In this episode of Next Frontiers of AI, host Scott Hebner is joined by Mick Hollison, founder and CEO of Redline Advisors, former CMO of CrowdStrike and Cloudera, and one of the industry’s leading voices on strategic messaging and brand elevation. Together, they unpack a pressing question: in an AI-first world where algorithms increasingly shape buyer discovery and decision-making: does brand still matter?
The answer is a resounding YES, but not in the way it used to. The days of traditional “search and click” are numbered, being replaced by AI-guided discovery and engagement.
With over 90% of AI startups expected to fail, standing out in a crowded market is now essential for survival. For early-stage companies, establishing brand equity early on is one of the few scalable ways to build trust, credibility, and differentiation.
Scott and Mick explore how brand is evolving from a marketing asset into a strategic business infrastructure, one that influences how AI ranks you, surfaced in zero-click searches, and selected by buyers long before sales get involved. They’ll discuss how executive visibility, thought leadership, and narrative coherence are becoming essential signals not just for human decision-makers, but for AI systems that now mediate most of the buyer journey.
From defining your company’s strategic narrative to activating brand equity across AI-powered channels, this conversation delivers insights for founders, CMOs, and growth leaders aiming to rise above the noise in today’s hyper-competitive enterprise tech marketplace. Whether you’re building from stealth or scaling with purpose, this episode will help you understand why brand is no longer optional and how to make it your moat.
