What Does a Fractional CMO Do?

Feb 14, 2025

Peter Murphy-Lewis, a fractional CMO and founder of StrategicPete who scales businesses with data-driven marketing and remote teams. He explains what a fractional CMO does, when companies actually need one, performance-based contracts, his intern-to-MVP training system, building global teams, the role of AI, and top marketing trends for 2025.

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INSIGHT

Marketing Became Multi-Channel Necessity

Digital marketing is simultaneously harder and easier because every channel now matters for more businesses.
Brands must master many channels (email, socials, video, podcasts) or lose ground to more digitally fluent competitors.

INSIGHT

Global Talent Is More Than Cheap Labor

Global remote talent brings diverse perspectives and problem-solving approaches beyond cost savings.
Peter hires international team members to gain different life experiences that improve creativity and execution.

ADVICE

Train Interns As Cross-Client Generalists

Hire apprentices from communities like Dynamite Jobs and train them across multiple clients to build versatile marketers.
Rotate interns through different channels so they become generalists with real, billable skills in six months.

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The word "fractional" gets bandied around a lot these days. But what does it really mean, and how can a CMO be fractional?

In this episode of the DMI podcast, host Will Francis sits down with Peter Murphy Lewis of StrategicPete.com and a successful fractional CMO. Peter shares his journey from launching a travel business in South America to becoming a data-driven marketing strategist for a wide range of industries, including software, finance, media, and even zoos.

🔹 What you’ll learn:

What a Fractional CMO is and why the role is booming
Who actually needs a CMO, and who doesn’t
The biggest marketing mistakes Peter made and what he learned
The most in-demand digital marketing skills for 2025
Why LinkedIn newsletters and automation are underrated goldmines
How and why Peter builds high-performing remote teams using global talent

Peter also talks about the power of vulnerability in leadership, his intern-to-MVP framework, and why he believes AI is an opportunity, not a threat.

Check out Peter's documentary on YouTube - People Worth Caring About

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00:06 – Introduction
00:54 – What is a Fractional CMO?
04:38 – Does Every Business Need a CMO?
06:49 – Peter’s Background & Path to Becoming a Fractional CMO
09:18 – Performance-Based Marketing Contracts: Pros & Cons
12:36 – Biggest Early Career Mistakes & Lessons Learned
16:05 – How Digital Marketing Has Changed in 15 Years
18:26 – Leveraging Global Talent for Growth
21:06 – Peter’s Internship Model: Training Future Marketers
23:32 – The Importance of Soft Skills in Digital Marketing
27:09 – Coaching, Feedback, and the Power of Vulnerability
33:42 – The Most In-Demand Marketing Skills for 2025
36:09 – The Role of AI in Marketing
42:50 – The Top Marketing Trends for 2025
46:46 – Advice for Young Marketers & Entrepreneurs
49:25 – Where to Find Peter Online

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