Inside Menlo Microsystems: Marketing Switch Technology Innovation

Episode notes

In the latest episode of our Marketing Professionals series, Jackie Rutter, Vice President of Corporate Marketing at Menlo Microsystems, joins Mike to explore what it really takes to build and market a category-defining innovation. From starting her career as an engineer to leading marketing at a fast-scaling deep tech company, Jackie shares why technical credibility, clarity, and customer-focused storytelling are essential, especially when your audience is made up of engineers and your product challenges decades of established thinking. You’ll hear how Menlo Micro is redefining switch technology with its “Ideal Switch” platform, and why success in this space isn’t about hype but education, proof, and trust. The conversation also dives into the differences between large corporations and startup environments, highlighting the importance of focus and fast decision-making in driving rapid growth. Jackie shares insights on marketing to engineers, balancing brand building with commercial results, and how the role of sales is evolving in modern B2B.