The Long Game

In this Kitchen Side episode of The Long Game Podcast, the Omniscient Digital team reflects on one key question: “What should we automate?” The discussion unfolds into a broader examination of agency culture, strategic thinking, and the nuanced costs of automation. They share personal experiments—from HARO email parsing to multi-agent PR systems—and debate the tradeoffs between saving time and losing essential context, mentorship, and learning. The team also explores how AI tools can be both empowering and distracting, and why automation shouldn't come at the expense of human development, team connection, or communication that builds trust. It's a though...

In this Kitchen Side episode of The Long Game Podcast, Alex Birkett and David Ly Khim reflect on the parallels between craftsmanship in daily life and high-quality marketing in the age of AI. They critique the growing dominance of low-effort, mass-generated content and advocate for a return to thoughtful creation—whether that’s cooking a meal, writing a note by hand, or building content that stands out in generative search. The duo also dives deep into GEO (Generative Engine Optimization), sharing a powerful framework: Be the source. Be cited in the source. Or replace the source. They discuss the shif...

In this episode of The Long Game Podcast, David Khim interviews Erik Episcopo, SEO Manager at Wiz, one of the fastest-growing cloud security companies (recently acquired by Google). Erik shares his unconventional career path, from answering a Craigslist ad while in Taiwan to building high-scale SEO programs at CrowdStrike and Wiz. They discuss what it takes to be a “super IC,” how AI is reshaping SEO workflows and strategy, and the importance of staying curious and adaptable in a shifting landscape. From experimenting with AI-assisted content to managing massive content refresh cycles, Erik offers a thoughtful, energetic view into what...

In this Kitchen Side episode of The Long Game Podcast, the Omniscient Digital team dives into Google's new “AI Mode” for search and the broader implications of generative AI across content marketing and SEO. They explore the shift toward conversational, zero-click search experiences, the erosion of attribution data, and how marketers need to adapt in a world where AI Overviews and LLMs are changing how users discover information. With insights on content visibility, LLM optimization, brand mentions, measurement challenges, and even some “gray hat” strategies, this episode captures the tension between innovation and uncertainty in the age of AI-enhanced search.<...

In this episode of The Long Game Podcast, David Khim interviews Britney Muller—SEO scientist, AI educator, and former Hugging Face marketing lead—about the practical side of AI in marketing. Britney shares how her obsession with machine learning began in 2014 and how it evolved into creating her course Actionable AI for Marketers. They discuss the overuse of buzzwords like “AI agents,” the shift from backlinks to brand mentions, and the importance of making AI workflows approachable. Britney is passionate about demystifying AI, showing how it can be applied to real tasks like data analysis, strategy, and automation—without needing a...

Key Takeaways

In this Kitchen Side episode of The Long Game Podcast, the Omniscient Digital team reflects on their experiences at SPRYNG, a standout B2B marketing conference in Austin. The conversation blends AI experimentation, prompt engineering, and the future of creativity with philosophical reflections on human connection, authenticity, and the soul of marketing. They explore why many AI users are missing the point by chasing “best practices,” and how real breakthroughs come from first-principles thinking and creative risk-taking. The episode also dives into the power of in-person events, emotional resonance, and inefficient—but high-value—tactics like dinners, meetups, and personal storytel...

In this episode of The Long Game Podcast, Alex Birkett interviews Alice Wyatt, a B2B fintech marketing leader with experience at Codat, Bloomreach, and Adyen. Alice shares how her personal journey of building community and maintaining sanity in a fast-paced city like New York connects with her marketing philosophy: agile, people-first, and impact-driven. The conversation explores person-based marketing (PBM), the limits of MQLs, aligning sales and marketing teams, and embracing adaptability in an AI-disrupted world. Alice also reflects on how her approach to building community mirrors how great marketing is done: with empathy, boldness, and a willingness to...

In this episode of The Long Game Podcast, Alex Birkett sits down with Molly St. Louis, an award-winning multimedia marketer with experience in PR, content, and video strategy. Molly shares her journey from theater and journalism to leading marketing at high-growth startups, explaining how storytelling, creativity, and entertainment principles can elevate B2B marketing. The discussion covers how to craft bold marketing initiatives, the changing landscape of PR, and why video remains an underutilized asset in B2B. They also dive into thought leadership, media trends, and how brands can build credibility in a noisy digital world.

...

In this Kitchen Side episode of The Long Game Podcast, Alex, David, and Allie continue their in-person discussion in New York City, diving into marketing trends, proprietary data, and the role of differentiation in an AI-dominated landscape. They examine the shifting value of MQLs, how AI is automating SEO and marketing tasks, and why trust and credibility are the new forms of scarcity. The conversation also covers how companies can leverage original data, the intersection of brand and demand, and why marketers must rethink what truly adds value in the era of automation.

Key Takeaways

In this Kitchen Side episode of The Long Game Podcast, Alex, David, and Allie record their first in-person conversation in New York City. The episode revolves around insights gathered from dozens of marketing leaders, discussing SEO traffic declines, AI’s real impact on marketing, attribution challenges, and the balance between brand and demand generation. The team reflects on how companies are adapting to falling organic traffic, the rise of video SEO, and why traditional top-of-funnel strategies are losing effectiveness. They also explore the importance of customer research, the disconnect between social media conversations and real-world priorities, and how teams ca...

In this episode of The Long Game Podcast, Alex Birkett speaks with Erik Johnson, an applied behavioral scientist and founder of Behavioral Strategies. Erik shares insights on human decision-making, habit formation, and the psychological forces influencing our actions. The conversation covers the intention-action gap, AI’s impact on attention and productivity, and how behavioral science can optimize both personal and organizational performance. Erik explains why environmental design is crucial for habit formation, how variable rewards in social media and entertainment shape behavior, and why the modern world often works against our best intentions. They also explore practical strategies for ov...

In this Kitchen Side episode of The Long Game Podcast, Alex Birkett and the team discuss the evolving landscape of content creation, AI-powered tools, and the importance of structured thinking. They dive into how automation is making some SEO and marketing tasks easier while increasing the need for differentiation. The conversation covers how marketers must think like product managers, why unique insights and data are critical for standing out, and the barbell strategy for balancing safe bets with high-risk, high-reward experiments. They also touch on vector embeddings, AI-powered SEO strategies, and the future of human-AI collaboration in content marketing.<...

In this episode of The Long Game Podcast, Alex Birkett speaks with Aashish Krishna Kumar, Director of Go-To-Market at Zuora, about startup pricing strategies, AI-driven changes in SEO, and the increasing importance of high-quality content. Aashish explains why early-stage startups should prioritize survival over pricing optimization and why pricing only becomes a growth lever after product-market fit. He also shares an optimistic perspective on SEO, arguing that traditional tactics like backlinks and keyword stuffing are fading while expert-driven content, multimedia formats, and brand authority will define future success. The conversation explores how businesses should adapt their strategies in the...

In this Kitchen Side episode of The Long Game Podcast, Alex, Allie, and David are joined by Mark Lindquist to discuss the transformation of SEO and content marketing. They delve into the decline of traffic-based metrics, the rise of user-first strategies, and how AI-driven changes are forcing marketers to rethink content creation. Mark emphasizes treating content as a product, getting closer to the audience, and building strategies rooted in customer pain points. With actionable insights and reflections, this episode offers a roadmap for creating high-utility content in an evolving landscape.

Key Takeaways

In this episode of The Long Game Podcast, Alex Birkett speaks with Sean Ellis, the creator of the term "growth hacking" and a pioneer in startup growth strategies. Sean shares his insights on product-market fit, the fundamentals of sustainable growth, and how AI is reshaping the startup landscape. From his groundbreaking work at Dropbox and Eventbrite to the evolving nature of customer acquisition, Sean offers practical advice for founders and marketers. This episode explores balancing foundational principles with emerging technologies and strategies to achieve growth in an ever-changing environment.

Key Takeaways

In this special Fireside Chat edition of The Long Game Podcast, Alex Birkett shares insights about building SEO strategies for startups with the Founders Common community. He discusses foundational steps, the evolution of SEO in the era of AI, and innovative approaches like product-led SEO and programmatic strategies. Alex emphasizes the importance of setting realistic expectations for SEO's nonlinear growth and highlights the value of intertwining branding, fast feedback channels, and data-driven content strategies to gain a competitive edge.

Key Takeaways

In this episode of The Long Game, Alex Birkett talks with Katie Arena, the global marketing and communications leader at Clinch, an omni-channel advertising platform. Katie explains the differences between multi-channel and omni-channel advertising, emphasizing the importance of streamlining ad campaigns, personalizing creative content, and analyzing performance data in a unified way. The conversation touches on the complexities of modern advertising, including audience targeting, decision logic, and optimizing ad spend across platforms. Katie also discusses her views on subtle, well-executed ads, like Nike’s marathon campaigns, and highlights how technology enables efficiency in managing large-scale ad campaigns.

Ke...

In this episode of The Long Game Podcast, Alex Birkett and the team discuss critical shifts in SEO and content marketing strategy. They emphasize the importance of moving beyond vanity metrics like traffic and focusing on meaningful business outcomes. Key topics include the concept of North Star KPIs, the dangers of the "traffic trap," and the importance of aligning incentives across teams to achieve shared goals. The conversation highlights how the industry is evolving towards more impactful strategies, offering insights for marketers aiming to drive long-term growth.

Key Takeaways

In this insightful episode of The Long Game Podcast, Alex Birkett speaks with Chris Walker, CEO of Passetto and host of the B2B Revenue Vitals podcast. Chris shares his bold perspectives on the evolution of B2B marketing, highlighting the need for customer-centric strategies and challenging conventional practices like attribution modeling and demand generation. He explores the role of CMOs in bridging business outcomes with marketing execution and discusses how marketing must adapt to meet the demands of modern go-to-market structures. From innovative mental models to actionable strategies, Chris delivers thought-provoking insights for marketers and executives looking to...

In this lively episode of The Long Game Podcast, Alex, Allie, and David explore a range of topics, including the evolving capabilities of ChatGPT search and its implications for SEO. They share insights on building and leveraging custom GPTs for personalized workflows and content creation. The conversation also covers year-end planning, productivity hacks, and the balance between personal and professional priorities. With a mix of humor, rants, and strategic takeaways, the episode provides practical ideas for marketers and creators navigating the changing digital landscape.

Key Takeaways

In this Kitchen Side episode of The Long Game Podcast, Alex, Allie, and David dive into the intricacies of agency operations with guest Gray MacKenzie, CEO of ZenPilot. The conversation explores how agencies can build scalable systems while balancing efficiency and innovation. Gray shares strategies for defining processes, the importance of integrating operations with delivery, and the cultural aspects of driving accountability. The discussion offers actionable insights for agencies looking to streamline workflows, improve profitability, and foster sustainable growth.

Key Takeaways

In this episode of The Long Game Podcast, Alex Birkett interviews Katie Kelly, founder of Antiquoted, a platform that promotes diverse and underrepresented voices in media. Katie shares her journey from CRO roles to establishing her own venture, highlighting the challenges and benefits of featuring experts in content. They discuss the importance of authenticity, the pitfalls of AI-generated responses, and the often-overlooked value of unique perspectives. Katie also dives into her website NoWankyBollocks.com, where industry professionals share candid insights and rants about marketing. This conversation sheds light on creating meaningful content in a world saturated with generic information.<...

In this Kitchen Side podcast episode, David, Alex, and Ali, co-founders of Omniscient Digital, discuss the nuances of working in vs. on a business and how both are essential for growth. They explore the concept of "founder mode," reflecting on both the benefits and risks of hands-on leadership. The team introduces the "traffic trap," a phenomenon where businesses prioritize traffic over meaningful conversions, and the importance of aligning organic growth efforts with broader marketing strategies. Through personal anecdotes and insights from client work, the discussion highlights how businesses can bridge the gap between goals, strategy, and execution for sustainable...

In this Kitchen Side episode, hosts David, Alex, and Allie discuss the balance between perfectionism and experimentation in business and personal growth. They explore how shifting to an experimental mindset can alleviate pressure, enhance learning, and drive progress. The conversation covers career advice emphasizing urgency, client management insights, and best practices for SEO programs. They also share personal experiences and stories on how to adapt effectively in a dynamic work environment. The hosts emphasize the importance of taking action, learning from experiences, and avoiding the trap of over-analysis.

Key Takeaways

The conversation covers topics such as false consensus bias, SEO strategies, and programmatic SEO. The main themes include the importance of recognizing and overcoming biases in decision-making, the need to explore new SEO strategies beyond traditional content creation, and the potential of programmatic SEO for automation and scalability. The conversation covers various topics related to programmatic SEO and content marketing. The hosts discuss examples of successful programmatic SEO strategies, such as Zillow's use of data and PandaDoc's templates library. They also explore the importance of having a clear brand POV and messaging alignment for effective content marketing. The conversation...

Marc shares his journey from starting a magazine to founding a creative agency and eventually building a real-time voting tool called Dupol. He discusses the importance of sustaining a company and finding leverage within existing resources. The conversation also touches on the challenges faced during COVID-19 and the unexpected surge in demand for Dupol's services. Marc shares his experience of running a company during the COVID-19 pandemic and the decision to move on. He discusses his current project, Positive Human, and his vision for it. He challenges traditional marketing practices and emphasizes the importance of understanding customers deeply, coming...

In this episode, the hosts dive into an innovative experiment where AI, specifically Perplexity, interviews them about their business, Omniscient Digital. They discuss the evolution of their approach to marketing, the shift from trying to be everywhere to focusing on high-impact channels, and the importance of sticking to core principles while adapting to market realities. The conversation also covers the challenges of balancing product quality with visibility and the tendency to overcomplicate processes in the pursuit of efficiency. The hosts emphasize the value of simplicity, focusing on essential tasks, and maintaining a robust service over flashy marketing tactics.

The conversation revolves around the importance of focusing on inputs over outcomes in SEO projects. David Lee Kim, along with co-founders Alex and Ali, highlights the significance of aligning on strategies and examining inputs to identify issues when outcomes do not meet expectations. They introduce a framework for SEO that includes foundation building, reaching escape velocity, and expansion. The hosts share insights on the challenges of in-house versus agency work, the necessity of adapting strategies, and the importance of continuous alignment with clients. They emphasize the need for regular evaluation of strategies and the ability to pivot based on...

The conversation covers various topics related to personal branding and marketing. Finn McKenty shares his insights on building a visible and impactful online presence, the necessity of adhering to platform algorithms, and the challenges of balancing artistic expression with commercial demands. He discusses his journey from product design and marketing to becoming a successful content creator, offering advice on leveraging platforms like LinkedIn and YouTube effectively. The hosts and McKenty also touch on mental health, productivity, and the impact of online cynicism. They emphasize the importance of pragmatism in marketing and the power of being visible to seize opportunities.<...

The conversation covers various topics related to data analysis, and decision-making. The hosts delve into the importance of developing an analytical mindset and the challenges of data attribution in marketing. The conversation highlights the need to balance data accuracy with utility and the limitations of self-reported data. Overall, the hosts emphasize the importance of being analytical in understanding and making informed decisions. The conversation explores the importance of being analytical and asking the right questions in decision-making. It emphasizes that everyone can develop analytical thinking skills, regardless of job title or background. The hosts discuss the need to reduce...

The conversation starts with technical difficulties and banter about microphones and boxes in the background. They discuss the 200th episode of the podcast and reflect on their favorite moments and surprises. They talk about the origins of the podcast and how it led to the idea of creating a magazine. They share their experiences with reading magazines in the past and the influence it had on them. They express excitement about creating something tangible and different in today's digital age. The conversation explores the joys and challenges of running a business, as well as the turning points and milestones...

In this episode, Alex Birkett talks with Evelyn Frison about branding and brand strategy. They discuss how to uncover differentiated selling propositions, conduct research, and identify target audiences. Evelyn shares insights on how branding and positioning inform messaging and marketing, and the integration of brand and performance marketing campaigns. The conversation also covers building communities, drawing lessons from Evelyn's fitness group community, and applying them to marketing, management, and life.
Key Takeaways
Differentiated Selling Propositions: Importance of uncovering unique selling points through research and understanding the target audience.
Brand Strategy: How branding and positioning drive messaging...

Thenuka, CEO of Daydream, discusses the changing landscape of programmatic SEO and the importance of context in content creation. He explains how Daydream helps companies leverage their unique data to generate high-quality, AI-driven content for SEO. Thenuka also emphasizes the need for education in the industry to understand and implement programmatic SEO effectively. The conversation explores the future of SEO and the role of automation in the industry. It discusses how automation will impact the different aspects of SEO, such as keyword research, content creation, and performance monitoring. The conversation also highlights the importance of strategy in SEO and...

The conversation covers various topics related to SEO and content strategy. The main themes include the challenges of finding new topics to discuss on a podcast, the different approaches to SEO and content strategy, the importance of prioritization and focus, and the evolving skillset required for SEO and content roles. The conversation also touches on the dynamics of decision-making within companies and the benefits of having in-house experience. Overall, the conversation provides insights into the complexities and nuances of SEO and content strategy. In this conversation, the hosts discuss hiring for a director of organic growth strategy position. They...

The conversation explores the challenges of finding sources of inspiration and engaging with online communities. It delves into the importance of in-person interactions and the limitations of digital platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter. The discussion then shifts to the role of conferences in fostering real conversations and the value of personal experiences in content creation. The conversation also touches on the evolving landscape of SEO, the complexity of search algorithms, and the need for quality content. The concept of thought leadership is explored, with a focus on the desired end state and the types of content that can contribute...

The conversation explores the use of AI in various tasks, such as writing, research, and productivity. The hosts discuss the benefits and limitations of AI, as well as its impact on industries like marketing and dentistry. They also touch on the future of SEO and the importance of focusing on goals and strategy rather than getting caught up in AI hype. Overall, the conversation highlights the practical applications of AI in everyday tasks and the need for thoughtful implementation. The conversation explores the future of SEO and the role of AI in search. It discusses the limitations of current...

Andrew and David discuss Andrew's background and his role as a growth coach for tech professionals. They explore the challenges faced by growth leaders and the importance of effective communication and strategy. They also touch on the evolution of product-led growth (PLG) and the misconceptions surrounding its applicability. In this conversation, Andrew and David discuss the concept of product-led growth (PLG) and its relevance in today's business landscape. They explore the challenges of implementing PLG in sales-led companies and the importance of finding the right balance between the two approaches. They also delve into their personal experiences in leadership...

The conversation explores the impact of algorithms on our lives, from social media platforms to personal decision-making. It delves into the definition of algorithms and their role in recommendation systems. The discussion highlights the tension between convenience and personalization, as well as the desire for serendipity and authenticity. The conversation also touches on the challenges faced by creators in adapting to algorithmic feeds and the importance of maintaining authenticity. The concept of audience capture and the pressure to conform to trending topics is explored, along with the value of slowing down and exploring unique ideas. The conversation concludes with...

In this conversation, Alex and Ramli John discuss their experiences with podcasting, the evolution of content creation, and the importance of standing out in a crowded market. They also touch on the concept of product adoption and the goals of the Product Adoption Academy within AppCues. In this conversation, Ramli John and Alex discuss the concept of product-led growth and its misconceptions. They explore the role of marketing and sales in a product-led growth model and the importance of personalized user experiences. They also touch on the use of AI in content creation and the potential impact on the...