focuses on four core pillars: editorial excellence, curated events, community, and actionable intelligence.How AI and data are helping Adweek better serve its readers and advertisers.Will’s vision of making Adweek indispensable to C-suite leaders beyond marketing and advertising.Memorable Quotes:"Adweek is like a 45-year-old startup—still the disruptor, still the insurgent.""I want Adweek to be the first seven minutes of your morning—every day.""Our mission is to provide investment-grade journalism, inspiration through community, and intelligence that drives better decision-making."About RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

In this episode of The Revenue Room, host Heather Holst-Knudsen, CEO of H2K Labs, chats with Matt Yorke, CEO of The Channel Company, about building scalable, predictable revenue streams in the B2B tech ecosystem. Matt shares insights from his 25+ years of leadership at the intersection of media, technology, and data, revealing strategies for leveraging AI, data, and streamlined processes to fuel enterprise value.From hiring the right team for private equity-backed businesses to launching into international markets with a competitive advantage, Matt provides actionable advice for navigating today’s fast-changing B2B environment. He also shares his thoughts on the transformative power of AI, from content creation to market expansion.Key Topics Discussed:Matt’s journey as CEO of The Channel Company and milestones achieved in his first year.The importance of cross-functional expertise (CDO, CMO, CRO, CEO) in driving organizational success.How private equity ownership shapes operational strategies and growth expectations.Strategies for entering international markets and leveraging powerhouse brands like CRN.Building predictable and sustainable growth through data-driven decision-making and process standardization.The evolving impact of AI on B2B businesses, including content creation, efficiency, and market dynamics.Developing a high-performance team aligned with organizational ambitions.About RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

In this episode of The Revenue Room Podcast, host Heather Holst-Knudsen, CEO of H2K Labs, sits down with Mike Carlucci, Chief Operating Officer at Clarion Events North America. With over two decades of experience in the events industry, Mike discusses the power of leveraging data, alignment between sales and operations, and creating exceptional customer experiences. Together, they delve into the strategies and innovations that have helped Mike transform operations and revenue strategies at Clarion Events.Key Highlights:RevDub 2025 Announcement:Heather kicks off with exciting news about RevDub 2025, an exclusive event for CEOs and their C-suite teams focusing on multi-sided businesses and strategies to drive revenue and enterprise value.Guest Introduction:Mike Carlucci's illustrious career spans over two decades in the events industry, from Reed Exhibitions to transforming Clarion Events’ North American operations. Mike’s leadership philosophy emphasizes customer-centric experiences and inclusive, high-performing teams.Data-Driven Revenue Strategies:Mike explains how leveraging data has revolutionized event operations, pricing strategies, and customer relationships. He shares insights into:Forensic data analysis for better decision-making.Aligning sales and operations for a seamless customer journey.Focusing on fewer, high-impact initiatives for sustainable growth.Generational Shifts in the Industry:The duo explores how the pandemic and changing demographics have accelerated innovation in the events sector. Mike highlights the importance of adapting to new customer expectations, especially from younger generations like Gen Z.Customer-Centric Innovations:The Clarion Premium Program: A concierge-style service for key accounts, enhancing customer satisfaction and driving higher engagement and spend.Connections Programs: Leveraging tech and data to facilitate meaningful connections between attendees and exhibitors.Revenue Room Connect Collaboration:Mike shares his enthusiasm for H2K Labs’ initiatives, including Revenue Room Connect and Revved Up, as platforms driving revenue-critical conversations and actionable insights for the industry.Rapid Fire Fun:Heather wraps up with some light-hearted questions about Mike’s preferences (coffee over tea, savory over sweet) and his curreAbout RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

Join us for an engaging conversation with Anna Anisin, a trailblazer in leveraging artificial intelligence for business innovation. Anna shares her expertise on transforming industries, redefining revenue streams, and enhancing enterprise value using AI. With a focus on actionable insights, this episode is a must-listen for CEOs and leaders ready to embrace AI as a strategic tool rather than a simple automation solution.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:AI’s Strategic Role in Business: Anna’s perspective on using AI for driving profitability and value, while empowering human talent rather than replacing it.Industry Transformations: Real-world examples of industries evolving through AI-driven innovation.Practical Insights for CEOs: Steps CEOs can take today to embrace AI effectively and sprint toward increased enterprise value.The Future of AI in Multisided Businesses: Predictions on where AI will lead companies in complex, interconnected ecosystems.Key Quote from Anna Anisin:"AI isn’t about replacing humans—it’s about amplifying their capabilities and unlocking new opportunities for value creation in ways we never imagined."About RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

In this episode of The Revenue Room™ Podcast, host Heather Holst-Knudsen sits down with Peter Cohan, associate professor at Babson College, strategic consultant, and author of Brain Rush. Together, they explore the transformative role of AI in driving revenue growth, creating competitive advantages, and reshaping leadership strategies.Key Topics Covered:AI’s Value Pyramid: Peter introduces the concept of the AI value pyramid, outlining how businesses can utilize AI to overcome creator's block, improve functional productivity, and create entirely new growth curves.Challenges in AI Implementation: Discussion of the hurdles companies face, such as balancing innovation with risk, avoiding reputational damage, and overcoming fears from both CEOs and boards of directors.Real-World Examples: Insights into how companies like ServiceNow and Salesforce are leveraging generative AI to enhance efficiency, improve customer service, and drive rapid growth.Leadership and Cognitive Hunger: Peter shares his research on what differentiates successful CEOs, highlighting the importance of "cognitive hunger" for staying adaptive and innovative in fast-changing business landscapes.Proprietary Data and Competitive Advantage: Why leveraging proprietary data is crucial for creating defensible business strategies and maximizing AI's potential.About RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

In this episode, host Heather Holst-Knudsen, CEO of H2K Labs, dives deep into the intersection of leadership, innovation, and data-driven strategy with Paul Miller, CEO of Questex. Paul shares his journey of transforming Questex into a cutting-edge, data-centric organization, discusses key lessons in navigating remote leadership, and offers insights into building growth strategies in today’s fast-paced business environment. Whether you’re leading a team or looking to stay ahead in your industry, this episode delivers actionable takeaways and inspiration.Key Announcement: Don’t miss RevvedUP 2025, happening February 25–27, 2025, in Sarasota, Florida! This exclusive, invitation-only event is designed for CEOs and their revenue-critical C-suite teams to explore strategies for leveraging data, AI, and digital innovations to drive growth. Learn more at h2klabs.com/revvedup.Highlights:Questex Evolution:Paul reflects on his six years as CEO of Questex, emphasizing a data-driven transformation to enhance products and customer engagement.The impact of the pandemic and navigating the shift to remote teams.Data-Driven Innovation:Leveraging centralized data to guide editorial, product development, and business strategy.Paul shares examples of how Questex uses customer insights to steer content and events, such as tailoring healthcare event tracks to trending topics like drug affordability.Private Equity and Growth:Paul's insights into evolving private equity metrics, focusing more on top-line growth driven by data.The role of clean, accurate databases in acquisition decisions and overall strategy.New Revenue Streams:Launch of innovative events, such as a successful hotel-focused trade show co-created with the American Hotel Lodging Association.The integration of digital and live event strategies, such as leveraging social media for the beauty industry.Challenges in the Go-to-Market Strategy:Post-pandemic sales challenges, such as engaging customers remotely and navigating longer sales cycles.Paul emphasizes back-to-basics sales training and understanding customer needs.RevvedUp 2025 and Industry Collaboration:Heather and Paul discuss the importance of cross-industry learning to tackle modeAbout RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

In this episode of The Revenue Room podcast, host Heather Holst-Knudsen, CEO of H2K Labs, dives deep into the intersection of data, AI, and culture with guest Doug Llewellyn, CEO of Data Society Group. They explore how companies can leverage data and AI to drive transformation, empower workforces, and create enterprise value. Doug shares insights on building data-literate organizations, the evolving role of Chief Data Officers, and strategies for navigating the fast-paced AI era.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:The critical role of data literacy and storytelling in organizational success.How to overcome challenges in data culture adoption and workforce upskilling.The importance of integrating people and technology in AI strategies.Why the tenure of Chief Data Officers is short and how companies can set them up for success.Practical advice for leaders to "slow down to speed up" in the age of rapid change.Key Takeaways:"There’s no AI without data, and there’s no success without people."The importance of a common data language to align teams across an organization.Why data literacy is essential at all levels, from executives to front-line employees.How companies can measure ROI on data literacy investments through real-world capstone projects.Insights into the shifting skillsets needed in an AI-driven business environment.Follow The Revenue Room Podcast:Subscribe for more insights on accelerating revenue and driving profitability.Visit h2klabs.com/revroom for more episodes.Connect with Us:Host: Heather Holst-Knudsen on LinkedInGuest: Doug Llewellyn on LinkedInEnjoyed the episode? Don’t forget to leave a review and share it with your network!About RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

In this insightful episode, Heather Holst-Knudsen sits down with Chris Dyer, a leading authority on company culture and remote work. Chris shares his journey from CEO of a rapidly growing company to a global leadership speaker and bestselling author. He discusses his seven-pillar framework for building strong, effective company cultures and how organizations can optimize their work environments, whether in-office, remote, or hybrid.Key Topics Discussed:RevvedUP Event Overview: Heather announces H2K Labs’ new initiative, RevvedUP, an exclusive gathering for CEOs and C-suite teams to strategize on fueling enterprise value. Event details: February 25-27 in Sarasota, Florida.Chris Dyer’s Background and Leadership Approach:Chris’s journey from CEO to global thought leader in company culture.The importance of empowering employees and letting them take the lead.His approach to engagement and helping teams perform at their best without micromanagement.The Seven Pillars of Success: Chris introduces his framework for leadership and organizational success.Remote Work Challenges and Solutions:How Chris’s companies transitioned to remote work in 2008 and lessons learned.Strategies for building and maintaining company culture in remote and hybrid work environments, including the "cockroach meeting" and "tsunami planning" for innovation and collaboration.Practical Advice for CEOs: Eliminating ineffective one-on-one meetings and replacing them with team-focused collaboration sessions.The importance of setting clear expectations and creating structured meeting formats to enhance productivity and communication.Resources Mentioned:RevvedUP Event: February 25-27, Sarasota, Florida. More information at h2klabs.com/revvedup.Chris Dyer’s Books: "The Power of Company Culture" and "Remote Work."Connect with Chris:Text "Chris" to 33777 to receive a free PDF on effective meetings and leadership strategies.LinkedIn: Chris DyerWebsite: ChrisDyer.comTikTok, Instagram, and other social platforms for leadership tips.About RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

In this episode, Heather Holst-Knudsen and Matt Reilly discuss the transformation of Fusable, a 110-year-old data-driven business spun off from Randall-Reilly. Matt shares insights on leading a legacy business into a new era with a startup mentality, the integration of data and AI for competitive advantage, and the importance of aligning with customer needs. They also cover RevvedUP 2025, an invitation-only event for CEOs and revenue-critical teams.Key Topics:RevvedUP 2025: Heather announces the upcoming event designed for CEOs and C-suite leaders to discuss data-driven enterprise value.Fusable’s Transformation:Fusable’s evolution from a media company to a data-focused organization.Reilly describes the brand's history, customer relationships, and the company's focus on data integration to improve client outcomes.Challenges and Opportunities as a "110-Year-Old Startup":Adopting a culture that embraces both legacy strengths and modern innovation.Transitioning from a media-centered model to a "data-first" company, driving relevance in clients' operational workflows.Strategic Pilots and ROI:Matt emphasizes piloting before scaling. A recent pilot achieved a 10x ROI, demonstrating the potential of Fusable’s integrated data approach.The pilot's success led to full-scale implementation and improved data accessibility for clients.Customer Success and Sales:Fusable’s shift from "selling data by the pound" to offering tailored data solutions.Cross-functional teams focus on customer needs, providing a unified experience across data assets and support.Data Ethics and Security Concerns:Privacy, security, and data ethics are priorities, especially as Fusable integrates advanced AI capabilities.Concerns include the risks of data misuse and the necessity for robust security protocols.Talent and Cultural Alignment:Importance of building a workforce aligned with Fusable’s growth vision.Reilly's approach to talent development through the "Fusable Academy" ensures employees adapt to the company's data-first strategy.Advice for CEOs:  For leaders navigating data transformation, Matt underscores starting with client-driven pilots and incremental improvements.About RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

Episode Overview: In this episode of The Revenue Room™, host Heather Holst-Knudsen sits down with Lucky Gunasekara, CEO of Miso.AI, to explore the intersection of AI and media, and how Miso.AI is driving innovation for publishers, news media, and online education. The conversation touches on topics like personalized AI search, increasing audience engagement, and creating new revenue streams for media companies using AI.Key Discussion Points:Introduction of Miso.AI:Miso.AI is described as a hands-on AI media lab specializing in news media, publishing, and online education.Lucky shares how Miso works with publishers to implement AI-powered search, personalized recommendations, and real-time data insights to optimize user engagement and revenue.AI in Publishing:Lucky discusses the innovative “Answers” product used by media companies like Foundry and O'Reilly Media. This AI-based search tool helps readers find answers to their queries directly within the publishers' archives, reducing the need for traditional search.He highlights how AI is transforming reader engagement by embedding relevant AI-suggested questions within articles, driving higher click-through rates and creating new advertising and content marketing opportunities.Revenue Impact of AI:The use of AI-powered tools like “Answers” has led to significant improvements in both advertising inventory and lead generation, with click-through rates for native ads reaching 10-25 times higher than traditional display ads.Subscription models are also seeing growth, with some media companies doubling registrations by gating certain AI features behind subscription walls.Ethical AI and Media Compensation:Lucky and Heather dive into the important question of fair compensation for media content in the age of AI. Lucky argues that publishers should be compensated more fairly, comparing the AI-media relationship to the music industry’s use of royalties.O'Reilly Media’s forward-thinking approach to paying royalties to content creators for their contributions to AI-generated answers is highlighted as a pioneering model.The Future of AI in Media:The conversation addresses the future of AI in media and how it could reshape the delivery of information. Lucky predicts a future where AI mediates personalized, trustworthy experiences, helpingAbout RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

In this episode, host Heather Holst-Knudsen chats with Liz Irving, President of Clarion Events North America. With over 20 years of experience in the events industry, Liz shares her insights on data-driven decision-making, leadership, and innovation. She discusses her journey from marketing to president, how Clarion has transformed under her leadership, and the importance of customer-centricity in events. Liz emphasizes how data and AI are reshaping the events business, including how Clarion is leveraging these tools to future-proof their operations.Liz Irving is an executive advisory board member of Revenue Room™ Connect, H2K Labs' new professional network for CEOs and their revenue-critical C-Suite teams leading multi-sided business models such as media, data/information, and marketplaces. Liz is excited to join H2K Labs at our upcoming event, RevvedUP 2025, on February 25-27, 2025 in Sarasota, FL where we'll delve deeper into enhancing enterprise value through data, digitalization, and AI with C-Suite leaders.Takeaways:Liz’s Leadership Journey: From marketing to becoming the President of Clarion Events North America, and the importance of customer insights in driving commercial outcomes.Clarion’s Growth: How Clarion has evolved over the past decade, including their approach to acquisitions, company culture, and strategic planning.Data-Driven Innovation: How Liz and her team use data to enhance event experiences, personalize customer journeys, and increase profitability.AI & Future Trends: The role AI and data are playing in reshaping events, including Clarion’s use of AI for personalization, sentiment analysis, and improving customer engagement.Product Strategy: Clarion's approach to developing new digital offerings and sponsorship opportunities to drive customer satisfaction and revenue growth.Leadership Insights: Liz shares her thoughts on imposter syndrome, team empowerment, and why challenging the status quo is essential for future success.Digital Solutions and Learning Management: Clarion’s shift towards year-round customer engagement through digital assets and learning platforms.About RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

In this episode, Nino Tasca, a seasoned product leader and former Director of Product Management at Google, shares his insights on driving data and AI transformations in B2B media companies. Drawing from his experiences at Google and Northstar Travel Group, Nino emphasizes the importance of integrating data and digital solutions to connect buyers and sellers, enhance user experience, and optimize revenue in industries like media and events.Nino Tasca is an executive advisory board member of Revenue Room™ Connect, H2K Labs' new professional network for CEOs and their revenue-critical C-Suite teams leading multi-sided business models such as media, data/information, and marketplaces. Nino is excited to join H2K Labs at our upcoming event, RevvedUP 2025, on February 25-27, 2025 in Sarasota, FL where we'll delve deeper into enhancing enterprise value through data, digitalization, and AI with C-Suite leaders.Takeaways:Winning with Data: Nino shares that data is the key to connecting buyers and sellers, improving advertising campaigns, and creating better user experiences. His 70-20-10 strategy helps prioritize short-term, long-term, and team development goals effectively.AI and Digital Evolution: While AI presents a wealth of new opportunities, it's important to avoid building tech for tech’s sake. Instead, focus on using technology to meet the real needs of users.Leadership Insights: For organizations looking to embark on a data transformation journey, Nino stresses the importance of incremental progress and staying focused on business fundamentals while embracing digital change.About RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

Heather talks with Jane Qin Medeiros, General Manager/EVP at Industry Dive and studioID. In this episode, Jane shares how these companies are combining niche audience data with cutting-edge content marketing to drive significant revenue growth. Jane is an executive advisory board member of H2K Labs' new C-suite network, Revenue Room™ Connect. Revenue Room™ Connect helps leaders in media, events, data/information and marketplace businesses fuel enterprise value by leveraging data, digital and AI.Here are some key takeaways:Understanding Your Audience: "The ability to understand not just who the audience is but also what they care about—and, just as importantly, what they don’t care about—allows us to deliver content that is both timely and impactful."Leveraging AI Wisely: "We don’t have to be first to market with every new technology, but we do want to ensure that any technology we adopt supports our core values of quality, credibility, and audience engagement."Proving ROI in Content Marketing: "By taking a holistic approach to ROI, we ensure that our content marketing efforts are not only effective but also clearly linked to the client’s broader business objectives."About RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

Heather talks with Denise Medved, Chief Commercial Officer, Informa Markets North America. This episode explores Medved's extensive career in the B2B and B2C events industry, her current role at Informa, and the challenges and opportunities in leveraging data for revenue growth and business transformation in the events sector.Denise is an executive advisory board member of H2K Labs' new C-suite network, Revenue Room™ Connect. Revenue Room™ Connect helps leaders in media, events, data/information and marketplace businesses fuel enterprise value by leveraging data, digital and AI.Key points from the discussion:• Medved's diverse career path led her to her current role at Informa, where she focuses on creating consistency across multiple business units.• Informa Markets was created through several acquisitions, resulting in complex data environments and multiple instances of Salesforce CRM.• Medved's primary mission is to focus on sales excellence and enablement, maximizing efficiencies and optimizing revenue growth through data and technology.• The company standardized opportunity records in Salesforce across all business units, creating consistency in forecasting and reporting.• Informa is using talent assessment tools combined with performance data to ensure the right people are in the right sales roles.• The importance of understanding different data sources, definitions, and appetite for change when implementing new data-driven processes.• Medved emphasizes patience, empathy, and clear communication when driving organizational change and adopting new technologies.• The growing importance of data in driving business decisions and the excitement around CEOs embracing data-driven approaches.The discussion highlights the critical role of data in transforming B2B media and events businesses and demonstrates the challenges and opportunities of standardizing data practices across a large, complex organization. It underscores the importance of strategic data management, sales enablement, and change management in driving revenue growth and business value in the modern events industry.About RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

Kate Spellman, Chief Commercial Officer at Questex, discusses the transformation of the B2B media industry and the importance of data and technology in driving revenue. She highlights the need for businesses to be data-driven and to focus on delivering a great customer experience. Kate also emphasizes the role of AI in value creation and the challenges of implementing AI in the industry. She shares how Questex uses data to empower its commercial team and drive better customer results. Kate is an executive advisory board member of Revenue Room™ Connect, H2K Labs' new professional network for CEOs and their revenue-critical C-Suite teams leading multi-sided business models such as media, data/information, and marketplaces. Kate is excited to join H2K Labs at our upcoming event, RevvedUP 2025, on February 25-27, 2025 in Sarasota, FL where we'll delve deeper into enhancing enterprise value through data, digitalization, and AI with C-Suite leaders.TakeawaysThe B2B media industry is undergoing transformation, and businesses need to be data-driven and focused on delivering a great customer experience.AI is playing a significant role in value creation, but implementing AI in the industry presents challenges.Data empowers the commercial team at Questex to drive better customer results and make informed decisions.Using AI tools like Gong can help with sales training and improve sales performance. Gong is a powerful tool for analyzing sales calls and improving sales strategies.SDRs can leverage data to identify prospects and personalize their outreach, making their role more exciting and compelling. Using data effectively can help businesses provide better value to customers and improve ROI.The rapid pace of technological change and data sprawl present challenges for the industry.The skills needed in the industry are evolving, and attracting the right talent is a challenge.Staying true to core values while adapting to industry changes is essential for success.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Background06:12 Overview of Questex's Business Lines08:54 The Transformation from CMO to Chief Commercial Officer11:43 The Impact of AI on the Industry13:51 The Importance of Being Data-Driven18:24 Private Equity andAbout RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

Welcome to The Revenue RoomTM, where we explore the critical roles that drive business growth and success. Hosted by industry expert Heather Holst-Knudsen, each episode explores the multifaceted world of revenue generation, from marketing and sales to customer success and strategic partnerships.In this episode, Heather sits down with Amy Roman, CEO of Amplify GTM, to discuss the intricacies of driving sustainable revenue growth in B2B environments. With her rich background spanning consumer packaged goods to IT-managed services, Amy brings a wealth of knowledge and actionable insights. Whether you're a business leader aiming to scale your organization, a sales professional seeking to enhance your skills, or simply someone interested in the dynamics of revenue generation, this discussion is filled with practical advice to help you align your teams and strategies for optimal performance.Heather and Amy discuss:Balancing Art and Science in Revenue Growth: Combining data utilization with gut instincts.Customer Pain Points and Challenges: Techniques for understanding and addressing customer pain points.Data Activation Challenges: Overcoming obstacles in understanding and actioning data for revenue growth.Aligning Roles and KPIs: Why you need to align critical roles with KPIs.Sales and Marketing Alignment: Addressing common misalignments between these departments.Customer Centricity: The role of customer success and service delivery based on organization size.The Role of a Chief Revenue Officer (CRO): Skills, experience, and responsibilities for success Maximizing Customer Spend: Importance of cross-selling and upselling within account management teams.Tune in to gain valuable perspectives and actionable tips that will empower you to unlock your company's full potential and stay ahead in the competitive market.Don't miss this episode if you are looking to refine your go-to-market strategy, enhance team alignment, and drive sustainable revenue growth. Subscribe to our channel on h2klabs.com for more insights and upcoming episodes.About RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

In the latest episode of the Revenue Room™ Podcast, we had the pleasure of hosting Thomas Bohn, President and COO of Advanced Home Improvement Media. Tom shared the company's fascinating growth trajectory, the inspiring company culture amidst accelerated change, and strategic plans to leverage digital solutions and data to diversify revenue streams and create unique customer value.Key Takeaways:Data and Analytics: The crucial role they play in driving business growth.Innovative Digital Solutions: Transforming the home improvement industry with cutting-edge technology.AI and Customer Experience: How Advanced Home Improvement Media utilizes AI and data to enhance customer interactions.Local Sales Team: The importance of having a strong, localized sales force and personalized customer interactions.Future Trends: Exploring pet-friendly home solutions and upcoming trends in the home improvement sector.Tom highlighted their innovative approach to connecting homeowners with top-notch contractors, home improvement service providers, and potential partnerships with lending institutions to streamline the financing process. He shared an exciting vision where users can upload photos of their kitchens, receive tagged product suggestions, and finance their projects seamlessly with the Home Mag Dream Card."Our mission is simple – to clear the path and facilitate a smooth, enjoyable customer experience. We don't sell leads; we sell facilitation and connection, sparking creativity and empowering homeowners on their renovation journeys."Become part of the conversation. Join The Revenue Room™ today. About RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.

This podcast, hosted by Heather Holst-Knudsen, gathered leaders in the B2B media, events, and information industry to discuss the critical role of data in enhancing business value and navigating mergers and acquisitions. The conversation explored how the importance and use of data have evolved in recent years, particularly in the context of company valuations and M&A activities.Participants included  Kerry Gumas, CEO @ Metacomet Advisors, Reed Phillips, CEO @ Oaklins DaSilva+Phillips, Mark Zadell, Strategic Finance Executive, Thomas Pecht, Principal @ PMS Inc., and Tom Kemp, Chairman & CEO @ Northstar Travel Group. Key points from the discussion:• Data valuation has become a crucial pillar in M&A due diligence, with buyers now expecting more sophisticated data analytics and metrics.• There's a shift towards evaluating leading indicators like Customer Acquisition Cost, Net Revenue Retention, and Lifetime Value, beyond traditional lagging metrics.• The quality and organization of a company's data can significantly impact its attractiveness to buyers and overall valuation.• Native digital media businesses tend to be more attractive than those with a high percentage of legacy print revenue.• Performance marketing and first-party data are becoming increasingly valuable, especially with the phasing out of third-party cookies.• Diversification beyond traditional advertising models is advisable, with a focus on recurring revenue streams.• The M&A market is expected to improve in 2024, with more willingness from both buyers and sellers to close deals.• The quality of the asset, including its data infrastructure and management team, remains paramount in determining valuation.As the industry continues to evolve, businesses that effectively leverage their data, both for internal improvements and external monetization, are likely to see higher valuations and more successful M&A outcomes. The discussion emphasized that while market conditions play a role, the fundamental quality of a company's data infrastructure, revenue models, and management team remains crucial in determining its value and attractiveness to potential buyers or investors.Are you interested in joining Revenue Room™ Connect, the first C-Suite network for CEOs and their revenue-critical C-Suite teams in media, events, data/information, and marketplace sectors? We focus on turbo-charging enterprise value using data, digAbout RevvedUP 2026 RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.About Heather Holst-Knudsen Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.About Revenue Room™ CXO Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.