Broken playbooks and broken bones: Reinventing B2B with Ryan Nelsen

Ryan Nelsen, CMO of StackAdapt, joins Playbook Broken to talk about the evolution of B2B marketing.

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What does it take to reinvent high-performance marketing? In this episode of Playbook Broken, we’re joined by Ryan Nelsen, CMO of StackAdapt, to get the playbook on AI-fueled advertising and strategic growth. With a proven track record at major tech companies like Qualtrics and MX, Ryan offers a masterclass on the future of enterprise marketing.

From navigating the complexities of paid media to launching innovative products, this conversation is full of lessons from the marketing front lines. Ryan also shares a compelling personal story about overcoming a major injury early in his tenure at StackAdapt, offering a powerful metaphor for resilience.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

  • Lessons in resilience and the power of tackling the most difficult tasks first.
  • The reinvention of high-performance marketing in the age of AI.
  • Why the best B2B strategies now incorporate B2C tactics.
  • Finding the right balance between brand building and performance marketing.
  • The future of paid media and integrated campaigns.

Episode guide

00:00: Introduction to Playbook Broken
00:27: Meet Ryan Nelson: Marketing leader
01:02: Ryan’s career journey and insights
03:17: The wakeboarding incident
05:52: Expanding into the enterprise market
09:29: Innovative marketing strategies
12:21: Balancing brand and performance marketing
18:13: Leadership and team dynamics
20:11: AI and future innovations
26:11: Resilience and overcoming challenges
27:58: Conclusion and final thoughts

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About the author

Marc Sirkin
Contributor
Marc Sirkin is a former CEO, CMO, and digital transformation leader known for driving growth, innovation, and exits at iconic brands including Microsoft, PwC, and Autism Speaks. As Founder of Marc Sirkin Consulting and host of the “Playbook Broken” podcast, he helps executives navigate existential change by integrating AI, aligning teams, and accelerating outcomes. He led the integration of Third Door Media into Semrush post-acquisition by preserving editorial independence while transforming virtual events and launching AI-powered products.