FiredUp! - The Startup Marketing Podcast

In saturated markets like San Francisco, AI billboards are everywhere, making your Out-of-Home (OOH) advertising nearly invisible. If your investment isn't building instant brand recognition and credibility, you’re wasting money. On this episode of FiredUp!, we dive into the strategy for making your OOH messaging stand out with Rick Robinson, CEO of PJX Media and long-time OOH expert. This we...

The biggest challenge in B2B marketing today is that you no longer fully control what your prospects read. AI search tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity are summarizing and repackaging messages about your company, which means any inconsistency in your narrative is amplified. If your core message is shaky, you're losing control of your brand story. On this episode of FiredUp, we dive into how to...

The biggest mistake B2B startups make is writing long, boring content because they haven't taken the time to be concise. If your message is getting lost in a wall of text, you're failing to communicate your value. On this episode of FiredUp!, we dive into the lost art of short form content and concise communication. The team breaks down the framework for developing a single, strong unifi...

You've issued the press release, but the reporters aren't calling. The truth is, getting media coverage requires a proactive, tailored media pitch, not just a document on a wire. If you're missing out on detailed press mentions that could be building your brand, this episode is for you! On today’s episode of FiredUp!, we dive into the mechanics of a winning PR strategy for B2B tech....

Is HubSpot causing more headaches than pipeline? Many startups and scale-ups fall into the trap of improper setup, leading to chaotic workflow creation and a dysfunctional marketing-to-sales handoff. On this episode of FiredUp!, we dive deep with Fiona Smith on how to unlock the full power of HubSpot. Learn the best practices for setting up scalable life cycle stages, integrating with tough system...

You know brand awareness is vital—especially with the rise of zero-click behavior and AI search—but securing the budget is impossible without clear measurement. Stop guessing and start quantifying! On this episode of FiredUp!, we dive into a practical, accessible framework for measuring brand awareness using simple, free proxy metrics. We'll show you how to track the signals that correlate wi...

Account Based Marketing (ABM) strategy has changed, and if you're relying on old tactics, you're missing out on key revenue. Are you struggling to get a real multi-channel lift and capture deep engagement signals from your target accounts? On this episode of FiredUp!, we dive into the latest ABM trends with DemandBase's Stephanie Quinn to discuss how AI is revolutionizing the practi...

As AI tools become a gatekeeper to your brand's visibility, a traditional SEO strategy is no longer enough. On this episode of FiredUp!, the team dives into generative engine optimization (GEO) and explains why it's a team sport. We unpack what geo is, its different citation sources, and how to align your PR, content, and SEO teams to improve your rankings and maximize your AI search imp...

Should we be utilizing AI in our content creation? While AI tools like ChatGPT can generate a blog post in seconds, many marketers and writers are questioning if the quality is worth the effort of editing. On this episode of FiredUp!, we explore the real-world implications of using AI for writing with former journalist and content strategist Keith O’Brien to unpack where AI excels, where it falls...

The growing backlash against AI-generated content is finally hitting the marketing sphere. Is your marketing strategy feeling the effects? On this episode of FiredUp!, Morgan, Nicole, and Chris sit down to explore why marketers and B2B buyers are pushing back against the overuse of artificial intelligence in content creation, how use of AI is affecting brand reputation, and more.  This week, episo...

Are you feeling the shift in how B2B buyers are researching and purchasing solutions? In today's landscape, shaped by new AI technology and ongoing economic pressures, the traditional marketing playbook is no longer enough. This episode of FiredUp! dives deep into the data and trends revealing why buyers are more self-reliant and how AI is acting as a "gatekeeper" to their shortlist...

Are your senior executives ready for media interviews? In today's competitive landscape, being an effective spokesperson is a crucial skill, yet many leaders are unprepared for the challenges of an interview. On this episode of FiredUp!, Morgan McLintic and Chris Ulbrich discuss the fundamentals of spokesperson readiness, from mastering key messages to handling tough questions and ensuring yo...

Is your content getting lost in the "sea of sameness" created by generative AI?  Are your website visitors bouncing before you can capture their interest? As B2B buyers become more dependent on AI for their initial research, it's harder than ever to stand out and capture valuable first-party data. On this episode of FiredUp!, Morgan McLintic and Nicole Pytel discuss why interactive...

Are you a startup founder looking to disrupt an industry with AI, but unsure how to secure significant funding? Do you want to understand what it takes to get noticed by top-tier VCs and build a category-defining company?  In this episode of Funded, we speak with Aaron Cannon, Co-founder and CEO of Outset, an AI-moderated research platform, as he shares the incredible journey of closing their $17...

Executive visibility has become a key priority for startups, but with the rise of LinkedIn and the impact of AI, the rules have changed. In this episode of FiredUp!, Morgan McLintic, Chris Ulbrich, and Nicole Pytel discuss why executive visibility is having a moment, how to get your CEO's content to stand out, and the crucial commitments required for a successful campaign. This week, episode...

Are you trying to name a new startup or product in the age of AI search? With brand credibility and discoverability being more critical than ever, the old rules of naming no longer apply. Tune into this special 100th episode of FiredUp! as we welcome back our very first guest, naming expert Anthony Shore, to discuss the latest trends and strategies for naming in the AI era. This week, episode 100...

Are you a startup CEO or co-founder struggling to secure VC funding? Do you want to understand the intricate details of the funding process, from navigating venture capital firms to managing international complexities? In this episode of Funded, we dive deep into the real-world experience of Mark Orttung, CEO of Projectworks, as he shares the nitty-gritty of closing a $15 million Series A funding...

Are you struggling to get your press releases seen in the age of AI search? With buyers increasingly using tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity for their research, traditional PR strategies need an update. Tune into this episode of FiredUp! to discover how Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is reshaping the press release landscape and what you must do to ensure your news gets discovered. This week,...

Is your corporate blog feeling a bit… dusty? Are you questioning if the effort you put into blogging still pays off in today's fast-changing digital world? Many marketers in early and late-stage startups grapple with whether corporate blogging is dead, especially with new AI tools and shifting buyer behaviors. In this episode of Fired Up, we dive deep into the evolving role of the corporate b...

Are you struggling to generate leads in the rapidly evolving Fintech landscape? With buyers increasingly using AI for their search and a surge in competitive pressure, traditional marketing tactics might not be cutting it. Tune into this episode of FiredUp to discover how FinTech companies are adapting their marketing strategies, leveraging AI, and rethinking lead generation to stay visible and th...

We’ve reached the halfway point of the year, and what a busy six months it’s been! To offer a retrospective of the year so far, Firebrand experts Morgan and Nicole sit down to discuss the marketing trends observed this year from Salesforce and LinkedIn, among others. From the explosive growth of generative AI tools to the rise of zero-click content and short-form video, they explore the key statis...

In an era of constant change in the digital marketing world, email marketing remains a powerful and consistent channel for connecting with audiences. To better understand how this seemingly old-school communication method has not just survived but thrived in the AI era, Firebrand experts Nicole and Morgan sit down to unpack the historical significance of email marketing, current strategies, and th...

Last year, over $700 billion was spent on digital marketing. Of that, $140 billion was stolen by fraudsters. Let’s face it: it’s no longer a question of whether you have fraud, but a question of how much fraud is affecting your business. To address these massive concerns, Rich Kahn, co-founder and CEO of Anura.io , an ad fraud solution, joins us on the podcast to dive deep into the world of digita...

With the increase in AI-created content, having an authentic personal brand built by your CEO is more important than ever to stand out. But how does one go about deciding what their personal brand even i, and what are the steps they need to take to start building it? To answer these questions, we sit down with Loreta Tarozaite, founder of strategic advisory Loreta Today, as we unpack the art of bu...

Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is rapidly emerging as the next frontier of search strategy. As AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Google’s AI overviews transform how people seek information, brands must adapt their content to be not just searchable but AI-friendly. One of our very own Firebrand team members, Shane Jordan, joins us on the podcast this week as we break down these shifts in search be...