As we wrap up 2025, marketing leaders are already deep in planning for 2026. But with more tools, more channels, and more “shiny objects” than ever, prioritization has never been harder. In this episode of CMOs Offscript, we talk candidly about the challenge of staying focused in a world that constantly pulls marketing teams in a dozen directions at once. We reflect on where experimentation helped, where it distracted, and why many teams are realizing they did not fully solve the problems they set out to tackle. We cover: Why prioritization has become harder for marketing leaders The impact of shiny objects on focus and execution What it really means to slow down and finish work end to end Why old school marketing fundamentals still matter How leaders can set better examples for focus and alignment in 2026 This conversation is about stepping back, tightening the process, and committing to fewer priorities that actually move the business forward. If you are heading into 2026 feeling overwhelmed by options and underwhelmed by results, this episode is for you.

It’s 2025, and we’re heading into budget season with a lot changing at once. In this episode of CMOs Offscript, we kick off with a big career move: Nisha steps into a Chief Growth Officer role, owning both product and marketing to close the gap between what a brand promises and what the product actually delivers. From there, we get into what 2026 planning really looks like for modern marketing teams, including headcount, rising costs, tech stack decisions, and why “utility players” (strong generalists who can flex) are becoming more valuable than ever. We cover: Why brand and product are becoming synonymous The shift toward marketing owning more revenue outcomes Budgeting for 2026 with rising costs and market uncertainty Hiring for speed, AI fluency, and adaptable “utility players” Building AI workflows across tools like GPT, Gemini, Perplexity, and more Why simplifying your tech stack matters (and why HubSpot is becoming the center of gravity) The return of in-person connection: conferences, owned events, and field marketing What real sales and marketing alignment looks like before and after events If you’re planning for 2026 and trying to balance speed, strategy, and execution, this conversation will help you think clearer about where to invest and what to cut.

Over the past few weeks, something has felt off with AI tools we rely on every day. They forget context. They miss obvious details. They agree instead of challenge. And they confidently return answers that are just wrong. In this conversation, we unpack what is really happening with large language models, why faster output is not the same as better thinking, and what this means for marketing, sales, and content teams moving forward. We talk about: Why AI can feel less reliable even as it becomes more powerful The danger of speed without measurement or strategy Where authenticity and human judgment still matter most Why marketing teams may need to start operating more like product teams What we believe the next phase of AI adoption looks like heading into 2026 AI is not the problem. How we use it might be. This is a candid, unfiltered discussion about where AI helps, where it fails, and how teams can cut through the noise instead of adding to it.

In this episode of CMOs Offscript, the team welcomes back Jeff Hill for a deeper dive into AI-powered data enrichment, martech stacks, and the evolving role of RevOps.

The conversation explores how platforms like Clay, Apollo, ZoomInfo, and HubSpot fit into modern marketing, the real costs and ROI of enrichment tools, and why AI-driven intent data and automation are reshaping ABM. The team also discusses the balance between specialized versus all-in-one solutions, the pressure to deliver revenue impact from the tech stack, and how marketing ops roles are evolving to meet new demands.

If you’re navigating tech stack sprawl, evaluating enrichment platforms, or figuring out how AI can accelerate your marketing operations, this episode is packed with insights you can put to work right away.

AI is transforming how search works—and what it means for marketers. In this episode of CMOs Offscript, Nisha, Amanda, and Laura sit down with Jeff Hill, CEO of Breezy Hill Marketing, to unpack the shift from traditional SEO to Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO). They explore how AI is influencing outbound and inbound campaigns, why pillar content still matters, and how to ensure your brand stands out in a sea of AI-generated sameness.

Before you can chase leads, you need a strong foundation. In this episode of CMOs Offscript, we dig into the often-overlooked groundwork that drives sustainable marketing results. From sharpening positioning and messaging to truly understanding your buyers, we explore why skipping the fundamentals leads to wasted effort and “me-too” marketing.

We also tackle the tension between quick wins and long-term strategy—how to manage pressure for instant ROI, leverage conferences effectively, and align with sales on what really moves the needle. Whether you’re building a brand from the ground up or optimizing an established program, this conversation will help you prioritize the essentials that set you up for lasting growth.

In this episode of CMOs Offscript, Steve Tolle, Chief Technology and Product Officer at IgniteData, shares insights on the intersection of healthcare technology and marketing. He discusses the challenges and opportunities in clinical trials, the importance of thought leadership, and the need for effective marketing strategies in a noisy market. Steve emphasizes the value of building relationships and leveraging customer feedback to drive product development and marketing alignment. He also highlights the exciting future of healthcare technology, particularly with the integration of AI and the FHIR standard.

In this episode of CMOs Offscript, the hosts discuss the current trends in healthcare marketing, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and building genuine connections with clients. They explore how to navigate the complexities of the buyer's journey, the role of conferences in marketing strategies, and the evolving relationship between marketing and sales teams. The conversation highlights the need for internal marketing to ensure team alignment and the challenges of measuring marketing's contribution to revenue.