Data Planet

by Emma Davis

Season 1

Government Software Modernization: Navigating Multi-Year GovTech Sales with Brian Bennett

In this episode of Data Planet, host Emma Davis interviews Brian Bennett, Director of Strategic Growth at System Automation Corporation. Brian shares what it really takes to grow a GovTech company serving highly regulated government agencies, where software sales cycles often stretch beyond two years and modernization projects can take even longer. He explains why public sector procurement is uniquely complex, the biggest barriers agencies face—from funding constraints to organizational change management—and how System Automation helps licensing boards and regulatory agencies replace outdated spreadsheets, paper processes, and legacy systems with its purpose-built low-code regulatory management platform, Evoke. Brian also discusses the company’s growth strategy, including identifying the right agencies at the right stage of their modernization journey, building decades-long customer relationships based on trust, and creating sustainable competitive advantage in a niche market through deep industry expertise and customer-centric partnerships. This episode offers valuable insights into enterprise SaaS, government digital transformation, long-cycle B2B sales, and the importance of people and relationships in driving lasting growth. System Automation Corporation website: ⁠https://systemautomation.com

S1 · E58

Jul 27, 2026

20:03

AI Adoption: Creating Sustainable Team Workflows with Joya Scarlata

In this episode of Data Planet, host Emma Davis interviews Joya Scarlata, Director of Marketing at InterraIT. Joya shares how modern B2B technology companies can stand out in a crowded IT services market by focusing on industry expertise, customer trust, and differentiated messaging instead of trying to appeal to everyone. She explains why successful marketing begins with identifying what a company truly wants to be known for, leveraging proven experience in key industries, and building credibility through targeted positioning rather than broad, generic messaging. The conversation also explores the growing importance of AI literacy, where Joya distinguishes it from simply knowing how to use AI tools. She discusses why marketers must pair AI with human judgment, critical thinking, governance, and ethical oversight, emphasizing that responsible AI adoption requires understanding a tool’s limitations, evaluating outputs, and creating thoughtful processes that encourage experimentation without sacrificing brand trust. InterraIT website: https://interrait.com

S1 · E57

Jul 22, 2026

18:24

Automotive CRM Innovation: Building Customer Loyalty Through Better Engagement with Meghan Hakey

In this episode of Data Planet, host Emma Davis interviews Meghan Hakey, Director of Go-To-Market at DriveCentric. Meghan shares how the automotive industry is evolving beyond legacy CRM systems by combining AI-powered automation with authentic human relationships to improve dealership performance and customer loyalty. She explains why modern dealerships are embracing intelligent engagement platforms that automate follow-ups, personalize customer communications, and help sales teams focus on building lasting relationships rather than administrative work. Together, Emma and Meghan discuss the importance of aligning sales and marketing through data, tailoring messaging to different buyer personas, and using AI to enhance—not replace—the human experience, ultimately helping dealerships increase retention, accelerate sales, and create stronger customer experiences. DriveCentric website: https://drivecentric.com

S1 · E56

Jul 11, 2026

18:24

Ethical AI Adoption: Creating Accountable Business Frameworks with Kate Minnema

In this episode of Data Planet, host Emma Davis interviews Kate Minnema, go-to-market strategist and AI adoption consultant at Magenta GTM Solutions. Kate shares why successful AI adoption starts with strong go-to-market strategy rather than simply choosing the latest tools, explaining how AI accelerates execution without replacing strategic thinking. She introduces her business ethics framework for responsible AI adoption, covering transparency, fairness, accountability, data privacy, and governance, while highlighting the importance of keeping humans accountable for AI-assisted decisions. The conversation also explores how organizations can evaluate existing AI capabilities before investing in new platforms, the risks of exposing customer and proprietary data to third-party AI models, practical guidelines like the 70/30 rule for AI-generated work, and why annual AI reviews help businesses stay agile without constantly chasing every new tool. Magenta GTM Solutions website: https://magentagtm.com

S1 · E55

Jul 10, 2026

16:16

Project Management for Marketing: Building High-Performing Campaigns with Mahsa Malekyar

In this episode of Data Planet, host Emma Davis interviews strategic marketing leader Mahsa Malekyar. Mahsa shares how combining project management with modern marketing operations creates stronger alignment, more efficient execution, and better business outcomes. She explains why communication—not just time management—is the foundation of successful cross-functional marketing teams, and how project management helps eliminate silos, keep stakeholders aligned, and prevent scope creep. The conversation also explores the balance between data and intuition, emphasizing that while experience shapes decision-making, marketers must continually validate assumptions with performance metrics and customer feedback. Mahsa discusses the importance of controlling variables when testing campaigns, using iterative growth marketing strategies, and ensuring brand consistency across every customer touchpoint by empowering employees to become brand advocates. She also highlights why organizational alignment, continuous learning, and placing people in roles they’re passionate about are essential for building high-performing teams that drive sustainable growth. Mahsa Malekyar's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmalekyar/

S1 · E54

Jun 28, 2026

26:25

Revenue Management: Using AI to Maximize Short-Term Rental Growth with Caitlin Cassady

In this episode of Data Planet, host Emma Davis interviews Caitlin Cassady, Vice President of Marketing at Beyond. They explore how the short-term rental revenue management platform leverages massive datasets to help property owners optimize pricing, automate decision-making, and improve overall booking performance. Caitlin breaks down how Beyond turns complex signals like comp set performance, guest search behavior, and seasonal demand trends into actionable recommendations that help hosts maximize revenue without being overwhelmed by dashboards full of raw data. She also dives into how AI and machine learning are increasingly used to surface the “right” insights at the right time, enabling customers to shift from manual optimization to intelligent automation. Caitlin also explains how Beyond tailors messaging for different customer types—from individual hosts to large property managers—while also experimenting with AI-driven personalization to refine campaigns in real time. The discussion further highlights the balance between automation and human decision-making, emphasizing the importance of keeping critical thinking intact while removing repetitive operational work. Together, they unpack how data, AI, and lifecycle insights are reshaping both product experience and modern growth marketing strategy in the travel and hospitality tech space. Beyond website: https://www.beyondpricing.com

S1 · E53

Jun 21, 2026

21:55

Organizational Culture Building: Building Trust Through Empowered Leadership with Robin Marie Bowling

In this episode of Data Planet, host Emma Davis interviews Robin Bowling, fractional CMO and CRO and author of Clarity Curve, an independent marketing and leadership strategist operating in a fractional executive capacity. They explore how modern growth teams can unlock performance through leadership clarity, organizational alignment, and simplified execution frameworks. Robin shares how most teams don’t struggle due to lack of talent, but due to misaligned priorities and constant shifts in direction that create confusion disguised as productivity. She breaks down the leadership principle that clarity drives momentum, explaining how simplifying expectations and reducing over-management allows teams to execute faster and with greater ownership. The conversation also dives into culture as a behavioral system shaped by leaders under pressure, where consistency, accountability, and recognition define how teams operate day to day. Robin further discusses the importance of empowering leaders to develop others rather than control output, alongside a deeper reflection on purpose, integrity, and the long-term impact of values-driven leadership.

S1 · E52

Jun 18, 2026

30:28

Enterprise Marketing Operations: Driving Pipeline Through Product and Growth Alignment with Sav Khetan and Meghan Whinery

In this episode of Data Planet, host Emma Davis interviews Sav Khetan, Vice President Product Marketing, and Meghan Whinery, VP of Growth Marketing at Tealium. Together, they explore how product marketing and growth marketing teams collaborate to drive enterprise pipeline growth, customer engagement, and long-term retention in today’s rapidly evolving AI-driven landscape. The conversation dives into how Tealium aligns messaging, data strategy, and campaign execution across complex enterprise sales cycles while balancing brand awareness, pipeline acceleration, and customer expansion. Sav and Meghan share practical insights into measuring marketing effectiveness beyond vanity metrics, adapting strategies in uncertain market conditions, and navigating executive alignment during a time of rapid AI adoption and changing customer expectations. They also discuss the importance of experimentation, cross-functional collaboration, and maintaining agility in modern B2B SaaS marketing, while emphasizing why there is no “silver bullet” strategy for growth. Tealium website: https://tealium.com

S1 · E51

Jun 13, 2026

29:19

AI Superusers at Work: Balancing Productivity and Human Creativity with Brenna McNally

In this episode of Data Planet, host Emma Davis interviews Brenna McNally, Director of Marketing of Craftable. They explore the growing reality of AI superusers, the emotional toll of managing agentic AI workflows, and how high-performing professionals are navigating burnout in an always-on productivity culture. Brenna shares her firsthand experience using AI-driven systems to scale marketing operations while balancing the constant micro-decisions, quality assurance demands, and mental fatigue that come with orchestrating multiple AI tools at once. The conversation dives into the hidden costs of AI adoption, including unrealistic productivity expectations, the psychological impact on overachievers, and the importance of building intentional rest and recovery protocols to sustain creative performance. Brenna also explains how Craftable is helping restaurants and hospitality operators streamline purchasing, inventory, and back-office operations through AI-powered insights, enabling teams to spend less time managing spreadsheets and more time focused on guest experiences and operational efficiency. Craftable website: https://craftable.com

S1 · E50

Jun 12, 2026

23:54

Real Estate Technology: Scaling Broker Growth Through Platform Consolidation with Jack Markham

In this episode of Data Planet, host Emma Davis interviews Jack Markham, Chief Marketing Officer of Inside Real Estate. Jack shares how his transition from Executive Vice President of Strategic Growth to CMO has shaped a revenue-first approach to marketing leadership, creating stronger alignment between sales, marketing, and customer success. Jack also discusses the complexity of serving multiple audiences within the real estate ecosystem—from enterprise brokerages and large teams to individual agents and consumers—and how Inside Real Estate helps organizations scale through its BoldTrail platform. Listeners will gain insights into connecting marketing metrics to business results, driving product adoption at scale, empowering high-performing teams through cross-functional collaboration, and leveraging technology to unlock growth for brokerages looking to expand market share. The episode offers valuable lessons for growth leaders, marketers, and revenue operators seeking to build more accountable, data-driven organizations. Inside Real Estate website: https://insiderealestate.com

S1 · E49

Jun 7, 2026

19:34

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