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GTM News Desk

GTM News Desk

By: Mark Kilens and Rachel Elsts Downey
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Welcome to GTM News Desk, the podcast where Mark Kilens and Rachel Elsts Downey bring you real talk backed by real action. Twice a month, we cut through the noise to deliver the essential resources, news, and expert takes you need to create impactful, People-first GTM motions. From trending topics to clickbait headlines, we sift through the clutter to highlight what truly matters in the world of B2B Go-to-Market. With nearly 25 years of combined experience working with top B2B brands like Drift and HubSpot, we’re sharing our insights and advice to help you navigate the best (and worst) GTM strategies. Whether you’re a startup founder or a CMO, tune in to GTM News Desk for analysis, candid discussions, and actionable tips that prioritize people and drive real results.© 2025 Mark Kilens and Rachel Elsts Downey Economics Marketing Marketing & Sales
Episodes
  • Make Value The Center Of Your Process with Ryan Schultz
    Nov 4 2025

    Why do so many B2B sales motions still feel stuck?

    If buyers say they want partnerships, why do so few deals feel like one?

    And what happens when every team aligns around delivering real value instead of pitching it?


    That’s the conversation on this episode of GTM News Desk. Ryan Schultz, CEO of DIVACS, joins Mark and Rachel to discuss why most companies lose sight of value after the deal is signed — and how to fix it. He talks about building trust between sales and customer success, why acronyms won’t save your process, and how to turn renewal into a continuous value story.


    Jump into the action:

    (00:00) Welcome to GTM News Desk

    (01:28) Why B2B sales still miss the mark on value

    (09:05) Nobody in B2B wants more AI SDRs

    (13:00) Meet Ryan Schultz, Founder and CEO of DIVACS

    (15:01) Why most sales teams fail to align on value

    (19:46) Turning features into stories that prove ROI

    (24:12) When the product stands in the way of showing value

    (27:10) How to teach teams to sell with value

    (29:34) The difference between value, outcomes, and impact

    (32:33) Building a shared language of value across go-to-market teams


    Connect with Ryan Schultz: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanmaschultz/


    This episode is sponsored by ZoomInfo and produced in partnership with Share Your Genius

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    34 mins
  • Customer Obsession is Your Secret Weapon with Kirsty O’Sullivan
    Oct 21 2025

    Can customer obsession really drive sustainable growth, or is it just a buzzword?
    Is your team aligned to create a seamless customer experience?
    How do you turn data into actionable insights for better customer journeys?


    In this episode of GTM News Desk, Kirsty O’Sullivan, SVP of Customer Experience at ZoomInfo, shares her insights on the power of customer obsession in driving growth. She discusses how aligning sales, marketing, and customer success teams can create a unified customer journey, why data plays a crucial role, and how fostering a customer-first culture is key to long-term success. Don’t miss Kirsty’s proven strategies for building lasting customer relationships that lead to tangible, measurable impact.

    Our sources from today’s headlines:

    • Top 11 B2B Marketing Case Studies [2025]
    • AI Voiced audio recaps “how do we feel about this?” (example)
    • Chelsea Castle’s LinkedIn post


    This episode is sponsored by ZoomInfo and produced in partnership with Share Your Genius

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    34 mins
  • Your Most Important Event KPI: Revenue in the Room
    Oct 7 2025

    Can event-led growth truly drive growth or merely serve as another acronym?

    Are B2B buyers asking for yet another framework to learn?

    What does it mean to capture revenue in the room at events?

    We cover all of it in this episode of GTM News Desk. Steph Pennell, founder of The Event Critic, shares why events need to be planned around immovable dates, how brands can choose between booths and ancillary plays. And what speed to lead looks like when event buzz converts into pipeline.

    Jump into the action:
    (00:00) Welcome to GTM News Desk
    (01:11) Event-led growth and why ELG matters
    (06:56) HubSpot’s Loop Marketing and missed opportunities
    (10:33) Nike’s “Why Do It?” slogan and brand consistency
    (13:23) Rethinking trade shows and capitalizing differently
    (15:34) Why tentpole events shape strategy while people drive impact
    (18:32) Choosing between booths, dinners, and ancillary events
    (25:13) Speed to lead + turning buzz into ROI

    To hear Steph’s perspective on why large trade shows need to evolve, how to evaluate which events are worth your time, and the principles behind building meaningful in-room connections, check out the extended conversation on TACK Insider: https://tackinsider.com/

    Connect with Steph Pennell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theeventcritic/

    Produced in partnership with: https://shareyourgenius.com/

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    29 mins
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