NexGen CMO Podcast

In this episode, Kelly Hopping sits down with Brian Gladstein, CMO of Tufin, to explore how marketing, data, and customer alignment can drive transformation in a rapidly shifting security landscape. Brian shares his journey from engineer to marketing leader, the lessons he’s learned guiding organizations through disruption, and the pivotal role of trust, transparency, and customer voice in reshaping a brand. From leveraging data-driven funnels to building customer advisory boards and partnering with analysts like Gartner, Brian explains the strategies that helped Tufin pivot from firewall management to broader network security posture management, tripling cloud revenue and reigniting growth. Tune in to hear how to lead with clarity during times of chaos, align sales and marketing around shared truth, and turn change into opportunity.

In this episode, Kelly Hopping sits down with Bruno Bertini, Chief Marketing Officer at 8x8, to explore what it takes to build an impactful career in marketing and lead with authenticity in today’s tech-driven landscape. Bruno shares how his unconventional journey—spanning customer experience, sales, and marketing—shaped his deep understanding of buyer psychology and organizational transformation. From orchestrating AI-powered brand strategies to leading a company-wide pivot from UCaaS to CX, Bruno offers pragmatic insights on harmonizing long-term brand equity with short-term revenue pressure. He discusses building marketing culture from the inside out, developing nuanced customer messaging, and why he believes zigzagging through disciplines is a leadership advantage, not a liability. Tune in to hear how Bruno leverages AI to scale messaging, the importance of emotional buyer insights, and why curiosity is the new superpower for modern CMOs.

Ed Breault, CMO of Malbek, joins Kelly to share his journey from nuclear energy to MarTech to legal tech, and why seeking discomfort fuels his growth. Together they unpack boardroom communication strategies, AI-first mindsets, and the importance of building diagnostic pipelines. With stories of “buzzsaw” boardroom moments and lessons in pacing, Ed offers tactical advice for navigating executive visibility and embracing curiosity-driven leadership.

What does it take to lead with purpose and drive business growth marketing? Zarina Stanford, CMO of Bazaarvoice, joins Kelly to share her journey, the power of being mission-driven, and how presence and engagement shape leadership. Together they dive into cross-functional alignment, the art and science of marketing, and offer practical advice for aspiring leaders on finding their voice and embracing agility.

What happens when you blend data, psychology, and storytelling in marketing leadership? In this episode, Bryan Law, CMO of SentinelOne, joins Kelly to share his thoughts on just that, while highlighting his journey to the C-suite. Together, they dive into the art and science of impactful marketing, from how testing, emotional resonance, and brand distinction drive results, to the power of storytelling in both learning and brand building. Plus, tune in for advice on how to balance speed with thoughtfulness and other advice for aspiring CMOs.

How can marketing leaders drive both growth and customer success?  Sydney Sloan, CMO at G2, shares the ins and outs of leading GTM teams, from alignment to execution. Sydney shares her career journey with Kelly, including lessons from her time as an Executive in Residence, and how aligning marketing with business goals creates impact.  Listen in as they discuss maturity models, sales enablement, leadership development, and the evolving role of marketing as a driver of business strategy.

Want your sales and marketing teams to be like peanut butter and jelly, instead of like oil and vinegar?  Wesleyne Whittaker, Founder & Chief Transformation Officer at Transformed Sales, and Kelly share advice to help make it happen.  In this episode, Wesleyne shares her journey from a chemist to a successful sales strategist and leadership expert. Listen in as they discuss the importance of leadership in sales and how to empower teams for better performance. Together they emphasize the need for collaboration, data-driven decision-making, and having the heart of a teacher in sales management.

What does being a softball coach and a sales coach have in common?  Taylor Hatfield, Executive Sales Coach at Lushin, says authenticity.  In this episode, Kelly and Taylor discuss Taylor's journey from being a collegiate softball coach to a sales coach, the importance of authenticity in selling, and how this all relates back to marketers.  Listen to learn more about the importance of understanding personality types, sales psychology, and the significance of empowering teams through positive beliefs rather than fear-based leadership.

How can marketers build and leverage engaged audiences? Arun Lal, VP of Marketing at DocketAI, says communities play a critical role. Tune in for a conversation between Kelly Hopping and Arun on the importance of community building in startups and the challenges and opportunities in marketing AI products. In this episode, Arun emphasizes the need for a shift in how businesses approach workflows with AI, advocating for a re-imagination of processes rather than mere automation.

What will the CMO role look like in 3-5 years? Kelly Hopping and Alicia Hale, SVP of Growth Marketing at Demandbase and a two-time CMO, explore the future of the CMO role and how AI will make an impact. Tune in for an energetic conversation around how AI is transforming marketing strategies, enhancing personalization, and reshaping job roles. Together they explore how AI is empowering CMOs to become more data literate and strategic, allowing them to focus on deeper human elements of marketing.

How do great marketers grow great teams and themselves professionally? Join Kelly Hopping and Dave Gerhardt, founder of Exit Five, as they explore how great leaders manage their teams with poise, build strong teams that drive results, and prioritize personal development to fuel career success. Inspired by Jim Rohn’s advice to “work harder on yourself than you do on your job,” Dave reflects on how his experiences at Drift and Privy became invaluable opportunities for learning and growth. If you’re ready to grow as a marketer, leader and individual, this episode is packed with actionable insights.

How much competitive disruption is too much? Join Kelly Hopping and Marcus Sheridan, co-founder of PriceGuide.ai, for a conversation about the significance of disruption and differentiation in a competitive market, the impact of AI on the marketing industry and the necessity for marketers to adapt to new challenges. In this episode they also discuss the need for innovation, effective communication, and the importance of understanding buyer concerns, while also addressing the need for marketers to think creatively and embrace change.

What’s the secret to maximizing the impact of your content through smart distribution? In this episode, Kelly Hopping sits down with Ross Simmonds, founder and CEO at Foundation Marketing, to explore the transformative opportunities in today’s creator economy. From mastering content distribution to leveraging AI for content creation, Ross shares actionable insights on becoming a content guru in a rapidly evolving landscape. Tune in to learn how creators can think of their work as investments, ensuring every piece of content published has long-term value.

Can empathy and curiosity transform sales success? Kelly Hopping and Aleasha Bahr, a sales strategist, sales coach and keynote speaker would both say yes!  Join their conversation as they discuss the power of empathy, curiosity, and passion in sales. Together they explore how treating sales as market research can drive alignment between sales and marketing teams, the importance of creating a supportive sales culture, and strategies for building authentic, effective sales approaches.  Plus, tune in for insights from Aleasha’s upcoming book and actionable advice for driving sales success!

Can traits define exceptional leaders and do you possess those traits? Tune in as Ryan Hawk, keynote speaker, best-selling author, and host of The Learning Leader Show chats with host Kelly Hopping about leadership traits, the power of curiosity and intentionality, and why adaptability is critical. Their conversation dives into the importance of building strong, collaborative relationships between sales and marketing teams, offering actionable insights for fostering mutual respect and driving results and the role of mentorship and community in personal growth. This episode is packed with wisdom to elevate your leadership game.

Join host Kelly Hopping for a deep dive into career growth, leadership, and trust-building with Steve Armenti, a marketing veteran with 15+ years of experience at top companies such as Google and DigitalOcean. In this episode, Steve opens up about his transition from sales to marketing, the game-changing role of psychological safety in the workplace, and his powerful "trust bank" strategy for forging meaningful relationships and long-term success. This episode is filled with actionable insights you won't want to miss from mentorship advice to tips on building a career grounded in trust and authenticity.

In this episode, Kelly Hopping and Nick Cegelski, founder of 30 Minutes to Presidents Club, discuss the importance of events in driving sales success. Nick shares effective strategies for pre-event prospecting, crafting outreach messages, and leveraging recognition at events to enhance networking opportunities. Together they discuss the importance of personal connections and tailored approaches in both virtual and in-person settings.

Listen in as Kelly Hopping and Gareth Noonan, GM of Advertising at Demandbase, take a deep dive into the 2024 State of B2B Advertising Report. In this conversation, they explore the report findings, including the evolving role of account-based marketing to the game-changing impact of AI, automation and privacy-first strategies. Their conversation focuses on the go-to-market tactics that matter the most including the rise and impact of B2B influencers, how privacy-forward advertising will become the new normal, the impact of LinkedIn and display ads and how the manual ad era is over. To download the report, visit here or https://www.demandbase.com/resources/report/download-2024-state-of-b2b-advertising-2nd-edition/

Tune in as Kelly Hopping, CMO of Demandbase and Mary Gilbert, fractional CMO at Folloze, discuss the differences between working in scale-ups and large organizations, the value of lateral moves in one's career, and creating safe spaces. In this conversation, Kelly and Mary explain the importance of systems thinking and understanding how decisions are interconnected to each other and their impact on the organization's goals. Tune in to hear their advice for fostering trust, authenticity, and building stronger relationships with team members through vulnerability.

In this episode, Kelly Hopping, CMO of Demandbase, interviews Sara Whitwer, CMO of DryvIQ, on her journey from a senior director to CMO, and the pivotal moments that accelerated her career. Together they discuss the need for marketers to be problem solvers, the importance of agility in marketing, and the critical role of company culture in driving success. Don’t miss this episode filled with advice for navigating the constantly evolving expectations of CMOs.

Tune in as Kelly Hopping, CMO of Demandbase, chats with Kyle Lacy, CMO of Jellyfish, on the importance of pushing through challenges of self-doubt and owning a number, like pipeline. In this conversation, Kelly and Kyle share advice on being less reactive and more mindful, and how to properly ask for promotions. Together they also discuss the role of having “good taste” and how that helps B2B brands to stand out from the competition.  

Join Kelly Hopping, CMO of Demandbase and Ellina Shinnick, CMO of HUB International, for a discussion on fearless leadership. In this episode, Kelly and Ellina share insights on creating a positive company culture, the importance of knowing the business as well as oneself and examples of bringing creativity and energy into marketing efforts. Dive into this engaging discussion on defining fearless leadership and the role of a CMO in influencing company culture.

Kelly Hopping, CMO of Demandbase, sits down with Anne Baker, CMO of Adaptiva, as they discuss the importance of partner marketing and how it can help niche companies gain credibility and reach. Together, Kelly and Anne emphasize the need for clear differentiation and value proposition when approaching partnerships and highlight the importance of making it easy for partners to promote your brand.

In this episode, Kelly Hopping, CMO of Demandbase, and John Common, CEO of Intelligent Demand, discuss the shift from the old marketing playbook to the new. Together they highlight the differences and the need for adaptability in order to drive growth in the B2B space. They discuss the importance of having a business growth mindset and share advice for aligning marketing efforts with overall business goals. Plus, tune in for a fun fact from John about founding his company while on tour as a musician!

Tune is as Kelly Hopping, CMO of Demandbase, chats with Wes Schaeffer, The Sales Whisperer, about his journey as a sales trainer and consultant. Together they discuss the importance of eliminating silos and building relationships with individuals in both sales and marketing. In this conversation, Wes emphasizes the need for alignment between teams and the role of leadership plays. Kelly and Wes also discuss the changing dynamics of B2B buyers, which is shifting to younger generations, including millennials, and the need for sales and marketing to evolve accordingly. Listen to this episode for advice on the value of working together in sales and marketing.

Kelly Hopping, CMO of Demandbase, sits down with Amanda Dyson, global head of demand gen and ABM at e2open, to discuss Amanda’s journey in marketing and her passion for nurturing and growing authentic leaders. Amanda emphasizes the significance of mentoring next-gen talent and offers advice on overcoming imposter syndrome. Together they share advice for up-and-coming CMOs, encouraging them to be true to themselves, to develop their soft skills, and stay open to new opportunities. Tune in to hear more on leading authentically, communicating effectively and supporting the growth of your team.

Join Kelly Hopping, CMO of Demandbase, and Sangram Vajre, co-founder and CEO of GTM Partners, for a conversation on the importance of integrated tech solutions, authentic leadership, and the profound influence of personal values in shaping business practices and fostering meaningful connections. WSJ Best Selling Author Sangram shares insights from his career in B2B marketing, including his journey from marketing automation at Pardot, founding Terminus, to now leading and co-founding GTM Partners. Together Kelly and Sangram emphasize the need for continuous learning, adaptability, and strong internal alignment to succeed in the evolving landscape of B2B marketing. You won’t want to miss this episode!

Tune in to join Kelly Hopping, CMO of Demandbase, and Kim Storin, CMO of Zayo Group, for a dynamic conversation on the do’s and don’ts during mergers and acquisitions! The conversation includes positive advice on the importance of starting with optimism and how to manage change. Don’t miss the opportunity to hear from these two experts as they recount their decades of experience and share advice for professionals at every stage of their career.

In this episode, Kelly Hopping, CMO of Demandbase, and Carolyn Wellsfry Cheng, director of global ABX at Workday, discuss optimizing marketing strategies to drive revenue.  Together Kelly and Carolyn emphasize the importance of sales and marketing alignment through regular, data-driven meetings to create strong partnerships and build trust. Listen  for advice on practicing empathy and developing tailored strategies for different account types to create alignment that drives revenue.  

Join Kelly Hopping, CMO of Demandbase, for a conversation with Jorge Bestard, head of EMEA, Canva for Enterprise, to hear first hand what international alignment means from a sales perspective. Jorge shares his experience in being a sales leader working with marketing teams every day and the differences he sees working with teams across borders.

Tune in to join Kelly Hopping, CMO of Demandbase, and Heidi Bullock, CMO of Tealium, as they break down the role of data in marketing and how it impacts decision-making and alignment between sales and marketing teams. Together Kelly and Heidi share personal experiences and tips for leveraging data to foster collaboration across departments.

Kelly Hopping, CMO of Demandbase, sits down with Jake Sorofman, CMO of Visier, to discuss his experience at six software startups that have collectively raised over $1 billion in venture capital. Jake shares his journey and offers insights into marketing across different growth phases. Together they discuss how to identify the right career path, embrace challenges, and the importance of learning from mistakes. Tune in to hear Jake's advice and his exciting vision for the future of marketing!

In this episode, Kelly Hopping, CMO of Demandbase, and John Eitel, CSO of Demandbase, discuss Scott Brinker's most recent MarTech Landscape and new research from LinkedIn and Ipsos. You won’t want to miss this engaging conversation on B2B market trends and how they relate to current events.

Kelly Hopping, CMO of Demandbase, is joined by Megan Lueders, CMO of Sonatype, to discuss leadership across teams and in the local community. Megan draws on her experiences to share advice for emerging marketing leaders for enhancing their leadership skills and fostering a positive team dynamic. From serving on boards to finding your passion, listen now for a master lesson in leadership.

In this episode Kelly Hopping, CMO of Demandbase, and Peter Lorenco, VP of marketing at PathFactory, dive into how to create relationships to build a community of mentors. Peter shares advice on finding the right communities and how to add value in those networks. PLUS: Tune in to find out who was previously a child model!

In this episode Kelly Hopping, CMO of Demandbase, and Grant Johnson, CMO of Billtrust, share advice on how to find a mentor and stand out to accelerate your path to becoming a CMO. As a five-time CMO, Grant shares the importance of mentorship, no matter your age or stage in life.

Back for round 2! John Eitel, chief sales officer at Demandbase, joins Kelly Hopping, chief marketing officer at Demandbase, for a second episode to discuss how B2B buyers are changing and what’s happening in the world of B2B sales and marketing. From the Adobe Summit to March Madness, hear their thoughts on how sales and marketing are changing the game.

In this episode, Kelly Hopping, CMO of Demandbase, is joined by Katie Hollar, VP of marketing at Clutch, to discuss aligning marketing with business objectives, fostering collaboration with sales, and driving demand through brand initiatives. Katie also offers tips on measuring ROI, managing long lead cycle initiatives, and setting clear campaign expectations. Together, Kelly and Katie explore their journeys and share tips on how to navigate career transitions and marketing challenges with confidence.

Tune in as Kelly Hopping, CMO of Demandbase, chats with Amanda Malko, a three-time CMO, to unravel the complexities of CMO tenure. Amanda shares insights from her sales-centric background on aligning the CMO role with organizational goals. From org design to leadership dynamics, Kelly and Amanda dissect strategies for optimizing team structures and fostering alignment. Listen for tips on navigating the marketing landscape and unlocking success as a marketing leader. Whether you're a seasoned executive or an aspiring CMO, this episode delivers valuable tips for driving impact.

In this episode Kelly Hopping, CMO of Demandbase, and Brandon Hurter, CMO of Element451, explore the transformative impact of AI in marketing. Initially skeptical, Brandon shares his journey from doubter to believer, recounting pivotal moments where AI revolutionized his approach. From infusing AI into product marketing to leveraging GPT4 for narrative generation, together Kelly and Brandon explore how AI amplifies creativity and efficiency. Discover the shift from manual to AI-driven tasks, yielding faster insights and compelling content. Don't miss this discussion on embracing AI's role in shaping the future of marketing.

Join Kelly Hopping, chief marketing officer at Demandbase, and John Eitel, chief sales officer at Demandbase, as they explore the world of sales and marketing alignment in the inaugural episode of the NexGen CMO podcast. Drawing from their experience in driving revenue and fostering collaboration, Kelly and John explore the critical role of alignment in achieving organizational success. Together they also draw on recent events to discuss building synergy between sales and marketing teams.