Podcasts about marketing ops

Text us your thoughts on the episode or the show!In this episode of OpsCast, hosted by Michael Hartmann and powered by MarketingOps.com, Michael is joined by co-host Mike Rizzo to tackle events, which are one of the most persistent challenges in go-to-market execution.Events demand significant investment in time, budget, and coordination, yet many teams still struggle to prove their impact. Data is often fragmented, delayed, or incomplete, making ROI difficult to measure and even harder to trust.To discuss this problem, we are joined by Aaron Karpaty, Senior Director of Strategic Growth at Captello. Aaron works closely with revenue, marketing, and operations teams to modernize how event data is captured, connected, and activated across CRM, marketing automation, and sales workflows.The conversation explores where event programs break down operationally, why so much valuable interaction data never makes it into systems of record, and what a modern event operation needs to look like to drive real business outcomes.In this episode, you will learn:Why event and field marketing data remains fragmented across most organizationsThe most common data traps that prevent accurate event ROI measurementWhat interactions are typically lost during and after eventsHow to think about event value beyond basic lead captureWhat a well-run, integrated event operation looks like todayHow Marketing Ops, Revenue Ops, and Field Marketing can better alignThis episode is ideal for Marketing Ops, Revenue Ops, Field Marketing, and demand generation leaders who want to turn events from one-off activities into measurable revenue drivers.Episode Brought to You By MO Pros The #1 Community for Marketing Operations ProfessionalsSupport the show

Text us your thoughts on the episode or the show!In this episode of OpsCast, hosted by Michael Hartmann and powered by MarketingOps.com, we are joined by Richard Wasylynchuk, VP of Marketing Operations and Interim Head of Marketing at Trulioo. Richard brings a unique perspective as an operations leader who stepped into an executive marketing role, offering valuable insights on why more CMOs of the future may emerge from Marketing Ops.The conversation explores how the changing business environment, evolving investor expectations, and increasing focus on profitability are elevating the role of Marketing Ops leaders. Richard shares his perspective on visibility, data literacy, team design, and how an operational mindset aligns with modern marketing leadership.In this episode, you will learn:Why Marketing Ops leaders are well-positioned to become future CMOsHow shifting from growth-at-all-costs to profitability changes leadership prioritiesThe difference between activity reporting and outcome reportingHow data literacy and financial acumen build trust at the executive levelThis episode is perfect for Marketing Ops, RevOps, and marketing professionals who want to expand their strategic influence and prepare for senior leadership roles.Episode Brought to You By MO Pros The #1 Community for Marketing Operations ProfessionalsSupport the show

So, what does Marketing ops actually look like? Atlassian's Head of Lifecycle Marketing Ops Kelly Jo Horton joins Daniel to break down what ops actually is, why it's so complex, and how high-performing teams are evolving the function for 2026 and beyond. She explains why MOPS isn't “just sending an email,” why process is everything, and why marketers need to stop treating ops like a drive-thru and start treating it like a Michelin-star kitchen. She also reveals how Atlassian structures its ops organization and why she believes the MQL is officially dead. You'll also learn: >  What modern Marketing Ops actually does and why it varies by company > How AI can automate repetitive ops tasks (like list cleaning and lead investigations) > How Atlassian uses Jira, Confluence, Slack bots, and Loom to run ops like engineering This is for anyone in Marketing, rev ops, or GTM who wants to build a scalable system…and for every Marketer who's ever said “it's just an email.” Easily record and share AI-powered video messages with your teammates and customers to supercharge productivity at https://www.loom.com/ Follow Kelly Jo: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellyjohorton/ Follow Daniel: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-murray-marketing/ Sign up for The Marketing Millennials newsletter: https://themarketingmillennials.com/ Daniel is a Workweek friend, working to produce amazing podcasts. To find out more, visit: https://workweek.com/

Text us your thoughts on the episode or the show!In this episode of OpsCast, hosted by Michael Hartmann and powered by MarketingOps.com, we are joined by Nadia Davis, VP of Marketing, and Misha Salkinder, VP of Technical Delivery at CaliberMind. Together, they explore a challenge many Marketing Ops professionals face today: how to move from being data-driven to being data-informed.Nadia and Misha share why teams often get lost in complexity, how overengineering analytics can disconnect data from business impact, and what it takes to bring context, clarity, and common sense back to measurement. The conversation dives into explainability, mentorship, and how data literacy can help rebuild trust between marketing, operations, and leadership.In this episode, you will learn:Why “data-drowned” marketing ops is a growing problemHow to connect analytics to real business outcomesThe importance of explainability and fundamentals in data practicesHow to simplify metrics to drive alignment and actionThis episode is perfect for marketing, RevOps, and analytics professionals who want to make data meaningful again and use it to guide smarter, more strategic decisions.Episode Brought to You By MO Pros The #1 Community for Marketing Operations ProfessionalsSupport the show

Text us your thoughts on the episode or the show!In this episode of OpsCast, hosted by Michael Hartmann and powered by MarketingOps.com, we are joined by Spencer Tahil, Founder and Chief Growth Officer at Growth Alliance. Spencer helps organizations design AI and automation workflows that enhance go-to-market efficiency, streamline revenue operations, and strengthen marketing performance.The discussion focuses on how to move from experimentation to execution with AI. Spencer shares his systems-driven approach to identifying automation opportunities, prioritizing high-impact workflows, and building sustainable frameworks that improve strategic thinking rather than replace it.In this episode, you will learn:How to identify and prioritize tasks for automation using a value versus frequency modelThe biggest mistakes teams make when integrating AI into their workflowsHow AI can strengthen strategic decision-making instead of replacing peoplePractical prompting frameworks for achieving accurate and useful resultsThis episode is ideal for marketing operations, RevOps, and growth professionals who want to turn AI experimentation into measurable, scalable execution.Episode Brought to You By MO Pros The #1 Community for Marketing Operations Professionals Ops Cast is brought to you in partnership with Emmie Co, an incredible group of consultants leading the top brands in all things Marketing Operations. Check the mount at Emmieco.comSupport the show

What's up everyone, today we have the pleasure of sitting down with Anna Leary, Director of Marketing Operations at Alma.(00:00) - Intro (01:15) - In This Episode (04:38) - How to Prevent Burnout (05:46) - What Companies Can Do Better (07:50) - Agility of Planning (08:53) - Why Saying No Strengthens Marketing Operations (13:48) - How to Decide When to Push Back (18:03) - Hill To Die On (20:03) - How to Handle Constant Pushback (29:55) - Wishlist (37:06) - How to Use Asynchronous Communication to Reduce Stress (44:24) - How To Evaluate Martech Tools Based On Real Business Impact (48:45) - Why Marketing Ops Needs Visible Work Systems (51:24) - Health Awareness (52:56) - How to Recognize and Prevent Burnout in Marketing Operations Summary: Anna built systems to keep marketing running smoothly, but the real lesson came when those same systems failed to protect her. In this episode, she shares how saying no became her survival skill, why visibility is the antidote to burnout, and how calm structure (not constant hustle) keeps teams sharp and human. It's a story about boundaries, balance, and learning to lead without losing yourself.About AlmaAnna Leary is the Director of Marketing Operations at Alma, where she builds scalable systems that help marketing teams work smarter. With a focus on lead flow, data architecture, and enablement, she's known for creating centers of excellence that turn fragmented operations into cohesive, measurable programs. As a Marketo Certified Solutions Architect and Marketo Measure (Bizible) specialist, Anna brings a rare balance of technical depth and strategic clarity to every initiative she leads.Before joining Alma, Anna spent more than a decade shaping marketing operations strategies for brands like Uber, Teamwork, Sauce Labs, and Bitly. Whether optimizing attribution models or training teams to adopt new workflows, Anna's work always centers on efficiency, empowerment, and driving impact across the full marketing ecosystem.Burnout and BalanceMarketing ops work demands constant precision. Teams juggle system integrations, data cleanups, and new tech rollouts, often all before lunch. The job requires mental endurance and a tolerance for chaos. Anna understands this well. “Everyone's trying to be the person who knows the newest tech,” she said. “It's hard to keep up, and that adds to the mental load.” The competition to stay relevant has turned into a quiet stress test that too many operators fail without noticing.The strange part is that ops teams often create systems designed to protect their organizations but rarely use those same systems to protect themselves. Anna explained how Service Level Agreements (SLAs) can lose their meaning when teams treat them as flexible. Urgent requests push through, exceptions pile up, and structure dissolves. Each “quick favor” chips away at the purpose of having defined processes. She put it plainly:“If we're making an exception for everything, then we're not respecting the process.”When teams stop respecting their own boundaries, burnout follows quickly. SLAs exist to create stability, and stability is what keeps people sane. Following process is not bureaucracy; it is protection. It gives operators time to think clearly, plan ahead, and make fewer reactive decisions. That way you can build predictability into your week instead of letting other people's emergencies define it.Anna also shared how her team reworked its entire planning system to reduce stress. “We used to do quarterly capacity planning,” she said, “but half the projects fell apart by week four.” She scrapped the process and replaced it with smaller, rolling cycles that fit the unpredictable nature of marketing requests. For someone who identifies as Type A, letting go of that much structure felt risky, but the tradeoff was worth it. Her team now works with more energy, less anxiety, and a better sense of control.“Giving up some of that control is actually good in the end because it's less stressful.”Her story shows how burnout prevention depends on structure that adapts. Ops professionals do their best work when their systems reflect real life, not an idealized version of it. Boundaries, planning, and discipline should support humans, not box them in.Key takeaway: Protect your team's mental health by enforcing the systems you build. Treat SLAs as promises, not preferences. Review your planning cycles regularly and adjust them to match the actual pace of work. Stability in ops comes from building rules that people respect and structures that evolve as the business changes.The Power of NoSaying no is one of the hardest and most necessary skills in marketing operations. Every week brings a new request, a “quick fix,” or a last-minute idea that someone swears will only take five minutes. Anna treats these moments as boundary checks. They test whether her team can protect their focus without losing trust or influence across the company.“Boundaries in your personal life mirror boundaries in your professional life. You can't sustain either without learning to say no.”Anna connects this discipline to mental health. After years of therapy, she learned that setting boundaries preserves energy and prevents resentment from creeping into work. In marketing ops, that means understanding when to say no and why. A no can be temporary, like “no for now,” or conditional, like “come back once X, Y, and Z are ready.” That clarity gives teams space to plan properly instead of reacting in chaos.Too many ops teams still act like order-takers. They manage tickets, fix errors, and scramble to meet every demand, even when requests come without context. Anna believes teams must reposition themselves as strategic partners. That means asking sharper questions such as, “How does this connect to our business goals?” or “Which KPI does this move?” Every yes should come with evidence, not obligation. When ops speaks in the language of impact, their boundaries start to hold.To back that up, Anna recommends showing the work already in motion. Pull up your team's Notion or Asana board, point to the commitments everyone approved, and remind stakeholders that priorities are already locked for this sprint. That way you can shift the conversation from emotion to logic. Plans exist for a reason. If the company wants to keep changing direction, it must accept the cost of constant interruption.Anna's approach creates psychological safety for her team. She recently told a contractor to stop overthinking a request that was technically impossible. Her words were simple: “It's okay to tell them we can't do this.” Those six words carried permission to rest, to stop chasing unrealistic expectations, and to respect the limits of their tools and time. Teams that learn this kind of confidence avoid burnout and deliver better results with less noise.Key takeaway: Boundaries are an operational discipline, not an act of defiance. Use clear priorities, visible sprint boards, and company KPIs as your guardrails. Frame every no around impact and alignment. That way you can protect focus, maintain trust with stakeholders, and keep your team mentally healthy while still driving the business forward.Hiring Experts Only to Tell Them What to DoEvery marketing ops professional eventually faces a request that makes their skin crawl. For Anna, it was the “no-reply” email debate. A stakeholder wanted to send a campaign from a no-reply address in Marketo. She had explained countless times why that idea goes against every principle of customer experience. It blocks responses, damages trust, and kills engagemen...

Text us your thoughts on the episode or the show!In this episode of OpsCast, hosted by Michael Hartmann and powered by MarketingOps.com, we are joined by Aby Varma, global business and marketing leader and Founder of Spark Novus. Aby helps organizations adopt AI strategically and responsibly, guiding leaders from early adoption to self-reliant innovation.The discussion explores how marketing teams can move beyond experimenting with AI tools to building long-term, value-based strategies that drive measurable impact. Aby shares real-world examples of AI implementation, frameworks for defining a “strategic north star,” and advice for leading change across every level of the organization.In this episode, you will learn:How to apply a value-based approach to AI adoptionWhy productivity is only the beginning of AI's potential in marketingHow to build responsible-use guardrails that support faster innovationThe evolving role of Marketing Ops in AI strategy and executionThis episode is ideal for marketing, operations, and business leaders who want to use AI with purpose, balance innovation with responsibility, and prepare their teams for the next phase of intelligent marketing.Episode Brought to You By MO Pros The #1 Community for Marketing Operations Professionals Ops Cast is brought to you in partnership with Emmie Co, an incredible group of consultants leading the top brands in all things Marketing Operations. Check the mount at Emmieco.comSupport the show

Text us your thoughts on the episode or the show!In this special episode of OpsCast, hosted by Michael Hartmann and powered by MarketingOps.com, the crew reflects on the final chapter of MOPsapalooza, the flagship MarketingOps.com conference that has defined the community for years.Michael is joined by Mike Rizzo, Naomi Liu, and Audrey Harze to look back on what made MOPsapalooza 2025 in Anaheim unforgettable. Together, they share their favorite moments, the energy of the event, and how it felt to say goodbye to a conference that shaped the Marketing Ops profession.They also discuss the evolution of the MarketingOps.com community, what the event has meant to practitioners everywhere, and what might come next as the movement continues to grow.In this episode, you will hear:Reflections on the final MOPsapalooza and its impact on the communityFavorite moments, stories, and lessons from the 2025 event in AnaheimHow MOPsapalooza helped shape the Marketing Ops professionWhat the future holds for the MarketingOps.com communityThis episode is both a tribute and a look forward, celebrating the spirit of collaboration, connection, and curiosity that has defined MOPsapalooza from the beginning.Episode Brought to You By MO Pros The #1 Community for Marketing Operations Professionals Ops Cast is brought to you in partnership with Emmie Co, an incredible group of consultants leading the top brands in all things Marketing Operations. Check the mount at Emmieco.comSupport the show

Text us your thoughts on the episode or the show!In this episode of OpsCast, hosted by Michael Hartmann and powered by MarketingOps.com, we are joined by Penny Hill, Founder and Principal Consultant at Three Threads Consulting. Penny has built her career at the intersection of marketing, operations, and strategy, helping teams simplify complexity, connect departments, and make data more meaningful.The conversation centers on one of the most common sources of friction in go-to-market teams: attribution and alignment. Penny shares insights on why teams often clash over credit, what “marketing contribution” truly means, and how simplifying metrics and conversations can drive stronger collaboration and better outcomes.In this episode, you will learn:Why attribution continues to challenge marketing and sales alignmentHow to simplify performance measurement without losing insightWays to present metrics that build trust with executives and peersHow Marketing Ops professionals can shift the focus from “who gets credit” to “how we win together”This episode is perfect for Marketing Ops, RevOps, and go-to-market professionals who want to improve collaboration, clarity, and trust across their organizations.Episode Brought to You By MO Pros The #1 Community for Marketing Operations Professionals Ops Cast is brought to you in partnership with Emmie Co, an incredible group of consultants leading the top brands in all things Marketing Operations. Check the mount at Emmieco.comSupport the show

Text us your thoughts on the episode or the show!In this episode of OpsCast, hosted by Michael Hartmann and powered by MarketingOps.com, we are joined by Tracey Fudge, AI Operations Architect and Agentic Workflow Designer at AI By Thrive. Tracey has spent the past several years working hands-on with language models, automation systems, and what she calls agentic workflows. She helps marketing and operations teams move past AI buzzwords and turn technology into practical tools that drive better results.The discussion focuses on how to build real, usable AI systems that enhance creativity, improve efficiency, and deliver measurable business outcomes. Tracey explains what agentic workflows are, how they differ from traditional automation, and how teams can start integrating AI into everyday work in a thoughtful, scalable way.In this episode, you will learn:How to apply AI and automation in practical marketing and operations use casesWhat agentic workflows are and how they create intelligent systemsTechniques for prompting and choosing the right AI tools for each taskWays to balance human creativity with AI assistance for better outcomesThis episode is ideal for marketing and operations professionals who want to make AI an integrated part of their workflow without losing the human touch.Episode Brought to You By MO Pros The #1 Community for Marketing Operations Professionals Join us at MOps-Apalooza: https://mopsapalooza.com/Save 10% with code opscast10Support the show

Text us your thoughts on the episode or the show!In this episode of OpsCast, hosted by Michael Hartmann and powered by MarketingOps.com, we are joined by Danielle Balestra, a seasoned fractional marketing technology executive with experience building teams and stacks in both regulated and non-regulated industries.The conversation examines the requirements for running effective marketing operations in highly regulated industries, including finance, healthcare, and legal services. Danielle shares her insights on working within compliance constraints, earning trust across teams, and building a marketing operations function that strikes a balance between agility and accountability.In this episode, you will learn:What makes regulated industries unique from a marketing operations perspectiveThe skills and mindsets needed to succeed in compliance-heavy environmentsHow to collaborate effectively with legal and compliance teamsStrategies for balancing marketing speed with regulatory requirementsThis episode is ideal for marketing operations professionals, leaders, and consultants who work in or with regulated industries and want to strengthen collaboration, compliance, and operational excellence.Episode Brought to You By MO Pros The #1 Community for Marketing Operations Professionals Join us at MOps-Apalooza: https://mopsapalooza.com/Save 10% with code opscast10Support the show

In this OnBase Podcast episode, host Chris Moody sits down with Brynna Self to unpack how Hexagon SIG moved from “running ads to accounts” to a true account-based GTM—and what changed when they adopted Demandbase as their shared sales–marketing system of record. Brynna details the journey from agency days to client-side leadership, why data discipline beats “order-taking,” and how a North America pilot became the blueprint for global rollout. They cover what actually fixes sales–marketing silos (hint: shared facts beat opinions), why clean CRM + intent + journey data created pull from sales, and how one-to-one onboarding for reps, weekly pipeline rituals, and regional frameworks turned ABM from theory into closed-won outcomesKey takeawaysData-driven transformation is the foundation of growthHexagon's marketing evolution began with a cultural shift toward analytics and measurable outcomes. By implementing KPIs and attribution models, Brynna's team moved from intuition-based decisions to data-backed strategy, aligning every initiative to revenue impact.Sales and marketing alignment is non-negotiableBrynna emphasized that ABM success depends on equal partnership between sales and marketing. Breaking the “order-taker” mindset and fostering collaboration built the trust required for true go-to-market alignment.Demandbase became the catalyst for ABM maturityTransitioning from Terminus to Demandbase allowed Hexagon to unify data, surface actionable insights, and bridge communication gaps between sales and marketing. The platform became the single source of truth for their account strategy.Start small, prove value, then scaleLaunching with a North America pilot allowed the team to test, refine, and validate their ABM approach before expanding globally. The result was a 53% increase in web visits and an 80% rise in closed-won opportunities, setting a model for global rollout.Data transparency builds adoptionBy personalizing reports and dashboards for each salesperson, Brynna's team achieved over 90% adoption. Showing tangible, account-level insights built credibility and helped sales see marketing as a strategic partner.ABM success is globally adaptableWhile each region has unique challenges, the ABM framework proved scalable across geographies. Success came from combining consistent methodology with localized execution.Clean data powers the future of AI in marketingBrynna's closing insight underscored that AI can only enhance ABM if the data foundation is clean, accurate, and consistent across systems.Quotes“We need each other. Sales and marketing can't be order-takers; we're partners driving growth.”Tech RecommendationsConsensusDemandbase Resource RecommendationsNewsletter:The Marketing Operations Leader by Darrell AlfonsoThe Marketing Operations Strategist with Sara McNamara by Sarah McNamaraBlog:Niel Patel: Author: Neil Patel | Co Founder of NP Digital & Owner of UbersuggestShout-outsSarah McNamara - Founding Revenue Operations & GTM Strategy Lead. VectorDarrell Alfonso - VP of Marketing Ops and Martech,Foundever.Neil Patel - Co-Founder at Neil Patel DigitalMaureen Mack - Northam Marketing Director,Hexagon.Mallory Hilderbrand  - Senior Manager, Global Campaign Operations,Hexagon.About the GuestBrynna Self is a seasoned growth and marketing executive with 20 years of experience driving global digital strategy, demand generation, and account-based marketing. As Director of Global Digital Marketing at Hexagon's Safety, Infrastructure & Geospatial division, she leads initiatives that align marketing, sales and customer success to create stronger go-to-market execution. Recognized for advancing ABM adoption, AI-powered analytics, and data-driven decision-making, she has delivered measurable growth across the software, manufacturing and e-commerce sectors. Brynna holds an MBA in Marketing from the University of Maryland.Connect with Brynna.

Text us your thoughts on the episode or the show!In this episode of OpsCast, hosted by Michael Hartmann and powered by MarketingOps.com, we are joined by Danielle Urban, Co-founder and CEO of Cartographer Consulting. Danielle brings a blend of demand generation, operations, and HubSpot expertise, helping early-stage startups and scaling teams build smarter, more sustainable marketing systems.The conversation focuses on Martech maturity, how to know when you have outgrown your current setup, what signals indicate it is time to evolve, and how to align platforms and processes as your team grows. Danielle shares lessons from her experience guiding teams through HubSpot optimization, stack consolidation, and key maturity milestones to avoid growth slowdowns.In this episode, you will learn:How to define Martech maturity and identify growth triggersCommon pitfalls when teams outgrow their systemsHow to align HubSpot and processes with business evolutionWhen to DIY and when to bring in outside expertiseThe growing role of AI in shaping marketing operationsThis episode is perfect for marketing operations professionals, HubSpot users, and growth teams looking to scale efficiently without skipping important maturity steps.Episode Brought to You By MO Pros The #1 Community for Marketing Operations Professionals Join us at MOps-Apalooza: https://mopsapalooza.com/Save 10% with code opscast10Support the show

What's up everyone, today we have the pleasure of sitting down with Angela Vega, Director, Capabilities and Operations at Expedia Group.(00:00) - ‌Intro (01:18) - In This Episode (04:55) - Building an ADHD Techstack (11:11) - Why ADHD Shapes Better Decision-Making in Marketing Operations (19:06) - How to Turn ADHD Patterns Into Martech Leadership Strengths (23:38) - Why ADHD Helps Marketers Build Better Systems (31:25) - Building a Bridge Between Strategy and Execution in Marketing Ops (37:21) - Execution Defines Whether Ideas Live or Die (41:19) - Why Recent Execution Experience Builds Better Marketing Leaders (46:09) - How to Build Discernment in Martech Leadership (52:52) - Energy Economics for Marketing Ops Leaders (01:00:39) - How to Build a Personal Growth Formula in Marketing Leadership Summary: Angela built her ADHD tech stack as a way to survive the noise in her own head, turning distraction into design. Her workflow (Offload, Shape, Prototype, Loop, and Anchor) channels restless thought into motion through AI tools like Whisper and GPT. After her second pregnancy and a diagnosis that reframed her chaos, Angela stopped fighting her wiring and built systems that worked with it. Her fast, pattern-driven brain now thrives in marketing operations, where complexity rewards connection. She reads emotion like data, earning trust through clarity and transparency, and reminds leaders that execution, not strategy decks, moves companies forward. These days she measures success in energy and her mantra is “It's just marketing, we're not in the ER”.About AngelaAngela Vega has spent over 13 years in FinTech, health, and travel, she has unified global martech stacks, accelerated execution ninefold, and led CRM for Expedia, Vrbo, and Hotels.com, supporting over a billion monthly customer interactions. Her leadership grows both teams and ideas. She blends creative intuition with operational rigor, translating insight into systems that last. As a late-diagnosed ADHD professional, she experiments with AI to help neurodivergent leaders thrive, proving that marketing can be both human and scalable.Building an ADHD TechstackAngela built her ADHD Tech Stack to make her brain an ally instead of a hurdle. The system blends ADHD science with AI practicality, turning common executive function challenges into structured momentum. Each part of her workflow (Offload, Shape, Prototype, Loop, and Anchor) acts as a circuit for channeling mental noise into clarity. It is both a workflow and a survival strategy for people who juggle too many tabs at once, whether they are digital or mental.Her starting point came from frustration. Lists, sticky notes, and phone alarms worked for a while but always hit a ceiling. The real struggle was never remembering to do things but figuring out where to start. Executive function is about getting from idea to action, and for ADHD professionals, that gap can feel massive. Angela found her bridge in AI tools that could listen, capture, and organize her thinking in real time. Whisper transcribes her thoughts. GPT shapes them into frameworks. Gemini helps her plan and communicate with clarity.“I talk out loud all the time. Instead of saying things into the abyss, I say them into AI,” Angela said. “One system holds my to-dos, another handles updates for my boss, and another helps me break big goals into smaller steps.”Her stack follows five steps that anyone can adapt:Offload: Speak or type ideas into AI to clear mental clutter.Shape: Ask AI to sort and group ideas into logical categories.Prototype: Turn thoughts into quick drafts or mockups to trigger dopamine and action.Loop: Use AI for feedback, reflection, and gentle nudges that replace self-criticism.Anchor: Set reminders, templates, and adaptive systems that help you return to projects smoothly.Angela's framework works because it aligns tools with real human behavior instead of forcing people into rigid systems. The design rewards momentum over perfection. It gives permission to think out loud, change direction, and experiment without shame. Every ADHD brain operates differently, so every system should too. AI's flexibility makes that possible by turning scattered thoughts into structured workflows without losing the spark that drives creativity.Key takeaway: Treat productivity as a design challenge, not a discipline test. Use AI to capture ideas before they vanish, shape them into usable form, and build adaptive anchors that forgive interruptions. That way you can create a personal martech system that channels ADHD energy into consistent output, steady progress, and fewer moments of paralysis.Why ADHD Shapes Better Decision-Making in Marketing OperationsADHD rewires how people handle complexity, and marketing operations thrive on complexity. Angela discovered that her diagnosis reframed everything about her work and leadership. Years of restless multitasking, late-night thought spirals, and endless side projects suddenly made sense. Her mind was not unfocused. It was constantly building new connections, scanning for patterns, and searching for stimulation that most work environments suppress.Her diagnosis arrived during a storm of personal and professional change. After her second pregnancy, her coping systems stopped working. Therapy no longer grounded her, medication clashed with her body, and grief from losing her father-in-law blurred her focus. Meanwhile, the pressure at work continued to grow. Leadership demanded stability while her world spun faster each week. Reaching for help was not an act of surrender. It was a recalibration of survival.“I have a lot of thoughts in my head. It's sometimes super hard to fall asleep. I think of the twenty things that might go wrong and the hundred hobbies I have,” Angela said.When testing confirmed ADHD combined type, disbelief gave way to validation. The diagnosis gave shape to her chaos. She stopped labeling her quirks as flaws and started understanding them as traits with purpose. Her curiosity was a strength, not a distraction. Her brain thrived in dynamic systems where rules shifted and creativity met precision. That explained her pull toward marketing operations, where nothing stays still and every campaign or data sync has moving parts that need decoding.Angela began building systems that complemented her wiring instead of fighting against it. She used visual workflows to clear mental clutter, broke large tasks into tight sprints, and surrounded herself with teammates who balanced her energy with structure. ADHD did not make her less capable. It made her more adaptive. In a field that rewards fast problem-solving and parallel thinking, her mind became her greatest operational advantage.Key takeaway: ADHD changes how leaders process and prioritize information, and awareness turns that difference into strategy. Identify where your energy peaks and build workflows around those cycles. Use external systems to store what your brain refuses to hold. Protect deep-focus windows instead of forcing consistency. The goal is not to tame your wiring but to design with it, that way you can turn what once felt chaotic into sustainable momentum.How to Turn ADHD Patterns Into Martech Leadership StrengthsADHD often gets framed as distraction, but in martech leadership, it can function as accelerated pattern recognition. Angela's brain fires fast. She sees connections before most people finish explaining the problem. “I can jump from one topic to another pretty quickly because in my mind I've already created the five c...

Text us your thoughts on the episode or the show!In this episode of OpsCast, hosted by Michael Hartmann and powered by MarketingOps.com, we are joined by Sarah Lane-Hawn, a fractional marketing leader and consultant who helps organizations shape their go-to-market strategy and build operational infrastructure with intention. Sarah brings experience leading both marketing operations and demand generation, offering a clear view of how these functions can work together more strategically.The discussion focuses on how Marketing Operations professionals can move beyond the “ticket-taking” mindset and step into roles that drive real business impact. Sarah shares how understanding the “why” behind requests, influencing decisions, and aligning with organizational goals can elevate both personal growth and company success.In this episode, you'll learn:Why a human-centered strategy is essential to the future of marketing operationsHow MOps professionals can gain credibility and influence within their organizationsThe difference between building for reporting versus enablementPractical ways to bring strategic thinking and intuition into daily workThis episode is perfect for Marketing Ops, RevOps, and demand generation professionals looking to increase their strategic impact, build stronger partnerships with stakeholders, and find more meaning in their work.Episode Brought to You By MO Pros The #1 Community for Marketing Operations Professionals Join us at MOps-Apalooza: https://mopsapalooza.com/Save 10% with code opscast10Support the show

Text us your thoughts on the episode or the show!In this episode of OpsCast, hosted by Michael Hartmann and powered by MarketingOps.com, we are joined by Sari Hegewald, Vice President of Marketing Operations at CeriFi. Sari leads a 10-person team covering marketing automation, creative, content, events, and more, and brings a unique perspective on the human side of marketing operations.She explains why the best MOps leaders focus not only on campaigns and systems but also on relationships, anticipating behavior, and applying empathy in reporting, segmentation, and strategy. The discussion explores the difference between being “data-informed” and “data-driven,” how to combine strategic thinking with emotional intelligence, and ways to engage both internal teams and external audiences without losing the human touch.In this episode, you'll learn:Why empathy is essential in marketing operationsHow to balance data insights with human understandingPractical ways to anticipate behavior and build stronger relationshipsTips for creating campaigns and reporting that resonate without being roboticThis episode is ideal for marketing operations leaders, MOps professionals, and anyone looking to bring a more human-centered approach to data, strategy, and execution.Episode Brought to You By MO Pros The #1 Community for Marketing Operations Professionals Join us at MOps-Apalooza: https://mopsapalooza.com/Save 10% with code opscast10Support the show

Text us your thoughts on the episode or the show!In this episode of OpsCast, hosted by Michael Hartmann and powered by MarketingOps.com, we are joined by Chris Golec, Founder and CEO of Channel99, and Emily Gustin, Business Development Manager at LinkedIn. Chris and Emily share how the shift from individual-level to company-level attribution is transforming how B2B marketing teams measure ROI, particularly in social media.They discuss how LinkedIn and Channel99 are partnering to provide marketers with a privacy-safe approach to connect paid and organic social engagement to website activity and pipeline impact. The conversation explores the implications for ABM and ABX strategies, the evolving landscape of view-through attribution, and how marketing operations professionals can gain deeper insight into brand reach, buyer behavior, and overall performance across the funnel.In this episode, you'll learn:How company-level attribution is changing B2B social measurementThe role of privacy-safe solutions in connecting social engagement to pipeline impactInsights into ABM and ABX strategies informed by better dataHow MOPs teams can leverage attribution to understand brand reach and buyer behaviorThis episode is perfect for marketing operations professionals, B2B marketers, and anyone looking to improve social ROI and attribution strategies.Episode Brought to You By MO Pros The #1 Community for Marketing Operations Professionals Marketing Ops, RevOps, Data Pros, and AI innovators will come together to share what's really working and what's not during the week of Dreamforce. Join the conversation shaping the future of rev ops and AI, and save your spot now at AI Unfiltered, happening October 15th from 2:00 PM to 5:30 PM at Sandbox VR in San Francisco. Just steps away from Dreamforce. Visit tractioncomplete.com to learn more. Join us at MOps-Apalooza: https://mopsapalooza.com/Save 10% with code opscast10Support the show

Text us your thoughts on the episode or the show!In this special 200th episode of OpsCast, hosted by Michael Hartmann and powered by MarketingOps.com, we are joined by Monica Wright, growth and demand generation leader with deep experience in both marketing operations and demand generation. Monica brings a rare dual perspective on what it takes for marketing and operations teams to work together effectively.In this episode, Monica discusses the often-overlooked challenge of mutual understanding, why marketers need to understand how Ops professionals work, and why they must understand marketing strategy to drive real business impact. She shares insights from her career leading, building, and advising teams, offering practical advice for bridging gaps, improving collaboration, and maximizing the effectiveness of your marketing organization.You will learn:Why cross-functional understanding between marketing and Ops is critical for successHow Ops and marketing teams can better communicate and align on goalsStrategies to ensure Ops adds measurable value while supporting marketing initiativesLessons from real-world experience building and scaling high-performing teamsThis episode is ideal for marketing leaders, demand generation professionals, and MOps teams seeking to enhance collaboration and achieve a more significant impact throughout the organization.Episode Brought to You By MO Pros The #1 Community for Marketing Operations Professionals Marketing Ops, RevOps, Data Pros, and AI innovators will come together to share what's really working and what's not during the week of Dreamforce. Join the conversation shaping the future of rev ops and AI, and save your spot now at AI Unfiltered, happening October 15th from 2:00 PM to 5:30 PM at Sandbox VR in San Francisco. Just steps away from Dreamforce. Visit tractioncomplete.com to learn more. Join us at MOps-Apalooza: https://mopsapalooza.com/Save 10% with code opscast10Support the show

Text us your thoughts on the episode or the show!In this episode of OpsCast, hosted by Michael Hartmann and powered by MarketingOps.com, we're joined by Jon Russo, founder of B2B Fusion and former CMO of high-tech companies across Silicon Valley, New York City, and Luxembourg. Jon shares his insights on why Marketing Operations professionals often struggle to communicate their impact to the C-suite and how AI, cleaner data, and strategic thinking are changing the game.Jon dives into the importance of translating complex marketing data into business language, earning trust with senior leadership, and the evolving role of MOPs in driving revenue and AI-enabled pipeline initiatives. He also offers guidance on career growth, helping MOps professionals expand influence and demonstrate measurable impact.In this episode, you'll learnWhy first-party data and clean systems are critical for AI and pipeline successHow MOPs can effectively “translate” marketing operations insights for executivesWhat builds trust between junior MOps professionals and seasoned leadershipCareer strategies for expanding influence and taking a more strategic roleThis episode is perfect for marketing operations, demand generation, and RevOps professionals seeking practical advice to increase visibility, build trust, and position themselves as strategic leaders in the organization.Episode Brought to You By MO Pros The #1 Community for Marketing Operations Professionals Join us at MOps-Apalooza: https://mopsapalooza.com/Save 10% with code opscast10Support the show

Dive into clean data and aligned teams in martech, AI that actually works, and learn what's driving marketing ops success right now with Darrell Alfonso.  SHOWPAGE: www.ninjacat.io/blog/wgm-podcast-ai-in-marketing-ops-scary-exciting-essential  © 2025, NinjaCat

Text us your thoughts on the episode or the show!In this episode of OpsCast, hosted by Michael Hartmann and powered by MarketingOps.com, we're joined by Ellie Cary, Senior Demand Generation Manager at StarTree. Ellie shares her experience navigating marketing performance challenges, including what happens when teams hit MQL goals but still face cuts, and why ROI visibility has become critical for MOps leaders.Ellie discusses the limitations of attribution and reporting, how over-engineered models can create complexity, and what it takes to simplify processes while improving impact. She also shares insights on customer marketing, retention, and how MOps professionals can make their work more visible and strategic across the organization.In this episode, you'll learn:How to connect marketing performance to business outcomesThe risks of overcomplicated attribution and how to simplify itThe importance of foundational marketing processes for measurable ROIStrategies for MOps teams to communicate effectively with non-technical stakeholdersThis episode is ideal for marketing operations, demand generation, and growth professionals looking to strengthen their impact and visibility in the organization. Tune in for Ellie's actionable guidance on making MOps work matter.Episode Brought to You By MO Pros The #1 Community for Marketing Operations Professionals Join us at MOps-Apalooza: https://mopsapalooza.com/Save 10% with code opscast10Support the show

Text us your thoughts on the episode or the show!In this episode of OpsCast, hosted by Michael Hartmann and powered by MarketingOps.com, we're joined by Pradeep Manivannan, Martech Consultant at Academy Sports & Outdoors. Pradeep brings extensive experience from roles at eBay, Salesforce, and Nordstrom, offering a unique perspective on connecting data, building journey-based experiences, and aligning marketing operations across channels.Pradeep explains how to map customer journeys effectively, leverage segmentation, and implement omnichannel strategies that work in both B2C and B2B environments. He shares lessons learned from consumer-focused marketing and how B2B teams can apply them to drive better engagement and measurable results.In this episode, you'll learnHow to design seamless customer journeys from scratchThe role of data integration across channels in marketing successSegmentation strategies that improve targeting and personalizationWhat B2B teams can learn from consumer-focused marketing approachesThis episode is perfect for marketing, RevOps, and growth professionals looking to improve customer experience and operational efficiency. Tune in to hear Pradeep's actionable insights on building journey-based marketing strategies.Episode Brought to You By MO Pros The #1 Community for Marketing Operations Professionals Visit UTM.io and tell them the Ops Cast team sent you. Join us at MOps-Apalooza: https://mopsapalooza.com/Save 10% with code opscast10Support the show

Text us your thoughts on the episode or the show!In this episode of Opscast, Michael Hartmann and Naomi Liu are joined by Karen Kranack, Director of Applied AI Strategy and Experience, to explore the intersection of AI, brand strategy, and trust. Karen shares her insights on how AI is transforming marketing and operations, while emphasizing the importance of building and maintaining trust in this rapidly evolving field.We dive into key considerations for marketing professionals as they navigate the challenges of implementing AI, from transparency in AI usage to addressing data privacy concerns and ensuring ethical AI practices. Tune in to hear real-world examples, including how AI-generated content impacts brand perception and how organizations can foster a culture of trust internally while driving AI adoption.Key Takeaways:The importance of transparency and honesty when integrating AIHow AI is reshaping consumer experiences and internal workflowsThe role of ethical considerations and privacy concerns in AI adoptionReal-world examples of successful AI use cases in marketingJoin us for a discussion on how to leverage AI to enhance brand strategy while maintaining trust with your customers and employees.Episode Brought to You By MO Pros The #1 Community for Marketing Operations Professionals Visit UTM.io and tell them the Ops Cast team sent you. Join us at MOps-Apalooza: https://mopsapalooza.com/Save 10% with code opscast10Support the show

Text us your thoughts on the episode or the show!In this episode of OpsCast, hosted by Michael Hartmann and powered by MarketingOps.com, we are joined by Evan Kubicek, founder of Grow Rogue. Evan brings 15 years of experience in marketing operations and shares insights on what he calls the foundational operations gap, a critical area that many early-stage companies overlook as they scale.Evan explains why addressing foundational processes and systems early on is essential to avoid building a house of cards. He discusses how tech debt, process inefficiencies, and the lack of clear documentation can derail growth and why speed should never come at the cost of solid infrastructure.In this episode, you will learnWhat the foundational operations gap really means and why it is often neglectedHow to avoid creating "automated chaos" and scale marketing operations effectivelyThe importance of establishing foundational processes, like segmentation and tech integrationsWhy getting the basics right is critical before layering on complex tech solutionsThis episode is perfect for professionals in marketing, RevOps, and growth teams looking to build a sustainable ops foundation. Tune in to hear Evan's advice on how to build strong marketing infrastructure before things break.Episode Brought to You By MO Pros The #1 Community for Marketing Operations Professionals Visit UTM.io and tell them the Ops Cast team sent you. Join us at MOps-Apalooza: https://mopsapalooza.com/Save 10% with code opscast10Support the show

Text us your thoughts on the episode or the show!In this episode of Ops Cast by MarketingOps.com, powered by The MO Pros, hosts Michael Hartmann, Mike Rizzo, and Naomi Liu speak with Dean de la Peña, VP of Identity, Data Strategy, and SaaS at Resonate.Dean discusses the role of predictive intelligence in marketing and explains how brands can utilize more comprehensive data signals to enhance audience targeting and personalization. He also outlines the importance of identity resolution and data structure in building effective campaigns.Topics covered include • How to apply predictive consumer intelligence to marketing workflows • The value of identity resolution in campaign planning • Practical approaches to scaling personalization based on real dataThis episode is intended for marketing operations professionals looking to improve their use of data in audience engagement.Episode Brought to You By MO Pros The #1 Community for Marketing Operations Professionals Visit UTM.io and tell them the Ops Cast team sent you. Join us at MOps-Apalooza: https://mopsapalooza.com/Save 10% with code opscast10Support the show

“Marketing Operations is the practice of taking people, understanding what it is that the business is trying to do from a go-to-market perspective, and working to align those people to a process that enables that go-to-market through technology. And it's always in that order. People, process, and technology.” -Mike Rizzo   Mike Rizzo is the Founder and CEO of MarketingOps, MO Pros, and MartechGuru—platforms dedicated to empowering Marketing Operations professionals and advancing the Revenue Operations field. With a background spanning ad tech, growth hacking, and beyond, Mike has built his career around aligning people, processes, and technology to drive effective go-to-market strategies. He also co-hosts Ops Cast, a leading podcast that explores industry insights and emerging trends. Through his community-driven approach, Mike has created innovative resources and a collaborative environment where Marketing Operations practitioners can grow, share knowledge, and thrive. In this episode, Mike dives into his perspective on branding and what it means both strategically and personally.   Website: https://marketingops.com/ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/mikedrizzo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marketingopscom

“Marketing Operations is the practice of taking people, understanding what it is that the business is trying to do from a go-to-market perspective, and working to align those people to a process that enables that go-to-market through technology. And it's always in that order. People, process, and technology.” -Mike Rizzo   Mike Rizzo is the Founder and CEO of MarketingOps, MO Pros, and MartechGuru—platforms dedicated to empowering Marketing Operations professionals and advancing the Revenue Operations field. With a background spanning ad tech, growth hacking, and beyond, Mike has built his career around aligning people, processes, and technology to drive effective go-to-market strategies. He also co-hosts Ops Cast, a leading podcast that explores industry insights and emerging trends. Through his community-driven approach, Mike has created innovative resources and a collaborative environment where Marketing Operations practitioners can grow, share knowledge, and thrive. In this episode, Mike dives into his perspective on branding and what it means both strategically and personally.   Website: https://marketingops.com/ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/mikedrizzo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marketingopscom

Text us your thoughts on the episode or the show!In this episode of Ops Cast by MarketingOps.com (powered by The MO Pros), hosts Michael Hartmann, Mike Rizzo, and Naomi Liu delve into one of the most discussed shifts in B2B marketing and revenue operations: the evolving roles of Marketing Qualified Leads (MQLs) and Marketing Qualified Accounts (MQAs).In this episode, you'll learn:Why the traditional MQL model may be falling short and where MQAs step in.How to realign marketing and sales around shared intent signals.Common pitfalls when transitioning from MQLs to MQAs (and how to avoid them).Practical advice on shifting measurement frameworks to reflect real buyer behavior.To unpack this timely topic, they're joined by two accomplished leaders in RevOps and marketing strategy:Andrea Frazier, Senior Revenue Operations Technical Consultant, is known for her expertise in building scalable systems and aligning sales, marketing, and data. What makes her presence special on this podcast is that she will be a part of the Mopsapalooza as a speaker.Jessica Fewless, VP of Marketing and Partnerships, has deep experience in ABM, demand gen, and full-funnel program strategy.Together, they challenge long-standing definitions of buying intent and discuss how teams can evolve from lead-focused metrics to account-based signals that drive more aligned, strategic growth.Tune in now, because whether you're in Marketing Ops, RevOps, or Demand Gen, this episode offers an expert-led perspective on what it means to qualify, measure, and act on intent in today's B2B environment.Check out our complete toolkit for helping you move from MQLs to MQAs!Episode Brought to You By MO Pros The #1 Community for Marketing Operations Professionals Visit UTM.io and tell them the Ops Cast team sent you. Join us at MOps-Apalooza: https://mopsapalooza.com/Save 10% with code opscast10Support the show

Text us your thoughts on the episode or the show!Text us your thoughts on the episode or the show!In this episode of Ops Cast by MarketingOps.com, powered by The MO Pros, host Michael Hartmann is joined by co-hosts Mike Rizzo and Naomi Liu to explore the role of community within the Marketing Operations profession.What does community look like for Marketing Ops professionals? Why is it more than just networking? And how do different experiences transform what people need from a professional community?To answer these questions, four inspiring guests share their perspectives on how participation turns into meaningful connection, and why building community matters now more than ever.In this episode, you'll learn:What does community mean in the context of Marketing OpsHow local engagement supports growth and confidenceThe impact of community during moments of professional changeHow leaders foster connection, learning, and trustFeatured guests:Leslie Greenwood, community strategist and founder of Chief Evangelist Consulting. She helped launch the MarketingOps.com chapter leader program and focuses on turning participation into belonging.Alysha Khan, Director of Client Services at Intrisphere, founder of Alpaca Consulting, and Chicago chapter lead. She brings experience building momentum through local engagement.Penny Hill, a seasoned marketing executive who joined the community during a career transition. She brings insight into how the community supports reinvention.Ellie Cary, Senior Demand Gen Manager at StarTree and Dallas chapter leader. She offers insight from both learning and leadership roles within the community.Listen in to hear how these women are shaping what community can look like across the Marketing Ops space.Episode Brought to You By MO Pros The #1 Community for Marketing Operations ProfessionalsVisit UTM.io and tell them the Ops Cast team sent you.Join us at MOps-Apalooza: https://mopsapalooza.com/Save 10% with code opscast10Support the showEpisode Brought to You By MO Pros The #1 Community for Marketing Operations Professionals Visit UTM.io and tell them the Ops Cast team sent you. Join us at MOps-Apalooza: https://mopsapalooza.com/Save 10% with code opscast10Support the show

#271 GTM Engineering | In this episode, Dave is joined by John Short, CEO of Compound Growth Marketing, along with Cammy Keiler, Justin Johnson, and Dan Guenet. Together, they break down the rise of GTM engineering, what it is, how it differs from RevOps, and why B2B teams are investing in it.Dave and the crew cover:The core difference between RevOps and GTM engineering (and why the latter is more focused on building than just integrating)Real GTM engineering use cases, from AI-powered sales tools to mid-funnel campaigns that go way beyond ebooksHow GTM engineers are driving higher revenue per employee and why this role should be one of your first five marketing hiresWhether you're hiring or just GTM-curious, you'll leave this episode with a clear definition of the role, real-world examples, and tactical ways GTM engineers drive impact.Timestamps(00:00) - – Intro (03:33) - – Why this topic resonated with 1,200+ registrants (05:48) - – What even is **GTM engineering? (08:03) - – GTM engineering vs. RevOps vs. Marketing Ops (11:18) - – How AI is driving this role forward (14:28) - – Real examples: ABM campaigns, mid-funnel tools, sales call analysis (19:38) - – Tools GTM engineers are using today (Clay, Unify, GPTs) (23:03) - – Role of GTM engineering in revenue per employee (27:18) - – How GTM engineers enable sales + reduce headcount (31:33) - – What Dan actually does all day as a GTM engineer (36:23) - – Custom GPTs for sales and marketing teams (39:38) - – What MCP servers are (and why they matter) (44:08) - – Claude, Gamma, and AI-powered content systems (46:53) - – Why this isn't just PLG (or ABM, or RevOps) (50:43) - – When to hire a GTM engineer (53:23) - – Big feelings about the role (and why they exist) (55:33) - – Closing thoughts + what to take away Send guest pitches and ideas to hi@exitfive.comJoin the Exit Five Newsletter here: https://www.exitfive.com/newsletterCheck out the Exit Five job board: https://jobs.exitfive.com/Become an Exit Five member: https://community.exitfive.com/checkout/exit-five-membership***Today's episode is brought to you by Walnut.Why are we pouring all this effort into marketing just to push buyers to a “request a demo” or “contact sales” button?Come on, today's buyers don't want to talk to sales right away. They want to explore your product themselves, see how it works, and understand its value before booking a meeting.That's where Walnut comes in.Walnut empowers marketers and GTM teams to create interactive, self-guided product experiences in minutes. Embed these experiences on your site, in emails, or anywhere in your funnel to let buyers engage on their terms, from awareness to close and beyond. That's the beauty of Walnut - you're getting a platform that your sales and CS colleagues can use to showcase the product too.And the best part? You get real intent data—see which features prospects love, where they drop off, and what's actually driving pipeline. Demo Qualified Leads are the new MQL.Over 500 companies, like Adobe and NetApp, use Walnut to drive 2-3x higher website conversion rates and 7 figures in pipeline on a yearly basis. So do you want to drive more leads, shorten sales cycles, and actually show your product instead of hiding it behind another typical B2B CTA? Go check out Walnut.io. And if you tell them Dave from Exit 5 sent you, they'll build out your first demo for free!

Text us your thoughts on the episode or the show!On today's episode, we talk with Kyle Priest (former CMO, CRO, COO, and President at multiple SaaS firms and agencies) and returning guest Eric Hollebone (President & COO at Demand Lab) to discuss what it really takes for marketing to have a voice at the leadership table. Together, they explore how alignment between marketing, sales, and RevOps creates not only better stories but better business results—and how marketers can shift their mindset to lead strategic growth conversations at the board level.Whether you're in marketing ops, RevOps, or a revenue leader looking to elevate your impact, this conversation is packed with insight on how to connect tactical execution with executive influence.Tune in to hear:Marketing's Role in the Boardroom: Why marketing must go beyond tactics and brand to speak the language of revenue, margin, and predictable growth.Revenue-First Mindset: How aligning on goals, terminology, and KPIs across departments builds organizational momentum and earns trust at the top.The Power of Storytelling: Tips for telling clear, concise growth stories that resonate with CFOs, CEOs, and investors—starting with closed-won revenue and working backwards.Quality of Revenue Explained: Understanding why not all revenue is equal and how marketers can influence strategic customer acquisition that builds long-term value.Practical Advice for RevOps & Marketing Ops: From measuring contribution (not just attribution) to carving out time for strategic insights, learn what actions to take today to elevate your role tomorrow.

Text us your thoughts on the episode or the show!On today's episode, we talk with seasoned B2B marketing leader Pratibha Jain, who has spent nearly two decades driving demand, growth, and operational excellence across multiple industries. From cloud computing to HR tech, she's seen—and measured—it all. Together, they unpack how to bridge gaps between marketing, sales, and operations to deliver measurable business impact.Tune in to hear: Why alignment between Marketing Ops, RevOps, and Sales is critical—and how to actually achieve it.Which metrics matter for executives versus your internal marketing team (and why “vanity metrics” still have a place).How to build a unified data and reporting framework to eliminate finger-pointing and drive decision-making.Lessons in event marketing: from planning and execution to post-event follow-up that truly delivers ROI.Practical ways marketing teams can partner with ops to make account-based strategies more effective.Episode Brought to You By MO Pros The #1 Community for Marketing Operations Professionals Visit UTM.io and tell them the Ops Cast team sent you. Join us at MOps-Apalooza: https://mopsapalooza.com/Save 10% with code opscast10Support the show

Text us your thoughts on the episode or the show!On today's episode, we talk with seasoned B2B marketing leader Pratibha Jain, who has spent nearly two decades driving demand, growth, and operational excellence across multiple industries. From cloud computing to HR tech, she's seen—and measured—it all. Together, they unpack how to bridge gaps between marketing, sales, and operations to deliver measurable business impact.Tune in to hear: Why alignment between Marketing Ops, RevOps, and Sales is critical—and how to actually achieve it.Which metrics matter for executives versus your internal marketing team (and why “vanity metrics” still have a place).How to build a unified data and reporting framework to eliminate finger-pointing and drive decision-making.Lessons in event marketing: from planning and execution to post-event follow-up that truly delivers ROI.Practical ways marketing teams can partner with ops to make account-based strategies more effective.Episode Brought to You By MO Pros The #1 Community for Marketing Operations Professionals Visit UTM.io and tell them the Ops Cast team sent you. Join us at MOps-Apalooza: https://mopsapalooza.com/Save 10% with code opscast10Support the show

What does it really mean to work in marketing operations, and how can leaders better leverage these professionals as strategic enablers?In this episode of The Hard Corps Marketing Show, I sat down with Mike Rizzo, Community-led Founder and CEO of MarketingOps.com. A longtime community leader and champion of the marketing operations profession, Mike brings clarity to the misunderstood world of marketing ops and shares what's next for the industry.He explains why marketing ops pros are more like product managers for go-to-market systems than just email campaign operators. From the launch of a new certification path to AI's place in the workflow, Mike reveals how the role is evolving, and what skills the best ops leaders bring to the table.Whether you're leading a revenue team or just starting in ops, this episode offers practical advice to grow your team, your strategy, and your career.Takeaways:What a tiered certification path could do for the marketing ops profession.Why curiosity and self-service learning are essential ops traits.How AI can support, but not replace, strategic thinking in operations.What leaders can do to foster open communication and innovation.Why supporting community participation drives team development.

Text us your thoughts on the episode or the show!On today's episode, we talk with Carissa McCall, Director of Revenue Operations at Liquibase, to tackle one of the most common challenges in marketing and revenue operations: how to balance strategic projects with the unrelenting pull of daily fires and ad hoc requests.Carissa shares a candid and insightful look into her approach to building a sustainable capacity model, prioritization frameworks, and time management practices that empower her lean RevOps team to stay focused, deliver impact, and avoid burnout.Tune in to learn:

I love the movie City Slickers.If you're unfamiliar, Billy Crystal is a Manhattanite, has a midlife crisis, and goes out West on a cattle drive to try to figure life out.Spoiler alert, the crusty old cowboy teaches him that the secret to life is – ‘One thing. Just one thing. You stick to that and everything else don't mean shhh…” Well, you get the idea.It struck me that this is a great brand lesson as well. You've seen the stats – our ideal customer simply gets hammered with messages every day. And there are so many things your internal team could work on. How to break through the noise? How to prioritize? I love what my next guest told me – “If you don't have one clear position of who you are and why they should care, you're just throwing spaghetti at a wall.”To hear the story behind that lesson, along with many more lesson-filled stories, I sat down with Margaret Dawson, CMO, Chronosphere [https://chronosphere.io/].Chronosphere has raised $343 million in three rounds. In its Series C round in 2023, the company was valued at $1.6 billion.Dawson leads global marketing efforts at Chronosphere, overseeing a budget of $12 million and a team of 23 working on digital experience, corporate communications, demand generation, customer marketing, ABM, Marketing Ops, and Product Marketing.Lessons from the things she madeIf you don't have one clear position of who you are and why they should care, you're just throwing spaghetti at a wallSometimes you need to poke the snakeIntegrated marketing moves the needleMentoring is a two-way streetJust because you can do something doesn't mean you shouldDon't focus so much on winning each battle that you lose the warIf you channeled the characteristics that made you so competent and made you authentically you, you would have the greatest powerWe do not serve ourselves or the world by hiding our light or being afraid to stand tallDiscussed in this episodeJoin us on July 30th at 2 pm EDT for AI Hackathon: Build a powerful lead gen agent in just 90 minutes [https://join.meclabsai.com/mec-050-masterclass] (from MeclabsAI, MarketingSherpa's parent company).Outside-In Messaging: Nothing counts more than the language of the customer (podcast episode #75) [https://marketingsherpa.com/article/interview/outside-in-messaging]The 4 Pillars of Email Marketing [https://sherpablog.marketingsherpa.com/email-marketing/4-pillars-email-summit-2014/]Building Brands: People and culture matter a lot, mentorship matters even more, product matters the most (podcast episode #119) [https://marketingsherpa.com/article/interview/brands]Marketing Campaigns: Lose the brand ego and lean into humility (podcast episode #130) [https://marketingsherpa.com/article/interview/marketing-campaigns]Get more episodesSubscribe to the MarketingSherpa email newsletter [https://www.marketingsherpa.com/newsletters] to get more insights from your fellow marketers. Sign up for free if you'd like to get more episodes like this one.For more insights, check out...TApply to be a guestIf you would like to apply to be a guest on How I Made It In Marketing, here is the podcast guest application – https://www.marketingsherpa.com/page/podcast-guest-application

Text us your thoughts on the episode or the show!On todays episode, we down with Andy Caron, President of Revenue Pulse, to explore the unexpected intersections of curiosity, attribution, psychology, and the marketing operations profession. Andy shares her non-linear journey from costume design and publishing to marketing ops leadership, revealing how seemingly unrelated experiences laid the foundation for a successful career in MarTech and consulting.We unpack the role of curiosity and "hand-raisers" in MOPS success, debate the nuances and pitfalls of attribution modeling (with a detour through The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy), and dive deep into how understanding human psychology enhances leadership and system architecture. They also explore the evolving influence of AI in marketing operations and what the future might hold for the AI-augmented MOPS professional.Tune in to hear: From Costumes to Campaigns: Andy's unique journey from theater and publishing to MOPS shows how creative roots and adaptability foster systems thinking and leadership in tech.Curiosity as a Superpower: Why the best MOPS professionals are tinkerers, willing to break things and raise their hands to figure it out.42 and Attribution: A humorous yet profound analogy between Douglas Adams' "42" and the complexities—and misinterpretations—of marketing attribution models.The Psychology of Ops: How studying human behavior helps bridge stakeholder needs, build better systems, and influence organizational dynamics.AI in MOPS: Insights into how AI is reshaping the profession, from task automation to agent orchestration—plus why being AI-activated (not replaced) is key to the future.Episode Brought to You By MO Pros The #1 Community for Marketing Operations Professionals Visit UTM.io and tell them the Ops Cast team sent you. Join us at MOps-Apalooza: https://mopsapalooza.com/Save 10% with code opscast10Support the show

Mike Rizzo is the founder of MarketingOps.com and the vibrant Mo Pros community—a 6,500+ member strong network dedicated to elevating marketing operations professionals. With a background in martech and a passion for building systems that scale, Mike champions the art of connecting strategy, technology, and people. “Marketing operations is the backbone of strategic success.” “Slow down to speed up—operational rigor helps eliminate chaos.” “Invest in your community, and it will invest back into you.” Mike Rizzo shares how marketing operations drives business success by combining strategy with execution. He explores how the Mo Pros community helps professionals connect, grow, and share. Through clear systems, thoughtful collaboration, and investment in self and others, Mike shows how ops can become a true catalyst for innovation and clarity.

Text us your thoughts on the episode or the show!On today's episode, we sit down with lead scoring consultant Lucas Winter to explore a refreshing, data-first perspective on building lead scoring models—one that challenges the conventional wisdom and AI hype alike. With storytelling flair and practical insights, Lucas discusses how marketers can uncover true buying intent and dramatically improve sales efficiency.Tune in to hear: "Moneyball" Meets Marketing Ops: Lucas applies the Moneyball philosophy to lead scoring—focusing on what actually drives conversions versus what sales or execs think looks good. It's about looking for patterns in customer behavior, not just traditional job titles or industries.AI's Limitations in Lead Scoring: While AI has promise, Lucas outlines how AI-driven models often misinterpret causation (e.g., recommending “retired” contacts) and require human oversight to avoid absurd conclusions.Gold, Silver, Bronze > Arbitrary Scores: Ditch complex scoring ranges like “0-100” and opt for intuitive models like “gold, silver, bronze, junk”—making it easier for sales teams to understand and adopt.Why Gmail Isn't Garbage: Contrary to common assumptions, personal email addresses like Gmail can indicate serious buyers—especially in early-stage startups. But to gain sales trust, these leads must “work harder” to earn high scores.Start Simple, Stay Iterative: Don't wait for perfect data or fall into “overreactive” model changes. Build a solid draft, validate with real outcomes, and evolve based on performance—not opinions.Episode Brought to You By MO Pros The #1 Community for Marketing Operations Professionals Visit UTM.io and tell them the Ops Cast team sent you. Join us at MOps-Apalooza: https://mopsapalooza.com/Save 10% with code opscast10Support the show

Text us your thoughts on the episode or the show!On today's episode, we are joined by Janelle Amos, founder and chief strategist at Elevate Growth, to explore how demand generation and marketing/revenue operations teams can thrive through better collaboration, mutual understanding, and strategic alignment. With a rich background in revenue marketing, advising, and podcasting, Janelle brings powerful perspective and practical tips on fostering cross-functional trust, communication, and shared success.Tune in to hear:How top marketing ops teams stand out by aligning tactical work with broader business goals and communicating their value effectively.The power of curiosity and shadowing—why simply asking questions and observing other teams can drastically improve cross-functional rapport.Why trust is essential and how "disagree and commit" can move collaboration forward even when there's tension or differing opinions.Tips for building productive relationships, including when to use an internal advocate and how to handle difficult conversations with empathy and clarity.How leadership perception and initiative shape success, especially for newer hires aiming to establish credibility and connection.Episode Brought to You By MO Pros The #1 Community for Marketing Operations ProfessionalsSupport the show

Text us your thoughts on the episode or the show!On today's episode, hosts Michael Hartmann, Naomi Liu, and Mike Rizzo come together for a candid midyear conversation about everything happening in the MO Pros community and the broader Marketing Ops landscape. From membership model updates and upcoming events to fresh research and evolving roles, this chat covers a ton of ground. Whether you're a longtime member or just tuning in, this is your go-to catch-up on where things stand in 2025 and where we're headed.Tune in to hear: Membership Model Shift: Slack access is now a Pro-member benefit—hear the reasoning behind the change and how it's designed to foster trust, safety, and meaningful engagement.MOps Events Update: MOps-Apalooza 2025 is coming in hot—get the dates, location (hello, Anaheim!), and behind-the-scenes insights into the planning chaos (including a $350K food & beverage minimum?!).New Research Drops: The team discusses the new State of Data-Driven Decision Making report, covering data quality, analytics gaps, and organizational maturity.Expanding Roles in MOps: Naomi shares how her role has grown to include BDR teams and sales enablement, highlighting the real-world impact of cross-functional ops leadership.Coming Soon: Cohorts & Community Building: A sneak peek at new initiatives to match members based on roles and responsibilities—connecting peers in meaningful ways.Episode Brought to You By MO Pros The #1 Community for Marketing Operations ProfessionalsSupport the show

This episode features an interview with Chris Bontempo, CMO, Johnson Controls, a 140 year old company that is a global leader in smart, healthy and sustainable buildings.Chris spent nearly 19 years at IBM, eventually serving as CMO of IBM Americas before moving to Johnson Controls. He shares his perspective on website content being scraped by LLMs, how they're using AI to reduce ad spend, and which types of content are resonating most with prospects.Key Takeaways:Websites need to be designed to be scraped by LLMs. All CMOs are trying to figure this out right now.CMOs need to consider AI part of their teams “to supplement the labor that [they] have and give people superpowers to do their jobs better”.CMOs need to be hands-on-keys, using, learning and leveraging new tools themselves, in order to be able to lead well.Quote: "As a CMO, you need to consider AI as part of your team, right? So the tools that we're using that all have AI baked into them, the how AI is going to streamline your process. AI is part of your team to supplement the labor that you have and give people superpowers to do their jobs better and at huge scale without taking on a huge amount of expense."Episode Timestamps: *(06:02) The Trust Tree: No daylight between sales and marketing *(15:04) The Playbook: Designing the website to be scraped by AI*(42:12) The Dust Up : There's always a kernel of truth to both sides*(46:08) Quick Hits: Chris's quick hits Sponsor:Pipeline Visionaries is brought to you by Qualified.com. Qualified helps you turn your website into a pipeline generation machine with PipelineAI. Engage and convert your most valuable website visitors with live chat, chatbots, meeting scheduling, intent data, and Piper, your AI SDR. Visit Qualified.com to learn more.Links:Connect with Ian on LinkedInConnect with Chris on LinkedInLearn more about Johnson ControlsLearn more about Caspian Studios

Text us your thoughts on the episode or the show!On today's episode, we talk with Ahmad Moore, founder of Pressure Marketing, to unpack his unconventional but deeply inspiring journey into marketing operations. From IT help desk roots to sales leadership and now running his own MOps-focused agency, Ahad shares how leaning into empathy, technical curiosity, and a hunger for alignment helped shape his path.✨ Tune in to hear:Why marketing ops is “IT with better branding” — and why that mattersThe underrated power of listening deeply and building an “empathy engine”How cross-functional experience in sales, strategy, and support creates a sharper MOps perspectiveLessons learned from building systems under pressure (literally and figuratively)How Ahad is using AI and HubSpot to scale smarter, not harderEpisode Brought to You By MO Pros The #1 Community for Marketing Operations ProfessionalsSupport the show

Text us your thoughts on the episode or the show!On today's episode, Mike Rizzo talks with Martin Pietrzak, founder and president of Pinch Marketing, to unpack what Google and others have called “the messy middle” of today's buyer's journey.Gone are the days of the simple, linear sales funnel. Instead, buyers loop through endless cycles of exploration, evaluation, and self-education before they ever talk to sales — if they do at all. Martin shares how marketing ops pros can embrace this new reality by becoming strategic partners who help build flexible data-driven systems that enable real-time insights, better attribution, and scalable growth.You'll hear:Why the messy middle exists — and how buyers' behavior has changed forever.How technology, data, and AI are reshaping go-to-market architecture.The critical role marketing ops plays as the “marketing scientist” in modern organizations.Practical steps to capture buyer signals and turn them into actionable insights.Why marketing ops leaders must think like product managers to architect the GTM stack.Whether you're building your ops career or leading teams through complex martech stacks, this episode is packed with insights you can apply right away.Episode Brought to You By MO Pros The #1 Community for Marketing Operations ProfessionalsSupport the show

Text us your thoughts on the episode or the show!In today's episode,  we talk with Irwin Hipsman, founder of Repititos, to explore the often-overlooked world of customer marketing and the critical role of customer contact data. Irwin shares findings from his recent research report on the state of customer contact databases, revealing why so many organizations struggle with poor data quality and how it impacts customer communications, renewals, and crisis response.Together, they dive into:The definition of customer contact databases and why focusing on individuals—not accounts—is crucial.Key findings from Irwin's research, including an industry-average database health score of just 47%.The importance of cross-functional teams in maintaining healthy customer data.Actionable steps ops professionals can take to assess, clean, and maintain customer data health.Why better customer data translates directly into stronger customer relationships, higher retention, and better crisis management.Whether you're in marketing ops, customer marketing, or revenue operations, this conversation offers practical insights that can help transform your organization's approach to customer data management.Access the customer health score assessment here.Access Irwin's report here.Episode Brought to You By MO Pros The #1 Community for Marketing Operations ProfessionalsSupport the show

Is product marketing really marketing? Or is it something more (or less)? In this deep-dive episode, Humans of MarTech co-founder Phil Gamache joins the crew to unpack what it truly means to be a marketer today—and why product marketing often feels like a misunderstood offshoot of the craft. From the forgotten “P” in the marketing mix to the role of AI in shaping how teams work together, this episode balances reflection, tactical insight, and Phil's unmistakable chill candor. Learn how product marketers can better collaborate with marketing ops, why summarizing research matters more than polishing the perfect message, and how GenAI will shift execution forever.The ultimate marketer and podcast legend educate us on:Why most customer research never gets shared—and how to fix itThe AI use case every PMM should be doing today (and probably isn't)“You can never give an LLM too much context”—unless you doPhil's rule of thumb: brief AI like you brief your analystThe PMM x Martech collab that unlocks ICP clarityThis one's a must-listen for any PMM trying to earn cross-functional credibility and not just ship decks no one reads.If you've ever felt like the ‘silent' in the marketing department, this episode will help you find your voice and your seat at the table.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction and Host Roundtable01:05 Introducing the Special Guest: Phil Gamache01:55 Are Product Marketers Actually Marketers?05:50 Phil's Experience with the Four P's of Marketing09:22 Challenges and Roles in Marketing Ops12:45 The Future of AI in Marketing24:30 The Current State of AI25:10 Leveraging AI for Customer Research29:06 Practical Tips for Summarizing Customer Interviews31:58 The Importance of Context in AI Prompts40:02 Collaborating with Marketing Ops for Better Data43:23 Exploring AI Tools: MidJourney vs. DALL-E45:30 Conclusion and FarewellShow Notes:Phil's LinkedInHumans of Martech PodcastHosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Text us your thoughts on the episode or the show!On todays episode, we talk with Rick Collins, Vice President of Demand Generation at ConnectWise, to explore his unconventional yet inspiring journey from IT to marketing operations and ultimately into executive marketing leadership. Rick shares how he transitioned from managing systems to driving demand, the pivotal career moments that shaped his path, and the leadership lessons he's learned along the way. Whether you're early in your marketing ops career or looking to break into leadership, this conversation is packed with valuable takeaways on navigating transitions, building trust, and expanding your influence.Tune in to hear:Rick's unique career path from IT and QA into marketing operations and eventually to a VP role in demand generation.How to leverage technical and relational skills to create career mobility within marketing.The importance of curiosity, relationship-building, and challenging assumptions—internally and externally—for leadership growth.Insights into managing through organizational change, including private equity acquisitions and team restructuring.Tips on transitioning from managing ICs to managing other managers, including the importance of communication, presentation skills, and executive alignment.Episode Brought to You By MO Pros The #1 Community for Marketing Operations ProfessionalsSupport the show

Text us your thoughts on the episode or the show!The rise of AI tools has dramatically changed the landscape of email marketing and sales outreach, creating both exciting opportunities and significant risks. As Mustafa Saeed, co-founder and CEO of Luella, explains in this eye-opening conversation, many revenue teams are now "scared shitless" about how their reps might abuse these powerful new technologies.When AI-powered automation tools are implemented without proper guardrails, organizations face serious threats to their brand reputation, domain health, and even compliance standing. The problem isn't AI itself, but rather "AI coupled with reckless automation" that floods inboxes with content that lacks genuine value. As email service providers like Google and Microsoft respond with increasingly aggressive spam filters, even legitimate messages from trusted senders are getting caught in the crossfire.The solution isn't abandoning AI but reimagining how we use it. While many AI tools promise to remove humans from the loop, Saeed argues for bringing them back in through thoughtful collaboration between humans and AI agents. This approach combines the best of both worlds—AI's ability to analyze vast datasets and humans' talent for building authentic relationships.Episode Brought to You By MO Pros The #1 Community for Marketing Operations ProfessionalsSupport the show

Text us your thoughts on the episode or the show!Ever wondered why your marketing data isn't delivering the insights you need? The answer lies in what Nicole Alvarez calls "the ugly work" – those essential but unglamorous tasks that create the foundation for beautiful marketing results.In today's episode, Nicole, a Solutions Architect at ClearPivot with a fascinating background in psychology and cognitive science, explains why field audits, permission sets, and process documentation deserve more attention. Drawing from her experience across multiple industries, she reveals how these behind-the-scenes elements enable the exciting, visible outcomes that marketing teams celebrate.We explore a powerful technique for demonstrating the value of data cleanup – building reports with bad data to show stakeholders why investment in data quality matters. When executives see inaccurate reports that don't reflect business reality, they better understand why dedicating resources to "boring" operational work is essential. Whether you're struggling to maintain clean data, communicate the value of operations work to executives, or simply looking to improve your marketing systems, this episode offers practical wisdom from seasoned professionals. Subscribe to OpsCast for more insights on the critical work that happens behind the scenes in successful marketing operations.Episode Brought to You By MO Pros The #1 Community for Marketing Operations ProfessionalsSupport the show

Text us your thoughts on the episode or the show!Join us as we welcome back Garrath Robinson and first-time guest Sebastian Hidalgo from RevXcel for a deep dive into what it really takes to execute a go-to-market (GTM) strategy effectively today. Spoiler: it's not just about tactics or tools—it's about speed, trust, and team unity.Garrath and Sebastian challenge the old playbook of siloed teams and rigid strategies, and instead offer practical insights into how GTM execution needs to evolve to match buyer behavior and internal team dynamics. From sales being the true face of the brand to using frameworks like STRIKE and SWAT to stay agile, this conversation is packed with hard-earned lessons and bold takes.