Cmo Moves

In the latest episode of the Marketing Vanguard podcast, we welcome Kirsten Spittel-Sloan, SVP, Marketing at iFit, for an eye-opening chat on what it takes to succeed in the fitness tech space today. Listen in for Kirsten’s playbook on how marketing leaders can navigate rapid technological change, build adaptive teams and balance analytical rigor with authentic brand narratives in an increasingly complex marketplace.What You'll Learn:How to invest across the entire marketing funnel equally during periods of rapid change, rather than concentrating resources on trending channelsThe "High Trust + Adaptability" leadership framework for building marketing teams that can flex resources without sacrificing cohesion or brand consistencyHow to balance ROAS obsession with brand-building investmentsWhy personalization powered by AI is non-negotiable for retentionThe imperative for new marketing professionals to become hybrid technical experts and artists simultaneouslyUnlocking the Creator Economy with AwinDid you know

In the latest episode of the Marketing Vanguard podcast, we welcome John Solomon, CMO at Therabody, for a revealing conversation on transforming a single-product company into a diversified wellness ecosystem through marketing. Listen in for John’s tried-and-tested strategic frameworks that have enabled Therabody to expand while maintaining brand integrity and consumer trust. This conversation emphasizes the importance of investing in a differentiating asset that makes your brand a stand-out in its segment. What You'll Learn:How to define and defend distinctive assets while protecting your brand's unique visual and functional propertiesWhy the four-year CMO tenure marks a critical inflection point and how to pace your 4 years in the role The "science-first differentiation" strategy for crowded categoriesHow to reframe messaging from adjectives like "speeds and feeds" to tangible consumer outcomesThe partnership-as-distribution model to reach new audiencesWhy entertainment partnerships require risk fr

In this episode of Marketing Vanguard, we sit down with Jennie Weber, Chief Marketing Officer at Best Buy to talk about all things iconic. From the non-linear approach it takes to build a legacy brand to the critical importance of adaptability and resilience in marketing teams today, Jennie breaks down the strategies that have helped her and her team at Best Buy stay ahead of the curve (and stand the test of time). Tune in for actionable insights on weathering one of retail’s most dynamic periods. What You'll Learn:How to build a customer-first decision-making framework that becomes embedded in organizational cultureWhy adaptability and growth mindset trump traditional team expansion and contraction in volatile marketsHow learning from setbacks can become your true competitive advantageThe strategic value of retail media networks beyond adsHow to identify and activate "passion points" for authentic brand partnerships based on cultural momentumThe resurgence of physical retail as a differentiator in

Llibert Argerich, Chief Marketing Officer at Thumbtack, joins this week’s episode of Marketing Vanguard to rewrite the narrative of the marketing function - from cost centre to profit driver. Tune in to explore ROI-driven strategies that marketers can and must use, why local market strategy outperforms national campaigns for fragmented industries, and how AI is transforming customer-to-pro matching at scale. Backed by rich experience, Llibert offers actionable frameworks for driving measurable growth without breaking the bank.If you’re looking to do more with less and transform your marketing team into a business enabler, this conversation is for you.  What You'll Learn:How to reframe marketing budgets as profit driversWhy it’s critical to shift from being a marketing practitioner to an enabler who removes barriersThe Local Market Strategy Framework for hyper-local industries - reducing risk while building brand equity responsiblyHow to leverage AI for product-market fit as your primary marketing en

Kristen Lauria, Chief Customer and Marketing Officer at Wheels Up, joins this episode of Marketing Vanguard to explore the evolution of luxury travel marketing and brand transformation. From her unique journey from aerospace engineering to marketing leadership, Kristen shares insights on pivoting brands toward growth, building trust with high-net-worth clients, and creating exceptional customer experiences. As it stands, Wheels Up is revolutionizing private aviation through innovative membership models, strategic partnerships, and its marketing team has everything to do with it. This conversation serves as a critical reminder of a good marketer’s core responsibility: translating complex business ideas into powerful customer value. What You'll Learn:How to leverage technical expertise to translate complex products into compelling market offeringsThe evolution of private aviation marketing from product-focused to solutions-based approachesWhy membership models require "customer centricity on steroids"

Sumit Virmani, Global CMO of Infosys, joins this episode of Marketing Vanguard to explore the evolving landscape of B2B marketing, the transformative impact of AI, and the delicate balance between art and science in modern marketing. As an “accidental marketer”, he brings unique strategic insights on building emotional connections in B2B, responsible AI adoption, and staying ahead of technological disruption. In this conversation, he shines a light on Infosys’ journey to becoming a $19B-revenue global tech brand and what the marketing team has to do with growth.What You'll Learn:How to leverage financial acumen to build stronger relationships with the C-suite and drive marketing successWhy creating emotional connections is equally important in B2B marketingThe Navigator Framework for building long-term client relationships in tech consultingHow to balance short-term business objectives with long-term brand aspirationsWhy AI represents a disruptive rather than incremental shift in marketing capabilitiesWh

Welcome to this episode of the Marketing Vanguard podcast. Today, Jenny Rooney speaks with Ethan Braden, Chief Marketing Officer at Texas A&M University, about building one of America’s most consequential higher-education brands.Ethan shares how his journey from Eli Lilly to Purdue University to Texas A&M shaped his approach to leadership, storytelling, and reputation management in complex institutions. He discusses how to balance tradition and innovation, why universities must think like modern brands, and how collaborations, from NASCAR to Dude Perfect, can open new doors for engagement and national relevance. This conversation is a masterclass in brand building that applies far beyond academia.What You'll Learn:How to transition corporate marketing expertise into higher education.The strategic difference between driving student demand and building national reputation.How to craft a brand narrative rooted in mission, culture, and community.Why understanding your “product” and your audience defines l

Welcome to this episode of the Marketing Vanguard podcast. Today, Jenny Rooney speaks with Doug Zarkin, CMO of Take 5 Oil Change and author of "Moving Your Brand Out of the Friend Zone." In this compelling conversation, Doug shares how he's transforming a commodity category into an emotional brand experience through people-first leadership.Doug's career spans from the agency world at Saatchi & Saatchi and Grey to client-side roles at Avon Products and Victoria's Secret PINK. Most notably, he spent eleven years as CMO at Pearle Vision, an unusually long tenure, where he led a complete brand transformation that resulted in the company topping Entrepreneur's Franchise 500. Now, as the first-ever CMO for Take Five Oil Change, Doug is applying his proven "people, process, progress, profitability" framework to elevate a challenger brand in the oil change category.What You'll Learn:The secret to achieving an 11-year CMO tenure in an era of short tenuresThe "people, process, progress, profitability" framework for

Alon Rivel, CMO of Feast & Fettle, discusses the Northeast meal delivery company's contrarian approach to growth with Marketing Vanguard’s host Jenny Rooney. With his unconventional background spanning TV media buying, The New York Times, Bloomberg, and B2C tech startups, he brings a unique perspective to building authentic brands.The conversation explores how Feast & Fettle differentiates by focusing on time as currency rather than trendy diets or speed. Their approach combines locally-sourced ingredients with hospitality-first service and community building.What You'll Learn:How to build authentic brand positioning that goes beyond product featuresWhy intentional regional growth can be more profitable than national expansionStrategies for creating community through food and shared experiencesHow to balance profitability with purpose-driven initiativesWhy cutting a marketing team in half can improve performanceThe importance of reading the room and understanding customer psychologyHow to maintain qua

Welcome to this episode of the Marketing Vanguard podcast. Today, Jenny Rooney speaks with Marisa Thalberg, Chief Customer and Marketing Officer at Catalyst Brands, in a candid conversation about leadership, risk-taking, and brand transformation in retail marketing.Marisa discusses her career journey across diverse industries - from Estée Lauder and Taco Bell to Lowe's, SeaWorld, and now JCPenney. She opens up about learning from failures, dealing with short tenures, and why marketers must take calculated risks. The conversation explores her current role transforming JCPenney and the broader Catalyst Brands portfolio, which includes Brooks Brothers, Aeropostale, Lucky Brand, Nautica, and Eddie Bauer.What You'll Learn:How to navigate career missteps and build resilience as a marketing leaderThe dynamic nature of the CMO role necessitates a particular mindset and strategy.Strategies for transforming legacy retail brands while honoring their heritageThe importance of talking up to consumers rather than down to t

Welcome to this episode of the Marketing Vanguard podcast. Today, Jenny Rooney speaks with Alex Schultz, Chief Marketing Officer and VP of Analytics at Meta, about his newly released book "Click Here: The Art and Science of Digital Marketing and AdvertisingAs Jenny's repeat guest, Alex brings battle-tested insights from his 18-year tenure at Meta, where he's witnessed digital marketing's complete transformation. He reveals his motivation  for writing "Click Here" - the definitive guide to online marketing that fills a critical gap left by classic texts like Claude Hopkins' "Scientific Advertising." Alex argues that while technology evolves at breakneck speed, the core principles that drive marketing success remain surprisingly constant across decades.What You'll Learn:Alex's 18-year journey at Meta and his unique dual role in marketing and analyticsThe writing process and inspiration behind "Click Here: The Art and Science of Digital Marketing and Advertising"Why incrementality measurement is the ke

Welcome to this episode of the Marketing Vanguard podcast. Today, Jenny Rooney speaks with Elizabeth Teran, Chief Parent Officer at Owlet. In this compelling conversation, Elizabeth shares how she's transforming marketing at the baby tech company that revolutionized infant monitoring with medical-grade pulse oximetry technology.Elizabeth brings extensive experience from her 10-year tenure at Skullcandy in product marketing, followed by over 5 years at Owlet where she led the company through significant challenges and growth. She discusses the unique positioning of marketing medical-grade technology to parents, the company's journey from FDA warning letter to full medical clearance, and her philosophy of authentic, education-based marketing.What You'll Learn:Navigating FDA regulatory challenges while maintaining brand trustBuilding product-first marketing strategies in healthcare technologyThe power of authentic community over paid influencer partnershipsTransforming crisis into opportunity through strategic p

Welcome to this episode of the Marketing Vanguard podcast. Today, Jenny Rooney speaks with Francis Perrin, Chief Brand and Sustainability Officer at Rehlko, about brand transformation and B2B marketing innovation.Francis discusses his career from P&G and L'Oréal to leading the transformation of Kohler Energy into the independent company Rehlko. He shares the strategic thinking behind the rebrand, including how they created the name Rehlko as an anagram of Kohler to maintain heritage while establishing independence. The conversation explores the opportunity in residential power generation, competing as a challenger brand against industry giants, and why Francis believes B2B marketing offers more opportunities than consumer marketing.Best Buy CMO, Jennie Weber also joins Jenny in a mid-episode sidebar discussion on the latest innovations for the Best Buy Ads retail media network and their latest campaign "We Got Next." Sponsored by Best Buy Ads.What You'll Learn:How to successfully rebrand and spin off from

Welcome to this special episode of the Marketing Vanguard podcast. Today, Jenny Rooney speaks with the founding members of Marketing Vanguard membership at ADWEEK: Soyoung Kang, President of eos Products, and Vineet Mehra, CMO of Chime. They discuss their unique career journeys, the evolving CMO role, and why they joined forces to help rewrite the narrative around marketing leadership. From efficient capital allocation to building trust in the C-suite, these leaders share candid insights about what it really takes to succeed as a modern CMO.These marketing leaders delve into their distinct career paths, the evolving responsibilities of a CMO, and their collaborative effort to reshape the perception of marketing leadership. They offer frank perspectives on the true requirements for success as a contemporary CMO, covering topics from effective capital allocation to fostering C-suite trust.What you'll learn:How non-linear career paths can lead to CMO successWhy "efficient growth" should be every CMO's unifying m

Welcome to this episode of the Marketing Vanguard podcast. Today, Jenny Rooney speaks with Sangeeta Prasad, Chief Marketing Officer at Slalom, about her unique journey from classic consumer products marketing to B2B transformation leadership. Sangeeta shares her experiences transitioning from well-established brands like P&G, American Express, and JPMorgan Chase to becoming the first CMO at professional services firms.She explains why she calls herself a "marketing evangelist" rather than just a marketer, emphasizing her role in converting organizational skeptics into believers. The conversation explores the unique dynamics of B2B marketing versus B2C, particularly in professional services where trust, credibility, and relationships are paramount.What You'll Learn:How to transition from consumer marketing to B2B leadership rolesStrategies for overcoming marketing skepticism in sales-driven organizationsWays to position marketing as a revenue generator rather than a cost centerMethods for building emotiona

Welcome to this episode of the Marketing Vanguard podcast live from Cannes. Today, Jenny Rooney speaks with Mark Ritson, world-renowned marketing professor and founder of MiniMBA, about his controversial views on brand purpose, the importance of running great ads for years, and why American marketing has lost its edge. Discover Mark's partnership with ADWEEK, his strategy of saying "no" to America for a decade, and why he believes killing brands is more productive than creating them.What You'll Learn:Why Mark Ritson avoided the American market for 10 years and his strategic partnership with ADWEEKThe uncomfortable truth about brand purpose and why the data doesn't support the hypeWhy running great creative for 2-3 years drives better results than constant campaign changesThe "pornography of change" and why AI won't transform marketing as quickly as predictedWhy killing brands is more productive than creating them (Mark's killed 200+ in his career) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"If you're constantly viewed as the ad team, the ad person, I think we lose. I think we're going to continue to struggle to dig out of the relevancy hole."Welcome to this episode of the Marketing Vanguard podcast. Today, Jenny Rooney speaks with Jason Bunge, CMO of Hasbro, in a conversation that challenges traditional notions of marketing leadership and explores the future of play in a digital world.Jason brings experience from technology companies including Skype, Microsoft, Riot Games, and EA before joining Hasbro two years ago. The conversation explores Hasbro's transformation from a traditional toy company to a diversified entertainment portfolio spanning physical toys, digital gaming, and trading cards through Wizards of the Coast. Jason discusses how the company navigates generational shifts in play patterns and how marketing must adapt to serve different audiences across multiple business lines.What You'll Learn:The evolution of marketing from tactical execution to strategic leadershipBuilding marketin

What if you could tap into 20 years of authentic consumer conversations to transform your marketing strategy?In this special Cannes edition of Marketing Vanguard, host Jenny Rooney sits down with Roxy Young, CMO of Reddit, to explore the power of community intelligence and why brands need to embrace authentic engagement. From Reddit's evolution as a marketing platform to their groundbreaking AI-powered insights tools, this conversation reveals how marketers can harness the power of genuine community feedback. Tune in to discover why Reddit's unique approach to brand safety, open communities, and real consumer dialogue is driving 60% year-over-year revenue growth and changing the future of marketing.What You'll Learn:How Reddit transformed from 9 people with no space to a marketing powerhouse hosting 4,000+ visitors at CannesWhy Reddit is fundamentally different from social media and what that means for your marketing strategyThe three-layer brand safety approach that protects your brand while maintaining auth

Welcome to this episode of the Marketing Vanguard podcast live from Cannes. Today, Jenny Rooney speaks with Mark Kirkham, CMO of PepsiCo Beverages US, about the relentless pace of innovation in the beverage category, the art of balancing core brands with new acquisitions like Poppi, and why every challenge is an opportunity. Discover how PepsiCo continues to cultivate world-class marketing talent, the role of AI in building capabilities versus outsourcing them, and why making "simple special" is the key to successWhat You'll Learn:Why "if you're not innovating, you die" defines the beverage category and how to balance core brands with new venturesThe secret behind PepsiCo's legendary talent cultivation system that has produced CMOs across the industryHow to think about AI as a capability-building tool rather than outsourcing technologyThe "core and more" strategy for growing established brands while pursuing new opportunitiesWhy every challenge should be viewed as an opportunity and every opportunity as a cha

What if you could transform your organization’s approach to AI while building a global brand?In this episode of Marketing Vanguard, host Jenny Rooney speaks with Emily Ketchen, CMO of Lenovo’s Intelligent Devices Group, live from the Cannes Lions Festival. Together, they explore how to lead AI integration within marketing teams, navigate global brand building across 180 markets, and leverage purpose-driven storytelling for genuine business growth. Whether you're a CMO navigating emerging technologies or a marketing leader seeking to balance global reach with local relevance, this conversation offers invaluable insights into the future of tech-driven marketing.What You'll Learn:How to use AI as a creative catalyst and personal detective for marketersStrategies for building AI governance councils and education programsThe difference between transcreation and translation in global marketingGen Z and Gen Alpha's impact on brand purpose and authenticityThe evolution of search from SEO to AEO (AI-Optimized Search)L