Why Big Tech Is Spending Millions to Partner with Smart AI Startups

What do you get when you mix a 70-year-old legacy brand, Gen Z tax filers, and a reality TV show called Responsibility Island?An absolute marketing fever dream. And Jill Cress — CMO of H&R Block — is the mastermind behind it. We unpack how she’s giving TurboTax-meets-Gen-Z realness. We’re talking Roblox integrations, bold brand storytelling, and what happens when you challenge a category that’s historically allergic to change.We cover:– How H&R Block turned tax season into a cultural moment– What marketers get wrong about Gen Z (and how to fix it)– Why AI is useful, but human empathy still pays the bills– The 4 E’s of customer experience (one of them might make you cry)This is legacy brand marketing with ✨main character energy.✨Press play. Take notes. Maybe even call your tax pro. Key Moments:00:00 Introduction to Jill Cress, CMO of H&R Block01:49 H&R Block's Legacy and Innovation13:03 Challenges and Surprises in Marketing19:45 Responsibility Island: A Bold Marketing Move25:41 Measuring Success and Future Plans30:59 Differentiation and Brand Storytelling33:15 Life Stage Stories and Customer Experience38:21 The Role of Empathy in Customer Relationships44:08 AI in Tax Assistance51:33 The Future of Brand Storytelling53:43 Advice for Young Marketers57:02 Relevant or Irrelevant: Lightening Round Mission.org is a media studio producing content alongside world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

What if the next big wave in marketing isn’t about targeting people at all—but impressing their AI agents instead?Abhay Parasnis, CEO of Typeface and former CTO at Adobe, joins us to explain why the future of brand discovery is less “search bar” and more “autonomous agents doing your shopping.” Abhay makes a bold case that most traditional marketing (think SEO strategies, AB tests, and static brand books) is already becoming obsolete. Instead, the brands that win will be the ones building content systems smart enough to speak directly to intelligent agents that buy and sell on our behalf.But this conversation doesn’t stop at marketing disruption. Abhay pulls back the curtain on Typeface’s meteoric rise, driven in large part by early, strategic partnerships with companies like Microsoft, Salesforce, and Google. He argues that AI startups don’t need to outcompete the giants… they need to build what the giants can’t, and then let those giants bring them customers. It’s a refreshing take on B2B growth that flips the usual “go it alone” startup myth on its head.From identifying watermelon metrics to replacing agency workflows with AI copilots, Abhay brings sharp insight, grounded optimism, and just enough heresy to keep it interesting. If you’re trying to navigate the chaos of modern marketing, or just wondering what comes after search, this episode is your map. Key Moments:00:00 Abhay Parasnis: CEO of Typeface & Ex-Adobe CTO06:48 Typeface’s Vision and Genesis14:03 The Role of AI in Brand Management17:29 The Future of Agencies in an AI-Driven World25:06 Change Management and the Adoption of AI37:46 AI in Campaign Creation and Performance Measurement40:34 The Future of Search and SEO46:53 Identifying High-Quality Content in AI-Driven Marketing48:16 Offline Relationships and Physical Experiences50:47 The Future of Partnerships in Tech59:45 Transformation in the C-Suite01:04:15 Relevant or Not Relevant: Quick Takes01:05:49 The Future of Digital Content Marketing in an AI-Driven World Mission.org is a media studio producing content alongside world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

Think LinkedIn is the place to reach technical buyers?Auvik CMO Susanne Rodriguez breaks down how her team built an insanely effective Reddit and Facebook strategy — yes, Facebook — to reach IT pros who dodge sales emails like it's their job (because it is).We’re talking memes that convert, subreddits that slap, and how to avoid getting flamed by Reddit mods who smell B2B fluff from a mile away. You’ll also hear how Auvik got dragged for a meme, owned it publicly, and came out stronger — a.k.a. how to market like a human.If you’ve ever uttered the words “we need more MQLs” while ignoring your company’s meme game… this one's for you.🎯 Watch till the end — because the last 5 minutes might make you rethink your entire ABM budget. Key Moments: 00:00 Who Is Suzanne Rodriguez, CMO at Auvik?02:50 Reddit Marketing for IT Pros: Painful, Petty, Perfect08:33 Meme Wars and Raspberry Pis: A Campaign Autopsy25:02 The Great Content Tug-of-War: Entertainment vs. Conversion27:38 Direct Traffic, Zero Conversions, and the Website that Won’t Work34:47 Getting Found in the AI Age: Search Visibility in a ChatGPT World36:13 Instagram and Facebook for IT Pros? Apparently, Yes37:29 No Faking It: Building Trust Through Realness43:36 Radical Candor and Proving the CMO Wrong50:13 Hiring for Grit, Curiosity, and a Love of Data58:21 Hot Takes, Hard Truths, and Lightning Round Wisdom Mission.org is a media studio producing content alongside world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

You’re still optimizing for Google? That’s cute… Marcus Sheridan, author of They Ask, You Answer, joins us for a high-energy episode, he joins host Stephanie Postles to break down why the playbook most B2B marketers are still running is dangerously outdated. They dive deep into the collapse of traditional SEO, the rise of AI-generated answers, and why brands that aren’t building trust through video, transparency, and self-service tools are already falling behind. Marcus shares tactical examples from the likes of Liquid Death, Shasta Pools, and his own viral pool pricing content that generated $35M+ in sales. He also drops a bold prediction: your YouTube channel will soon matter more than your website. Whether you’re a CMO tired of playing it safe or a marketer trying to sell bold ideas up the chain, this episode is your permission slip to think (and market) differently. Key Moments: 00:00: Is Google Dead? Marcus Sheridan On Why Search Is Breaking for Marketers00:23: Why Your YouTube Channel Will Soon Outrank Your Website14:50: The #1 Interview Question CMOs Should Be Asking16:39: The Big 5 Content Topics Buyers Actually Care About29:03: Self-Service Tools: The Secret Weapon for Modern Marketers40:55: How to Avoid the Pitfalls of Radical Transparency43:15: Why SaaS Pricing Pages Are Failing the Modern Buyer46:37: Will Websites Matter in 5 Years? AI Is Changing the Game Mission.org is a media studio producing content alongside world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

In a twist that flips the format, today’s Marketing Trends episode puts longtime host Stephanie in the guest seat as Lacey Peace — the show’s behind-the-scenes force for nearly a decade — grabs the mic. What unfolds is a no-BS conversation about how AI is dismantling the old playbook, why cold emails are basically spam of the past, and what marketers need to do now to stay relevant. Stephanie unpacks why Account-Based Experiences (ABX) — not just ABM — are the new battleground for meaningful engagement, and why trust, speed, and human connection are the real growth levers in an AI-saturated world. From digital buyer agents and decentralized discovery to building content that LLMs can’t summarize, this episode delivers sharp takes on where marketing is headed — and who’s already falling behind. And if you're curious about cold texting, naming dogs after food, or whether mascots actually move the needle… don’t miss the lightning-fast Relevant or Irrelevant round. Key Moments: 00:00 From 2,000 Interviews to the Hot Seat01:08 How AI Is Reshaping B2B Marketing02:25 The Collapse of Traditional Tactics03:43 AI Disrupting Email & Search Marketing04:39 Why ABX Is the Future of B2B Strategy08:54 AI Buyer Agents Are Coming — Fast13:32 Trust, Community & Decentralized Buying17:07 ABM vs. ABX: What's the Real Difference?21:34 Smarter Metrics for Long-Term Growth23:13 LLMs vs. Google: The New Search Shift24:46 Building Content LLMs Can’t Summarize27:00 Enterprise Entertainment as a Marketing Play30:39 Niche Content That Converts in B2B33:50 Relevant or Irrelevant? Rapid-Fire Trends  Mission.org is a media studio producing content alongside world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

Imagine onboarding a new employee who never sleeps, speaks every language, knows all your products, and can handle thousands of customers at once.That's the reality Salesforce is building with Agentforce — and it’s already transforming customer success, marketing operations, and revenue growth.In this episode, Salesforce SVP of Digital Customer Success Bernard Slowey joins us to break down how they became Customer Zero for Agentforce, what went wrong (and right), and why agentic AI is reshaping the future of marketing and operations.If you lead marketing, operations, or customer success — and you’re serious about not falling behind — this episode is your AI playbook.Key Moments:00:00: What Is Agentforce? Introducing Salesforce’s Digital AI Workforce 01:21: Meet Bernard Slowey: VP of Digital Customer Success at Salesforce 01:46: From AOL to Salesforce: Bernard’s Career Path Through the Tech Revolution 03:57: The Rise of AI Agents: Why Chatbots Are Officially Obsolete 06:36: AI Agents vs. Chatbots: What They Are and Why They Matter 11:22: Lessons from the Frontlines: What It Takes to Implement AI Agents 15:16: Inside Salesforce: How Agentforce Came to Life 18:55: How Salesforce Launched Agentforce in Just 4 Weeks (And What They Measured) 30:27: Rethinking Success: Metrics That Actually Matter in AI Rollouts 38:25: Why Traditional Customer Service Automation Is Failing Us 42:36: Real Use Cases: How Salesforce Clients Are Winning with Agentforce 44:11: AI Implementation Challenges (And How to Solve Them) 50:32: Cross-Functional Teams and the Future of AI Collaboration 57:18: Why AI Still Needs a Human Touch in Customer Experience 58:33: The New Job Titles and Skills Emerging in an AI-First Era 01:04:02 Human Intuition vs. AI Logic: Finding the Right Balance 01:09:35 Customer Obsession in the Age of Automation  Mission.org is a media studio producing content alongside world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

What does it take to launch an AI product on the biggest stage in advertising — and actually make it stick? GoDaddy CMO Fara Howard joins us to unpack the strategy behind their standout Super Bowl campaign for GoDaddy Airo, featuring actor Walton Goggins (White Lotus, The Righteous Gemstones). From idea to execution, Fara shares how her team translated a complex product into a message that millions could instantly understand — without losing the creativity that made it unforgettable.We dive into the balance of data and storytelling, how to earn the right to be bold with your marketing, and why simplicity is a superpower in B2B. Whether you're a CMO, brand leader, or growth marketer, Fara’s insights into performance-backed creativity, product positioning, and campaign accountability will leave you rethinking how you launch, scale, and measure your next big idea.Key Moments: 00:00 Who is Fara Howard, GoDaddy CMO?00:21 Why GoDaddy Returned to the Super Bowl in 202401:37 The Evolution of GoDaddy’s Super Bowl Ad Playbook03:51 What Is GoDaddy Airo? Breaking Down the AI Product Launch05:57 Lessons from Launching a New AI Tool at Massive Scale09:30 How GoDaddy Chose Walton Goggins for the Super Bowl Spot15:56 Behind the Scenes: Building a Creative Campaign That Converts26:22 Real-World Marketing Advice from a CMO: Math vs. Magic34:43 Why Company Culture Should Shape Your Career Path35:39 A Cultural Misfit: The Vans Story You Have to Hear Mission.org is a media studio producing content alongside world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

What if successful teams could operate without a leader?Spoiler Alert: If you still think leadership is about barking orders from the top, Keith Ferrazzi is here to tell you: you’re doing it wrong. The legendary author of Never Eat Alone is here, and he’s coming for your org chart.Tune in to discover why traditional leadership is dead, how AI is forcing us all to rethink teamwork, and why teamship is the future. Key Moments: 0:00 Who is Keith Ferrazzi, Author of Never Lead Alone?06:43 The Importance of Team Dynamics10:49 Shifts in Leadership and the Impact of Teamship15:19 Implementing Effective Team Practices23:41 Adapting to Market Changes27:06 The Future of Jobs and AI Transformation28:59 Navigating AI-Induced Societal Disruption35:59 Empowered Teams and the Magic of Holacracy38:37 High Return Practices for Team Success46:48 The Next 20 Years: AI and Human Collaboration  Mission.org is a media studio producing content alongside world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

What’s worse than pissing people off with a bold marketing campaign? Boring them.So why is everyone following the same playbooks, recycling “best practices”, and relying on cookie cutter AI to generate the same-sounding content?If you want to truly stand out, you have to break the rules… or at least question them.Stephanie sits down with Udi Ledergor, Chief Evangelist at Gong and author of Courageous Marketing, to talk about how marketers can push past fear, embrace bold strategies, and create campaigns that people actually remember.Udi shares why "best practices" are often just boring practices, how startups have more freedom to take risks than they realize, and why some of Gong’s scrappiest marketing stunts generated the biggest buzz. Plus, we dive into how AI is changing the marketing landscape — and how to make sure it doesn’t turn your brand into just another generic voice in the noise. Key Moments: 00:00: Who is Udi Ledergor, Chief Evangelist at Gong?01:37 Why Many “Best Practices” Are Outdated03:27 The Courage to Be Different06:14 Choosing the Right Company and Leadership13:59 Creating Buzz with Content Marketing26:54 Hiring for Potential Over Experience31:46 The Value of Diverse Backgrounds in Marketing35:56 Handling Failure: A Marketing Campaign Gone Wrong45:32 Writing a Book: Insights and Sneak Peeks51:32 The Role of AI in Marketing58:53 Lightning Round: Quickfire Questions and Answers  Mission.org is a media studio producing content alongside world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

AI Won’t Save You. Strategy Will.AI is transforming the way brands connect with consumers. But are companies actually leveraging it the right way? And what about marketing teams — are their operating models built for the future, or stuck in the past?In this episode, Rebecca Messina, former Global CMO of Uber and marketing leader at Coca-Cola, unpacks what brands are getting wrong about AI, strategy, and team structure. She also reveals the top traits she looks for in marketing hires, and why adaptability and a relentless drive to learn are non-negotiable in today’s industry.If you want to stay ahead in marketing, this conversation is a must-listen. Buckle up — Rebecca’s insights might just change the way you think about your entire marketing approach. Key Moments:00:00 Who is Marketing Expert, Rebecca Messina?01:53 The Most Common Misconceptions in Marketing03:48 Adapting Marketing Strategies to Different Environments05:29 The Importance of Language in Marketing16:08 Cross-Functional Collaboration19:50 The Art of Risk-Taking26:06 Your Operating Model is Costing You Talent26:59 Global vs. Local Marketing Strategies28:32 Innovating Your Operating Model29:28 Hiring High-Performing Teams33:12 Navigating AI in Marketing39:16 Aligning Your Mission & Your Strategy42:28 Lightning Round & Rebecca’s Top Resources47:28 Why Flexibility is Wealth Mission.org is a media studio producing content alongside world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.