Transforming Email Marketing: How AI Personalization Beats the Spam Filter

Brought to you by: aiornot.comIn this conversation, we dive into how Aquibur took AMP-powered, interactive email technology and evolved it into a full-fledged AI-driven email marketing and automation platform (Mailmodo). We cover his founding story, the shift from static to interactive emails, his approach to product-market fit, how generative AI is reshaping marketing teams and functions, and practical advice for startups on choosing channels, building trust, and maximizing ROI from email.Guest: Aquibur Rahman Background: Started in growth roles (Facebook Ads → organic SEO, content, email) at startups and led marketing at ClearTax.Mailmodo: Co-founded in 2020 to make emails interactive (using Google’s AMP technology), joined Y Combinator, raised seed from Sequoia.Today: Leading an AI-native email marketing & automation platform, launching AI-powered template generation (June 2025) and full “prompt-to-campaign” automation (September 2025).Connect:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aquiburEmail: [email protected] Topics & Timestamps00:00 – Introduction & AQ’s background From Facebook Ads to leading marketing at ClearTax, and the inspiration behind Mailmodo.00:54 – Why interactive email? The problem with static email → users click out to websites → low conversions → frustration for marketers.01:30 – Building Mailmodo Launch in 2021, Y Combinator, Sequoia seed, global expansion, product roadmap evolution.02:35 – AI in email marketing How generative AI will automate template creation, audience building, campaign setup—“just prompt your goal.”03:45 – Technology → solution mindset Start with customer pain points, then apply new tech (AMP, then AI) to solve them.05:10 – Marketing fundamentals vs. channels Core of understanding customer pain > attention > trust > value—regardless of Google Ads, TikTok, etc.06:20 – Advice for startups todayIdentify customers & channels (incl. ChatGPT search).Craft concise, non-generic messaging.Leverage influencer marketing, LLM-SEO, retention focus.07:50 – Team structure in the AI era From specialized PM/design/eng roles to multifunctional generalists empowered by AI tools.09:20 – Email best practices Respect opt-in trust, add value, avoid countdown bombarding; engagement drives deliverability.11:15 – Biggest disruptions in marketing SEO → LLM-driven search, cold outreach saturation → need for trust-first educational content, presence on AI platforms.13:10 – Building brand & thought leadership For new startups: start with person-to-person sales → scale to content & brand building → become a niche influencer.Memorable Quotes“Email has been there since the beginning of the Internet, but nothing has changed even a bit. If we make emails interactive and actionable, conversion and engagement can go much higher.”“My approach is not to adopt a new technology and create a product, but to find a problem my customers face and then apply the technology to solve it.”“In the AI era, teams aren’t getting bigger—they’re getting faster. Fewer people doing more with the help of AI.”Resources & LinksMailmodo (interactive & AI email marketing): https://www.mailmodo.comY Combinator: https://www.ycombinator.comAMP for Email (Google): https://amp.dev/about/email/Aquibur on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aquibur

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