In this episode of Disruptors, host Mack McKelvey sits down with Dana Hork, founder and CEO of Beers with Friends, a refreshingly different agency built on sprint-based brand building. Recorded live from the Possible Conference in Miami, Dana shares how her experience as a brand-side marketer at Jet.com, Walmart, and Wonder helped shape an entirely new model for solving creative problems—fast.

Dana breaks down the “beer run” model: five-day ideation sprints designed to deliver creative firepower without the drag of traditional agency engagements. From productizing services on Shopify to creating frameworks like “Brand in a Can,” Dana offers tactical and strategic gems for startup marketers, founders, and CMOs alike.

You’ll hear:

• Why trust and collaboration beat the black-box agency mode

• How to talk to your founder without reading their mind

• Why marketers should fall in love with the problem, not the solution

• What it means to build brand from the inside out
  
  

If you're tired of bloated campaigns, vague retainers, or founder-marketer misalignment, this episode will feel like a crisp, cold one at the end of a long sprint. Cheers.

In this episode of SUM Disruptors, host Mack McKelvey sits down with Jake Goldman, VP of Communications and Public Affairs at Beta Technologies, to explore the intricate world of communications strategy for revolutionary technology startups. Jake shares his journey from political communications to leading PR efforts for an innovative electric aircraft company that's transforming the aviation industry.

• From Politics to Aviation: Jake details his career trajectory from New York City politics and working with Mike Bloomberg to Vice Media, and ultimately to Beta Technologies, where he's helping build the future of sustainable flight.

• Beta Technologies Unveiled: Discover how this Vermont-based startup is developing electric aircraft and charging infrastructure that's already secured partnerships with UPS, the Department of Defense, and Air New Zealand.

• Building a Communications Strategy from Scratch: Jake shares how he joined Beta when they were just 150 employees about to close their Series A funding, transitioning the company from a low-profile R&D operation to a recognized industry leader.

• Balancing Engineering with Storytelling: Learn how Jake navigated the challenge of shifting a highly engineering-focused company toward effective external communication while maintaining credibility in the aviation industry.

• Strategic Communications Evolution: Jake discusses how Beta's communications needs evolved as the company grew from announcing major funding to preparing for aircraft delivery to customers.

• The Political Communications Advantage: Discover why Jake believes professionals with political communications backgrounds excel in fast-paced startup environments requiring multi-dimensional thinking.

• Relationship Building in Tech PR: Insights into developing authentic relationships with reporters and how these connections impact story quality and crisis management.

• PR Education for Founders: Jake shares his approach to helping founders and technical leaders understand the value and process of strategic communications.

• The Future of PR in a Changing Media Landscape: Thoughts on disruption in PR, adapting to fragmented audience attention, and why AI won't replace the human element in communications.

Join us for this fascinating conversation about the intersection of breakthrough technology and strategic communications with one of the industry's rising communications leaders.

Visit www.thestartupmarketer.com to learn more and be part of the community.

In this episode of the SUM Disruptors podcast, host Mack McKelvey speaks with marketing executive Sabra Jan Willner about navigating the rapidly changing world of B2B marketing. With experience spanning from agencies like Ogilvy to tech giants like Lenovo and startups of various stages, Sabra shares practical insights on several key marketing topics:

• The strategic importance of customer advisory councils in gathering authentic feedback, building relationships, and generating valuable content

• Why B2B companies should consider brand mascots to stand out in crowded markets

• The evolving role of BDRs (Business Development Representatives) and how they fit into modern marketing organizations

• Signal-based prospecting versus "spray and pray" approaches in ABM campaigns

• Aligning marketing with revenue goals and the potential benefits of shared compensation structures

Throughout the conversation, both marketing leaders emphasize the need for creativity, alignment between departments, and continuous learning in today's fast-paced marketing landscape. This episode offers valuable perspectives for marketing professionals at all levels, particularly those working in B2B startups.