Third-party engagement is crucial, especially given the complexities of today's buyer journey. In my opinion.
Third-party interactions often provide invaluable data, offering insights into your buying community and competitive landscape.
This direct engagement can significantly enhance marketing effectiveness and provide essential validation for your strategies. Even minor suggestions from these third parties can lead to major improvements.
During my time at Gartner I worked heavily with my clients marketing team(s) and experienced first hand the importance of 3rd party validation and insight.