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.

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.

In this episode of The Kula Ring, Jeff White and Carman Pirie discuss how manufacturers can adapt their web presence for 2025 and beyond. They explore the impact of AI-driven search, evolving privacy rules, the critical role of site speed, and the importance of structured data and product data governance. This conversation is a practical deep dive into what it takes to stay competitive in a changing digital landscape.
Guest Bio: Jeff White and Carman Pirie are the co-founders of Kula Partners, a digital agency specializing in helping manufacturers transform their marketing. Together, they bring decades of experience in B2B marketing, web development, and digital strategy.

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.

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.

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.