AEO in 2026: Why Brand, Content, and Consistency Still Win

In this episode, we dive into the growing debate around Answer Engine Optimization (AEO), sparked by a bold claim that “90% of the AEO playbook is BS.”

Is AEO overhyped? Or are marketers just approaching it the wrong way?

Our panel breaks down what’s real, what’s noise, and what’s actually working right now. From content strategy and brand consistency to the challenges of attribution in an AI-driven world, we explore how teams can stay effective without chasing every new trend.

Key topics:

-The truth behind AEO hype vs. reality
-Why content and brand still matter more than ever
-The role of Reddit, reviews, and third-party platforms
-Why attribution is getting harder (and messier)
-Practical strategies to stay focused and drive results

If you're navigating AI search, LLMs, and evolving marketing tactics, this conversation will help you cut through the noise.

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S5: Ep1 B2B Go-To-Market in 2026: Is AEO the New SEO or Just Another Hype Cycle

What actually works in B2B go-to-market as we head into 2026?

In this episode of CMOs Offscript, Amanda, Laura, and Nisha break down insights from the latest B2B Go-To-Market Report and debate what’s real, what’s overhyped, and what marketers should actually be investing in this year.

We dig into:

Whether AEO (AI Engine Optimization) is replacing traditional SEO

How AI is really impacting pipeline, quality, and conversion (not just volume)

Why PR may be more critical to AI discovery than the data suggests

The role of human judgment in an AI-driven marketing world

How teams should think about scaling, testing, and efficiency in 2026

If you’re responsible for growth, demand, or revenue in B2B, this is a candid, practical conversation about what to double down on and what to rethink.

Resources Discussed in Episode: https://www.growthunhinged.com/p/2025-state-of-b2b-gtm-report

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S4: Ep 9 What Are We Actually Prioritizing for 2026?

As we wrap up 2025, marketing leaders are already deep in planning for 2026. But with more tools, more channels, and more “shiny objects” than ever, prioritization has never been harder.

In this episode of CMOs Offscript, we talk candidly about the challenge of staying focused in a world that constantly pulls marketing teams in a dozen directions at once. We reflect on where experimentation helped, where it distracted, and why many teams are realizing they did not fully solve the problems they set out to tackle.

We cover:

Why prioritization has become harder for marketing leaders

The impact of shiny objects on focus and execution

What it really means to slow down and finish work end to end

Why old school marketing fundamentals still matter

How leaders can set better examples for focus and alignment in 2026

This conversation is about stepping back, tightening the process, and committing to fewer priorities that actually move the business forward.

If you are heading into 2026 feeling overwhelmed by options and underwhelmed by results, this episode is for you.

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S4: Ep8 Budget Season Reality Check: People, Tools, and Priorities

It’s 2025, and we’re heading into budget season with a lot changing at once.

In this episode of CMOs Offscript, we kick off with a big career move: Nisha steps into a Chief Growth Officer role, owning both product and marketing to close the gap between what a brand promises and what the product actually delivers.

From there, we get into what 2026 planning really looks like for modern marketing teams, including headcount, rising costs, tech stack decisions, and why “utility players” (strong generalists who can flex) are becoming more valuable than ever.

We cover:

Why brand and product are becoming synonymous

The shift toward marketing owning more revenue outcomes

Budgeting for 2026 with rising costs and market uncertainty

Hiring for speed, AI fluency, and adaptable “utility players”

Building AI workflows across tools like GPT, Gemini, Perplexity, and more

Why simplifying your tech stack matters (and why HubSpot is becoming the center of gravity)

The return of in-person connection: conferences, owned events, and field marketing

What real sales and marketing alignment looks like before and after events

If you’re planning for 2026 and trying to balance speed, strategy, and execution, this conversation will help you think clearer about where to invest and what to cut.

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S4: Ep7 The AI Plateau Nobody Is Talking About

Over the past few weeks, something has felt off with AI tools we rely on every day.

They forget context. They miss obvious details. They agree instead of challenge. And they confidently return answers that are just wrong.

In this conversation, we unpack what is really happening with large language models, why faster output is not the same as better thinking, and what this means for marketing, sales, and content teams moving forward.

We talk about:

Why AI can feel less reliable even as it becomes more powerful

The danger of speed without measurement or strategy

Where authenticity and human judgment still matter most

Why marketing teams may need to start operating more like product teams

What we believe the next phase of AI adoption looks like heading into 2026

AI is not the problem. How we use it might be.

This is a candid, unfiltered discussion about where AI helps, where it fails, and how teams can cut through the noise instead of adding to it.

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