Athos Commerce CMO Gary Lombardo on why only 14% of shoppers see one consistent brand

Athos Commerce CMO Gary Lombardo on why only 14% of shoppers see one consistent brand

Author: The Agile Brand September 14, 2026 Duration: 24:57

If a growing share of your customers now begin their shopping journey on a platform you don't own — and can't see into — is your website still your most important marketing asset?


Agility here isn't just about reacting to new customer behavior. It's about building an infrastructure that can meet customers wherever they show up, and still have the brand behave like one company when it gets there.


Today, we're going to talk about:


- The great fragmentation of product discovery and why traditional marketing funnels are becoming obsolete.


- Strategies for maintaining brand and data consistency across countless channels when only 14% of consumers say it's done well today.


- The role of AI and automation in not just personalizing experiences, but optimizing for new discovery engines.


To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Gary Lombardo, CMO at Athos Commerce.


About Gary Lombardo

Gary Lombardo is Chief Marketing Officer at Athos Commerce, where he leads marketing, brand strategy, communications, and thought leadership. With more than 20 years of experience in retail technology, ecommerce, and SaaS, he helps retailers navigate the rapidly evolving world of AI-powered commerce. Gary is a frequent speaker on topics including artificial intelligence, digital merchandising, product discovery, customer experience, and the future of retail.


Gary Lombardo on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garylombardo


---------- Resources ----------


Athos Commerce: athoscommerce.com


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Each conversation on The Agile Brand with Greg Kihlström®: Expert Mode Marketing Technology, AI, & CX moves beyond surface-level trends to explore the practical realities of modern marketing. Host Greg Kihlström guides discussions with executives and thought leaders from prominent brands and technology platforms, focusing on the tangible strategies that drive growth. You’ll hear detailed explorations of topics like the real-world adoption of AI, the construction of effective first-party data strategies, and the evolving landscape of customer experience. This podcast is built for leaders who need to translate complex technological shifts into sustainable business value and deeper customer relationships. Rather than offering quick fixes, these episodes provide a deeper understanding of how to integrate marketing technology, artificial intelligence, and customer-centric thinking into a cohesive strategy. The dialogue consistently centers on building customer lifetime value, ensuring that every technological investment contributes to long-term brand strength. If you're looking for a clear, expert-level analysis of what actually works in today's market, this series delivers substantive insights directly from the professionals shaping the industry.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Agile Brand with Greg Kihlström® | What CMOs Need to Know About Marketing Technology, AI & CX
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