APAC's B2B Growth Podcast

What happens to all those leads marketing works so hard to generate? More often than not, they go cold. According to Nishi Seth, Industry & Solutions Marketing Lead for Google Cloud APAC, this isn't a niche problem. It's one of the most persistent challenges across B2B, regardless of company size or sophistication. In this episode, Shahin sits down with Nishi to unpack the real reasons leads stall between marketing and sales, from qualification gaps to missing context, and what it actually takes to fix them. Nishi shares battle-tested lessons from scaling Google Cloud's marketing-to-sales motion across APAC, including how AI is transforming BDR productivity right now. Guest Introduction Nishi Seth is the Industry & Solutions Marketing Lead for Google Cloud APAC at Google, with over 20 years of experience across cloud technology, financial services, and travel. She has held senior marketing roles at American Express and British Airways, and is a recognised B2B marketing leader across the Asia-Pacific region. Key Topics Why leads go cold: the two root causes (qualification gaps and context gaps) and why even the most sophisticated B2B organisations struggle with themThe three pillars of an optimised marketing-to-sales handover: lead quality, context, and a continuous review and feedback loopWhy BDRs are the critical bridge between marketing and sales, and how to assess whether your BDR function is actually workingHow MQL definitions should evolve over time: Google Cloud's journey from basic demographic scoring to 48+ real-time intent signals, including account-level qualificationWhat providing context to BDRs really means: enablement calls, campaign-specific opening scripts, and cadences tailored to how each lead engagedThe key metrics that reveal handover health: SAL acceptance rates, SAL-to-SQL conversion, number of outreach touches, and lead velocityHow AI is changing BDR productivity: using automation for low-intent lead follow-up, real-time AI assistants during live sales calls, and AI-powered account research at scaleNishi's rapid-fire take: "strong opinions, loosely held," using AI to boost your own marketing productivity, and why simplifying complexity in B2B is what excites her most Resources & Links Google Cloud — Nishi's base for all real-world examples discussed, from MQL definition evolution to AI-powered BDR toolingGoogle Gemini — Nishi's go-to research tool in place of following influencers; she also used it to prepare for this episode Contact & Credits Host: Shahin Hoda Guest: Nishi Seth Produced by: Shahin Hoda and Alexander Hipwell Edited by: Alexander Hipwell Music by: Breakmaster Cylinder APAC's B2B Growth Podcast is Presented by xGrowth

What does it actually look like to roll out AI at enterprise scale inside one of the world's most recognisable technology companies? Craig Mills, APAC Head of Demand Generation and AI Marketing Transformation Lead at IBM, shares the real story: the internal lockdowns, the false starts, the springtime of ideas that fizzled, and the hard-won clarity that followed. Craig walks through IBM's shift from experimentation to intentional, use-case-driven execution in 2026, with a focus on email marketing as an underrated strategic weapon. He also shares a simple three-part navigation framework any B2B marketer can apply, regardless of the size of their organisation. Guest Introduction Craig Mills is the APAC Head of Demand Generation and AI Marketing Transformation Lead at IBM. With over two decades at IBM, Craig has led marketing transformation across Asia Pacific, focusing on data-driven demand generation and the practical adoption of AI across complex, multi-market enterprise environments. Key Topics IBM's AI adoption arc: from pre-GPT predictive analytics through the GPT moment, internal lockdowns on AI use, the launch of IBM watsonx in 2023, and the shift to focused execution in 2026The "client zero" experience: how IBM employees lived the AI transformation firsthand through changes to HR systems, well before the broader market caught upWhy email marketing is Craig's number one AI use case and how IBM is moving from successful pilots to systematic, micro-targeted execution at scaleMicro-segmentation at enterprise scale: how AI enables hyper-personalised outreach to audience pockets that were previously too small to justify the investmentThe people-process-tools interconnectivity challenge: why enterprise AI is so difficult and why most organisations are still struggling to get it rightCraig's three navigation points for B2B marketers: get closer to customers and partners, get closer to your product, and go fasterBuilding maximum mental flexibility: why clarity of mission is the prerequisite for individual speed and creative agility in an AI-driven environmentThe IBM Enterprise 2030 finding: 79% of executives expect AI to drive significant revenue by 2030, yet only 24% know where it will come from Resources and Links Tools IBM Enterprise 2030 Report -Craig's North Star on AI strategy: 79% of executives expect AI to drive significant revenue by 2030, but only 24% know where it will come from.This Week in Startups -Podcast by Jason Calacanis. Craig recommends it for building a startup mindset inside large organisations.IBM watsonx -IBM's enterprise AI platform, launched May 2023, central to IBM's AI transformation story.Microsoft Copilot -AI productivity tool Craig uses to move faster through emails and meetings.Claude -Anthropic's AI assistant, used by Craig for external customer research. People Mentioned Jason Calacanis -Entrepreneur and host of This Week in Startups. Craig spent a year listening to build a startup mindset within IBM.Ray Dalio -Founder of Bridgewater Associates. Craig follows him for his geopolitical frameworks and historical perspective on the forces shaping the world. Companies IBM -Global enterprise technology and consulting company. Also mentioned Diablo - The classic video game. Apparently the only thing more addictive than playing with AI tools at midnight. Contact & Credits Host: Shahin Hoda Guest: Craig Mills Produced by: Shahin Hoda and Alexander Hipwell Edited by: Alexander Hipwell Music by: Breakmaster Cylinder APAC's B2B Growth Podcast is Presented by xGrowth

See the results: https://xgrowth.com.au/reports/abm-pulse/ ABM is evolving fast in APAC, and xGrowth has the data to prove it. In this episode, Shahin Hoda and Alexander Hipwell unpack the findings from xGrowth's latest ABM Pulse benchmark, based on responses from 93 B2B marketers actively running ABM programs across the region. From a dramatic shift away from one-to-few programs to AI quietly expanding the scale of what a single budget can cover, this episode cuts through the noise and tells you exactly what is actually happening with ABM in 2025. If you are making investment decisions or defending the ABM line item to your CFO, this one is for you. Key Topics Why one-to-few ABM dropped from 72% adoption in 2024 to around 38% in 2025, and what that signals about market maturity in APACHow strategic (one-to-one) ABM has held steady at around 50% as organisations focus on protecting and expanding existing customer relationshipsThe AI effect on program scale: why nearly a third of respondents are now running programs targeting 100 or more accounts on the same budgets they used for far fewerABM investment sentiment in 2025: 57% of respondents are holding or growing their ABM budgets, with only 5.2% cuttingWhy inbound is under pressure from zero-click search and LLM-driven traffic drops, and how this is pushing more organisations toward ABM as a primary pipeline channelBudget planning paralysis: why a significant portion of APAC marketing leaders still had not confirmed their 2026 budgets well into Q1, and what that says about market uncertaintyHow to use benchmark data like this as social proof when making the case for ABM investment to a CFO or board Resources & Links xGrowth ABM Pulse Report - download the full benchmark findingsxGrowth - APAC's B2B growth agencyShahin Hoda on LinkedInAlexander Hipwell on LinkedIn Contact & Credits Hosts: Shahin Hoda and Alexander Hipwell Produced by: Shahin Hoda and Alexander Hipwell Edited by: Alexander Hipwell Music by: Breakmaster Cylinder APAC's B2B Growth Podcast is Presented by xGrowth

Events are one of the highest-effort, highest-impact levers in B2B marketing, but most teams run them on autopilot. In this episode, Shahin sits down with Jannat Dawra, Head of Marketing APAC at Dotdigital, to break down her commercial, revenue-first approach to field marketing and events. Jannat runs 80 to 100 events a year and brings a rare blend of creative instinct and commercial rigour to the craft. From deciding which event type to run, to managing a thin attendance list two weeks out, this episode is packed with practical frameworks for senior B2B marketers. Guest Introduction Jannat Dawra is Head of Marketing APAC at Dotdigital, a leading customer experience and data platform. Based in Sydney, Jannat leads brand and demand generation across the region and has previously held senior marketing roles at Insider and LinkedIn. Key Topics The three event buckets: sponsored industry conferences (brand and first-touch), strategic partner events (deepening executive relationships), and owned events (roundtables, community events, summits).A commercial approach to event prioritisation: reverse-engineering every event from revenue and pipeline goals. Does it add value to the ICP, accelerate existing pipeline, or strengthen retention and expansion?The opportunity cost framework: why a $10K event is never just $10K, and how to factor in team time and effort before committing.Planning across the funnel: quarterly check-ins with sales, CS, and partnerships to flex the event mix based on where pressure sits in the business.The individual event checklist: clear objective and KPI, stakeholder buy-in, a one-sentence audience definition, speakers matched to the audience profile, and a project plan with contingencies.Post-COVID attendee expectations: smaller rooms, curated guest lists, clearer themes, no buzzwords, and ROI scrutiny over vanity metrics.The 70/30 prospect-to-client split: why each audience needs different event design, and what happens when you blur the two objectives.The post-event playbook: individual follow-up, nurture automations, and treating events as one touchpoint in an 8 to 12-step buying journey. Resources and Links People Mentioned Simon Sinek, speaker and author referenced by Jannat Companies and Platforms Dotdigital, Jannat's company, cross-channel marketing automation platform Books and Podcasts Atomic Habits by James ClearThe Diary of a CEO, podcast hosted by Steven Bartlett Contact & Credits Host: Shahin Hoda Guest: Jannat Dawra Produced by: Shahin Hoda and Alexander Hipwell Edited by: Alexander Hipwell Music by: Breakmaster Cylinder APAC's B2B Growth Podcast is Presented by xGrowth

What does it take to build a brand from nothing in nine weeks, with no assets, no brand book, and a board breathing down your neck? Penny Elmslie did exactly that as the first Marketing Director Xero hired outside of New Zealand, turning a company most Australians confused with a certain photocopier brand into one of the world's most recognised accounting software businesses. Penny shares the story behind Xero's early Australian growth: the scrappy "Hello, Xero with an X" campaign, guerrilla activations like Cloudstreet, the partner strategy that turned accountants into an army, and the event machine that scaled from 30 people in a winery to thousands globally. She also opens up about joining Affinda as CMO and why AI document processing today mirrors where the cloud was a decade ago. Guest Introduction Penny Elmslie is a CMO, Board Director, and marketing coach who spent over a decade at Xero, rising from Australia's first Marketing Director to Global Director of Brand and Community. She is currently CMO at Affinda, a Melbourne-based AI document processing company named one of Australia's fastest-growing tech companies by Deloitte. Key Topics Building Xero's brand in nine weeks: Launching a full campaign with no brand book, no assets, and a tiny budget, and why the insight was simply making people spell the name correctly.The accountant-as-channel strategy: How Xero built its go-to-market around accountants and bookkeepers, turning that partner network into the most efficient channel to market.From "Hello" to XeroCon: How brand experience evolved from small intro sessions to national roadshows and a flagship conference now running worldwide.Cloudstreet and guerrilla marketing: The pop-up activation that scaled from a city storefront into a shipping container touring Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.B2C thinking in a B2B world: Why Penny approaches every B2B campaign as human-to-human, and how that philosophy shaped her work at Xero.Joining Affinda: What drew her to an AI-first scale-up and the brand-building opportunity still ahead.Reactive vs. responsive: Why responding to market opportunity beats forcing a proactive plan early in a CMO role.Content quality in an AI-flooded world: Why human expertise must stay on the levers, and why brands that commit to their ICP and tone will win. Resources & Links People Chris Ridd- Former MD, Xero Australia (2011–2016)Rod Drury- Co-founder, Xero Companies & Tools Affinda- AI document processing platform; Penny's current companyAffinda Group- Parent company of Affinda, Draftable, Pathfindr, and VesparumDraftable- Document comparison software for legal teamsXero- Cloud-based accounting software for small businessesMYOB- Accounting software competitorLeo Burnett Australia- Creative agency Penny briefed on day one at XeroSputnik Agency- Melbourne agency Penny partnered with to launch Xero's first Australian campaign Contact & Credits Host: Shahin Hoda Guest: Penny Elmslie Produced by: Shahin Hoda and Alexander Hipwell Edited by: Alexander Hipwell Music by: Breakmaster Cylinder APAC's B2B Growth Podcast is Presented by xGrowth

In this episode, Udi Ledergor, Chief Evangelist at Gong and author of Courageous Marketing, explains why bold creativity is essential for startups competing in crowded B2B markets. Udi shares the principle behind Gong’s rise from zero to hundreds of millions in revenue: “different is better than better.” From fuchsia branding and a bulldog mascot to running Super Bowl ads as a startup, he shows how courageous marketing helps companies punch above their weight. The episode also explores practical ways to create standout content, foster experimentation, and turn customers into passionate fans, even on a limited budget. Guest Introduction Udi Ledergor is Chief Evangelist at Gong and author of the bestselling book Courageous Marketing. He served as Gong's first CMO, helping grow the company from zero to hundreds of millions in revenue whilst achieving a multi-billion-dollar valuation. Over his 20-year career, Udi has led marketing teams at successful companies, advised startups, served as a board member and angel investor, and mentored hundreds of marketers. Key Topics Different is better than better: Why startups should stop trying to incrementally beat competitors at their own game and instead do something completely different to get noticedPunching above your weight: How small startups can use guerrilla marketing tactics like out-of-home advertising to appear much bigger than they are when selling to enterprisesCreating raving fans as a company-wide operating principle: Why marketing can't own brand alone, and how every employee at Gong works to create raving fan experiences for customers, candidates, and partnersBuilding a culture of experimentation: The importance of fostering an environment where teams can take calculated risks, fail safely, and learn from both successes and flopsGong Labs content marketing: How Gong created original, data-driven content by analysing millions of sales calls to position themselves as the most informed voice in sales effectivenessCategory creation strategy: When it makes sense to create a new category (and when it doesn't), illustrated through the De Beers diamond engagement ring marketing campaignBold visual identity choices: The decision to use fuchsia pink and purple with a bulldog mascot in 2018 when all B2B competitors were using corporate blueStartup advertising on a shoestring budget: Creative approaches to billboard advertising, Super Bowl commercials, and other typically expensive channels that small companies can leverage Resources & Links People Mentioned: Chris Orlob - First content hire at Gong who created most early Gong content independently. Devin Reed - Former Gong sales rep who transitioned into leading Gong’s content marketing. Kyle Lacy - CMO referenced for using AI to eliminate obvious ideas and push creative thinking. Michael Lewis - Author and podcast host whose show drove inbound interest for Gong. Francis Gerety- Copywriter behind the “A Diamond Is Forever” campaign, cited as a category creation example. Companies & Platforms Mentioned Gong - Revenue intelligence platformGong Labs - Data research and insightsDe Beers - Diamond company referenced for category creation example Books & Resources Courageous Marketing - a practical playbook for B2B marketers to drive impact and accelerate career success. Contact & Credits Host: Shahin Hoda Guest: Udi Ledergor Produced by: Shahin Hoda and Alexander Hipwell Edited by: Alexander Hipwell Music by: Breakmaster Cylinder APAC's B2B Growth Podcast is Presented by xGrowth

Caleb Ralston challenges one of the most sacred rules in personal branding: niching down. While it's technically the fastest path to growth, it's also a fast track to burnout and quitting altogether. In this conversation with Shahin Hoda, Caleb shares hard-won insights from working with some of the biggest names in business (Gary Vaynerchuk, Alex and Leila Hormozi) and reveals the sustainable approach to building a personal brand that doesn't make you hate what you've created. From why you should inject your personality into everything you make, to how organisations can build loyalty by empowering team members to develop their own brands, this episode is packed with contrarian wisdom for anyone building content for the long term. Guest Introduction Caleb Ralston is a brand strategist, content producer, and creator mentor who has worked with Gary Vaynerchuk, Leila and Alex Hormozi, and other leading voices in entrepreneurship. He now helps founders and creators scale content in a way that's sustainable, strategic, and honest through his company Ralston. Key Topics Why niching down is overrated: The conventional wisdom on niching down works in theory but leads to creator burnout and audience fatigue in practice. Caleb explains why sustainability matters more than short-term growth hacks.The sustainability framework for content creation: Building a personal brand is like fitness: you get returns by doing it forever, not by sprinting for a year and quitting. Learn how to create systems that allow you to keep showing up.Lessons from working with Gary V and the Hormozis: What most people assume about these mega-brands is completely wrong. Caleb shares the behind-the-scenes reality of how these creators actually build their influence.Injecting personality without losing focus: How to integrate your interests and quirks into your content without confusing your audience or diluting your message.Building personal brands within organisations: The Barstool Sports approach to content: why Dave Portnoy isn't in all the content, and how this creates a more scalable, sustainable media company. How this strategy applies to B2B companies.Strategic hiring for content bottlenecks: Why your first hire shouldn't be another you, and how to identify the specific constraint that's actually holding back your content production.Being 100% yourself in the age of AI: As everyone starts sounding the same on LinkedIn with ChatGPT-generated posts, authenticity becomes your competitive advantage. Caleb's advice: lean into your insecurities and the things you're terrified to share. Resources & Links People Mentioned: Gary Vaynerchuk - Entrepreneur and Chairman of VaynerXAlex Hormozi - Co-founder and Managing Partner at Acquisition.comLeila Hormozi - CEO of Acquisition.comPaddy Galloway - YouTube strategist and content optimization expertDave Portnoy - Founder of Barstool Sports Books & Resources: Crush It! by Gary Vaynerchuk - The book that inspired Caleb to pursue his current pathCaleb's YouTube ChannelRalston - Caleb's brand strategy and content company Contact & Credits Host: Shahin Hoda Guest: Caleb Ralston Produced by: Shahin Hoda and Alexander Hipwell Edited by: Alexander Hipwell Music by: Breakmaster Cylinder APAC's B2B Growth Podcast is Presented by xGrowth

In this episode, Jon Lombardo, Co-Founder of Evidenza, unpacks the counterintuitive truth about B2B buying behaviour. Drawing on research from the Ehrenberg-Bass Institute, Jon reveals why most B2B marketers fundamentally misunderstand their audience. The 95-5 rule shows that 95% of potential buyers aren't in the market right now, which means the traditional focus on short-term lead generation is missing the bigger picture. Jon also explains how AI-powered synthetic research is transforming market intelligence, why B2B needs more brand building than B2C, and what marketers should do about it. If you're stuck chasing in-market buyers whilst your competitors build future demand, this conversation will change how you think about growth. Guest Introduction Jon Lombardo is Co-Founder of Evidenza, a synthetic AI market research platform that surveys AI-generated customer copies to build evidence-based marketing plans in hours rather than months. Previously, Jon was Head of Research at LinkedIn's B2B Institute, where he helped establish the 95-5 rule and commissioned pioneering research on how B2B brands grow. Key Topics The 95-5 rule: why 95% of B2B buyers are out of market at any given time, and why that matters more than the 5% who are ready to buyThe 11X rule: how B2B buying cycles are 11 times longer than B2C, making brand building even more critical in B2B than consumer categoriesThe evolution from the 60-40 rule to 95-5: how research with John Dawes from Ehrenberg-Bass Institute challenged conventional wisdom about marketing budget allocationMental and physical availability in B2B: creating brand-relevant memories that activate when buyers eventually come into the marketAI and synthetic research: how Evidenza uses AI to interview synthetic customers, delivering market research in hours that would traditionally take monthsBootstrapped growth: how Evidenza launched with paying customers from day one without venture capital, growing to over 100 clientsThe future of AI in marketing: why AI is underrated and will transform marketing beyond what most people imaginePractical applications: how to use AI for execution whilst keeping strategic thinking human Resources & Links People Mentioned: Mark Ritson - Marketing professor, columnist, and founder of Marketing Week Mini MBAJohn Dawes - Professor at Ehrenberg-Bass Institute for Marketing ScienceLes Binet - Marketing effectiveness researcher and econometricianPeter Field - Marketing consultant and authorPeter Weinberg - Co-Founder of EvidenzaBrian Watroba - Co-Founder of EvidenzaJenny Romaniuk - Professor at Ehrenberg-Bass Institute for Marketing ScienceRachel Kennedy - Professor at Ehrenberg-Bass Institute for Marketing ScienceNicole Hartnett - Professor at Ehrenberg-Bass Institute for Marketing ScienceByron Sharp - Professor of Marketing Science at Ehrenberg-Bass Institute Companies & Organisations: Evidenza - Synthetic AI market research platformEhrenberg-Bass Institute for Marketing Science - The World's largest centre for research into marketingLinkedIn B2B Institute - Marketing think tank (Jon's former employer) Key Frameworks: The 95-5 Rule - Research on B2B buying behaviour shows that only 5% of buyers are in marketThe 11X Rule - How B2B buying cycles differ from B2CThe 60-40 Rule - Les Binet and Peter Field's framework for balancing brand building and sales activation Subscribe to the xG Weekly Newsletter for weekly insights on B2B growth across APAC:https://xgrowth.com.au/newsletter Contact & Credits Hosts: Shahin Hoda and Vinnie Romano Guest Jon Lombardo Produced by: Shahin Hoda and Alexander Hipwell Edited by: Alexander Hipwell Music by: Breakmaster Cylinder APAC's B2B Growth Podcast is Presented by xGrowth

Marketing at the pace of AI innovation isn't easy, but Rubina Carlson, Head of Marketing at 90 Seconds, has found a way to stay ahead without burning out. In this conversation with host Vinnie Romano, Rubina shares her honest journey from feeling late to the AI party to becoming an AI-first marketer who dedicates one hour per week to systematic experimentation. This episode is packed with practical wisdom for B2B marketers who feel overwhelmed by the rapid pace of AI evolution. Rubina reveals how she carved out time to test tools like Opus Clip, custom GPTs, and Canva Magic, turning weekly pain points into opportunities for AI-powered solutions. She challenges the myth that prompt engineering requires specialists, arguing instead that it's simply about learning to communicate with clarity. Whether you're struggling to justify AI experimentation to leadership or feeling paralysed by the sheer number of tools available, this episode will give you a clear framework to start testing, learning, and integrating AI into your everyday marketing workflow. Guest Introduction Rubina Carlson is a Certified Practising Marketer and Head of Marketing at 90 Seconds, the global platform empowering enterprise brands to create video content at scale. With over 15 years of experience driving growth across tech, tourism, higher education, and agency sectors, Rubina leads data-driven, growth-focused strategies that fuel brand visibility and revenue. Known for her early adoption of social media platforms and now AI, she's at the forefront of marketing innovation, having built internal GPTs and tested a wide range of AI tools to push marketing performance further. Beyond her corporate role, Rubina serves as Director of Digital Adelaide (South Australia's largest marketing conference) and is a key driver of Adelaide's emerging AI events. Key Topics Overcoming "late to the AI party" fears: Transform anxiety into systematic learningOne-hour-per-week AI testing: Friday afternoon framework for testing solutionsBuilding custom GPTs: Achieve 80% first-draft quality with brand voiceStrategic AI tool testing: Compare tools for real problem-solving vs trendsOpus Clip for video repurposing: Transform long videos into social clipsRebecca Webber's AI success: Cut assessment time from 60 min to 30 secPrompt engineering demystified: Clear communication, not specialist roleNavigating AI restrictions: Build business cases when IT blocks tools Resources & Links People Mentioned Stephen Mayall - Growth marketer focusing on AI and agentic workflowsTim Lillyman - Marketing leader at XPON Technologies Group, active in AI and automationAxel Sukianto - B2B SaaS marketer and growth marketing advisorChristopher Chow - Head of Growth Marketing at Smokeball, LinkedIn video creatorRebecca Webber - Literacy leader at the Department of Education, South Australia, developed an award-winning AI assessment toolSimon Sinek - Author of "Start with Why" Companies & Tools 90 Seconds - Rubina's company, a global video creation platformOpus Clip - AI video clipping tool for creating viral shorts from long videosCanva Magic - AI features within Canva for design and content creationCustom GPTs - OpenAI's customisable AI assistantsDepartment for Education, South Australia - Organisation where Rebecca Webber developed an award-winning AI assessment toolSocial Media Club Adelaide - Early adopter community mentioned by Rubina Books & Resources "Start with Why" by Simon Sinek Subscribe to the xG Weekly Newsletter for weekly insights on B2B growth across APAC: https://xgrowth.com.au/newsletter Contact & Credits Host: Vinnie Romano Guest: Rubina Carlson Produced by: Shahin Hoda and Alexander Hipwell Edited by: Alexander Hipwell Music by: Breakmaster Cylinder APAC's B2B Growth Podcast is Presented by xGrowth

In this insightful conversation, Kitty Zhao, Head of Marketing for Adhesive Technologies at Henkel ANZ, shares her proven strategies for putting Australia and New Zealand on the global marketing map. Working for a global organisation with headquarters far from the region, Kitty reveals how she's successfully gained executive visibility, built internal advocates, and implemented innovative marketing approaches that have been adopted across the Asia-Pacific region. This episode is essential listening for any B2B marketer working in a regional market who wants to move beyond execution mode and become a strategic contributor whose voice is heard at the highest levels of their organisation. Guest Introduction Kitty Zhao is a seasoned B2B marketing leader with over 14 years of experience across the manufacturing, mining, automotive aftermarket, and scientific sectors. Kitty brings a strategic lens to every initiative, combining deep expertise in OEM and distribution models with a collaborative leadership style that empowers teams to deliver marketing programs that resonate with customers and drive meaningful business results. Key Topics Why Australian and New Zealand markets risk being overlooked in global decision-making, and how raising your profile ensures local needs are considered proactively.Common mistakes regional marketers make and why you should treat new initiatives like a sales pitch with evidence-based proposals.Pioneering account-based marketing in the mining sector and how this Australian initiative became the pilot program for the entire APAC region.Building internal advocates across technical teams and sales forces, and developing co-branded campaigns with customers.Creating strategic alliances with global colleagues across marketing functions to ensure two-way communication.Leveraging the Australian Institute of Packaging partnership that led to speaking opportunities across Asia-Pacific conferences.How locally-developed initiatives expanded from Australia to Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, and Malaysia.Building trust, demonstrating small wins, and confidently proposing innovative approaches. Resources & Links People Mentioned: Mark Ritson- Marketing professor and founder of Mini MBA in MarketingNatalie Truong- Ex-CMO, Oceania at EY Companies & Organisations: Henkel-Global adhesive technologies companyAustralian Institute of Packaging-Peak professional body for packaging education in Australasia Courses: MiniMBA in Marketing-MBA-level marketing course Subscribe to the xG Weekly Newsletter for weekly insights on B2B growth across APAC: https://xgrowth.com.au/newsletter Contact & Credits Host: Shahin Hoda Guest: Kitty Zhao Produced by: Shahin Hoda and Alexander Hipwell Edited by: Alexander Hipwell Music by: Breakmaster Cylinder APAC's B2B Growth Podcast is Presented by xGrowth

In this episode, we dive deep into the complexities of building growth strategies across APAC with Victoria, who leads marketing for Thomson Reuters across an enormous remit spanning from Africa and the Middle East through to Japan and New Zealand. Victoria shares why expanding into APAC is fundamentally different from other regions, dispels common myths about APAC markets, and reveals how sophisticated buyers in these geographies are driving the future of B2B technology adoption. The conversation explores everything from the nuanced approach needed for different markets like Japan's trust-building requirements versus the rapid innovation appetite in Southeast Asia, to how geopolitical shifts create both opportunities and challenges. Victoria also shares her approach to creating bespoke research that serves as both thought leadership and demand generation, demonstrating how to move beyond traditional marketing tactics to become a true business growth driver. Guest Introduction Victoria Sampson (McCafferty) is a seasoned marketing leader with over 15 years of experience driving growth across Asia-Pacific. As CMO APAC at Thomson Reuters, she leads a diverse regional team, combining data, technology, and customer insight to design demand generation programs that deliver measurable impact. Passionate about understanding buyer behavior, she believes the best marketing comes from truly knowing the customer—what they value, how they operate, and when to reach them. Throughout her career, she has been proud to build inclusive teams, champion an ethical, people-first culture, and position marketing as a precision growth engine that bridges business goals with customer needs in meaningful ways. Key Topics Why APAC expansion is different: Cultural practices, timing (e.g., Eid in Middle East), and diverse innovation drivers require long-term commitment (6–24 months depending on market).APAC myths debunked: Markets are often more advanced than US/EU in tech adoption, with larger buying groups and 70% of the journey completed digitally before first contact.The “gateway market” trap: Limiting operations to Singapore and Australia misses growth in China, Japan, Korea, India, and Southeast Asia.Content as advantage: Bespoke research and executive interviews drive both client retention and sophisticated demand generation.The 70-30 localisation rule: 70% of marketing scales regionally; 30% needs localisation around culture, channels, and geography.Channel diversification: WeChat dominates China, Naver in Korea, WhatsApp is rising in B2B, while Japan’s B2B sees low social media impact and declining email effectiveness.Marketing as advisory: Shift from traditional roles to driving business growth with analytics, strategy, and client-centric positioning.Future of B2B marketing: AI handles execution; human skills in messaging, buyer understanding, and connection become key — a return to the “art” of marketing. Resources & Links People Mentioned Professor Scott Galloway - Recommended resource for business insights and contentShahin Hoda LinkedIn ProfileAlexander Hipwell LinkedIn Profile Companies & Tools Discussed Thomson Reuters - Victoria's employerBombora - Intent data platform mentioned6Sense - ABM software platformCanva AI - Content creation toolTableau - Data analytics and reporting Events & Programs Synergy - Thomson Reuters' flagship client event series (Australia, Dubai, Singapore, Tokyo) Subscribe to the xG Weekly Newsletter for weekly insights on B2B growth across APAC: https://xgrowth.com.au/newsletter Contact & Credits Host: Shahin Hoda Guest: Victoria Sampson (McCafferty) Produced by: Shahin Hoda and Alexander Hipwell Edited by: Alexander Hipwell Music by: Breakmaster Cylinder APAC's B2B Growth Podcast is Presented by xGrowth

In this episode, Vinnie sits down with ABM marketing expert Melinda Stuart to tackle one of B2B marketing's most misunderstood concepts: go-to-market strategy. What starts as a discussion about business language misuse quickly evolves into a deeper conversation about how marketers can remain strategically relevant in an AI-driven world. Melinda breaks down why go-to-market has become a buzzword that's lost its true meaning, and shares practical advice for B2B marketers who want to move beyond tactics to drive real organisational alignment. This episode is essential listening for anyone tired of seeing "go-to-market" slapped onto job titles without the strategic foundation to back it up. Guest Introduction Melinda Stuart is Enterprise Marketing Lead at Optus and a Marketing and Communications Leader with extensive experience in global and APAC markets. With over two decades of international experience and more than ten years in the technology sector spanning cloud, communications, and software, Melinda has successfully shaped go-to-market strategies across various new territories and verticals. She's worked in both agency and client-side roles, including previous positions at Macquarie Telecom and InterSystems, and serves as an advisor to organisations of varying sizes, particularly within the technology space. Key Topics The real definition of go-to-market strategy – Why it's a cross-functional, organisational approach, not just a marketing functionWhy marketers are taking on GTM responsibility – The rise of growth marketers and how stakeholder fatigue leads to siloed decision-makingThe critical question every marketer should ask – "Who do I need to get in a room?" before taking on go-to-market responsibilitiesStrategy vs tactics in the age of AI – How the abundance of marketing tools is creating more tacticians than strategistsSocial selling as part of account-based marketing – Using executive branding and authentic content to demonstrate growth within target accountsStaying relevant in an AI world – Why human strategic thinking remains the competitive differentiator for the next decadeThe importance of cross-functional collaboration – Breaking out of the marketing corner to ask questions and align with other teams Resources & Links Vinnie's article in Mediaweek: Stop selling tactics as strategy: The dangerous misuse of business languageAdam Turinas – Healthcare ABM specialist and founder of Health LaunchpadDr Catherine Ball – Futurist, Associate Professor at Australian National University, and author of "Converge"Vinnie Romano on LinkedIn – Host and executive branding specialistMelinda Stuart on LinkedIn – Guest and Enterprise Marketing Lead at Optus Subscribe to the xG Weekly Newsletter for weekly insights on B2B growth across APAC: https://xgrowth.com.au/newsletter Contact & Credits Host: Vinnie Romano Guest: Melinda Stuart Produced by: Shahin Hoda and Alexander Hipwell Edited by: Alexander Hipwell Music by: Breakmaster Cylinder APAC's B2B Growth Podcast is Presented by xGrowth

In this conversation, Caleb Ralston discusses the intricacies of personal branding and content creation, emphasising the importance of sustainability and authenticity. He critiques the common advice of niching down, arguing that it can lead to creator burnout and audience fatigue. Instead, he advocates for a broader approach that allows for personal interests to be integrated into content. Caleb also shares insights on starting a personal brand, the significance of clarity in branding, and the importance of hiring strategically to address content creation bottlenecks. He highlights the need for data-driven strategies and the value of case studies in building trust with audiences. The discussion concludes with rapid-fire questions that encapsulate Caleb's philosophy on personal branding in the age of AI. Takeaways: Niching down can lead to creator burnout.Sustainability in content creation is crucial.Be authentic to avoid losing trust with your audience.Hiring should address specific bottlenecks in content creation.Views are important, but conversions matter more.White papers can be effective if they contain relevant information.Building personal brands within organisations can enhance trust.Picking an ideology as an enemy can be more effective than targeting individuals.Clarity in branding helps guide content strategy.Integrating personal interests into content can keep creators engaged. Caleb is a brand strategist, content producer, and creator mentor who’s worked with names like Gary Vaynerchuk, Leila & Alex Hormozi, and other leading voices in entrepreneurship. He now helps founders and creators scale content in a way that’s sustainable, strategic, and honest. Follow Caleb on: YouTube: @calebralstonLinkedIn: Caleb RalstonInstagram: @calebralstonTwitter / X: @calebralston Resources Mentioned: YouTube: How to build a brand - Full courseWorkbook downloadGary Vaynerchuk – Crush ItPatty Galloway Subscribe to the xG Weekly Newsletter for weekly insights on B2B growth across APAC: https://xgrowth.com.au/newsletter