What happens when a manufacturing company applies startup thinking to one of the most conservative industrial sectors? In this episode of The Kula Ring, Jeff White and Carman Pirie are joined by Preston Wickersham, Director of Content Marketing at Giga Energy, to explore how vertically integrated manufacturing, founder-led storytelling, and “dogfooding” industrial equipment are reshaping electrical infrastructure and AI data centers. Preston shares Giga Energy’s origin story, their role in powering the AI boom, and what marketers can learn from bringing SaaS-style thinking into heavy manufacturing.

In this episode of The Kula Ring, Rachel Cossette, Marketing Manager at Rogers Machinery Company, walks us through how she built a powerful, education-focused webinar program that has become a core pillar of the company’s marketing engine. Rachel explains why webinars were the perfect solution for delivering value, growing first-party data, and creating demand while strengthening relationships with vendor partners along the way.
She shares how she scaled the program from a handful of events in 2022 into a full calendar featuring expert presenters, vendor co-marketing, PDH certifications, and a library of long-form content that supports sales, onboarding, and SEO. Rachel also offers practical advice for small or one-person marketing teams looking to launch their own webinar program without big budgets, agencies, or complex tech stacks.

In this episode of The Kula Ring, we sit down with Cynthia Barnes, Global Marketing Content Specialist and Community Relations Manager at Clark Material Handling. Cynthia shares Clark’s unique approach to marketing, which centers on authentic community engagement and philanthropy rather than traditional product-focused advertising. She delves into the origins of their “Raising Hope” initiative, inspired by the company owner’s personal story of resilience and the kindness of strangers. Discover how Clark leverages its volunteer paid time off program and the “Champions Club” to foster a purpose-driven workforce and strengthen community ties. Cynthia also offers valuable advice for brands looking to deepen their connection with the nonprofit world, highlighting key trends and effective strategies. This conversation reveals how genuine care for the community can become a powerful differentiator, attracting both talent and customers who share similar values.

When Jackie Slaght joined E Tech Group, she didn’t expect to become the “accidental B2B marketer.” Now as Director of Marketing Communications, she’s helping unify a global team through storytelling and a newly launched podcast, Beyond Tech. In this episode, Jackie shares how the show amplifies technical voices, strengthens internal communication, and fuels eTech’s growing brand presence across multiple global locations.

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.

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.