Mastercard, $1.2B, and a cybersecurity brand problem, with Jess Shields, Mastercard

What does it take to market cybersecurity at one of the world's most recognized brands? Jess Shields, Director of Product Marketing at Mastercard, brings 20 years of hard-won experience to this conversation.From leading the global launch of Mastercard's acquisition of Recorded Future, a major player in threat intelligence, to navigating the complex dance between product marketing and product management, Jess breaks down what it really means to bring enterprise security products to market with clarity and impact.She shares the practical frameworks she swears by (including a four-quadrant prioritization grid that keeps her and her PM partners aligned), her philosophy on customer-centric positioning, and why she believes product marketers need a seat at the table from day one – not just at launch.

What does it really take to make product marketing drive revenue – not just awareness? In this episode, fractional CMO Aruna Inalsingh pulls back the curtain on her unconventional path from engineer to startup marketing consultant, and shares what she's learned working across wildly different industries – from beauty and fashion to drone manufacturing. Aruna makes the case for a smarter, more balanced approach to product marketing: one that delivers quick wins without losing sight of long-term strategy.

Join us as Jess Ruby, Director of Growth Marketing at UniUni, shares her inspiring journey into growth marketing. She emphasizes how embracing data and metrics can transform how marketing teams demonstrate their impact, especially crucial during times of uncertainty and budget constraints. Through relatable examples like tracking conversion rates and measuring revenue from sales decks, Jess shows how product marketers can clearly communicate their value and strengthen their strategic position.

Maniesh Joshi, VP of Product and Commercial Marketing at Transcarant, discusses the importance of empathy and clarity in product marketing. He shares his journey from healthcare consulting to becoming an "accidental marketer," highlighting his roles at Medtronic and Omada Health. Maniesh emphasizes the value of having a strong point of view loosely held and the need for product marketers to drive innovation. He recounts successful launches, including a beta pilot for a patient engagement app and a rapid AI solution launch at Transcarant, which generated $60 million in pipeline in 60 days.

In this episode, we sit down with Shawn Dye, a product marketing manager who shares a candid look at his unconventional career path – from starting in HR to pivoting into product marketing after earning his MBA. Shawn discusses his experiences at Zola and at various growth-stage startups across e-commerce, tech, and SaaS, highlighting the importance of building strong cross-functional relationships, especially with product managers.He also opens up about facing three layoffs in a single year and how market volatility has shaped his perspective on career stability. Throughout the conversation, Shawn emphasizes the value of documenting your work, adapting quickly to new environments, and staying committed to lifelong learning.

How do you market in a world that never stops? Sedall Asante, Product Marketing Director at Aptos Labs, shares his journey from JP Morgan to crypto, the power of evergreen campaigns, and why taking calculated risks early can skyrocket your marketing career.

In this episode, Nupur Bhade Vilas, Head of PMM at Kustomer, shares how she transitioned from engineering to product marketing, using organization, detailed notes, and AI tools to drive success.She reflects on leading marketing through major transitions – like Twilio’s SendGrid acquisition and Kustomer’s rebrand – highlighting the importance of trust, clear communication, and team alignment during change. Nupur also offers advice for PMMs navigating mergers: seek clarity, use AI as a thought partner, and advocate for your growth.

Listen as Maitri Sheth, Senior Product Marketing Manager, reveals the untold story of making AI work for humans, not the other way around.In this episode, Maitri takes us behind the scenes of her career transition from B2C to B2B marketing and shares the hard-won lessons from leading Gong's groundbreaking AI narrative. Discover how she's using cutting-edge tools like ChatGPT and Claude to revolutionize product messaging while maintaining the human touch that actually converts.

How do you build a career when the path isn’t clear? Michelle Zak’s journey from fine arts and design to product marketing leadership is anything but traditional.And that’s exactly why it works.In this conversation, Michelle shares the lessons she’s learned navigating startups, shifting industries, and carving out a role that often looks different from company to company. From “job crafting” to breaking into new industries without prior experience, she highlights the skills and mindset that helped her stand out in a tough job market.→ Why design thinking is a natural foundation for product marketing→ The power of “job crafting” and how to use it at any stage of your career→ Tips for breaking into new industries without direct experience→ What to expect when moving from late-stage to early-stage startups→ Why product marketing is always “more than you think”

Join Hannah Pickering, Director of Product Marketing at Centivo, as she explains her journey from writer to product marketer, emphasizing the importance of understanding business operations and earning trust. She highlights her experience in various industries, stressing the need for product marketers to connect the dots, develop unique perspectives, and build credibility by engaging early with product teams.