Kirk Crenshaw is a seasoned executive, entrepreneur, and marketing strategist with a distinguished career spanning multiple industries, including enterprise software, cloud technology, and direct-to-consumer (DTC) e-commerce. With deep expertise in demand generation, account-based marketing (ABM), digital strategy, and business growth, Crenshaw has successfully led marketing and sales operations for both Fortune 500 companies and high-growth startups. His innovative, data-driven approach to marketing has positioned him as a leader in modern marketing methodologies, leveraging cutting-edge technologies to drive customer acquisition, retention, and revenue growth.
Currently, Crenshaw serves as the head of growth at Griptape, an open-source framework that enables developers to build and deploy large language model (LLM)-based agents, workflows, and AI applications. In this role, he is responsible for growth marketing, digital strategy, and demand generation, ensuring that Griptape remains at the forefront of the AI and automation space. His leadership at Griptape reflects his ability to scale emerging technologies, build robust marketing infrastructures, and create market-leading demand generation programs.
Beyond his role at Griptape, Crenshaw is a strategic advisor and investor for several innovative companies, including Studio Science, Traackr, Supperbell, and The Town FC, among others. Through these advisory positions, he provides guidance on growth strategies, marketing optimization, and product positioning, helping startups and established businesses alike refine their go-to-market strategies and scale efficiently.
Previously, Crenshaw was chief marketing officer at Traackr, where he spearheaded global marketing initiatives, leading the company’s messaging, demand generation, influencer marketing, and PR efforts. His work was instrumental in securing $9 million in financing, reinforcing Traackr’s position as a leading influencer marketing platform used by global enterprises such as L’Oréal, Microsoft, and Samsung. Prior to this, he played a pivotal role as chief digital officer for multiple clients, helping technology and consumer brands develop comprehensive digital strategies, optimize marketing operations, and improve customer engagement.
Crenshaw’s career is marked by a series of high-impact leadership roles in renowned companies. As co-founder and chief digital officer of Sip Tequila, he built and scaled one of the fastest-growing DTC e-commerce platforms for premium tequila, driving the company from inception to a $12 million annual run rate in just three years. He implemented a high-performance digital marketing strategy, bringing in over 2 million site visitors in 2021 alone, and optimizing the company’s growth infrastructure through platforms like Shopify, Google Analytics, and social media advertising.
His tenure at Amazon Web Services (AWS) as head of marketing for IoT and mobile saw him define AWS’s positioning in the IoT space, develop compelling go-to-market strategies, and execute programs that increased product awareness and adoption. He also served as vice president of demand generation at Appirio, where he was responsible for growth strategy and marketing operations, playing a crucial role in the company’s expansion from $1 million to over $250 million in revenue before its acquisition by Wipro.
Earlier in his career, Crenshaw was part of the founding team at Demandbase, where he played a critical role in product development, business strategy, and demand generation. His leadership helped establish Demandbase as a dominant player in account-based marketing. Additionally, as managing partner at RevCatalyst, he provided strategic demand generation services to major tech companies, including Salesforce, Bill.com, and Workday.
With a career built on marketing innovation, data-driven decision-making, and a passion for growth, Crenshaw is widely recognized as a marketing technologist and demand generation expert who constantly pushes the boundaries of digital marketing. His extensive knowledge of marketing automation, SEM/SEO, analytics, e-commerce, and social media advertising makes him a sought-after advisor and thought leader in the space.
Crenshaw’s ability to blend creativity with analytical rigor has made him a transformative leader in every organization he has been part of. Whether he is scaling startups, leading multi-million-dollar marketing operations, or advising businesses on strategic growth, his track record speaks for itself: he drives measurable success, builds world-class teams, and redefines the way companies approach marketing in a digital-first world.
Character: Kirk Crenshaw is a dynamic and results-driven leader known for his innovative mindset, entrepreneurial spirit, and ability to drive transformative growth.
Knowledge: With deep expertise in digital marketing, demand generation, ABM, and emerging technologies, he has successfully led marketing and sales operations across enterprise software, cloud, and DTC sectors.
Strategic: He excels in developing and executing high-impact growth strategies, leveraging data-driven insights and cutting-edge marketing technologies to scale businesses and optimize market positioning.
Communication: A skilled communicator and thought leader, he effectively translates complex marketing strategies into actionable plans, aligning cross-functional teams and stakeholders for business success.
