In this episode of the SUM Disruptors Podcast, co-hosts Mack McKelvey and HK explore the ins and outs of event marketing with Beth Pyne, VP of Marketing at SalientMG. With over 15 years of experience working at both growth-stage startups and industry giants like Yahoo!, Beth shares her tips for selecting, planning, and maximizing events for every budget.

Are trade shows still worth it? (It depends!) Are events measureable? (Absolutely!) Who’s the best booth partner? (Solutions engineers, hands down!) Beth tackles these questions and more, sharing key strategies for tracking ROI, collaborating effectively with sales, and implementing creative tactics that make events truly memorable.

Ditch the trash and trinkets and tune in to discover how to properly stand out on the trade floor, elevate your event game, and drive results.

In this episode of the SUM Disruptors Podcast, hosts Mack and HK chat with Alexander Stonehouse, Marketing Director at Forj and board advisor for StartUp Marketer.

As a 3x startup marketer, Alexander highlights the stark contrasts between marketing at large, established institutions like the Washington Post—where approvals can take months—and the fast-paced world of startups, where optimizations happen daily.

The discussion centers on effective budgeting strategies for startups at every stage, highlighting the importance of building scalable, repeatable campaigns while transparently owning the outcomes. The trio also explores the intricate balance between the art and science of marketing and the impact of having a strong relationship with sales.

Tune in to learn why this history major turned down law school to pursue a career in startup marketing.

In this episode of the SUM Disruptors Podcast, hosts Mack and Heidi sit down with 3x startup CMO Miriam Kendall to explore that coveted CMO role and the tough realities of startup life. Discover why Miriam left Under Armour for the startup world and why she hasn’t looked back since.

With 20 years under her belt, Miriam shares her strategies for breaking down silos, managing founder expectations, and putting the people first. Aspiring CMOs will gain insights into the essential skills needed for success, how to navigate the inevitable burn and churn, what to focus on from day one, and techniques for turning chaos into harmony.

As Miriam puts it, “a CMO is like the director of an orchestra. You’ve got all of these different instruments and if you get them singing together, then you will have the most powerful, beautiful output.”

Tune in for an honest conversation about the challenges—and rewards—of being a startup CMO, and learn why it takes a unique breed of marketer to thrive under the pressure.