Retailers are facing a rapidly evolving landscape where consumer expectations, AI advancements, and social media platforms like TikTok are redefining engagement. It feels like the holiday shopping season just ended, but when do retailers start planning for the next one, and some retailers already behind the curve for this season?



Joining us today is Carey Cockrum, Director of Consulting at Cella, where she helps major brands and marketing teams optimize their strategies with data-driven insights, AI-powered content creation, and cutting-edge retail marketing trends. With the holidays just around the corner, she’s here to share what’s next for retail marketing, campaign optimization, and how brands can stay ahead in a hyper-competitive space.



ABOUT CAREY COCKRUM



Carey has been a part of the Creative Agency space for nearly

30 years. She has served as Designer, Creative Director, Creative Operations

Lead and Agency Lead in both internal and external agencies (big and small).

Carey has worked directly with C-suite stakeholders to understand organizational

strategies that inform effective creative solutions. She is a bit of a data nerd and

loves demonstrating results. Brands she’s supported include Fruit of the Loom,

Wendy’s and Humana.



In her free time, she enjoys going back to her creative roots through painting and

drawing. She also spends her time improving upon the house she lives in today

in Southern, MI - inside and out.



﻿RESOURCES



Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands



Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150



Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom



Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show [https://www.theagilebrand.show/]



Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com [https://www.agilebrandguide.com/]



The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow



The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company [https://www.missinglink.company/]

#669: It's already time to start planning for the holiday shopping season with Carey Cockrum, Cella

As AI continues to evolve, how can marketing leaders ensure they’re staying ahead of the curve instead of simply keeping up with it? And how do you navigate the complexities of using AI while maintaining a personal, human touch in your campaigns?



Joining us today is Courtney Baker, Chief Marketing Officer at Knownwell and co-host of the AI Knowhow podcast. With a wealth of experience in marketing and AI, Courtney is leading the conversation about how artificial intelligence is transforming the marketing industry and redefining business strategies. She’s here to share her insights on the next era of client intelligence and the five levels of AI that are reshaping businesses.



Courtney Baker is the CMO of Knownwell, an AI-native Commercial Intelligence platform, and host of the AI Knowhow podcast. Formerly CMO and CRO at Full Focus, she led its transformation from a personality-driven to a product-led brand. With over 200 episodes as host of the popular Focus on This podcast and 50 on AI Knowhow, Courtney continues to pursue elevating humanity while leveraging transformational technology.



﻿RESOURCES



Knownwell: https://www.knownwell.com [https://www.knownwell.com/]



Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands



Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150



Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom



Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show [https://www.theagilebrand.show/]



Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com [https://www.agilebrandguide.com/]



The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow



The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company [https://www.missinglink.company/]

#668: The Five Levels of AI with Courtney Baker, Knownwell

When you think of cameras in construction, do you see them as just security tools—or could they be the key to unlocking full jobsite intelligence?



Joining us today is Marca Armstrong, Chief Marketing Officer at Sensera Systems, a leader in jobsite intelligence solutions. Over the past decade, Sensera Systems has transformed how construction teams use visual technologies—not just for security, but for improving safety, efficiency, and project success.



Marca Armstrong has successfully launched and developed brands globally, driving incremental revenue and profits from the launch of new products. She is passionate about the use of technology and data to connect silos across an organization as a means to improve the customer experience and increase brand awareness. She holds a BA in International Relations from Mount Holyoke College and an MBA in International Business from the Thunderbird School of Global Management.



﻿RESOURCES



Sensera Systems: https://www.senserasystems.com [https://www.senserasystems.com/]



Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands



Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150



Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom



Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show [https://www.theagilebrand.show/]



Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com [https://www.agilebrandguide.com/]



The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow



The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company [https://www.missinglink.company/]

#667: The Evolving Role of Visual Data in Construction with Marca Armstrong, Sensera

For many brands, AI is revolutionizing customer experience, but with increased adoption comes widespread concerns about job displacement, ethical risks, and trust. Is AI truly enhancing human capabilities, or is it simply replacing them? And how can companies balance efficiency with responsibility in AI-driven CX?



Joining me today is Pasquale DeMaio, Vice President of Customer Experience Services at AWS.



Pasquale DeMaio

Vice President, Customer Experience Services at AWS



Pasquale is the Vice President of Amazon Connect at AWS, an organization he founded in 2015 to help companies of any size deliver superior customer outcomes at lower cost. Under his leadership, Amazon Connect is enabling businesses to transform the way they engage with their customers at every interaction. With this vision, Amazon Connect has become one of the fastest-growing products in AWS history, and now enables tens of thousands of AWS customers to support more than 10 million daily customer interactions across sales, customer service, and engagement. Pasquale has 20 years of experience in delivering world-class B2B and B2C products. Prior to AWS, Pasquale led products in machine learning, augmented reality, mobile, and maps. His specialties include operating SaaS at world-leading scale, delivering exceptional customer experiences, and driving UX and technology innovation.



Resources

AWS Connect: https://aws.amazon.com/connect/



Introducing The Next Generation of Amazon Connect: https://aws.amazon.com/blogs/contact-center/introducing-the-next-generation-of-amazon-connect/



Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands



Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150



Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom



Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show [https://www.theagilebrand.show/]



Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com [https://www.agilebrandguide.com/]



The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow



The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company [https://www.missinglink.company/]

#666: Balancing AI-driven efficiency and responsibility with Pasquale DeMaio, Amazon Web Services

With the increasingly complex omnichannel customer journey, it seems like attribution is getting harder than ever—do you know which of your marketing tactics are really driving sales, or are you flying blind when it comes to measurement?

Joining us today is Arianna Vogel, Senior Director of Product Marketing at Foursquare, a leader in location intelligence and measurement, helping marketers navigate the increasingly complex world of attribution, enabling them to develop strategies that cut through the noise and drive real results.



﻿RESOURCES

Foursquare: https://www.foursquare.com [https://www.foursquare.com/]



Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands



Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom



Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150



Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show [https://www.theagilebrand.show/]



Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com [https://www.agilebrandguide.com/]



The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow



The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company [https://www.missinglink.company/]

#665: Developing strategies that cut through the omnichannel noise, with Arianna Vogel, Foursquare

Recorded live at Medallia Experience in Las Vegas. Having a great customer experience is critical for many reasons, but some companies have had a hard time tying their success with CX to tangible ROI.



Today we will talk about taking customer experience further and tying CX outcomes to commercial goals.



To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Markus Engel, VP CDO Performance Management and Linzi Hindle, Director of Customer Experience at DHL.



﻿RESOURCES



Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands



Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150



Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom



Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show [https://www.theagilebrand.show/]



Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com [https://www.agilebrandguide.com/]



The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow



The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company [https://www.missinglink.company/]

#664: Tying CX outcomes to commercial goals with Markus Engel and Linzi Hindle at DHL

As AI reshapes the retail advertising landscape, are you leveraging it as a competitive advantage, or are you at risk of being left behind in a data-driven world?



Today, we’re joined by Uldis Baumerts, Chief Operating Officer of Bryj Technologies, a leader in driving AI-powered innovations for the retail industry. Uldis has extensive experience in transforming the way businesses approach advertising and customer engagement, making him the perfect guest to discuss the transformational role of AI in retail advertising and the future of marketing technology.

We’re going to be talking about Bryj’s recent report, The 2025 Ultimate Guide to AI in Advertising and Retail Marketing, and more



Uldis Baumerts, COO at Bryj Technologies, Inc.



With over 15 years of experience leading AI-powered product development, large-scale e-commerce platforms, and global IT operations, I specialize in turning strategic vision into innovative, scalable solutions. My leadership is defined by a data-driven approach, technical proficiency, and a track record of delivering measurable business results in fast-paced, high-growth environments.



AI & Technology Leadership

As COO of Bryj Technologies, I lead cross-functional teams in driving the company’s AI-powered mobile engagement platform. I spearheaded the launch of ChatROI, a solution that delivers 15-30% performance uplift for customers and reduces campaign creation time by up to 10-15x. By integrating large language models (LLMs) and Databricks-powered analytics, I ensure our solutions remain at the forefront of innovation, driving both product differentiation and customer success.



Key Achievements:



Over 15 years of experience in tech leadership, product innovation, and IT operations.

Led the growth of a tech organization from 25 to 500+ professionals, with 300% revenue growth over 4 years.

Delivered 350+ enterprise e-commerce projects across 23 countries.

Launched an AI-powered solution that drove 15-30% performance improvements and 10-15x faster campaign creation for clients.

Improved operational efficiency by 20% through agile transformations and scalable delivery frameworks.

I am passionate about using AI and emerging technologies to drive innovation, unlock new growth opportunities, and create lasting business impact. If your organization seeks a leader with a proven ability to scale operations, execute complex projects, and deliver cutting-edge solutions, I’m ready to lead the charge.



RESOURCES



Bryj: https://www.bryj.ai [https://www.bryj.ai/]



Bryj: AI in Retail Marketing Guide: https://www.bryj.ai/unlock-the-potential-of-ai-in-retail-marketing-with-a-step-by-step-guide/



Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands



Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150



Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom



Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show [https://www.theagilebrand.show/]



Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebr [https://www.agilebrandguide.com/]

#663: AI in retail marketing with Uldis Baumerts, Bryj

We are here at ShopTalk 2025 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas and seeing and hearing all about the latest in retail, e-commerce, and more.



How much are your product returns costing your business—and how much opportunity are you leaving on the table by treating returns as a cost center instead of a competitive advantage?



Today, I’m excited to welcome Katherine Lehman, CMO of ReturnBear, a leader in reverse logistics and sustainable returns solutions. At ReturnBear, she’s helping brands turn returns from a logistical headache into a strategic advantage.



RESOURCES

ReturnBear: https://www.returnbear.com



Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands



Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150



Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom



Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show [https://www.theagilebrand.show/]



Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com [https://www.agilebrandguide.com/]



The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow



The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company [https://www.missinglink.company/]

#662: Making your returns strategy a competitive advantage with Katherine Lehman, ReturnBear

We are recording live at Qualtrics X4 in Salt Lake City and seeing and hearing all about how to create and enable amazing customer experiences.



If the student experience is the heart of a world-class academy, what happens when you realize there is room for improvement—and what do you do about it?



Today’s guest is Mike Milliron, Chief Operating Officer at IMG Academy Campus. Mike has played a key role in reimagining and transforming the student experience at IMG Academy, aligning student and employee experiences to create a seamless, enriching environment for everyone on campus. We’re going to dive into how they integrated feedback loops, broke down internal barriers, and shifted the entire campus culture toward an experience-first approach.



RESOURCES



Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands



Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150



Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom



Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show [https://www.theagilebrand.show/]



Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com [https://www.agilebrandguide.com/]



The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow



The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company [https://www.missinglink.company/]

#661: Creating a world-class student experience with Mike Milliron, IMG Academy

We are recording live at Qualtrics X4 in Salt Lake City and seeing and hearing all about how to create and enable amazing customer experiences.



Today we’re going to talk about enabling and accelerating customer experience success by augmenting your teams and processes with AI.



To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Isabelle Zdatny, Head of Thought Leadership for XM Institute at Qualtrics.



﻿RESOURCES



Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands



Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150



Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom



Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show [https://www.theagilebrand.show/]



Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com [https://www.agilebrandguide.com/]



The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow



The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company [https://www.missinglink.company/]

#660: Enabling and accelerating customer experience improvements using AI with Isabelle Zdatny, Qualtrics

Agile brands understand that customer experience, employee experience, and digital transformation all combine to form brand experience. The Agile Brand is hosted by Greg Kihlström, entrepreneur, advisor, speaker, and best-selling author. It features leaders of top organizations around the world and provides a fresh perspective on the continually evolving dynamic between brands and the audiences they serve.

The Agile Brand with Greg Kihlstrom