FiredUp! - The Startup Marketing Podcast

In 2026, B2B buyers are more insulated than ever. The explosion of AI-generated emails and automated cold calls has made it nearly impossible for startups to break through using traditional spray and pray tactics. On this episode of FiredUp!, we explore the fundamental shift in B2B buyer behavior and what it means for founders hiring their first sales team. We address the specific pain point of declining outbound conversion rates a...

The pace of software development is accelerating at an unprecedented rate, driven by AI tools like Cursor and Claude Code that allow companies to launch features faster than ever before. For startup marketers, this speed creates a new dilemma: how do you manage a product PR program when feature fatigue makes traditional announcements less effective?  If your brand is simply shoving a grab bag of features out the door, you are likel...

You’ve spent months pitching investors, navigating due diligence, and finally closing your latest round of funding, only to realize that announcing it is harder than ever. With over 3,300 VC deals per quarter and a shrinking pool of dedicated venture reporters, your news is fighting for airtime in a saturated market. On this episode of FiredUp!, we address the frustration of silent launches and explain why the traditional embargoed...

Is AI coming for your PR job, or is it just coming for the tedious parts of your workflow? Many communications professionals are stuck in ChatGPT limbo—using basic prompts but failing to unlock the true potential of AI agents and agentic workflows. On this episode of FiredUp!, we dive into the frontier of vibe coding and PR automation. This week, episode 130 of the FiredUp! podcast is about AI agents and vibe-coding in PR! 

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In the hyper-competitive tech landscape of 2026, waiting for your own "big news" isn't enough to stay relevant. Startups often struggle to break into top-tier publications or build relationships with new reporters because they are shouting into a void of crowded inboxes. On this episode of FiredUp!, Morgan and Chris unpack the world of newsjacking for tech brands. They address media invisibility, explain how to turn ...

As the first quarter of 2026 hits its stride, marketing leaders are facing a new kind of pressure. The traditional marketing playbooks are being rewritten by the shift from keyword-based SEO to AI-driven search. Are you prepared for the April 1st Board Meeting question: How is AI search actually impacting our bottom line? On this episode of FiredUp!, we dive into the mailbag to answer the burning questions from our community of sta...

In the crowded tech landscape of 2026, building brand awareness isn't just about flashy logos or polished websites; it's about breaking through the digital noise with authentic human connection. The challenge right now is that corporate posts are being ignored while the AI slop of generic, machine-written content is eroding trust with potential customers and investors. On this episode of FiredUp!, we tackle the essential ...

In an era of digital ad fatigue, how does a startup break through the noise to build real-world authority? Startup marketers are feeling the burn of skyrocketing CPAs on social platforms and a growing distrust of purely digital brands. In this episode opf FiredUp!, we explore the modern evolution of Out-of-Home (OOH) advertising, from precision-targeted digital billboards to measurable attribution, with Ty Tinker.  We discuss how t...

In 2025, we saw a massive surge in AI-generated content, followed by an even bigger backlash from audiences tired of shallow, automated insights. If your engagement is dropping and your brand feels indistinguishable from the competition, you’re likely falling into the trap of being AI-dependent rather than AI-enhanced. On this episode of FiredUp!, Morgan, Nicole, and Chris dive into the backlash against AI and the return of the hum...

Most startup marketers have hundreds of old blog posts that are either gathering digital dust or worse, being surfaced by AI search bots with outdated messaging and stale data. In an era where 89% of B2B buyers use generative AI to build their vendor shortlists, your "zombie pages" could be disqualifying you before you even know a prospect is looking. On this episode of FiredUp!, we dive into the strategic blog refresh - ...

Traditional SEO is undergoing its biggest transformation in decades. We are moving from a world of "Search and Discover" to one of "Ask and Answer". If your brand isn't properly indexed by AI crawlers from ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Claude, you risk becoming invisible to your best B2B prospects. On this episode of FiredUp!, we tackle the "impatient" nature of AI search bots and explain why your  web...

With millions of podcasts already out there, the biggest challenge of starting one isn't just recording audio—it’s finding an audience and keeping them engaged. On this episode of FiredUp!, we dive deep into the state of the podcasting industry with industry veteran Andy King. We address the specific pain points of audience acquisition, the shift toward video-first content, and the critical question every marketer must ask: Do...

Are you feeling stuck in a cycle of "safe" marketing tactics that yield diminishing returns? Whether you are struggling with a "too many cooks in the kitchen" approach to content, or you're terrified of the "snake-like gaze" of a top-tier reporter, you are not alone. In this special New Year's edition of FiredUp!, hosts Morgan, Chris, and Nicole pull back the curtain on their careers to share...

2025 was a big year in tech marketing, so much so that it almost felt like its own decade! In this retrospective episode of FiredUp!, we dive into the "AI or Die" reality that defined 2025 and why your old SEO strategy is no longer enough to survive in 2026. Many B2B marketers are currently facing the reality of declining click-through rates as Google evolves from a search engine into an answer engine. We address the spec...

Many B2B startups find themselves stuck in "founder-sales jail," where growth is limited by the founder’s bandwidth and a lack of documented, repeatable processes. If you're struggling to bridge the gap between initial traction and a scaled sales organization, this episode of FiredUp! is for you. We explore the strategic rise of the Fractional CRO (Chief Revenue Officer) and how this role provides the "outside l...

Is your advertising strategy hitting a wall because you're only spending on Google Ads and LinkedIn? For scaling B2B startups, relying solely on these two networks limits your reach, increases your cost, and prevents precision targeting of high-value accounts. On this episode of FiredUp!, we dive deep into how to build a powerful multi-channel paid media program that accelerates growth with Phil Parrish. We explore the strateg...

Are you worried about your current B2B marketing strategy in the new year? The landscape is shifting rapidly, dominated by AI search and a tightening focus on efficiency. If you're still relying on old SEO tactics and gated content, you're falling behind. On this episode of FiredUp!, we dive into the most critical marketing predictions for 2026. We break down the rise of Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), the shift in ...

Is your content strategy for 2026 ready to go? Or have you created your strategy without looking at updated information? Many content marketers are still prioritizing quantity over true audience value, and the rapid evolution of AI tools is demanding a major pivot. On this episode of FiredUp!, we dive into the core findings of the Content Marketing Institute’s latest research, combined with our own expert predictions. We break down...

In today's hyper-competitive startup landscape, how far is too far to achieve rapid brand awareness? Many founders are embracing controversial, 'rage-bait' tactics or viral marketing stunts to break through the noise of content clutter. The pain point is clear: in highly competitive, "winner-takes-all" markets, the risk of anonymity often feels greater than the risk of controversy. On this episode of FiredU...