You’ve heard it tossed around in boardrooms and feedback sessions—“You need to work on your executive presence.” But what the hell does that even mean?

In this episode of Funnels & Feelings, Marc Bitanga breaks down the mystical-sounding concept of executive presence into six real, practical components you can actually work on. From keeping your cool under pressure to projecting confidence without being a jerk, Marc explains why executive presence isn’t a magical “energy”—it’s a muscle built over time.

You’ll learn:

• Why rambling ruins credibility (and what to do instead)

• The secret power of non-verbal cues (yes, that eye-roll counts)

• How to build trust, influence, and a solid rep without waiting for a promotion

• Why Toastmasters might be your secret weapon

• And why executive presence is less about charisma and more about character

Whether you're climbing the ladder or already in a leadership role, this episode will help you level up how you show up. No fluff. No fake-it-til-you-make-it. Just real talk, relatable examples, and tips you can use starting tomorrow.

What do marketing budgets and home renovations have in common? A lot more than you think. In this episode of Funnels & Feelings, host Marc Bitanga explains why asking for brand budget when your customer acquisition engine is broken is like buying fancy curtains for a house with a leaky roof.

Marc dishes out spicy metaphors, straight talk, and a dose of tough love to help you win over your CEO, prove you're a budget-savvy boss, and finally get the green light for that brand-building campaign you've been dreaming of.

You’ll learn:

• Why brand-building requests fall flat (and how to avoid it)

• The KPIs that’ll actually get your CFO to nod

• And why you are the only one who can fight for the brand

It’s part strategy session, part pep talk—served with a side of wisdom.

In this episode, Marc Bitanga is joined by fellow Fractional CMO, Neel Singh for a deep dive into how artificial intelligence is transforming the marketing landscape. Together, they unpack the changing expectations placed on marketing leaders—especially the increasing demand for executional excellence that predates AI but has since been amplified by it.

The conversation spans everything from how AI is reshaping advertising strategies to whether traditional marketing agencies can survive in an AI-driven world. Marc and Neel also explore what it takes to become a one-of-one brand.

👤 Guest: Neel Singh — Marketing Strategist | Brand Builder | Growth Expert Connect with Neel on LinkedIn

🎯 Key Topics Covered:

• The Evolution of Marketing Leadership:

  • How expectations for marketing executives have shifted over the years.

  • Why today’s CMOs are expected to be part visionary, part executor.

• AI's Role in Marketing Execution:

  • How AI tools are changing daily workflows.

  • What AI means for hiring, creative processes, and media buying.

• The Future of Marketing Agencies:

  • Will agencies be replaced or redefined?

  • How agencies must evolve to stay relevant in the AI age.

• Building a One-of-One Brand:

  • The value of uniqueness in a world of AI-generated content.

  • The challenge of differentiation when algorithms optimize for sameness.

• Social Media & Brand Strategy:

  • Navigating brand identity on platforms that reward trends over originality.

  • The tension between short-term performance and long-term brand building.

• Culture & Brand Integrity:

  • Why internal cultural alignment is essential for external brand consistency.

  • How brand trust is built from the inside out.

💡 Notable Quote: "AI isn’t replacing marketers—it’s replacing marketers who don’t evolve." – Neel Singh

🔗 Resources & Mentions:

• Marc Bitanga on LinkedIn

• Neel Singh on LinkedIn