Based on the podcast transcript, here's the revised episode description:

Episode Description

In this episode of Trust and Influence in B2B Marketing, Joel Harrison sits down with Stuart Giddings, CEO and co-founder of Beettoo, a new generation B2B agency built on flexible talent models and partnership ecosystems. With two decades at the forefront of B2B marketing and agency transformation, Stuart brings a refreshingly candid perspective on why the traditional agency model is broken—and what's emerging in its place. Can agencies remain trusted partners while radically rethinking how they're structured, staffed, and priced?

➡️ Stuart doesn't hold back. He argues that the conventional B2B agency has become commoditized—reduced to admin resource rather than strategic partner—and that the path forward requires embracing agility, flexible resourcing, and outcome-based value over headcount-based growth. Drawing from insights shared at a recent B2B Marketing Leaders Roundtable, they explore how agencies are experimenting with distributed talent models, using 30-50% freelance or partner networks, and wrestling with questions around quality control, client consistency, and financial sustainability.

They also tackle the tough questions: How do you maintain trust with clients during constant change? Can you deliver strategic value when your team isn't all under one roof? And what happens when AI, in-housing pressures, and talent pipeline challenges converge all at once? If you're an agency leader, marketing director, or anyone navigating the future of B2B marketing partnerships, this conversation offers honest, practical perspectives on what's actually working—and what needs to change.

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction

01:22 - The Broken Agency Model

07:17 - Managing Distributed Teams

12:00 - New Financial Models

19:08 - Building Partner Ecosystems

24:33 - Talent and AI Challenges

29:17 - Agency Consolidation

33:33 - The AI Question

37:17 - The Future Agency

Follow Stuart Giddings

https://linkedin.com/in/stuartgiddings

https://beettoo.com

If you care about the future of agency models, building sustainable partnerships, and delivering real value in an era of constant disruption, this conversation is for you. It's pragmatic, forward-thinking, and packed with insights for anyone rethinking how B2B marketing services should be structured and delivered.

🌐 Visit Joel Harrison's website to explore exclusive reports, upcoming events, and join the B2B marketing community ➡️ https://www.joelharrisonb2b.com/

💬 What do you think—is the traditional agency model truly broken, or just evolving? Let us know in the comments below.

🔔 Subscribe to the channel for weekly insights, interviews, and on-the-ground perspectives from the world of B2B marketing. https://youtube.com/@JoelHarrison-B2B?sub_confirmation=1

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📲 Follow Joel Harrison and Trust & Influence in B2B across the web:

LinkedIn ▶ https://linkedin.com/in/joelharrison/

Podcast ▶ https://trust-influence-in-b2b.captivate.fm/

Instagram ▶...

In this episode of Trust and Influence in B2B Marketing, Joel Harrison sits down with Giuseppe Caltabiano, Senior Director of Marketing at AVK. Together, they explore the fascinating journey of how AVK transformed from a niche data center energy provider into a bold, memorable brand that's breaking conventions in the B2B space. How do you make power solutions for data centers exciting and human? Can coloring books and billboards really work in technical B2B marketing?

➡️ Giuseppe brings a unique perspective as both a practitioner and academic, combining rigorous marketing theory with creative execution. He shares the compelling story behind AVK's unconventional brand refresh—from creating coloring books that position the company as playful and approachable, to installing bold billboards in unexpected locations. You'll discover why storytelling is fundamental to B2B success (backed by neuroscience), how AVK leveraged employee stories to build authentic brand narratives, and why breaking with industry conventions can be your competitive advantage. Giuseppe also reveals how classical marketing principles like mental availability and the 95-5 rule apply perfectly to complex B2B environments, and discusses the crucial crossroads facing the data center industry as it balances growth with community concerns.

If you're a B2B marketer looking to break free from conventional approaches, build trust through authentic storytelling, and create campaigns that actually stand out in a crowded marketplace, this conversation is packed with actionable insights and inspiration. Giuseppe's approach proves that B2B marketing doesn't have to be boring—it just has to be human.

Chapters:

[00:01] Introduction to Trusted Influence in B2B

[02:10] What AVK Does - Energy Solutions for Data Centers

[04:06] The Power of Storytelling in B2B Marketing

[09:13] The Brand Refresh Challenge and Opportunity

[18:12] Engaging Internal Teams Through Storytelling

[24:57] From Billboards to Coloring Books - Creative Campaign Tactics

[32:29] Applying Marketing Effectiveness Principles in B2B

[37:35] What's Next for AVK's Brand Journey

Follow Giuseppe Caltabiano

https://linkedin.com/in/giuseppecaltabiano

AVK Website: https://www.avkgroup.com

___________

If you care about making B2B marketing more meaningful, useful, and memorable, this conversation is for you. It's honest, reflective, and packed with takeaways that can help elevate your approach to thought leadership—whether you're a content creator, strategist, or brand leader.

🌐 Visit Joel Harrison's website to explore exclusive reports, upcoming events, and join the B2B marketing community ➡️ https://www.joelharrisonb2b.com/

💬 What unconventional marketing tactics have worked for you in B2B? Let us know in the comments below.

🔔 Subscribe to the channel for weekly insights, interviews, and on-the-ground perspectives from the world of B2B marketing. https://youtube.com/@JoelHarrison-B2B?sub_confirmation=1

📲 Follow Joel Harrison and Trust & Influence in B2B across the web:

LinkedIn ▶ https://linkedin.com/in/joelharrison/

Podcast ▶ https://trust-influence-in-b2b.captivate.fm/

Instagram ▶

In this episode of Trust and Influence in B2B Marketing, Joel Harrison sits down with Dan Shaw, CEO at Funnel Fuel. Together, they tackle one of the most overlooked yet critical aspects of Account-Based Marketing: account selection. While ABM has become a cornerstone strategy for B2B marketers, the foundational "A" in ABM is often neglected—leading to campaigns built on outdated data, misaligned objectives, and ultimately, broken trust between sales and marketing teams. So how do you get account selection right when it can make or break your entire ABM program?

➡️ Dan brings a refreshingly transparent perspective on what's actually going wrong in the ABM space and, more importantly, how to fix it. He challenges the industry's default position of promising 100% coverage rates and reveals why even the cleanest account lists can be nearly impossible to target with precision. From companies that no longer exist appearing on target lists to the fundamental disconnect between sales and marketing in defining those crucial accounts, Dan doesn't hold back. He explains why transparency must come before trust, how to leverage intent data and lookalike modeling intelligently, and why marketers need to stop being passengers in the account selection process. They also explore the practical steps marketing leaders can take to rebuild credibility, align with sales through data-driven conversations, and create ABM programs that actually move the needle—not just tick boxes.

If you're frustrated with ABM programs that fail to deliver, struggling to get sales buy-in on your target accounts, or simply want to understand how to build stronger foundations for account-based success, this conversation delivers actionable insights that can transform your approach. Dan and Joel discuss real-world tactics for navigating poor data quality, the importance of distinguishing between growth, opportunity, and retention accounts, and why flexibility mid-campaign isn't a weakness—it's essential.

Follow Dan Shaw,

https://linkedin.com/in/danshaw/

https://funnelfuel.io

If you care about making B2B marketing more meaningful, useful, and memorable, this conversation is for you. It's honest, reflective, and packed with takeaways that can help elevate your approach to thought leadership—whether you're a content creator, strategist, or brand leader.

🌐 Visit Joel Harrison's website to explore exclusive reports, upcoming events, and join the B2B marketing community ➡️ https://www.joelharrisonb2b.com/

💬 What do you think comes first—accurate account data or compelling ABM strategy? Let us know in the comments below.

📲 Follow Joel Harrison and Trust & Influence in B2B across the web:

LinkedIn ▶ https://linkedin.com/in/joelharrison/

Podcast ▶ https://trust-influence-in-b2b.captivate.fm/

Instagram ▶ https://instagram.com/joelharrisonb2b/

#JoelHarrisonB2B, #B2BMarketing, #ThoughtLeadership, #ContentStrategy, #MarketingTrends, #B2BContent, #BrandVsDemand, #Storytelling, #MarketingPodcast, #B2BInsights, #JoelHarrison, #B2BVideos, #B2BStrategy, #ABMMarketing, #AccountBasedMarketing, #SalesAndMarketing, #DataDrivenMarketing, #ABMStrategy, #MarketingAlignment, #B2BDataQuality, #TargetAccountSelection, #ABMExcellence

In this episode of Trust and Influence in B2B Marketing, Joel Harrison sits down with Robert Norum, one of the world's foremost advisers in account-based marketing and resident ABM expert at Propolis. In the buildup to B2B Marketing's Global ABM Conference, they explore a fascinating question: why do ABM programmes consistently achieve 42% higher ROI than traditional marketing approaches? The answer lies in something fundamental—trust. Through analysis of over 1,000 award entries, they uncover how personalized experiences and authentic engagement create a trust advantage that translates directly to bottom-line results.

➡️ Robert doesn't hold back as he shares why ABM should be the primary go-to-market strategy for most enterprise organizations. He unpacks the critical role of trust in transforming vendors into trusted advisors, revealing why 75% of successful ABM campaigns incorporate thought leadership while only 25% fully leverage customer advocacy—and what that gap really means. They dive deep into the practical challenges of personalization, exploring where the line sits between impressive customization and creepy surveillance, and how to stay on the right side of it. Robert also tackles the AI elephant in the room, explaining exactly where artificial intelligence adds value in ABM and where human intelligence remains irreplaceable. From breaking down marketing-sales silos to creating content that resonates at every stage of the buyer journey, this conversation covers the strategic foundations that make ABM work.

Follow Robert Norum

https://linkedin.com/in/robertnorum/

If you're serious about elevating your ABM strategy, understanding how to build genuine trust with high-value accounts, or simply want to understand why some marketing approaches deliver significantly better returns than others, this episode delivers actionable insights you can implement immediately. It's strategic, practical, and grounded in real-world data from hundreds of successful campaigns.

🌐 Visit Joel Harrison's website to explore exclusive reports, upcoming events, and join the B2B marketing community ➡️ https://www.joelharrisonb2b.com/

💬 What's your biggest challenge in building trust with key accounts? Let us know in the comments below.

🔔 Subscribe to the channel for weekly insights, interviews, and on-the-ground perspectives from the world of B2B marketing. https://youtube.com/@JoelHarrison-B2B?sub_confirmation=1

📲 Follow Joel Harrison and Trust & Influence in B2B across the web:

LinkedIn ▶ https://linkedin.com/in/joelharrison/

Podcast ▶ https://trust-influence-in-b2b.captivate.fm/

Instagram ▶ https://instagram.com/joelharrisonb2b/

#JoelHarrisonB2B, #B2BMarketing, #ThoughtLeadership, #ContentStrategy, #MarketingTrends, #B2BContent, #BrandVsDemand, #Storytelling, #MarketingPodcast, #B2BInsights, #JoelHarrison, #B2BVideos, #B2BStrategy, #ABM, #AccountBasedMarketing, #ABMStrategy, #TrustInMarketing, #PersonalizationMarketing, #CustomerAdvocacy, #SalesEnablement, #MarketingROI, #B2BAwards

In this episode of Trust and Influence in B2B Marketing, Joel Harrison sits down with Lynsey Showman, a market research professional with over 20 years of experience at Adience, a B2B market research agency. Together, they tackle one of the most hyped yet misunderstood topics in B2B marketing today: synthetic data. With AI promising to revolutionize how we gather insights and inform thought leadership, the question isn't just whether synthetic data works—it's whether marketers can actually trust it to drive real business decisions.

➡️ Lynsey brings a refreshingly balanced perspective to the conversation, neither dismissing synthetic data outright nor accepting the hype uncritically. She walks through exactly how synthetic data is created—from training algorithms on existing datasets to generating artificial respondents that mimic real professionals—and explains why the quality of that foundational data matters more than the technology itself. The discussion covers where synthetic data shows genuine promise (overcoming sample size challenges, reducing costs, speeding up research timelines) and where it falls critically short (capturing emotional decision-making, generating unexpected insights, maintaining diversity and representation). They explore the ethical considerations, regulatory gray areas, and trust issues that currently make synthetic data better suited for augmenting human samples rather than replacing them entirely, especially when it comes to thought leadership that demands credibility and depth.

If you're navigating the pressure to do more research with less budget and wondering whether synthetic data is the answer, this conversation provides the practical guidance you need. Lynsey's message is clear: experiment cautiously, understand your sources, validate rigorously, and recognize that we're not quite at the tipping point yet—but we're getting closer.

Follow Lynsey Showman

https://linkedin.com/in/lynsey-showman

https://adience.com

If you care about making B2B marketing more meaningful, useful, and memorable, this conversation is for you. It's honest, reflective, and packed with takeaways that can help elevate your approach to thought leadership—whether you're a content creator, strategist, or brand leader.

🌐 Visit Joel Harrison's website to explore exclusive reports, upcoming events, and join the B2B marketing community

➡️ https://www.joelharrisonb2b.com/

💬 What do you think—is synthetic data ready for prime time in B2B research, or should we proceed with caution? Let us know in the comments below.

🔔 Subscribe to the channel for weekly insights, interviews, and on-the-ground perspectives from the world of B2B marketing. https://youtube.com/@JoelHarrison-B2B?sub_confirmation=1

📲 Follow Joel Harrison and Trust & Influence in B2B across the web:

LinkedIn ▶ https://linkedin.com/in/joelharrison/

Podcast ▶ https://trust-influence-in-b2b.captivate.fm/

Instagram ▶ https://instagram.com/joelharrisonb2b/

#JoelHarrisonB2B, #B2BMarketing, #ThoughtLeadership, #ContentStrategy, #MarketingTrends, #B2BContent, #BrandVsDemand, #Storytelling, #MarketingPodcast, #B2BInsights, #JoelHarrison, #B2BVideos, #B2BStrategy, #SyntheticData, #MarketResearch, #AIinMarketing, #B2BResearch, #DataQuality, #MarketingInsights, #B2BThoughtLeadership, #ResearchMethodology, #MarketingAI

In this episode of Trust and Influence in B2B Marketing, Joel Harrison sits down with Richard Fitzmaurice, serial B2B CMO and founder of Paartner, a B2B referral platform. Together, they tackle one of the most overlooked yet powerful forces in B2B marketing: advocacy and referrals. Why do most organizations fail to formalize referrals despite knowing they drive some of the best business outcomes? And what would it take to turn advocacy from an afterthought into a strategic priority?

➡️ Richard brings a unique perspective, having led marketing at globally recognized companies like TMF Group and their largest competitor before stepping into the startup world. He doesn't hold back on why referrals have remained informal for so long—the fear of compliance issues, the false belief that referrals should be based purely on karma, and the challenge of diverting limited marketing resources to something new. Along the way, they unpack the tension between doing more with less, the commercial value that marketers generate but rarely capture, and why now is the time to industrialize what has always worked but never been properly measured. They also explore Richard's journey from corporate CMO to founder, what it's taught him about building products that solve real problems, and how marketers can start giving themselves a pay rise by formalizing the referrals they're already making.

Follow Richard Fitzmaurice,

https://linkedin.com/in/richardfitzmaurice/

https://www.paartner.com/

If you care about making B2B marketing more meaningful, useful, and memorable, this conversation is for you. It's honest, reflective, and packed with takeaways that can help elevate your approach to advocacy and referrals—whether you're a content creator, strategist, or brand leader.

🌐Visit Joel Harrison's website to explore exclusive reports, upcoming events, and join the B2B marketing community ➡️ https://www.joelharrisonb2b.com/

💬What do you think—should referrals be formalized and incentivized, or should they remain karma-based? Let us know in the comments below.

🔔Subscribe to the channel for weekly insights, interviews, and on-the-ground perspectives from the world of B2B marketing. https://youtube.com/@JoelHarrison-B2B?sub_confirmation=1

📲Follow Joel Harrison and Trust & Influence in B2B across the web:

LinkedIn ▶ https://linkedin.com/in/joelharrison/

Podcast ▶ https://trust-influence-in-b2b.captivate.fm/

Instagram ▶ https://instagram.com/joelharrisonb2b/

#JoelHarrisonB2B, #B2BMarketing, #ThoughtLeadership, #ContentStrategy, #MarketingTrends, #B2BContent, #BrandVsDemand, #Storytelling, #MarketingPodcast, #B2BInsights, #JoelHarrison, #B2BVideos, #B2BStrategy, #CustomerAdvocacy, #ReferralMarketing, #B2BReferrals, #MarketingROI, #CommercialMarketing, #B2BCMO, #MarketingLeadership, #AdvocacyMarketing

In this episode of Trust and Influence in B2B Marketing, Joel Harrison sits down with Katy Howell, one of the foremost experts in social media and influencer marketing at Immediate Future. Together, they explore YouTube's untapped potential in B2B marketing and why it deserves a bigger role in your marketing strategy. With YouTube now ranking as the UK's second most popular content destination (ahead of ITV and Channel 4), the question isn't whether B2B brands should be there—it's how to do it effectively.

➡️ Katy brings over 21 years of social media expertise and doesn't hold back on what it really takes to succeed on YouTube. She reveals why B2B marketers need to think like broadcasters, not just content creators, and how YouTube works hand-in-hand with LinkedIn to create a powerful thought leadership ecosystem. They dive deep into the difference between content marketing (answering known questions) and true thought leadership (reframing the questions entirely), and why YouTube is the perfect platform for building trust through deeper, more substantive conversations. Katy also shares practical advice on getting started—from filming entire series in a single day to creating content that works across mobile, desktop, and TV screens. If you're ready to move beyond surface-level content and create programming that genuinely influences buyer behavior, this conversation will show you exactly how to do it.

Follow Katy Howell https://linkedin.com/in/katyhowell/ https://immediatefuture.co.uk/

If you care about making B2B marketing more meaningful, useful, and memorable, this conversation is for you. It's honest, reflective, and packed with takeaways that can help elevate your approach to thought leadership—whether you're a content creator, strategist, or brand leader.

🌐Visit Joel Harrison's website to explore exclusive reports, upcoming events, and join the B2B marketing community ➡️ https://www.joelharrisonb2b.com/

💬What's holding your B2B brand back from YouTube success—lack of resources or lack of strategy? Let us know in the comments below.

🔔Subscribe to the channel for weekly insights, interviews, and on-the-ground perspectives from the world of B2B marketing. https://youtube.com/@JoelHarrison-B2B?sub_confirmation=1

In this episode of Trust and Influence in B2B Marketing, Joel Harrison sits down with Izzie Rivers, Founder of Realm B2B and a seasoned B2B media strategist with 25 years of experience spanning major agencies like Dentsu, WPP, and Ogilvy. Together, they tackle one of the most challenging questions in B2B marketing: How do you build genuine trust with C-suite executives who are bombarded with messages, famously skeptical of advertising, and have limited time for anything that feels like marketing? Can smaller companies actually compete for executive attention without massive budgets, or should they focus their efforts elsewhere?

➡️ Izzie brings hard-won insights from cracking the C-suite code for enterprise clients, including award-winning campaigns that achieved 92% pipeline influence and internal content that outperformed standard marketing by 500%. She doesn't hold back on the uncomfortable truths—like why targeting C-suite executives on a shoestring budget often fails, and why marketers need to be brutally honest about what they can actually achieve. Along the way, they explore the "people-first advantage" where authentic employee voices dramatically outperform corporate messaging, quality-over-quantity channel selection that prioritizes executive trust over broad reach, and strategic consistency that builds cumulative trust even with limited resources. They also dive into the realities of measuring trust, the power of passion points (from F1 to heavy metal), and why the executive buying journey requires nine-plus exposures to move the needle.

Follow Izzie Rivers https://linkedin.com/in/izzybrivers/ https://realm-b2b.com/

If you care about building authentic executive influence in an increasingly fragmented media landscape, this conversation is for you. It's pragmatic, data-driven, and packed with actionable insights that can help you navigate the complex world of C-suite marketing—whether you're working with enterprise budgets or need to prove ROI on every dollar spent.

🌐Visit Joel Harrison's website to explore exclusive reports, upcoming events, and join the B2B marketing community ➡️ https://www.joelharrisonb2b.com/

📲Follow Joel Harrison and Trust & Influence in B2B across the web:

LinkedIn ▶ https://linkedin.com/in/joelharrison/

Podcast ▶ https://trust-influence-in-b2b.captivate.fm/

Instagram ▶ https://instagram.com/joelharrisonb2b/

#JoelHarrisonB2B, #B2BMarketing, #ThoughtLeadership, #ContentStrategy, #MarketingTrends, #B2BContent, #BrandVsDemand, #Storytelling, #MarketingPodcast, #B2BInsights, #JoelHarrison, #B2BVideos, #B2BStrategy, #CSuiteMarketing, #ExecutiveMarketing, #MediaStrategy, #TrustBuilding, #B2BInfluencer, #PipelineMarketing, #RealmB2B, #IzzieRivers