About

Hi, I'm Rob.

I help B2B marketing leaders break out of the status quo and transform their go-to-market strategies.

After 25+ years as a solution builder, an industry analyst, and a marketing executive, I have developed a unique perspective on what it takes to stand out and win in B2B SaaS. Offering deep experience in product marketing, analyst relations, category creation, and more, I know what separates a sustainable, impactful GTM strategy from an expensive failure. Now I share these lessons through my advisory work, newsletter, and podcast.

Book a 30-Minute Intro

/in/robert-karel

rob@gtmpov.com

What I'm About

Practical Over Theoretical

I've been in the trenches. Okay, more like cubicles, but every framework and best practice I share comes from real, learned experiences.

Approachable & Collaborative

I know marketing. Your team knows your business. Together, we create the GTM strategy that will deliver the greatest impact.

Honest & Direct

I'll tell you what I really think in plain language. Always with support and kindness, but without sugarcoating. You deserve straight answers.

Career Highlights

2012 - Present

Marketing Leader

SVP Marketing

Precisely

Led product marketing, business unit marketing, and analyst relations for an $800M+ PE-backed B2B software business.

VP Marketing

Vertex Software

Led marketing for an early-stage 3D visualization provider.

VP Product and Segment Marketing

Lattice

Built out product and segment marketing teams during a hyper-growth phase, with ARR and headcount doubling.

VP Product and Platform Marketing

Okta

Led product marketing, positioning Okta’s platform as a competitive differentiator.

Product Marketing and Strategy

Informatica

An eight-year journey, helping to drive Informatica’s transformation from a public, on-prem legacy vendor to a PE-backed, modern cloud, B2B SaaS subscription market leader.

2006-2012

Industry Analyst

Principal Analyst and Research Director

Forrester Research

Led Forrester’s data management coverage spanning data integration, data quality, data governance, and master data management, among other markets.

Pre-2006

Builder

Product management, systems development, and research management roles for Intuit, Cisco Systems, and Securities Data Company (part of Thomson Reuters)

Beyond Work

Originally from New York, I’ve lived in the San Francisco Bay Area since dot-com went boom, with my wife and two sons. When not GTM’ing, I love playing guitar, watching my boy’s lacrosse matches, and walking my occasionally appreciative dog.