Southern Vibes, Smart Strategies: Takeaways from Our Atlanta Cybersecurity Marketer Meetup

It was great to be back with our friends at the Cybersecurity Marketing Society, the team behind some of the most insightful (and super fun) local meetups in the industry. Energize Marketing proudly sponsored this week’s event in Atlanta, and it was a pleasure to connect in person with such a dynamic community of marketers.

The meetup brought together marketing leaders across demand gen, ABM, field marketing, and operations for candid conversations on what’s working (and what’s not) in today’s challenging landscape. From data-driven strategies to pipeline acceleration, the discussion focused on adapting to evolving buyer behavior and driving real outcomes in 2025.

That diversity of roles, skill sets, and experiences among attendees added real depth to the conversation—bringing unique perspectives from across the marketing spectrum. From M&A activity and pipeline acceleration to evolving ABM strategies, the dialogue shed light on what’s happening right now in cybersecurity marketing. (Of course, we’ll honor the spirit of the meetup and keep the deeper discussions “in the room.”)

“The conversations we had were invaluable,” said Sarah Maxfield, Senior Director of Sales at Energize Marketing. “Cybersecurity marketers are thinking more strategically than ever about account-based engagement—and we’re excited to support those initiatives at Energize Marketing with programs that move the needle.”

Key Themes from the Meetup

ABM is evolving—and precision matters more than ever.Marketers are moving beyond static personas and leaning into real-time intent data and buying signals. We shared that Energize currently has a record number of account-based surveys in the field, reflecting a growing demand for tailored insights that uncover each ICP’s challenges and future priorities.

Across the room, there was alignment: high-performing ABM in 2025 hinges on tight sales-marketing alignment, role-specific messaging, and scalable personalization. But teams also emphasized the importance of what comes next—nurture strategies that go beyond basic email sequences and challenge conventional thinking. From custom content journeys to dynamic survey-based touchpoints, marketers are reimagining how to stay relevant and engaged across longer buying cycles.

AI and MOPS are unlocking operational leverage.Attendees discussed how AI is being integrated into campaign workflows—from targeting and scoring to personalization and optimization. Combined with stronger marketing ops frameworks, teams are streamlining execution and maximizing impact. The focus has shifted from simply automating tasks to building smarter systems that drive real-time decisions at scale.

Content isn’t just king—it’s directional.Marketing teams are moving past vanity metrics to assess how content influences deal velocity and sales conversations. Personalized content strategies—especially those tailored to buyer roles and stages—are emerging as a core pillar of full-funnel success. With so many cybersecurity buyers overwhelmed by generic messaging, relevance is now the differentiator.

It’s no surprise, then, that Energize Marketing’s survey and content programs are up 55% year-over-year. As marketers seek to understand what matters most to their ICPs, programs rooted in insight—not assumptions—are driving higher engagement and more productive conversations with sales.

Peer-to-peer learning is still a competitive advantage.Whether leading enterprise programs or scaling startup teams, attendees valued hearing firsthand how others are navigating the same roadblocks—budget pressure, resource gaps, and shifting buyer journeys. The demand for community and collaboration remains strong, and it’s clear that cybersecurity marketers benefit when they break out of silos and share what’s really working.

Thanks again to everyone who joined us in Sandy Springs. These meetups are more than networking—they’re shaping how our industry moves forward.

Curious why Energize Marketing was named the Most Effective Lead Generation & Content Syndication Vendor by the Cybersecurity Marketing Awards?

Connect with Sarah Maxfield at smaxfield@energize-marketing.com to explore how we can support your strategic initiatives with precision, scale, and a team that truly gets cybersecurity marketing.