Sitecore CMO Michelle BB on 25 years of marketing technology evolution plus what lies ahead

Sitecore CMO Michelle BB on 25 years of marketing technology evolution plus what lies ahead

Author: The Agile Brand June 1, 2026 Duration: 33:48

Twenty-five years ago, the goal was to build a website as a digital "single source of truth." In an era of AI agents and hyper-personalized realities, is the very concept of a single, universal brand "truth" now an obstacle to creating a truly relevant customer experience?


Agility requires not just adopting new channels and technologies, but fundamentally rethinking the role of content and data in a constantly shifting landscape. It's the ability to move from managing a static digital property to orchestrating a fluid, dynamic relationship with your audience.

Today, we're going to talk about the 25-year evolution of digital experience, from the early days of enterprise content management to today's complex ecosystem of AI-driven, composable platforms. We’ll explore how seismic shifts—from the introduction of the iPhone to the rise of agentic AI—have not just changed the tools we use, but have fundamentally redefined the relationship between brands and their customers.


To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Michelle Boockoff-Bajdek, CMO at Sitecore, a company that is turning 25 this year and has managed to maintain its leadership in the space through many changes and a few curveballs.

About Michelle Boockoff-Bajdek

Michelle Boockoff-Bajdek (BB) is the Chief Marketing Officer at Sitecore, where she leads a global team of marketers who are redefining what’s possible in modern marketing. Together, they’re putting the power of generative and agentic AI to work – creating digital experiences that connect people and possibilities across the globe. Michelle is a trailblazer in bringing AI into marketing. At IBM, she served first as Global Head of B2B Marketing at the Weather Company, and then as CMO of IBM Watson, the company’s pioneering AI platform. There, she served as the steward of the Watson brand, helping the world understand how AI can transform both work and life. Since then, she’s become a Fellow at the Marketing Academy, a founding member of CMO Huddles, and has held CMO roles at both Skillsoft and IDC. At IDC, Michelle reimagined marketing as a strategic growth engine, launching a bold new brand identity, spearheading the company’s first GenAI initiatives, and aligning brand, demand, and strategy to drive global impact. Michelle is a frequent speaker on marketing leadership, AI, and purpose-led growth. A lifelong learner, she’s also a runner, rescue dog mom, and dark roast devotee. Her best ideas rarely arrive in a meeting, but often hit mid-stride or mid-walk.

Michelle Boockoff-Bajdek on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellebb/

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

Sitecore: sitecore.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: 100

The Agile Brand with Greg Kihlström®: Expert Mode Marketing Technology, AI, & CX
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