Every November, marketing’s finest descend on the B2B Forum by MarketingProfs like moths to a well-lit analytics dashboard. This year, the Alipes team was thrilled to join the 1,500+ attendees in soaking up the insights, trends, and—yes—free snacks. While the event promised its usual blend of inspiration and networking, it was a cartoon caption contest that stole the show (at least for us).
Why Does Alipes Attend?
Now, you might wonder: why would a team of marketing experts, already armed with cutting-edge strategies and sharp wit, show up at an event like this? Simple: iron sharpens iron. Plus, where else can you network, compare notes, and see a keynote speaker work in phrases like "synergistic pivot" without irony?
At Alipes, we know that even the sharpest minds benefit from a little calibration. Events like the B2B Forum keep us on our toes and, occasionally, on stage.
The Caption Contest: Marketing Meets Comedy
Enter Tom Fishburne—the genius behind the Marketoonist, whose cartoons have been poking fun at our collective marketing woes for years. His cartoon became the centerpiece of the B2B Forum’s caption contest, and our team couldn’t resist diving in with entries that were equal parts witty and insightful. A few highlights:
- "Black Friday isn't for the weak, you gotta fill that cart."
- "I guess they really mean shop 'til you drop."
- "Does this count as a closed-lost?"
- “OK, let’s mark this as a ‘pain point.’”
- "Well, technically she won’t affect the bounce rate.”
- "Did you by any chance run your customer acquisition initiative through ChatGPT?"
After much anticipation, we were thrilled to learn that not only did we make the top 10 finalists, but we actually came in second place overall! Our caption,
“OK, let’s mark this as a ‘pain point.’”
earned us both laughs and a nod of approval from the judges. (No word yet on whether there was a trophy, but we’ve cleared a spot on the office shelf just in case.)
Lessons from the B2B Forum: It’s Not Just About the Jokes
While we love a good laugh, the forum delivered more than just humor. A few things stood out:
- Even Experts Need to Learn: Yes, we know our stuff, but hearing how others tackle challenges is like adding new tools to a well-stocked kit.
- Creativity Sells: Whether it’s a well-placed cartoon or a new approach to storytelling, creativity remains king in B2B marketing.
- Humor Works: If a cartoon caption can make people think differently about a concept, imagine what well-placed wit can do for your next campaign.
What’s Next?
Securing second place in the caption contest and earning a keynote shoutout was the icing on the cake—or perhaps the punchline to the joke. But for us, the real win was the chance to sharpen our skills, connect with peers, and bring a little humor to a world often consumed by KPIs and conversion rates.
So, what’s on the horizon for Alipes? More creativity, more connections, and—if Tom Fishburne’s listening—more cartoon captions to conquer.
Until next year, B2B Forum. We’ll be here, turning pain points into punchlines and strategies into successes.
Stay sharp, stay witty, and as always, stay tuned for more from the Alipes team. 🚀