How Marketers Can Adapt and Excel in This AI Revolution - An Interview with Mike Allton
Nicholas Page
·
2 minute read
In this episode of Tech Marketing Trends, host and Brightvision CEO Jakob Löwenbrand is joined by Mike Allton, renowned digital marketing strategist and founder of The Social Media Hat. With over a decade in the field and his new podcast AI Marketing Impact, Mike has been actively exploring how marketers can adapt to and thrive in an AI-powered world. Together, they discuss the real-world impact of AI on marketing practices, tools worth exploring, and how marketers can stay relevant without getting overwhelmed by the speed of innovation.
Time-Saving Efficiency: AI’s Most Practical Impact
Mike emphasizes that one of AI’s biggest benefits for marketers is saving time. Whether it's analyzing content gaps across hundreds of blog posts or prepping smarter podcast interviews, AI can simplify tasks that would otherwise take hours. He cites use cases like automating content audits and crafting unique interview questions through AI-powered transcript analysis as standout examples.
“AI isn’t just about working faster — it’s about unlocking ideas and workflows we wouldn’t have even considered before.” - Mike Allton
Forget New Tools — Optimize the Ones You Have
While the explosion of AI tools can be overwhelming, Mike advises marketers to first focus on the tools they already use, like HubSpot, Canva, or Google Workspace, which are steadily integrating AI. In parallel, he encourages selecting one major LLM (like ChatGPT, Gemini, or Claude) and upgrading to a paid version for more robust capabilities.
“You don’t need ten new apps — you need to make the most of the AI already being built into the platforms you trust.”
Personalization at Scale: Powerful But Risky
AI allows for personalization like never before, but Mike warns of its “creep-out factor” when brands go too far. Instead, he advocates for smart, ethical segmentation—personalizing based on known behaviors and preferences while avoiding invasive tactics. Tools like Salesforce’s Einstein AI are beginning to offer this kind of depth, but they come at a cost.
“There's a fine line between being personalized and being invasive. Great marketers will know where to draw it.”
Ethics, Copyright, and Bias: The New AI Challenges
Marketers must be aware of ethical pitfalls in using AI—from copyright limitations to embedded bias in datasets. Mike warns against blindly trusting AI-generated content for client deliverables and urges marketers to stay educated on issues like ownership and representational fairness in campaigns.
“Just because AI can write it, doesn’t mean you own it—or that it’s free from harmful bias.”
Where To Start With AI: Build On Your Daily Routines
For marketers just beginning their AI journey, Mike offers a reassuring perspective: don’t panic. Start small by identifying repetitive tasks you already do—like social media scheduling, podcast prep, or writing outreach emails—and see how AI can reduce time and effort. His own journey from AI novice to podcast host and strategist proves how fast one can progress with consistent curiosity.
“Just because AI can write it, doesn’t mean you own it—or that it’s free from harmful bias.”
Learn more
- Listen to Mike’s podcast: AI Marketing Impact
- Explore his work and connect: thesocialmediahat.com/connect
- Want to build a smarter B2B marketing strategy? Contact Brightvision.
