Advertise on podcast: The Agile Brand with Greg Kihlström®: Expert Mode Marketing Technology, AI, & CX

What if your brand’s success wasn't dependent on a winning product or favorable market conditions, but on your ability to connect with customers on a human level, one story at a time? Agility requires moving beyond a reliance on market trends or product performance as the primary drivers of success. It demands a deeper, more resilient connection with customers, built on understanding their individual needs and stories. Today, we're going to talk about building a playbook for customer loyalty that isn't dependent on market wins or a perfect product. We’ll explore the idea that every customer has a unique story, and that shifting from broad, impersonal campaigns to a strategy of deep, individual connection is the key to creating not just customers, but lifelong fans. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Paul Epstein, CEO & Founder at Win Monday and keynote speaker at CRMC, taking place June 1-3 in Frisco, Texas. About Paul Epstein PAUL EPSTEIN is a former NFL, NBA, and Super Bowl chief sales officer, celebrated for creating the San Francisco 49ers Talent Academy and Leadership University, now two-time bestselling author and award-winning speaker named one of SUCCESS magazine’s top thought leaders that get results. When not on stage, Paul is the Founder & CEO of WIN MONDAY™, a leading habit-building company that drives high-performance, momentum, and growth for championship cultures across the globe. Paul Epstein on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulepsteinspeaks/ Resources Win Monday: https://paulepsteinspeaks.com/ This episode is brought to by CRMC. Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://www.thecrmc.com Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74 We’re proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658 Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3 Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

I would like to recommend a new podcast called The Interface from the BBC. It's the BBC's fiercly informed, fast and funny take on how technology is impacting all of us. I have become regular listeners and hope you enjoy it too!

Now that AI can generate endless content, what is the true strategic value of a human-led content strategy? Agility requires more than just adopting the latest tools; it demands a foundational strategy that allows you to integrate new capabilities without disrupting the core customer experience. This means being able to distinguish between a promising innovation and a distraction. Today, we're going to talk about moving beyond the hype cycle to build a marketing technology ecosystem that actually delivers. We'll explore how to treat content orchestration not as a task but as a core strategic discipline, how to make AI a practical asset rather than a science project, and why so many CMOs are re-evaluating what they truly need from their platforms and partners. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Jennifer Griffin Smith, CMO at Acquia back to the show. About Jennifer Griffin Smith A well-respected international marketing executive, Jennifer Griffin Smith has more than 20 years of experience managing go-to-market strategies and corporate communications for public and private technology companies. She focuses on the needs of customers and partners in the ever-changing digital world, ensuring that Acquia solutions deliver exceptional value today and in the future, and that all programs and communications are addressing the unique needs of customers. Jennifer leads the global marketing organization, including product marketing, GTM programs for customers and new business, brand, and marketing communications. With her extensive experience as a B2B marketing practitioner, Jennifer is passionate about new ways to grow awareness, improve marketing ROI, and create high-performing, award-winning teams.Before joining Acquia, Jennifer held CMO positions at Brightcove, Alfresco Software (acquired by Hyland), Software AG, Workhuman (formerly Globoforce), Avid Technology, and Progress Software. She has also held senior European marketing roles at Microsoft, PeopleSoft, and Information Builders. Jennifer Griffin Smith on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifergriffinsmith/ Resources Acquia: https://www.acquia.com The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703 Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3 Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

In an age of AI-powered deepfakes and sophisticated counterfeits, is your brand's core identity becoming more of a liability than an asset online? Agility requires moving beyond just building a brand to actively and continuously protecting its integrity in a digital landscape where threats evolve at the speed of AI. This isn't just a defensive tactic; it's a core component of maintaining customer trust and lifetime value. Today, we're going to talk about the often-overlooked other side of brand building: brand protection. In our rush to create amazing customer experiences and leverage new technologies, we're also creating new vulnerabilities for counterfeiters, impersonators, and fraudsters to exploit, ultimately eroding the trust and lifetime value we work so hard to build. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Daniel Shapiro, SVP of Brand Relationships & Strategic Partnerships at Red Points. About Daniel Shapiro Daniel Shapiro leads strategic partnerships at Red Points, working closely with ecommerce platforms, websites, IP firms, and key industry stakeholders. Prior to joining Red Points, Daniel held senior roles at Macy’s and eBay, where he served as Senior Manager of Brand Protection. At eBay, he led international teams in the global disruption of counterfeit networks.With deep expertise in brand protection, digital enforcement, and strategic alliances, Daniel helps organizations navigate the complex landscape of online IP abuse while driving scalable brand protection outcomes. Daniel Shapiro on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielbshapiro/ Resources Red Points: https://www.redpoints.com The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703 Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74 We’re proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658 Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3 Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

We talk endlessly about the power of AI models, but what happens when the public web data they rely on is incomplete, outdated, or just plain wrong? Agility requires not just reacting to market changes, but anticipating them by having a clear, real-time view of the world. This means having the infrastructure to see the digital landscape as it truly is, not just how it's presented in curated reports. Today, we're going to talk about the foundational element that will determine the winners and losers in the age of AI: access to high-quality, real-time web data. As AI agents become more autonomous and LLMs more integrated into our workflows, the quality of the public web data they consume is no longer an academic concern—it's a critical business imperative that impacts everything from competitive intelligence to dynamic pricing and customer experience. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Ariel Shulman, Chief Product Officer at Bright Data. About Ariel Shulman Ariel Shulman is Chief Product Officer at Bright Data, the world's #1 web data infrastructure company for AI & BI. With more than 20,000 global customers, including 14 of the top 20 LLM labs, Bright Data powers 100 million daily AI agent interactions. Ariel is an accomplished executive with extensive experience in technology management, business development, marketing, and strategy. Since joining Bright Data in 2021, Ariel has leveraged his networking, security, and Internet expertise to drive innovation to access high-quality public web data solutions at scale. He now serves as CPO, responsible for Bright Data’s AI-integrated product suite that leads innovation.Fluent in English, French, Spanish, and Hebrew, with professional experience across multiple countries, Ariel plays a pivotal role in shaping Bright Data's global positioning. Ariel Shulman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arielshu/ Resources Bright Data: https://www.brightdata.com The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703 Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74 We’re proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658 Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3 Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

For over two decades now, many marketers have built their careers on mastering Google and paid search. What if the playbook you spent your entire career perfecting is about to become obsolete? Agility requires not just adapting to new technologies, but a willingness to fundamentally question and reimagine the foundational channels you've built your business on. It demands that we look beyond incremental improvements and prepare for architectural shifts in customer behavior. For years, the search landscape has been relatively stable, but generative AI is rewriting the rules of how consumers find information and how brands can connect with them at the moment of intent. Today, we’re going to explore what this means for the future of advertising, the new commercial opportunities emerging, and how brands can find customers on new surfaces beyond the traditional search engine results page. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, John Nitti, Global Chief Business Officer at adMarketplace. About John Nitti John Nitti is a versatile and proactive change agent with 25+ years of experience working in the technology, telecom, financial services, media, sports, and entertainment industries. With a specialization in customer-centric marketing, asset monetization and business development strategies, he excels in boosting growth and enhancing brand equity. John is known for pioneering transformative marketing and tech models, driving competitive advantages, revenue growth, and organizational efficiency. His impressive track record includes managing relationships with top-tier executives in sports, entertainment, and technology sectors, including NFL, NBA, and NHL commissioners, as well as the CEOs of Google, Microsoft, The Walt Disney Company, Amazon, and Live Nation.Nitti has joined adMarketplace leadership team as their Global Chief Business Officer and recently pent time at xAi/ X Corp as their Global Head of Revenue Operations and Ad Innovation for the X media platform. In these roles, he has/will developed, drive and executed a comprehensive commercial and advertising innovation strategy to deliver business outcomes. Focusing on go-to-market strategy and monetization for ad/ search monitization, programmatic, data licensing , Ai implementation and new product offerings. John Nitti on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnnitti/ Resources adMarketplace: https://www.admarketplace.com/ The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703 Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74 We’re proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658 Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3 Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

What if the biggest obstacle to your AI strategy isn't the algorithm, but the 20-year-old software your team is forced to use every day? Agility requires not just a willingness to adopt new strategies like AI, but also the courage to dismantle the legacy systems that hold your people and processes captive. Today, we're going to talk about the hidden costs of outdated technology. While many leaders are focused on implementing the next generation of AI, new research suggests that the legacy systems still running in the background are not just inefficient—they're actively eroding employee morale, productivity, and could even be a major factor in employee turnover. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Matt Healy, Sr. Director, Product Strategy & Marketing at Pega. About Matt Healy Matt Healy, Senior Director of Product Marketing, leads product marketing and strategy for Pega Platform. He helps engage with enterprises to bring new solutions to life that enable faster legacy transformation, accelerated development, AI & automation at scale to unlock business agility, operational efficiency, and developer effectiveness. Matt Healy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattbhealy/ Resources Pega: https://www.pega.com Pega provides the leading AI-powered platform for enterprise transformation. The world’s most influential organizations trust Pega’s technology to reimagine how work gets done by automating workflows, personalizing customer experiences, and modernizing legacy systems. Since 1983, Pega’s scalable, flexible architecture has fueled continuous innovation, helping clients accelerate their path to the autonomous enterprise. Learn more at Pega.com See the research from Pega mentioned on the show: https://www.pega.com/about/news/press-releases/new-research-uncovers-hidden-toll-ineffective-workplace-technology Also make sure to register for PegaWorld 2026, June 7-9 in Las Vegas, where the future of AI-led business will be built. Learn more and register here: https://www.pega.com/events/pegaworld Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74 We’re proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658 Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3 Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

With AI promising to accelerate everything, is the most important role for a leader now to be the one who knows when to hit the brakes? Agility requires a balance between the rapid adoption of new technologies and the strategic wisdom to know which ones will actually deliver customer value. It's less about moving fast and more about moving in the right direction. Today, we're going to talk about how AI has permanently changed product development. But while it enables teams to tackle more problems faster than ever, the real challenge has shifted to keeping pace with rising customer expectations. This new landscape requires a shift in product leadership—from simply adopting trends to discerning real value, and using human judgment and creativity to decide where AI can make the biggest impact, and where it’s just noise. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Kevin Wang, Chief Product Officer at Braze. About Kevin Wang Kevin Wang is the Chief Product Officer at Braze, where he leads the definition of Braze’s product roadmap and R&D efforts, as well as managing and scaling the Product Management and Product Design teams. Kevin joined Braze as its fifth employee in 2012, helping to build the first product sold to customers and the early engineering team. He’s since held a variety of roles across product management, engineering, engineering management, and technical recruiting. Prior to Braze, Kevin was a consultant at Accenture focusing on the energy sector. Kevin holds a B.S. in Brain & Cognitive Sciences from MIT. Kevin Wang on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-wang-96131916/ Resources Braze: https://www.braze.com/ The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703 Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74 We’re proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658 Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3 Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

We've all been sold the dream of AI transforming the customer experience, but what if the most common approach is actually making it worse? Agility requires more than just implementing new technology; it demands a deep understanding of the human interactions that technology is meant to support. It’s about adapting your tools and processes to enhance human judgment, not just automate it. Today, we're going to talk about moving beyond the hype of AI in customer experience. We'll explore how to ground an AI strategy not in the technology itself, but in the real, human moments that define a brand, and discuss why empowering your frontline team might be the most critical, and overlooked, component of a successful CX transformation. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Michelle Cooper, CMO at NiCE. About Michelle Cooper Michelle Cooper on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleleecooper/ Resources NiCE: https://www.nice.com The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703 Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74 Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3 Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Is generative AI on track to become the biggest productivity unlock for marketers since the internet, or will it forever be stuck in endless pilot projects and one-off experiments? Agility requires moving beyond isolated experiments and embracing the systemic redesign of core creative and marketing workflows. It's about building the operational muscle to not just adopt new technology, but to integrate it into the very fabric of how your brand creates value. Today, we're going to talk about what happens after the initial hype cycle of generative AI. We're moving past the novelty of prompting for images and into the far more complex challenge of operationalizing AI at enterprise scale. This isn't just about adding a new tool; it's about re-architecting the entire creative supply chain and redefining the role of human judgment in a world of content abundance. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Hannah Elsakr, VP of New GenAI Business Ventures at Adobe. About Hannah Elsakr Hannah Elsakr serves as Vice President of GenAI New Business Ventures at Adobe, where she leads efforts at the intersection of technology, creativity, and marketing. She launched Adobe Firefly Enterprise businesses, starting with Firefly Services for creative automation and Firefly Foundry, Adobe’s GenAI deep-tuning managed service, enabling brands to adopt commercially safe generative AI. Previously, she led Corporate Development and served as Chief of Staff to Adobe’s CEO and Chair, Shantanu Narayen. Hannah is also Board President for the Adobe Foundation, which creates positive change through support for creative and digital literacy, social equity and opportunity, and active engagement in the communities where we live and work. Hannah has experience leading global businesses in ecommerce & marketplaces, consumer products, SaaS, and advisory services. Prior to joining Adobe, she was the Vice President at eBay with P&L responsibility for eBay’s Canada, Latin America, and U.S. Exports businesses as well as business operations. Hannah previously held leadership roles at eBay, Del Monte Foods, Avon Products, McKinsey & Co., and J.P. Morgan.Hannah holds a Bachelor of Science degree in applied mathematics with computer science from MIT and an MBA from Harvard Business School. Hannah Elsakr on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannahelsakr/ Resources Adobe: https://www.adobe.com The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703 Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74 Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3 Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

What if your company’s most valuable source of competitive intelligence and brand insight isn’t a market research report, but your contact center? Agility requires more than just reacting to customer issues; it demands the ability to listen, understand, and act on the collective voice of the customer to proactively shape the business. This means transforming points of friction into opportunities for innovation. Today, we are live at Medallia Experience 2026 in Las Vegas, and we're going to talk about transforming the contact center from a reactive, cost-focused operational hub into a proactive, strategic engine for growth. We'll explore how to unlock the wealth of insights from customer interactions to drive innovation, create more empathetic experiences, and deliver tangible value across the entire enterprise. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Courtney Shealy, SVP, Global Presales at Medallia. About Courtney Shealy With 25 years in SaaS and CX, Courtney brings deep expertise in leading global sales engineering and strategy teams. She has a proven track record of connecting customers to innovation that drives measurable business outcomes. For the last 15 years, she’s focused on transforming CX adoption into an engine for revenue growth, efficiency, and stakeholder value. At Medallia, Courtney leads the Center of Excellence that helps customers maximize their CX investments—modernizing programs with AI, breaking free of outdated foundations, and accelerating results. Courtney Shealy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtney-mcmahan-shealy-9b3251/ Resources Medallia: https://www.medallia.com The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703 Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74 Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3 Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

What if your biggest competitor this holiday season isn't another brand, but an army of AI-powered scammers stealing your customers and destroying your brand equity before you even know they exist? Agility requires not only building a brand that can pivot with market trends, but also one that can defend its value and customer trust against threats that evolve just as quickly. Today, we're going to talk about the dark side of digital engagement, including the rapidly growing threat of brand impersonation, counterfeit goods, and AI-driven scams that target the customers marketers work so hard to attract. This isn't just an IT security issue; it's a fundamental threat to customer experience, brand trust, and revenue. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Yoav Keren, CEO and Co-founder at BrandShield. About Yoav Keren Yoav Keren has 24 years of experience in financial management, marketing, and business development. He is currently a member of the anti-counterfeiting committee at INTA and was formerly a Council Member at ICANN. Yoav was a senior advisor to a minister in the Israeli government and was the head of the Technology branch of the Israeli military’s Information Security Department. He holds an MBA from the Kellogg & Recanati business school (Northwestern University & Tel-Aviv University) and a BA in Economics and Physics from the Tel-Aviv University. Yoav Keren on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yoavkeren/?originalSubdomain=il Resources BrandShield : brandshield.com The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703 Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74 Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3 Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Imagine your biggest AI-powered marketing decision is challenged by your CEO or legal team. Could you, right now, defend both the outcome as well as how the AI arrived at that conclusion? Agility requires more than just speed; it demands the confidence to act on insights decisively. That confidence is impossible if the tools making the recommendations operate like an unexplainable black box. Today, we're going to talk about the growing trust deficit in enterprise AI. While we’re all chasing the speed and convenience automation promises, many leaders are realizing that fast answers are useless—and even dangerous—if you can’t verify or defend the logic behind them. We’ll explore how to move beyond 'black-box' systems to build an AI strategy grounded in transparency, credibility, and true, defensible decision-making. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Chris Willis, Chief Design Officer & Futurist at Domo. About Chris Willis Chris Willis is Chief Design Officer at Domo, where he brings more than 25 years of design and product leadership to the company’s data, analytics, and AI platform. Since joining Domo early in its history, he has played a key role in shaping the platform’s design strategy, helping make complex data more accessible and useful for customers across industries. Before Domo, Chris co-founded HOUR Detroit magazine and Footnote.com (now Fold3.com), which was acquired by Ancestry.com, and worked as an award-winning illustrator, journalist, and author. His experience blends design thinking, technology, and emerging trends to drive innovation and build tools that solve real business problems. Chris Willis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cwillis Resources Domo: https://www.domo.com/ The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703 Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74 Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3 Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

As AI makes it easier than ever to reach a global audience, is it also making it easier to fail on a global scale? Agility requires more than just speed; it requires situational awareness. For global brands, this means having the cultural intelligence to understand the nuances of local markets and adapt your strategy in a way that builds trust, not erodes it. Today, we're going to talk about a critical paradox facing modern marketers: as technology and AI make global expansion seem easier than ever, the risk of cultural missteps and brand damage has never been higher. We'll explore why cultural intelligence is becoming the most vital, and perhaps most overlooked, asset for building brand value, and how getting it right is the key to unlocking sustainable growth in a world that is both interconnected and deeply, culturally distinct. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Katherine Melchior Ray, UC Berkeley, co-author of the new book, Brand Global, Adapt Local: How to Build Brand Value Across Cultures About Katherine Melchior Ray Katherine Melchior Ray lectures on international marketing and leadership at UC Berkeley Haas School of Business, CA. With twenty-five-years spent building the world's best consumer branding across continents, she brings expertise from her time as a senior executive at Nike, Nordstrom, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Hyatt, Shiseido and Babbel. She has guest lectured at Stanford, Wharton, Brown and Portland State University.She has been interviewed and featured on CBS 60 Minutes, CNN, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and numerous media internationally. She also has been profiled in The Wall Street Journal in an article entitled, "Hyatt Executive Has a Spare Evening Gown in Her Bag," and was voted one of the "Most Compelling Women in the Travel Industry" by Premier Traveler magazine. She can be heard on various podcasts and blogs related to global marketing and leadership, culture and diversity, women's empowerment, and the future of work. Katherine Melchior Ray on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherinemelchiorray/ Resources Get a copy of Katherine and Nataly's book: Brand Global, Adapt Local: How to Build Brand Value Across Cultures: ⁠https://amzn.to/481wUJm The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703 Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74 Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://ratethispodcast.com/agileConnect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

What if the most honest and insightful feedback you could get about your customers didn't come from an actual customer at all? Agility requires not just the ability to pivot quickly, but the foresight to know *which way* to turn. That foresight is built on a foundation of deep, unbiased insights, which are becoming increasingly difficult to get through traditional means. We are in Seattle at the Qualtrics X4 Summit, and today, we're going to talk about a fundamental shift in how we gather customer insights. We'll explore the diminishing returns of traditional research and dive into the potential of synthetic panels—AI models trained to represent audiences without the fatigue, bias, or social desirability that can skew human responses. It's a move from merely confirming what we think we know to discovering what's truly possible. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Jordan Harper, Principal AI Thought Leader, Edge Center of Excellence at Qualtrics. About Jordan Harper With a career spanning nuclear physics, software engineering, digital transformation, and customer experience strategy, Jordan brings a fresh perspective to technology’s role in understanding people and markets. He has advised global brands, led innovation programs, and built products across industries from financial services to fast-casual dining.Drawing on this diverse background, Jordan excels in working with clients to help them realize how AI-powered synthetic research can not only deliver faster and more cost-effective results, but also introduces surprising benefits and fresh perspectives into a market researcher's toolkit. Jordan Harper on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanharper/ Resources Qualtrics: https://www.qualtrics.com The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703 Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74 Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3 Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company