Episode Highlights:

1. Introduction to Constance Sayers:
   • President and CRO of GovExec, driving exponential growth through strategic acquisitions and data innovation.
   • Amazon bestselling author of A Witch in Time and The Ladies of the Secret Circus.
2. Journey to Leadership:
   • Constance’s career evolution in marketing, media, and events.
   • Overcoming challenges as a female CRO in the B2B media industry.
   • Advice for women aspiring to leadership roles in revenue operations.
3. GovExec’s Transformation:
   • Turning a traditional media company into a platform connecting government leaders and contractors.
   • The importance of data-driven solutions over traditional models.
   • Insights on managing and scaling after 16 acquisitions in 2021.
4. Data-Driven Innovation:
   • Building a comprehensive intelligence platform for government markets.
   • Utilizing real-time analytics from news sites to enhance GovTribe’s capabilities.
   • Creating AI-driven products to support client decision-making and streamline workflows.
5. Customer-Centric Strategies:
   • Listening to customer challenges to guide product development.
   • Integrating acquired data and tech stacks while ensuring legacy revenue streams remain intact.
   • Launching the innovative “Placemat” approach to visualize data insights for clients.
6. Scaling and Pricing:
   • The shift toward subscription-based services for enhanced demand generation and sales insights.
   • New pilots using enriched data products and AI-driven sales tools.
7. Challenges and Lessons Learned:
   • The importance of customer education in a rapidly evolving market.
   • Balancing legacy revenue streams with new product innovations.
   • Leveraging private equity investment to drive growth.
8. Revved Up Event Preview:
   • Constance’s upcoming session, “Accelerating New Revenue Streams: How GovExec Turned Data into Dollars” at the Revved Up event on February 26th in Sarasota.

Key Takeaways:

• Successful revenue growth starts with solving customer problems and leveraging existing data creatively.
• Emphasizing customer education is vital in introducing new products and services.
• Transitioning to data-driven models requires strong internal alignment and customer-centricity.

ATTEND REVVEDUP 2025

RevvedUP is an event designed specifically for CEOs and their C-Suite teams leading B2B/B2C media, event, information, data and marketplace businesses. Join the industry leaders and visionaries leveraging digital, data assets and AI to drive exceptional growth and superior enterprise value. To register and learn more, please visit https://www.accelevents.com/e/revvedup-2025.

ABOUT H2K LABS

H2K Labs is a tech-enabled value creation specialist that helps media, data/information, event, and marketplace businesses accelerate revenue, drive profitability, and fuel enterprise value using data, digital, and AI. We host The Revenue Room™ Podcast, curate Revenue Room™ Connect, a professional network for CEO and their revenue-critical C-Suite teams, and produce events including RevvedUP 2025. For more information, please visit https://www.h2klabs.com

To join Revenue Room™ Connect, please visit https://info.h2klabs.com/revenue-room-connect-information-request

Welcome to another episode of The Revenue Room™ Podcast! This week, Heather Holst-Knudsen sits down with Will Lee, CEO of Adweek, to discuss his journey from traditional media to leading one of the most influential brands in marketing and advertising. Will shares his vision for transforming Adweek from a trade publication into a cutting-edge business intelligence platform, and the role AI, data, and innovative thinking play in that journey.

Key Takeaways:

• Will Lee's impressive career trajectory, from NPR to Adweek, and how his experiences shaped his leadership approach.
• The major industry news of the week, including the OmniCom-IPG acquisition, and its implications for the advertising ecosystem.
• Adweek’s transformation under Will’s leadership which focuses on four core pillars: editorial excellence, curated events, community, and actionable intelligence.
• How AI and data are helping Adweek better serve its readers and advertisers.
• Will’s vision of making Adweek indispensable to C-suite leaders beyond marketing and advertising.

Memorable Quotes:

• "Adweek is like a 45-year-old startup—still the disruptor, still the insurgent."
• "I want Adweek to be the first seven minutes of your morning—every day."
• "Our mission is to provide investment-grade journalism, inspiration through community, and intelligence that drives better decision-making."

ATTEND REVVEDUP 2025

RevvedUP is an event designed specifically for CEOs and their C-Suite teams leading B2B/B2C media, event, information, data and marketplace businesses. Join the industry leaders and visionaries leveraging digital, data assets and AI to drive exceptional growth and superior enterprise value. To register and learn more, please visit https://www.accelevents.com/e/revvedup-2025.

ABOUT H2K LABS

H2K Labs is a tech-enabled value creation specialist that helps media, data/information, event, and marketplace businesses accelerate revenue, drive profitability, and fuel enterprise value using data, digital, and AI. We host The Revenue Room™ Podcast, curate Revenue Room™ Connect, a professional network for CEO and their revenue-critical C-Suite teams, and produce events including RevvedUP 2025. For more information, please visit https://www.h2klabs.com

To join Revenue Room™ Connect, please visit https://info.h2klabs.com/revenue-room-connect-information-request

In this episode of The Revenue Room, host Heather Holst-Knudsen, CEO of H2K Labs, chats with Matt Yorke, CEO of The Channel Company, about building scalable, predictable revenue streams in the B2B tech ecosystem. Matt shares insights from his 25+ years of leadership at the intersection of media, technology, and data, revealing strategies for leveraging AI, data, and streamlined processes to fuel enterprise value.

From hiring the right team for private equity-backed businesses to launching into international markets with a competitive advantage, Matt provides actionable advice for navigating today’s fast-changing B2B environment. He also shares his thoughts on the transformative power of AI, from content creation to market expansion.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Matt’s journey as CEO of The Channel Company and milestones achieved in his first year.
• The importance of cross-functional expertise (CDO, CMO, CRO, CEO) in driving organizational success.
• How private equity ownership shapes operational strategies and growth expectations.
• Strategies for entering international markets and leveraging powerhouse brands like CRN.
• Building predictable and sustainable growth through data-driven decision-making and process standardization.
• The evolving impact of AI on B2B businesses, including content creation, efficiency, and market dynamics.
• Developing a high-performance team aligned with organizational ambitions.

ATTEND REVVEDUP 2025

RevvedUP is an event designed specifically for CEOs and their C-Suite teams leading B2B/B2C media, event, information, data and marketplace businesses. Join the industry leaders and visionaries leveraging digital, data assets and AI to drive exceptional growth and superior enterprise value. To register and learn more, please visit https://www.accelevents.com/e/revvedup-2025.

ABOUT H2K LABS

H2K Labs is a tech-enabled value creation specialist that helps media, data/information, event, and marketplace businesses accelerate revenue, drive profitability, and fuel enterprise value using data, digital, and AI. We host The Revenue Room™ Podcast, curate Revenue Room™ Connect, a professional network for CEO and their revenue-critical C-Suite teams, and produce events including RevvedUP 2025. For more information, please visit https://www.h2klabs.com

To join Revenue Room™ Connect, please visit https://info.h2klabs.com/revenue-room-connect-information-request

In this episode of The Revenue Room Podcast, host Heather Holst-Knudsen, CEO of H2K Labs, sits down with Mike Carlucci, Chief Operating Officer at Clarion Events North America. With over two decades of experience in the events industry, Mike discusses the power of leveraging data, alignment between sales and operations, and creating exceptional customer experiences. Together, they delve into the strategies and innovations that have helped Mike transform operations and revenue strategies at Clarion Events.

Key Highlights:

1. RevDub 2025 Announcement:
   Heather kicks off with exciting news about RevDub 2025, an exclusive event for CEOs and their C-suite teams focusing on multi-sided businesses and strategies to drive revenue and enterprise value.
2. Guest Introduction:
   Mike Carlucci's illustrious career spans over two decades in the events industry, from Reed Exhibitions to transforming Clarion Events’ North American operations. Mike’s leadership philosophy emphasizes customer-centric experiences and inclusive, high-performing teams.
3. Data-Driven Revenue Strategies:
   Mike explains how leveraging data has revolutionized event operations, pricing strategies, and customer relationships. He shares insights into:
   • Forensic data analysis for better decision-making.
   • Aligning sales and operations for a seamless customer journey.
   • Focusing on fewer, high-impact initiatives for sustainable growth.
4. Generational Shifts in the Industry:
   The duo explores how the pandemic and changing demographics have accelerated innovation in the events sector. Mike highlights the importance of adapting to new customer expectations, especially from younger generations like Gen Z.
5. Customer-Centric Innovations:
   • The Clarion Premium Program: A concierge-style service for key accounts, enhancing customer satisfaction and driving higher engagement and spend.
   • Connections Programs: Leveraging tech and data to facilitate meaningful connections between attendees and exhibitors.
6. Revenue Room Connect Collaboration:
   Mike shares his enthusiasm for H2K Labs’ initiatives, including Revenue Room Connect and Revved Up, as platforms driving revenue-critical conversations and actionable insights for the industry.
7. Rapid Fire Fun:
   Heather wraps up with some light-hearted questions about Mike’s preferences (coffee over tea, savory over sweet) and his current favorite book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey.

ATTEND REVVEDUP 2025

RevvedUP is an event designed specifically for CEOs and their C-Suite teams leading B2B/B2C media, event, information, data and marketplace businesses. Join the industry leaders and visionaries leveraging digital, data assets and AI to drive exceptional growth and superior enterprise value. To register and learn more, please visit https://www.accelevents.com/e/revvedup-2025.

ABOUT H2K LABS

H2K Labs is a tech-enabled value creation specialist that helps media, data/information, event, and marketplace businesses accelerate revenue, drive profitability, and fuel enterprise value using data, digital, and AI. We host The Revenue Room™ Podcast, curate Revenue Room™ Connect, a professional network for CEO and their revenue-critical C-Suite teams, and produce events including RevvedUP 2025. For more information, please visit https://www.h2klabs.com

To join Revenue Room™ Connect, please visit https://info.h2klabs.com/revenue-room-connect-information-request

Join us for an engaging conversation with Anna Anisin, a trailblazer in leveraging artificial intelligence for business innovation. Anna shares her expertise on transforming industries, redefining revenue streams, and enhancing enterprise value using AI. With a focus on actionable insights, this episode is a must-listen for CEOs and leaders ready to embrace AI as a strategic tool rather than a simple automation solution.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• AI’s Strategic Role in Business: Anna’s perspective on using AI for driving profitability and value, while empowering human talent rather than replacing it.
• Industry Transformations: Real-world examples of industries evolving through AI-driven innovation.
• Practical Insights for CEOs: Steps CEOs can take today to embrace AI effectively and sprint toward increased enterprise value.
• The Future of AI in Multisided Businesses: Predictions on where AI will lead companies in complex, interconnected ecosystems.

Key Quote from Anna Anisin:
"AI isn’t about replacing humans—it’s about amplifying their capabilities and unlocking new opportunities for value creation in ways we never imagined."

ATTEND REVVEDUP 2025

RevvedUP is an event designed specifically for CEOs and their C-Suite teams leading B2B/B2C media, event, information, data and marketplace businesses. Join the industry leaders and visionaries leveraging digital, data assets and AI to drive exceptional growth and superior enterprise value. To register and learn more, please visit https://www.accelevents.com/e/revvedup-2025.

ABOUT H2K LABS

H2K Labs is a tech-enabled value creation specialist that helps media, data/information, event, and marketplace businesses accelerate revenue, drive profitability, and fuel enterprise value using data, digital, and AI. We host The Revenue Room™ Podcast, curate Revenue Room™ Connect, a professional network for CEO and their revenue-critical C-Suite teams, and produce events including RevvedUP 2025. For more information, please visit https://www.h2klabs.com

To join Revenue Room™ Connect, please visit https://info.h2klabs.com/revenue-room-connect-information-request

In this episode of The Revenue Room™ Podcast, host Heather Holst-Knudsen sits down with Peter Cohan, associate professor at Babson College, strategic consultant, and author of Brain Rush. Together, they explore the transformative role of AI in driving revenue growth, creating competitive advantages, and reshaping leadership strategies.

Key Topics Covered:

• AI’s Value Pyramid: Peter introduces the concept of the AI value pyramid, outlining how businesses can utilize AI to overcome creator's block, improve functional productivity, and create entirely new growth curves.
• Challenges in AI Implementation: Discussion of the hurdles companies face, such as balancing innovation with risk, avoiding reputational damage, and overcoming fears from both CEOs and boards of directors.
• Real-World Examples: Insights into how companies like ServiceNow and Salesforce are leveraging generative AI to enhance efficiency, improve customer service, and drive rapid growth.
• Leadership and Cognitive Hunger: Peter shares his research on what differentiates successful CEOs, highlighting the importance of "cognitive hunger" for staying adaptive and innovative in fast-changing business landscapes.
• Proprietary Data and Competitive Advantage: Why leveraging proprietary data is crucial for creating defensible business strategies and maximizing AI's potential.
  
  

ATTEND REVVEDUP 2025

RevvedUP is an event designed specifically for CEOs and their C-Suite teams leading B2B/B2C media, event, information, data and marketplace businesses. Join the industry leaders and visionaries leveraging digital, data assets and AI to drive exceptional growth and superior enterprise value. To register and learn more, please visit https://www.accelevents.com/e/revvedup-2025.

ABOUT H2K LABS

H2K Labs is a tech-enabled value creation specialist that helps media, data/information, event, and marketplace businesses accelerate revenue, drive profitability, and fuel enterprise value using data, digital, and AI. We host The Revenue Room™ Podcast, curate Revenue Room™ Connect, a professional network for CEO and their revenue-critical C-Suite teams, and produce events including RevvedUP 2025. For more information, please visit https://www.h2klabs.com

To join Revenue Room™ Connect, please visit https://info.h2klabs.com/revenue-room-connect-information-request

In this episode, host Heather Holst-Knudsen, CEO of H2K Labs, dives deep into the intersection of leadership, innovation, and data-driven strategy with Paul Miller, CEO of Questex. Paul shares his journey of transforming Questex into a cutting-edge, data-centric organization, discusses key lessons in navigating remote leadership, and offers insights into building growth strategies in today’s fast-paced business environment. Whether you’re leading a team or looking to stay ahead in your industry, this episode delivers actionable takeaways and inspiration.

Key Announcement: Don’t miss RevvedUP 2025, happening February 25–27, 2025, in Sarasota, Florida! This exclusive, invitation-only event is designed for CEOs and their revenue-critical C-suite teams to explore strategies for leveraging data, AI, and digital innovations to drive growth. Learn more at h2klabs.com/revvedup.

Highlights:

Questex Evolution:

• Paul reflects on his six years as CEO of Questex, emphasizing a data-driven transformation to enhance products and customer engagement.
• The impact of the pandemic and navigating the shift to remote teams.

Data-Driven Innovation:

• Leveraging centralized data to guide editorial, product development, and business strategy.
• Paul shares examples of how Questex uses customer insights to steer content and events, such as tailoring healthcare event tracks to trending topics like drug affordability.

Private Equity and Growth:

• Paul's insights into evolving private equity metrics, focusing more on top-line growth driven by data.
• The role of clean, accurate databases in acquisition decisions and overall strategy.

New Revenue Streams:

• Launch of innovative events, such as a successful hotel-focused trade show co-created with the American Hotel Lodging Association.
• The integration of digital and live event strategies, such as leveraging social media for the beauty industry.

Challenges in the Go-to-Market Strategy:

• Post-pandemic sales challenges, such as engaging customers remotely and navigating longer sales cycles.
• Paul emphasizes back-to-basics sales training and understanding customer needs.

RevvedUp 2025 and Industry Collaboration:

• Heather and Paul discuss the importance of cross-industry learning to tackle modern go-to-market challenges.
• The value of networking and shared insights at industry events like RevvedUP.

ATTEND REVVEDUP 2025

RevvedUP is an event designed specifically for CEOs and their C-Suite teams leading B2B/B2C media, event, information, data and marketplace businesses. Join the industry leaders and visionaries leveraging digital, data assets and AI to drive exceptional growth and superior enterprise value. To register and learn more, please visit https://www.accelevents.com/e/revvedup-2025.

ABOUT H2K LABS

H2K Labs is a tech-enabled value creation specialist that helps media, data/information, event, and marketplace businesses accelerate revenue, drive profitability, and fuel enterprise value using data, digital, and AI. We host The Revenue Room™ Podcast, curate Revenue Room™ Connect, a professional network for CEO and their revenue-critical C-Suite teams, and produce events including RevvedUP 2025. For more information, please visit https://www.h2klabs.com

To join Revenue Room™ Connect, please visit https://info.h2klabs.com/revenue-room-connect-information-request

In this episode of The Revenue Room podcast, host Heather Holst-Knudsen, CEO of H2K Labs, dives deep into the intersection of data, AI, and culture with guest Doug Llewellyn, CEO of Data Society Group. They explore how companies can leverage data and AI to drive transformation, empower workforces, and create enterprise value. Doug shares insights on building data-literate organizations, the evolving role of Chief Data Officers, and strategies for navigating the fast-paced AI era.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The critical role of data literacy and storytelling in organizational success.
• How to overcome challenges in data culture adoption and workforce upskilling.
• The importance of integrating people and technology in AI strategies.
• Why the tenure of Chief Data Officers is short and how companies can set them up for success.
• Practical advice for leaders to "slow down to speed up" in the age of rapid change.

Key Takeaways:

• "There’s no AI without data, and there’s no success without people."
• The importance of a common data language to align teams across an organization.
• Why data literacy is essential at all levels, from executives to front-line employees.
• How companies can measure ROI on data literacy investments through real-world capstone projects.
• Insights into the shifting skillsets needed in an AI-driven business environment.

Follow The Revenue Room Podcast:

• Subscribe for more insights on accelerating revenue and driving profitability.
• Visit h2klabs.com/revroom for more episodes.

Connect with Us:

• Host: Heather Holst-Knudsen on LinkedIn
• Guest: Doug Llewellyn on LinkedIn

Enjoyed the episode? Don’t forget to leave a review and share it with your network!

ATTEND REVVEDUP 2025

RevvedUP is an event designed specifically for CEOs and their C-Suite teams leading B2B/B2C media, event, information, data and marketplace businesses. Join the industry leaders and visionaries leveraging digital, data assets and AI to drive exceptional growth and superior enterprise value. To register and learn more, please visit https://www.accelevents.com/e/revvedup-2025.

ABOUT H2K LABS

H2K Labs is a tech-enabled value creation specialist that helps media, data/information, event, and marketplace businesses accelerate revenue, drive profitability, and fuel enterprise value using data, digital, and AI. We host The Revenue Room™ Podcast, curate Revenue Room™ Connect, a professional network for CEO and their revenue-critical C-Suite teams, and produce events including RevvedUP 2025. For more information, please visit https://www.h2klabs.com

To join Revenue Room™ Connect, please visit https://info.h2klabs.com/revenue-room-connect-information-request