Scott Brinker on AI agents, AEO and the new buyer journey
What happens when your ideal customer never sees your website or your emails—because their AI agent screens everything first?In this episode of Digital Transformation Survivors, Julian Tedstone sits down with Scott Brinker - former VP, Platform Ecosystem at HubSpot and editor of chiefmartec.com - to explore how AI agents, answer engines, and an ever-expanding Martech landscape are reshaping marketing.Scott shares the story behind his iconic Martech supergraphic (from 150 tools to an “infinite fractal” of logos) and explains why SaaS is far from dead, even as AI gives individuals unprecedented power to spin up their own workflows, dashboards, and micro-tools.Together, Julian and Scott dig into:Why search is giving way to answer engines—and what AEO (Answer Engine Optimisation) really meansHow AI is changing marketing in three layers: behind-the-scenes tools, customer-facing experiences, and now buyer-side agentsWhat it looks like when your inbox is handled by an agent that filters, researches, and negotiates on your behalfHow to think about core platforms vs. plug-in micro-tools, and why orchestration and data still matterThe mindset digital leaders need over the next two years: less panic, more steady experimentationIf you’re responsible for complex web estates, Martech stacks, or digital strategy-and feeling the pace of change - this conversation will help you reset, refocus, and plan what to do next.Send us a textSupport the show
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From 2,000 Sites to One: Nestlé’s Drupal Journey with Antonella Severo
How do you consolidate a web estate the size of a small country? In this episode of Digital Transformation Survivors, host Julian Tedstone talks with Antonella Severo, Product Manager for WebCMS at Nestlé Global Services Spain. Antonella shares how Nestlé reduced more than 2,000 websites to 1,300 while improving governance, security, and speed to market.She walks through the decision to standardise on Drupal, the move to a multi-site model, and the creation of Lightness, Nestlé’s in-house Drupal distribution that drives reuse across brands, categories, and regions. We dig into the shift from WebCMS to WebOps—automation, DevOps, and the operational playbooks behind changes like SSO rollouts and code repository migration.Expect practical detail on “freedom in a box” for markets, how global and local teams collaborate with a single agency model, and why composable architecture and decoupled setups are shaping what comes next. If you’re scaling content, integrations, and security across dozens—or hundreds—of sites, this conversation maps the path.Send us a textSupport the show
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How Membership Organizations Shape Their Digital Future
In this episode, Alan Perestrello, Managing Director at HartSquare, joins Digital Transformation Survivors to explore how membership and charity organizations are redefining their digital journeys. From balancing tradition with innovation to building user-led technology ecosystems, Alan shares how communities rooted in shared purpose can make smarter decisions about their marketing and CRM stacks. Together, we discuss the unique dynamics of member-driven engagement, the challenges of retention versus acquisition, and how truth, standards, and trust are being reshaped in the age of intelligent agents.Send us a textSupport the show
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Building the House, Furnishing 43 Markets: Helga Eriksson on Global Web and the AI Shift
In this episode of Digital Transformation Survivors, Helga Eriksson, Global Web Leader at Alfa Laval, shares how she orchestrates a decentralized digital presence spanning 43 markets. From upgrading complex CMS systems to building a global web community, Helga explains how structure, governance, and trust turn chaos into collaboration. She also explores how AI is reshaping search behavior and why agility—not just technology—defines the future of digital marketing.Send us a textSupport the show
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Leading with Empathy: Alessandra Canavesi on Digital Marketing for Global Investors
Alessandra Canavesi, Head of Digital Marketing & Customer Experience at AXA, sits down with Jules to share her perspective on managing multicultural teams and building authentic connections with sophisticated investors. She explains how her team navigates the tension between global consistency and local nuance, the art of tailoring communications for different levels of expertise, and why listening first is her leadership anchor.The conversation dives into the role of digital infrastructure—from CRM and Eloqua integration to LinkedIn campaigns and personalised client journeys—and how AI is reshaping everything from translation to strategy. Alessandra also reflects on mentoring the next generation, fostering intergenerational collaboration, and keeping a “never stop learning” mindset at the heart of her leadership.Send us a textSupport the show
Managing complex web ecosystems—whether it’s multiple websites, diverse user journeys, or varied audiences—comes with unique challenges that differ from those faced by businesses with a single focus.In this podcast, we sit down with industry leaders who navigate these complexities every day. We’ll uncover their strategies for managing teams, technologies, and stakeholder expectations, offering insights that can help you optimize your own web program.Join us as we explore what it takes to turn digital complexity into a competitive advantage.
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