Why generalists fuel the leadership pipeline

November 05, 2025

In partnership with

Ah, November. The month of big plans, small budgets, and marketers running on caffeine and courage. In this issue, we’ve got real talk (and real data) from our State of Startup Marketing Report, a sneak peek at the AIM Leadership Accelerator, and our first Tech Hot Take, where we test all the shiny new tools so you don’t have to.

IN THIS ISSUE

  • ✍️ The Ink Well

  • 🎧 SUM Podcast 

  • 🌎 Around the Web

  • ❓ SUM Poll

  • 🫣 SUM Sneak Peek

  • 😂 In the Meme Time

THE INK WELL

The State of Startup Marketing Report

If you're a startup marketer wearing multiple hats, working solo, and wondering if everyone else is struggling too... they are. And we have the data to prove it. We surveyed startup marketers to uncover what's really happening behind the scenes. The numbers tell a story about who we are, how we work, and why the generalist path might be your biggest competitive advantage.

You must be a member to read the report (don’t worry, it’s free to join!)

New Series: Tech Hot Takes

We test the shiny new tools so you don’t have to. Every other week, we’ll take the latest marketing tech for a spin and give you the honest verdict.

First up: Nano Banana, an AI image editing tool that mostly did what it promised. Speed and accuracy? Solid. Brand confusion with Google’s tool of the same name? A mess worth knowing about.

Marketer Spotlight: Menachem Rephun

This week’s spotlight features Menachem Rephun, Communications Manager at Creative Spirit, whose career centers on one core principle: authenticity.

His advice to his younger self (and every marketer): Be confident, take risks, and let go of anxiety. It’s a simple idea, but one that shows up in every pitch, campaign, and brainstorm. Because confidence can be a creative advantage.

🎧 StartUp Marketing Uncut

In this episode, The Kay Prince sits down with Alex Stonehouse, founder of Brilliantly Wrong and marketing strategist for early-stage startups, to talk about why playing it safe kills growth, how to build trust before traction, and why speed beats perfection every time.

AROUND THE WEB

  • Video posts on LinkedIn are shared 20x more than any other content type in the app. [Social Media Today]

  • ABM isn’t just for big budgets anymore. AI and automation now let small teams run focused, high-impact campaigns that drive efficiency, close deals faster, and scale smarter. [Martech]

  • Organic CTRs on Google queries with AI Overviews have dropped 61% since mid-2024. Even searches without AI Overviews saw a 41% decline, signaling users are clicking less across the board. [Search Engine Land]

  • Instagram has added competitor insights for business or creator accounts. You can choose up to 10 accounts to compare your performance against, with side-by-side comparison data on follower growth and posting frequency across Reels, feed posts, and ads. [Social Media Today]

  • Marketers deserve a break. Science says taking time to recharge makes you more creative—so go ahead, scroll something that fuels your brain. More Positiv uses advanced AI to curate the most uplifting stories across the internet. Feel good (and think better). [More Positiv]

  • Email volumes can double or even triple during peak holiday season, causing stricter spam filters and lower inbox placement. Experts recommend strengthening sender reputation, keeping a consistent send cadence, and closely monitoring bounce and complaint rates to protect deliverability. [Search Engine Journal]

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SUM POLL

You have $5K left this quarter. Where’s it going?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

SUM SNEAK PEEK

Next week, members will get early access to the new AIM Leadership Accelerator. This hands-on program helps you develop the mindset and communication tools to build real trust, create psychological safety, and inspire collaboration (no awkward team-building required). Led by business psychologist and executive coach Dr. Camille Preston, AIM helps leaders align vision with reality and sustain the energy where both people and performance thrive.

IN THE MEME TIME