MARKETING ENGINE BUILDER

I build Marketing Engines Grounded in Market Insight, Enabled by AI

I don't give you strategy decks and best practices. I build marketing functions from scratch: teams, systems, and AI-powered workflows that scale revenue. Two decades turning customer data and market insights into measurable growth for Series A-C startups.

Let's Build Together
Matt Bernardy

Most Marketing Consultants Talk. I Build.

I'm not here just to share opinions. I've built marketing orgs twice from the ground up, from first marketer through acquisition, from zero infrastructure to sustained growth. Every recommendation I make is grounded in data I've collected, systems I've built, or results I've personally delivered.

Builder, Not Consultant

Hands-On Execution

I don't hand you a strategy deck and walk away. I build teams, systems, and infrastructure myself—then hand you the keys.

Data-Driven Decisions

Statistical models to define ICPs. Reporting infrastructure CEOs actually use. Every recommendation backed by evidence, not opinions.

Systems That Scale

Processes and infrastructure designed to keep delivering results long after our engagement ends.

What Sets Me Apart

Two Decades of Building

Not advising from the sidelines—actually constructing marketing engines that drive measurable growth.

Startup to Exit

I've been through the full journey: Seed to Series C, $500K to $25M ARR, through acquisition and beyond.

Revenue Accountability

I own pipeline targets, manage P&L, and tie every initiative to metrics that matter to the business.

Building AI-Powered Marketing Systems

I don't just talk about AI—I implement it. While other marketers experiment with prompts, I'm operationalizing AI to deliver compound gains across the entire marketing function.

AI Implementation

Content Workflows

AI-enabled content development systems that scale output without sacrificing quality or brand voice.

Demand Generation

AI-powered targeting, personalization, and optimization across acquisition channels.

Marketing Operations

Automated reporting, data enrichment, and process optimization that free your team for strategic work.

Beyond Experiments

Production Ready

Not proof-of-concepts or demos. Real workflows integrated into daily operations that deliver measurable results.

Compound Gains

Each AI system builds on others—efficiency improvements that multiply across the marketing function.

Team Enablement

Tools that make your people more effective, not replace them. AI handles the repeatable; humans handle the strategic.

Building Marketing Engines in 6 Months

Most startups ready to scale have junior marketers executing tactics without data to guide them. The result? Random acts of marketing that burn budget without moving metrics. My approach is different: I start with customer research and market data, build measurement frameworks first, then construct teams and systems around what the data tells us will work. Every phase is testable, measurable, and grounded in evidence.

Market Strategy

Phase 1: Customer Discovery

Conduct customer conversations and attend industry events. Deliver market readout grounded in real insight.

Phase 2: Experimentation

Test messaging, channels, tactics. Measure outcomes consistently with focus on pipeline.

Phase 3: Scale What Works

Build cohesive plan around proven tactics. Create compelling narrative and measurement frameworks.

Team & Systems

Phase 1: Company Discovery

Dive into GTM data, product analytics, competitive landscape. Interview internal team.

Phase 2: Operational Rhythm

Establish 1:1s, business meetings, AI innovation discussions. Define culture and expectations.

Phase 3: Hire the Team

Build capacity to create, distribute, and measure. Hire for strategic problems, leverage AI for repeatable processes.

What I've Built

Two decades building marketing functions that scale revenue and optimize unit economics. From Series A to public businesses, I've built marketing engines at startups that drive measurable growth.

Area360 (Acquired by TixTrack)

Launched Product to Market

Joined as Product Marketing Lead to establish the go-to-market strategy for a SaaS ticketing platform. Built branding, positioning, marketing collateral, and sales enablement from scratch. Drove customer adoption through direct engagement.

Knock Rentals (Acquired by RealPage)

Built Engine From Zero

Recruited as the first marketer at Seed stage. Built the GTM infrastructure from scratch: demand generation, SDR team, product marketing, content systems, and marketing operations. Scaled the business from Seed to Series B, growing the team from 1 to 8.

Swing Education (FastCo Most Innovative)

Scaled Growth Engine

Recruited to rebuild the marketing team, establish a clear growth strategy, and accelerate revenue for a K-12 substitute marketplace. Built focused B2B and B2C acquisition engines. Led a team of 12.

$500K ARR

Generated within four months of product launch.

GTM from Zero

Built complete branding, positioning, and sales enablement based on direct customer interaction.

32% Pipeline

Generated through ABM strategy targeting enterprise accounts.

$1M New Product

Identified, validated, and launched; exceeded targets by 40%.

130% More Leads

While decreasing acquisition costs by 14%.

3x LTV/CAC

Tripled unit economics through systematic optimization.

Choose Your Engagement Model

From hands-on fractional leadership to strategic advisory support—select the model that fits your needs.

Embedded Builder

2-3 days per week

I become your marketing leader and build the function hands-on: set strategy, build the team, establish systems, and create the operational foundation you need for scale.

  • Set comprehensive marketing strategy
  • Build and manage your marketing team
  • Establish operational systems
  • Build data infrastructure and reporting systems
  • Implement AI workflows across marketing functions
  • Join customer calls for real insight
  • Allocate budget and own P&L
  • Define what you need in full-time CMO
Ideal for: Series A-C companies ($5-25M ARR) ready to scale but not ready for full-time CMO.

Builder's Advisory

1 day per week

Your marketing leader has the skills but needs a builder's perspective. I guide team development, systems design, and execution challenges while they own the outcomes.

  • Guide execution strategy and priorities
  • Coach first-time marketing VPs/Directors
  • Audit marketing data quality and measurement frameworks
  • Guide AI tool evaluation and adoption
  • Problem-solve sales relationships
  • Advise on product partnerships
  • Support board presentation prep
Ideal for: Marketing leaders who need sounding board with hands-on building experience.

Get in Touch

Let's Connect

Whether you need fractional CMO support, want to build a marketing team, or need strategic guidance, I'd love to hear about your challenges.

location
Seattle, WA

I'm Not Right For You If:

  • You want brand strategy and creative concepts without execution
  • You want someone who validates your existing approach
  • You're looking for an agency to outsource to
  • You need more opinions, not measurable results

I'm Perfect For You If:

  • You need someone to build the marketing function from data up
  • Your marketing feels chaotic and you can't measure what's working
  • You want AI-powered systems, not just AI experiments
  • You need hands-on building backed by two decades of evidence