The New Marketing Cloud on Core: Growth, Advanced, and the Future of AI-Powered CRM

The New Era of Salesforce Marketing Cloud on Core: Why I’m All In on Marketing Cloud Growth and Marketing Cloud Advanced

We are at a watershed moment in Salesforce marketing.

After nearly 20 years navigating the tools, strategies, and tectonic shifts in the MarTech space, I can confidently say this: the new Marketing Cloud on Core—namely, Marketing Cloud Growth and Marketing Cloud Advanced—represents the most significant evolution of Salesforce’s marketing technology since the original acquisition of ExactTarget and Pardot.

And frankly, it’s just getting started.

From Siloed Stacks to a Unified Core

Salesforce’s marketing journey has been a story of incredible acquisitions—Marketing Cloud Account Engagement (Pardot) for B2B, ExactTarget for B2C, and add-ons like Datorama, Social Studio, and Audience Studio.

Legacy Salesforce Marketing Cloud tools create data silos, marketing channel, personalization and targeting restrictions and limit the capabilities of AI.

 

But these tools, as powerful as they were, shared a fundamental flaw: they were not built natively on the Salesforce platform. Personalization was tool-specific, data lived in silos, and integration challenges plagued marketers across industries.

That era is over.

   Introducing Marketing Cloud on Core

In 2024, Salesforce launched Marketing Cloud Growth and Marketing Cloud Advanced—brand-new marketing automation tools built from the ground up on the Einstein 1 Platform.

What does “on core” mean? It means campaigns, segmentation, content, and reporting are executed directly inside Salesforce—no more middleware, sync errors, or disconnected reporting.

Learn how Forcery helps organizations implement Salesforce Marketing Cloud Growth »

Marketing Cloud now covers Engagement, Account Engagement (Pardot), Growth and Advanced, powered by Einstein and AI

Marketing Cloud Growth

 Marketing Cloud Advanced

  • A/B testing in flow paths via Path Experiment
  • Conversational SMS integrated with Service Cloud
  • Predictive scoring via Einstein Engagement Frequency
  • Personalization based on unified profiles

Explore how Salesforce AI can drive marketing productivity »

Native CRM, Not Middleware: A Unified Marketing Platform

Marketing Cloud on Core uses Salesforce objects—like Leads, Contacts, Campaigns, and Opportunities-personalization, and tools like Flow, Data Cloud, and Salesforce CMS

One of the most transformative aspects of Marketing Cloud on Core is that it doesn’t rely on external or third-party infrastructure like legacy Salesforce Marketing Cloud (SFMC) or Pardot. Instead of depending on disconnected systems or sync-dependent integrations, Marketing Cloud Growth and Advanced are built directly on Salesforce CRM. This means marketers can use standard Salesforce objects—like Leads, Contacts, Campaigns, and Opportunities—for segmentation, automation, personalization, and reporting. Tools such as Flow, Data Cloud, and Salesforce CMS are not bolt-ons; they are native platform features used across the enterprise. The result is a unified, scalable marketing experience that happens within the same system of record as Sales and Service—eliminating the need for middleware, data extensions, or custom sync logic.

Data Cloud: The Foundation for AI-Driven Marketing

Data Cloud: The Foundation for AI-Driven MarketingAt the center of Marketing Cloud on Core is Salesforce Data Cloud—a real-time data platform that harmonizes structured and unstructured data from across your business.

With Data Cloud, marketers can:

  • Create segments with natural language prompts
  • Combine first-party CRM data with behavioral data
  • Activate audiences instantly across email, SMS, and advertising
  • Ensure consent and compliance through native data governance tools

Read our guide to setting up Data Cloud for Marketing »

Flow: Your Marketing Automation Engine

Flow Builder gives you:

  • Multi-step journey automation
  • Real-time data triggers
  • AI-assisted logic and segmentation
  • Drag-and-drop configuration—no code required

Salesforce Flow Builder for Marketing Cloud Growth and AdvancedSalesforce Flow Builder for Marketing Cloud Growth and Advanced

 

Forcery’s Salesforce Flow Quick Start Guide »

Einstein: Generative AI That Actually Works

Einstein AI is now deeply embedded in Marketing Cloud Growth and Advanced. Key use cases include:

  • Email copywriting and subject line optimization
  • Send time optimization
  • Segment recommendations
  • Engagement scoring and predictions

Explore Einstein Engagement Scoring in depth »

Agentic AI: Agentforce powering Marketing Cloud Growth and Advanced

Advanced Features That Drive Results

Marketing Cloud Advanced includes cutting-edge capabilities like:

  • Path Experimentation: A/B test entire automation flows
  • Rules-Based Dynamic Content: Personalize messages with real-time data
  • Conversational SMS: AI-driven messaging with seamless service handoff
  • Engagement Frequency: Optimize cadence to avoid over-sending

Try It—Even for Free

Many organizations already have access to Marketing Cloud Growth at no cost through Salesforce’s Foundations offering:

  • Enterprise/Unlimited Edition Sales or Service Cloud users
  • Existing Account Engagement customers
  • Access to foundational Marketing Cloud + Data Cloud features

Learn about Salesforce Foundations and eligibility »

Final Thoughts: This Is the Future of Salesforce Marketing

Marketing Cloud Growth and Marketing Cloud Advanced aren’t just new tools—they’re a shift in mindset. They allow us to break down silos, connect systems, and finally bring marketing into the same real-time, AI-powered world that Sales and Service teams already live in.

If you’re a Salesforce marketer, here’s your roadmap:

  • Master Data Cloud
  • Get hands-on with Flow
  • Explore what’s possible on core

Not sure where to start? Let’s talk about your Salesforce marketing roadmap »

Resources to Go Deeper:

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April 1, 2025 Artificial Intelligence, Email Marketing, Future, Marketing Automation, MarTech, Uncategorized No comments yet

Happy Holidays from Forcery

As we close out the year, the team at Forcery wants to extend our sincere thanks for your trust and collaboration. Whether we’ve worked together directly or you’ve been considering our AI-powered solutions for Salesforce Marketing Cloud, we appreciate the opportunity to be part of your journey.  Looking ahead to 2025, we’re excited for the possibilities that lie ahead and wish you continued success. If you’re looking to learn how to leverage enterprise value from enterprise technology, optimize your CRM or marketing automation org or just explore how the new Marketing Cloud Growth and Advanced products can support your goals, we’re here to help. Wishing you a peaceful holiday season and a prosperous New Year!Happy-Holidays-from-Forcery-NYC's premier marketing cloud account engagement salesforce partner and marketing technology leader.

Forcery’s 2024 in MarTech

As we look back at 2024, we are incredibly thankful for the incredible opportunity to work with Salesforce presenting Marketing Cloud around the world.

The first CairoDreamin’ 2024

In February, we traveled to Egypt helping launch the very first first CairoDreamin’ in our session Mastering Marketing Cloud Account Engagement. Helping train and upskill Trailblazers across the world is an incredible honor, as Salesforce continues to drive revenue for businesses globally.  Tigh Loughhead was asked again to speak in 2025 to speak about “Marketing Cloud Growth” and “Marketing Cloud Advanced in his session, From Acquisitions to Innovation: Exploring Salesforce’s New Marketing Cloud.

Trailhead Academy and helping launch “Agentforce”

We continued our work with Trailhead Academy throughout the year as a Certified Instructor for Trailhead Academy, teaching the Drive Sales with Account Engagement – PDX101 class for Salesforce.  In August, Tigh was asked to preview Marc Benioff’s Dreamforce keynote, providing feedback on marketing and brand positioning for the launch of “Agentforce” at Salesforce Tower in New York City.

Forcery Founder Tigh Loughhead at the Dreamforce keynote preview feedback session at Salesforce Tower NYC.

Marketing Cloud Growth and Advanced

The New York City Marketer’s Trailblazer Community was also active throughout the year, with our most recent presentation on Marketing Cloud Growth and Advanced just this October at our last user group in Midtown before the World Tour. If you’re interested in learning more about Salesforce’s “New Marketing Cloud” check out our presentation below or don’t hesitate to reach out.

Inaugural DubaiDreamin’ 2024

In November, we were incredibly lucky to be asked for our thought leadership again, this time in the United Arab Emirates at the inaugural DubaiDreamin’ conference, in a session “Mastering Marketing Automation: A Beginners’ Guide to Marketing Cloud Account Engagement.” The conference took place at the foot of the Burj Khalifa (the tallest building in the world), and brought Salesforce practitioners and learners from all throughout the Middle East.

Tigh Loughhead Salesforce MVP and Forcery CEO presents at the inaugural DubaiDreamin' in UAE.

from B2BMarketingExpert.com

Just this December, Tigh presented at the “Agentforce World Tour” in his packed session “Discover Agentforce for Marketers: Autonomous Agents and Marketers Achieving Impact and Insight Together.“ Based on the popularity of the session, Salesforce reached out to ask us to submit for TrailheadDX (TDX) in March of 2025 in San Francisco, and watch this space; as there are a number of upcoming “Agentforce for Marketers” blogs and webinars we’re planning with Salesforce for 2025.

Forcery's Tigh Loughhead presents at the NYC World Tour in a packed session entitled The world of marketing technology is changing rapidly, and while there is uncertainty around the economy and automation in particular, one thing is clear: companies that leverage AI and marketing technology most effectively are poised to inherit the business success of the future.  …and we could not be more excited to be part of that future.

Thank you for being part of Forcery’s MarTech magic and we look forward to collaborating and “making MarTech magic” in 2025!

December 18, 2024 Artificial Intelligence, CairoDreamin, CDP, DubaiDreamin, Email Marketing, Marketing Automation, MarTech, Salesforce, TrailheadDX Comments Off on Happy Holidays from Forcery

Marketing Cloud Account Engagement Pardot Einstein Send Time Optimization

Pardot Einstein Send Time Optimization

Sending emails to your target audience at the right time is crucial for achieving a high open and click-through rate. However, finding the optimal send time for each recipient can be challenging, especially when you have a large list. This is where Pardot AI Einstein comes in to help you optimize your send times and improve the success of your email campaigns.

Marketing Cloud Account Engagement Pardot Einstein Send Time Optimization

Pardot AI Einstein is an artificial intelligence-powered tool that uses machine learning algorithms to analyze the behavior of your audience and determine the best time to send your emails. This optimization is based on several factors such as the recipient’s location, time zone, and previous engagement with your emails.

How to use Pardot Einstein Send Time Optimization

To use Marketing Cloud Account Engagement Pardot AI Einstein for send time optimization, you simply need to enable the feature in your Pardot account. Once enabled, the tool will automatically analyze your email data and determine the optimal send time for each recipient. You can also set a default send time for your emails, which the tool will use if it can’t determine a specific send time for a recipient.

In addition to optimizing send times, Marketing Cloud Account EngagementPardot AI Einstein also provides insights and recommendations to help you improve your email campaigns. For example, it can suggest subject lines and email content that are most likely to engage your audience, as well as the best days and times to send your emails.

By using Marketing Cloud Account Engagement Pardot Einstein AI, you can save time and effort while also improving the success of your email campaigns. The tool’s advanced algorithms and machine learning capabilities ensure that your emails are delivered at the right time to each recipient, maximizing your chances of getting a high open and click-through rate.

In conclusion, Pardot AI Einstein is a valuable tool for any marketer looking to optimize their email campaigns. Whether you’re just starting out or have been using email marketing for a while, Pardot AI Einstein can help you take your email campaigns to the next level and achieve better results.

May 23, 2022 Artificial Intelligence, Email Marketing, Marketing Automation, Pardot Comments Off on Marketing Cloud Account Engagement Pardot Einstein Send Time Optimization

Apple’s Privacy Features: What Marketing Cloud Account Engagement Customers Can Expect

Apple Mail Privacy Protection (MPP)

Marketing Cloud Account Engagement (Pardot) prioritizes privacy and ethics, providing you with the marketing tools you need to stay compliant and transparent. Unlike other marketing automation software, we do not build individual profiles across unrelated internet properties and avoid intrusive tracking practices like browser fingerprinting. Additionally, Marketing Cloud offers resources like a consent framework to help you communicate with your audience in a privacy-respectful manner.

Marketing Cloud Account Engagement Apple Privacy Protection

Apple is also making efforts to improve email privacy, with the introduction of Mail Privacy Protection (MPP) launched last year. This new technology will impact how email marketing works, as tracking pixels used to determine email opens will no longer be effective.

The Marketing Cloud Account Engagement product and engineering teams are closely monitoring the development of MPP and its potential impact on our customers. Here are some ways to prepare for the changes:

  1. Stay informed about MPP updates by following the latest news.
  2. Review Marketing Cloud Account Engagement automations and scoring to see where you use email opens to inform campaign decisions. Consider using alternative engagement signals, such as link clicks and webinar registrations, instead.
  3. Look for ways to directly gauge the sentiment of an email, such as including a “thumbs up” or “thumbs down” option within the email.
  4. Keep an eye on engagement metrics once the new Apple features launch, and monitor the difference between your current and future data to understand the impact on your audience.
  5. Stay up-to-date with Marketing Cloud Account Engagement roadmap for privacy-friendly features and functionality, including new releases.

As privacy regulations continue to evolve, marketing will need to adapt. Account Engagement is ready to lead the way in engaging audiences in a privacy-conscious manner, using aggregate data, external activity, and direct consumer interactions to personalize marketing.

Learn more about the Salesforce Marketing Cloud release and how Account Engagement enhancements can help you get more from your data.

April 8, 2022 Email Marketing, Future, Marketing Automation Comments Off on Apple’s Privacy Features: What Marketing Cloud Account Engagement Customers Can Expect