Episode 354

Marketing the Invisible: How Nanosys Continues to Bring Quantum Dots to Market

Jeff Yurek

Featuring Jeff Yurek, Vice President of Marketing at Nanosys

September 2, 2025

In this episode of The Kula Ring, Jeff Yurek, VP of Marketing at Nanosys, discusses the unique challenges of marketing breakthrough nanotechnology. He explains quantum dots, tiny semiconductor particles that emit precise, tunable light for displays and imaging, and how he built awareness through blogging and storytelling, fostering relationships with global brands despite the technology’s inherent secrecy. Jeff also explores the future of B2B marketing, content creation, and the importance of staying curious in a rapidly evolving landscape.

Episode 353

Bridging Engineering and Marketing in Complex Industrial B2B Sales

Rajeev Thakur

Featuring Rajeev Thakur, Director of Marketing & Business Development at Silanna Semiconductor

August 26, 2025

In this episode of The Kula Ring, hosts Jeff White and Carman Pirie talk with Rajeev Thakur, Director of Marketing and Business Development at Silanna Semiconductor. With over 25 years in the automotive industry and a unique blend of engineering and marketing expertise, Rajeev discusses navigating long, complex sales cycles, balancing highly technical conversations with business value, and adapting messaging across industries. He also shares insights on building trust in niche markets, fostering partnerships, and leveraging conferences for targeted outreach.

Episode 351

Looking the Part: How Snaptron’s Marketing Caught Up to Its Product Leadership

Nicole Kangos

Featuring Nicole Kangos, Marketing Director at Snaptron

August 12, 2025

In this episode of The Kula Ring, Nicole Kangos, Director of Marketing at Snaptron, shares the story of how an engineering-led manufacturer undertook a major brand refresh, without big-agency budgets or losing sight of its core values. Nicole walks us through how she built trust with leadership, leveraged internal and external insights, and strategically positioned Snaptron to maintain its market leadership amid increasing competition. From winning executive buy-in to aligning the brand with the company’s true innovation story, this episode offers a practical and inspiring look at what it really takes to modernize a manufacturing brand from the inside out.

Episode 350

Turning Tariffs into Opportunity: How Mosaic Manufacturing is Developing Trust in a Volatile Climate

Alexandra Corey

Featuring Alexandra Corey, Director of Marketing at Mosaic Manufacturing

August 5, 2025

In this episode of The Kula Ring, Alexandra Corey, Director of Marketing at Mosaic Manufacturing, explains how her team leverages global geopolitical shifts, particularly around tariffs and supply chain volatility, to inform their B2B go-to-market strategy. From hosting panels with other innovators to offering vendor-neutral playbooks on additive manufacturing, Mosaic builds trust and drives demand by leading with education and empathy. Alexandra also discusses how automation and scalability are Mosaic’s key differentiators in the evolving 3D printing landscape.

Episode 349

E-Commerce That Works for Distributors: PFERD’s Partner-First Approach

Elizabeth McKusick

Featuring Elizabeth McKusick, Marketing and E-Commerce Manager at PFERD North America

July 29, 2025

In this episode of The Kula Ring, Elizabeth McKusick, Marketing and E-Commerce Manager at PFERD North America, shares how her team is redefining what it means to support distributors in industrial manufacturing. From building a B2B e-commerce portal with a headless frontend to deploying a robust PIM strategy, Elizabeth details how PFERD enables partners to sell more with better data, more efficient ordering, and ongoing collaboration. Tune in for a conversation about smart platform rollouts, balancing personalization with automation, and why half-hearted e-commerce just won’t cut it.

Episode 348

Marketing the Thrill: Inside the Amusement Ride Industry with Jay Aguilar

Jay Aguilar

Featuring Jay Aguilar, Global VP of Business Development & Marketing at Chance Rides

July 22, 2025

This week on The Kula Ring, Jay Aguilar, Global VP of Business Development and Marketing at Chance Rides, gives us an inside look at what it takes to market thrills. From classic carousels to massive rollercoasters, Jay explains how Chance Rides uses both B2B and B2C tactics to reach park owners and ride enthusiasts alike. He dives into the importance of brand legacy, how user-generated content influences purchasing decisions, and what it’s like navigating a global market that ranges from zoos to mega-projects in Saudi Arabia. A fascinating discussion on marketing responsibility, generational brand equity, and the power of the nostalgic diesel smell.

The Kula Ring is a podcast for manufacturing marketers looking to enhance their impact and grow their organizations.

Hosted by Jeff White and Carman Pirie, it features discussions with industry leaders who share their experience, insights and strategies on topics like account-based marketing (ABM), sales and marketing alignment, and digital transformation. The Kula Ring offers practical advice and tips from the trenches for success in today’s B2B industrial landscape.

About Kula

Kula Partners is an agency that specializes in maximizing revenue potential for B2B manufacturers.

Our clients sell within complex, technical environments and we help them take a more targeted, account-focused approach to drive revenue growth within niche markets.