220: From Box Office to Big Data: Bridging Marketing and Technology Through Data-Driven Leadership with Brian Schwartz of SIZE

This episode explores the evolving relationship between marketing and data teams, particularly in high-growth companies. Against the backdrop of Brian Schwartz's diverse career—from DreamWorks Animation's long-term film marketing to Expedia's rapid-fire transactional environment—the discussion highlights the historical tension between these departments. More significantly, the conversation delves into how the increasing reliance on technology and data is reshaping the marketing landscape, with a shift towards technologists leading marketing initiatives. For instance, Brian shares anecdotes about companies where either the tech team or the business team dominates tech stack decisions, contrasting this with the ideal collaborative approach. As the discussion pivoted to AI, Brian highlighted the overhyped nature of the technology as a whole, while emphasizing underutilized applications in areas like customer service. Finally, Brian's insights into the challenges and opportunities in building and leveraging data stacks in late-stage companies, along with his entrepreneurial aspirations, offer valuable perspectives for data professionals and marketing leaders alike.