This page provides details about Brent Leary (person) which was ranked #29 out of 100 in the list of brands (12 mentions (1.7% share)) in answers from AI models (Anthropic Claude Sonnet (latest), OpenAI ChatGPT Latest, Google Gemini Flash (latest)) when they were asked the following 3 questions: "What are the best CRM Software options available today? Please provide a comprehensive overview including: the leading brands and products, top companies and service providers, recognized experts and thought leaders, promising startups and new market entrants, major industry events and conferences, active communities and forums, and influential publications and media covering this space.", "If I'm looking to get into CRM Software, who and what should I know about? Include the most trusted brands, recommended products and services, reputable companies and providers, influential experts and reviewers to follow, helpful communities and resources, important events and conferences, notable startups disrupting the space, and key publications and media channels to stay informed.", "What does the CRM Software industry look like right now? Identify the dominant market leaders and brands, best products and services, key companies and providers, influential figures and thought leaders, emerging startups and trends, major conferences and events, active professional communities, and the top publications and media that cover this industry." on Dec 30, 2025 by AI Chat Watch.
What are the best CRM Software options available today? Please provide a comprehensive overview including: the leading brands and products, top companies and service providers, recognized experts and thought leaders, promising startups and new market entrants, major industry events and conferences, active communities and forums, and influential publications and media covering this space.
[...] ks.
### 7. **Less Annoying CRM**
[Less Annoying CRM](https://www.lessannoyingcrm.com) - Simplified CRM specifically for small businesses.
### 8. **Insightly**
[Insightly](https://www.insightly.com) - CRM with strong project management capabilities.
## Industry Experts & Thought Leaders
### 1. **Brent Leary**
- Co-founder of CRM Essentials
- [Twitter/X](https://twitter.com/BrentLeary)
- Regular contributor on CRM trends
### 2. **Paul Greenberg**
- Author of "CRM at the Speed of Light"
- [Website](https://the56group.com)
- President of The 56 Group
### 3. **Esteban Kolsky**
- Founder of ThinkJar
- [W [...]
If I'm looking to get into CRM Software, who and what should I know about? Include the most trusted brands, recommended products and services, reputable companies and providers, influential experts and reviewers to follow, helpful communities and resources, important events and conferences, notable startups disrupting the space, and key publications and media channels to stay informed.
[...] .com/)** - CRM that works entirely within Gmail
6. **[Affinity](https://www.affinity.co/)** - Relationship intelligence CRM for deal-makers
7. **[Clay](https://clay.com/)** - AI-powered relationship management tool
## Influential Experts & Thought Leaders
### CRM Strategists & Consultants
1. **Brent Leary** - [Twitter/X: @BrentLeary](https://twitter.com/BrentLeary) - CRM analyst and co-founder of CRM Essentials
- **[CRM Essentials](https://www.crmessentials.com/)**
2. **Paul Greenberg** - Author of "CRM at the Speed of Light" - [Twitter/X: @pgreenbe](https://twitter.com/pgreenbe)
3. **Esteban K [...]
December 30, 2025
What does the CRM Software industry look like right now? Identify the dominant market leaders and brands, best products and services, key companies and providers, influential figures and thought leaders, emerging startups and trends, major conferences and events, active professional communities, and the top publications and media that cover this industry.
[...] d marketing and CRM
3. **Brian Halligan** - Co-founder of HubSpot (Executive Chairman)
- [https://twitter.com/bhalligan](https://twitter.com/bhalligan)
4. **Tien Tzuo** - Founder and CEO of Zuora
- [https://www.zuora.com](https://www.zuora.com)
- Subscription economy thought leader
5. **Brent Leary** - CRM industry analyst
- [https://twitter.com/BrentLeary](https://twitter.com/BrentLeary)
- Co-founder of CRM Essentials
### CRM Analysts and Consultants
6. **Paul Greenberg** - "The Godfather of CRM"
- [https://the56group.com](https://the56group.com)
- Author of "CRM at the Speed o [...]
December 30, 2025
[...] .com](https://www.salesforceben.com)
- Salesforce news and careers
15. **HubSpot Blog** - [https://blog.hubspot.com](https://blog.hubspot.com)
- Sales, marketing, and CRM content
### Podcasts
16. **The CRM Playaz Podcast** - Available on major platforms
- Hosted by Paul Greenberg and Brent Leary
17. **SaaS Revolution Show** - [https://www.saasrevolutionshow.com](https://www.saasrevolutionshow.com)
- SaaS and CRM insights
18. **The Modern Customer Podcast** - [https://www.intercom.com/blog/podcasts](https://www.intercom.com/blog/podcasts)
- Customer engagement and CRM
### YouTube [...]
December 30, 2025
What are the best CRM Software options available today? Please provide a comprehensive overview including: the leading brands and products, top companies and service providers, recognized experts and thought leaders, promising startups and new market entrants, major industry events and conferences, active communities and forums, and influential publications and media covering this space.
[...] tem: [Freshworks Marketplace](https://www.freshworks.com/apps/)
---
## 3) Recognized experts & thought leaders (CRM / CX / revenue tech)
A few well-known voices who publish and speak frequently:
- [Paul Greenberg](https://www.paul-greenberg.com/) (author/analyst; long-time CRM industry voice)
- [Brent Leary](https://www.brentleary.com/) (analyst; CRM and SMB tech commentary)
- [Denis Pombriant / Beagle Research](https://www.beagle-research.com/)
- [Jill Rowley](https://www.jillrowley.com/) (sales/modern selling)
- [Brian Solis](https://briansolis.com/) (customer experience, digital transformation)
- [ [...]
December 30, 2025
If I'm looking to get into CRM Software, who and what should I know about? Include the most trusted brands, recommended products and services, reputable companies and providers, influential experts and reviewers to follow, helpful communities and resources, important events and conferences, notable startups disrupting the space, and key publications and media channels to stay informed.
What does the CRM Software industry look like right now? Identify the dominant market leaders and brands, best products and services, key companies and providers, influential figures and thought leaders, emerging startups and trends, major conferences and events, active professional communities, and the top publications and media that cover this industry.
[...] leadership affecting Dynamics + AI direction)
- [Brian Halligan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Halligan) (HubSpot co-founder)
- [Dharmesh Shah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dharmesh_Shah) (HubSpot co-founder)
- [Paul Greenberg](https://www.paul-greenberg.com/) (CRM author/analyst)
- [Brent Leary](https://brentleary.com/) (CRM industry analyst)
---
## 6) Emerging startups / newer entrants that show momentum
“Modern CRM” and adjacent tools gaining attention (especially among startups/SMBs and teams wanting less-heavyweight systems):
- [Attio](https://attio.com/) (modern, flexible CRM)
- [F [...]
December 30, 2025
If I'm looking to get into CRM Software, who and what should I know about? Include the most trusted brands, recommended products and services, reputable companies and providers, influential experts and reviewers to follow, helpful communities and resources, important events and conferences, notable startups disrupting the space, and key publications and media channels to stay informed.
[...] Customer Engagement Center research. [Gartner CRM Insights](https://www.gartner.com/en/sales/role/crm-sales-technology)
* **Paul Greenberg:** Author of "CRM at the Speed of Light" and considered the "Godfather of CRM." [Paul Greenberg’s Site (The 56 Group)](https://the56group.typepad.com/)
* **Brent Leary:** A top CRM analyst focusing on small business and social CRM. [Brent Leary on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/brentleary/)
* **TrustRadius:** A highly vetted review site that offers deep-dive comparisons of CRM features. [TrustRadius CRM Category](https://www.trustradius.com/crm)
### 3. [...]
December 30, 2025
[...] ner.com/en/sales/role/crm-sales-technology)
* **Paul Greenberg:** Author of "CRM at the Speed of Light" and considered the "Godfather of CRM." [Paul Greenberg’s Site (The 56 Group)](https://the56group.typepad.com/)
* **Brent Leary:** A top CRM analyst focusing on small business and social CRM. [Brent Leary on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/brentleary/)
* **TrustRadius:** A highly vetted review site that offers deep-dive comparisons of CRM features. [TrustRadius CRM Category](https://www.trustradius.com/crm)
### 3. Communities & Resources
CRM is a technical field; these communities help with [...]
December 30, 2025
What does the CRM Software industry look like right now? Identify the dominant market leaders and brands, best products and services, key companies and providers, influential figures and thought leaders, emerging startups and trends, major conferences and events, active professional communities, and the top publications and media that cover this industry.
[...] m/Benioff)
* **Dharmesh Shah:** Founder of HubSpot and a lead voice on inbound marketing. [Dharmesh's Blog](https://onstartups.com)
* **Paul Greenberg:** Author of "CRM at the Speed of Light," often called the "Godfather of CRM." [Paul Greenberg via ZDNET](https://www.zdnet.com/blog/crm/)
* **Brent Leary:** Analyst and expert on SMB technology and CRM strategy. [Brent Leary's Site](https://crmessentials.com)
### 5. Emerging Startups and Trends
**Trends:**
* **Generative AI:** Using AI to draft emails, summarize meetings, and predict churn (e.g., Salesforce Einstein, HubSpot Breeze).
* **Compos [...]
December 30, 2025
[...] n inbound marketing. [Dharmesh's Blog](https://onstartups.com)
* **Paul Greenberg:** Author of "CRM at the Speed of Light," often called the "Godfather of CRM." [Paul Greenberg via ZDNET](https://www.zdnet.com/blog/crm/)
* **Brent Leary:** Analyst and expert on SMB technology and CRM strategy. [Brent Leary's Site](https://crmessentials.com)
### 5. Emerging Startups and Trends
**Trends:**
* **Generative AI:** Using AI to draft emails, summarize meetings, and predict churn (e.g., Salesforce Einstein, HubSpot Breeze).
* **Composable CRM:** Moving away from monolithic suites toward modular apps.
* [...]