#36: C-Level Brand Marketing and Innovation Secrets from ExactTarget CMO Turned VC, Tim Kopp

We talk a lot about the power of great mentors here on Powderkeg: Igniting Startups, and today I’m thrilled to introduce one of the most influential mentors I’ve had in my life. Tim Kopp is an experienced brand and digital marketer who’s taught me much of what I know as well as coached me throughout my evolving entrepreneurial journey. When I first met Kopp, he was CMO at ExactTarget, the Indianapolis SaaS startup that sold to Salesforce in 2013 for $2.5 billion. Prior to his time there, Kopp spent a decade with the world-renowned marketing teams at Procter & Gamble and Coca-Cola, working on the front lines during the digital marketing revolution. He’s now a Partner at the Indianapolis branch of Hyde Park Ventures, where he continues to coach local tech startups and connect them to the access to the capital they need to grow. Kopp has learned many innovative marketing strategies over the years, and we dig into some of his best secrets in this episode. He also shares personal stories to illustrate his points, giving me an inside look into how he handled a marketing crisis at Coca-Cola and how he revamped ExactTarget’s marketing campaigns after taking over as CMO. Kopp is more than willing to share his wealth of knowledge, which extends far beyond what we had time to discuss in this interview. For even more industry-leading marketing advice, check out his blog at CMO to VC, which covers a wide variety of topics from leadership and venture capital to sales and marketing. Then find him on Twitter @tbkopp and let him know what you think about his insights! In this episode with Tim Kopp, you’ll learn: -- Why marketers are first and foremost agents for change -- Advice for finding a career path that suits your unique abilities -- How great mentors can help you discover your next career step -- Why marketers need to identify their company’s messaging and positioning first -- Proven strategies for revamping your company’s marketing efforts -- The true work VCs do above and beyond signing checks ---- Download show notes and transcripts at www.powderkeg.com This episode of Powder Keg is brought to you by DeveloperTown. If you’re a business leader trying to turn a great idea into a product with traction, this is for you. DeveloperTown works with clients ranging from entrepreneurs to Fortune 100 companies who want to build and launch an app or digital product. They’re able to take the process they use with early stage companies to help big companies move like a startup. So if you have an idea for a web or mobile app, or need help identifying the great ideas within your company, go to developertown.com/powderkeg. Thanks again to everyone who has shared an episode of Powderkeg, subscribed to us on iTunes, or left us a review. It’s the only way we’re going to spread this message and reach new people and we could do it without you. We’re coming out with new episodes every Tuesday, so make sure you subscribe on iTunes or at powderkeg.co/itunes