CMO Confidential

A CMO Confidential Interview with Jean English, CMO of CoreWeave, formerly the CMO of Juniper Networks, Armis, Palo Alto Networks and NetApp. Jean discusses the dynamics driving the voracious demand for computing power, why cloud infrastructure matters so much, and the ongoing AI shift from training to inference. Key topics include: - How models are leapfrogging each other at speed- The importance of B2B brands at a time when decisions are often made by teams of people- Why marketing is a great use case for AI- Creative uses for hackathonsTune in to hear why "80% right" is okay and a story about using AI for parenting advice. This episode is sponsored by Typeface - the agentic AI marketing platform that turns one idea into thousands of on-brand assets. Learn more: typeface.ai/cmoSubscribe for weekly episodes featuring world-class marketing leaders, board members, and C-Suite executives.⏱️ Chapters01:31 Guest Intro: Jean English (CMO, CoreWeave) 02:39 What CoreWeave Does (AI Cloud Explained) 04:20 AI Hype vs Reality 07:05 The AI Market & Competitive Landscape 09:40 Building an AI Brand 11:00 Buying Groups & Enterprise Complexity 13:01 Measuring AI Infrastructure Performance 15:32 Why Brand Matters in AI 18:11 IPO, Growth & Market Expansion 20:34 AI’s Impact on Marketing Teams 24:32 Infrastructure, Scale & Future Demand 28:26 Final Advice for Marketers + Closing#AI #ArtificialIntelligence #CMO #MarketingLeadership #B2BMarketing #AIMarketing #GenerativeAI #AIInfrastructure #CloudComputing #DigitalTransformation #MarketingStrategy #FutureOfWork #AITrends #TechLeadership #BrandStrategy #EnterpriseAI #Innovation #MarketingAI #Leadership #ContentAtScaleSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A CMO Confidential Interview with Joe Perello, the founder of PROPS, a creator marketing technology platform, formerly the first CMO of New York City under Michael Bloomberg.Joe shares his take on why consumer brand trust is declining, how viewers can be both distracted and disciplined, and why AI agents can be more trusted than brands.Key topics include: - The difference between influencers, celebrities and creators- A restaurant analogy designed to help marketers think through their line-up of choices- Some methods to gauge and measure authenticity.Tune in to hear a case study on Patagonia and a fantastic story about a giant popsicle in Union Square.This episode is sponsored by Typeface - the agentic AI marketing platform that turns one idea into thousands of on-brand assets. Learn more: typeface.ai/cmo Subscribe for weekly episodes featuring world-class marketing leaders, board members, and C-Suite executives. ⏱️ Chapters01:30 Meet Joe Perello & Today’s Topic: The Credibility Challenge02:26 Making Content Is Easy, Earning Trust Is Hard03:55 Why Credibility Doesn’t Scale05:23 Are Consumers Distracted or Disciplined?06:03 Trust in B2B vs B2C Marketing07:09 The Long Decline of Trust in Brands & Institutions08:08 Is There Still a Trust Reservoir?09:30 Do Consumers Trust AI More Than Brands?10:39 Optimizer vs Persuader: Why It Matters11:00 Break: Typeface Marketing Orchestration12:20 Did AI Cause the Trust Crisis or Amplify It?14:07 Why AI and Creators Feel More “Objective”15:02 Creator vs Influencer vs Celebrity Marketing17:29 The Restaurant Analogy Explained19:33 Real Creator Example: AAA & Road‑Trip Storytelling21:25 When Creators Become Influencers23:36 Authenticity Depends on the Story You Ask Them to Tell25:03 Do Consumers Understand These Distinctions?26:50 How Brands Should Use Celebrities, Influencers & Creators28:50 What’s Easiest to Measure and Why CFOs Care31:38 Patagonia: A Gold Standard for Creator‑Led Trust33:22 Content First, Brand Second = Trust34:21 Can You Measure Trust? Proxies That Matter36:37 Storytime: The 50‑Foot Snapple Popsicle Fail41:11 Final Thoughts & Where to Find More Episodes #CMOConfidential, #MarketingLeadership, #BrandTrust, #CreatorMarketing, #InfluencerMarketing, #AuthenticityInMarketing, #AIandMarketing, #MarketingStrategy, #BrandCredibility,, #ModernMarketing, #B2BMarketing, #B2CMarketing, #ContentStrategy, #TrustEconomy, #MediaAndMarketingSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A CMO Confidential Interview with Rishad Tobaccowala, former Publicis Groupe Strategy & Growth Officer, speaker, podcast host of "What's Next," and author.Rishad discusses why marketing will thrive in an AI world, the reason all companies should systematically re-evaluate their business starting with a blank sheet of paper, and why the future will be determined by those over 65. Key topics include: - Why AI will obliterate marketing silos- The concept of managing humans, aliens and replicants- Why he's an optimist - The case for investigating if you are building a brand or executing optimization math. Tune in to hear about the concept of unbossing and a fabulous shipping container analogy. This episode is sponsored by Typeface - the agentic AI marketing platform that turns one idea into thousands of on-brand assets. Learn more: typeface.ai/cmoSubscribe for weekly episodes featuring world-class marketing leaders, board members, and C-Suite executives.⏱️ Chapters01:22 Meet Rishad Tobaccowala02:27 The Marketing Industry Is Being Rewritten by AI03:00 Why Silos (Ads, CRM, Sales) Are Breaking Down06:26 What Marketing Really Means Today08:00 Humans, AI, and Agents in the Workforce13:31 Efficiency Isn’t the Disruption—Business Models Are18:00 AI as a New Brain, Not a Tool27:00 Why People Over 65 Will Shape the Future31:00 Five Hard Truths Every Leader Must Face35:29 A Bold Prediction for Agencies by 202638:00 Final Advice: Lead with Optimism, Not Fear#CMOConfidential, #RishadTobaccowala, #MarketingLeadership, #FutureOfMarketing, #ArtificialIntelligence, #AgenticAI, #AIInMarketing, #BusinessTransformation, #DigitalStrategy, #MarketingStrategy, #BrandBuilding, #FutureOfWork, #WorkforceTransformation, #Leadership, #CMO, #EnterpriseAI, #ContentOrchestration, #MarketingInnovation, #CustomerCentricity, #MediaIndustrySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

"The Unit Economics of AI - Can Large Language Models (LLMs) Actually Make Money?"A CMO Confidential Interview with Dr. Dan McCarthy, Professor at Maryland and leading practitioner of Customer Lifetime Value (CLV). Dan shares how the CLV lens can shed light on the LLM drive to acquire customers, spend billions to improve the models, ultimately pay back investors and the potential implications on both marketers and consumers. Key topics include: - Why Gemini has a built in pricing advantage which forces all freemium offerings to be very good- Why all companies should have a “diversity of providers”- The rationale for constantly evaluating each model- Why “AI foundational knowledge” is key to generating success from both employees and students. Tune in to hear about the "customer barbell" and why you should “talk to your phone.”This episode is sponsored by Typeface - the agentic AI marketing platform that turns one idea into thousands of on-brand assets. Learn more: typeface.ai/cmoSubscribe for weekly episodes featuring world-class marketing leaders, board members, and C-Suite executives.#AIEconomics #CustomerLifetimeValue #CLV #GenerativeAI #AIBusinessModels #OpenAIEconomics #ChatGPTMonetization #AIValuation #AIUnitEconomics #InferenceCosts #AITrainingCosts #FreemiumModels #SubscriptionEconomics #SaaSProfitability #MarketingStrategy #CMOInsights #MarketingLeadership #AIForMarketers #EnterpriseAI #AIRetention #AICustomerAcquisition #LargeLanguageModels #LLMEconomics #AIAdvertising #AIRandD #FutureOfAIBusinessSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Shiv Singh, CEO of Savvy Matters and author focused on AI in marketing. He explores where AI is pushing marketing, how leadership changes when humans work with AI agents, and why marketers must make fewer, harder strategic bets. He also covers invisible failure, the end of static briefs, and the role of context graphs in remembering wins.

This week on CMO Confidential, we're revisiting our conversation with Peri Hansen from July of 2025 - this is one of our favorites with topics just as relevant to marketers today.  Peri discusses why the CMO position is becoming the vanguard of innovation, the importance of an "agile learner" mindset, and why there's no substitute for great leadership. Key topics include: how nothing "returned to normal" after COVID; the importance of org design; and why CMO's should own the entire customer life cycle and help drive company strategy. Tune in to hear why references matter more than ever and the importance of building a personal brand.  Topics Covered: • Why CMOs are being tapped to drive innovation and transformation • The post-COVID shift in org design and what it means for marketing • The importance of leadership, agility, and continuous learning • Why great references still matter in the hiring process • How CMOs can (and should) influence company-wide strategy  This episode is sponsored by Typeface - the agentic AI marketing platform that turns one idea into thousands of on-brand assets. Learn more: typeface.ai/cmo Subscribe for weekly episodes featuring world-class marketing leaders, board members, and C-Suite executives.⏱️ Chapters01:20 – Intro: The Evolving Role of the CMO01:46 – Meet Peri Hansen: Korn Ferry CMO Practice Leader02:39 – Why the CMO is Now the Vanguard of Innovation05:53 – Three New Mandates for CMOs: Tech, Strategy & Lifecycle07:05 – The CMO as a Change Agent and Team Builder09:51 – Tech CMOs Are Leading—Who’s Catching Up?12:25 – Building Tech Credibility as a Marketing Leader14:18 – “Nothing Returned to Normal” After COVID14:51 – Post-COVID Turnover: What CEOs and Boards Want Now16:07 – What’s Replacing the Traditional CMO Role?19:15 – Why Org Design Is a Top Priority in CMO Searches20:58 – How Companies Realize They Need Org Restructuring22:44 – The AI Era: Is There a Leadership Gap Forming?24:14 – What Agile Leadership Actually Looks Like25:51 – What Resumes Reveal: Pivot Points and Risk-Taking27:21 – Why References Matter More Than Ever29:09 – Final Advice: CMOs, Build Your Own Personal Brand30:53 – Wrap Up & Where to Find More CMO Confidential Content#CMOConfidential #PeriHansen @kornferryintl #ChiefMarketingOfficer #Leadership #OrgDesign #CustomerExperience #MarketingStrategy #PersonalBrand #ExecutiveSearch #CMOInsightsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A CMO Confidential Interview with Dave Penski, CEO of Connected Media, formerly CEO of Publicis Media, COO of Publicis Groupe, and CEO of ZenithOptimedia. Dave shares perspective on how clients are managing through a challenging marketplace, how there's increasing "disruption" between consumers and advertisers, and why the future of media is based on "connected identity." Key topics include: why Publicis continues to invest in tech; why 2027 will bring increased challenges for marketers; how different business verticals are impacted by "the economic K curve;" and why sports is "as AI proof as it gets." Tune in to hear why you should know your customer as precisely as possible across all media types and thoughts on the potential impacts of gambling and NIL (Name, Image and Likeness) on the golden goose of sports. Dave Penski, CEO of Publicis Media (twice over) and former COO of Publicis Groupe, returns to CMO Confidential for a wide-ranging conversation with host Mike Linton on the forces reshaping marketing, media, and the agency business in 2026. Dave offers a rare economist's-eye view across verticals — from tariffs and consumer confidence to the K-economy, AI's real (and overhyped) impact on agencies, the in-housing cycle that never quite materialized as predicted, and why 2027 may be the toughest advertising year in recent memory.Topics covered: connected identity, Publicis' $12B investment thesis, creative and engineering transformation via AI, streaming consolidation, the fragmentation of sports viewing, gambling regulation, and the one piece of career advice Dave still gives every mentee.*This episode is brought to you by Scrunch . Learn more at scrunchai.com/cmo🎙️ Host: Mike Linton — Former CMO of Best Buy, eBay, Farmers Insurance & Ancestry.com👤 Guest: Dave Penske — CEO, Publicis Media🔔 New episodes every Tuesday. Find our full catalog of 160+ episodes on YouTube, Spotify & Apple Podcasts.## ⏱️ Chapter Markers0:00 Welcome to CMO Confidential0:23 Introducing Dave Penske & Today's Topic1:13 State of the Business Marketplace: Volatility, Tariffs & Fragmentation4:40 The Agency Landscape: Publicis vs. the Competition5:23 Publicis' $12B Investment Strategy & Connected Media7:42 What "Connected Identity" Actually Means11:10 Forces on Agency Economics & Valuations13:21 Why Agency Valuations Have Taken a Hit16:48 The In-Housing Debate: 10 Years In, What's Really Happening23:55 AI & Agencies: Creative, Production & Engineering Disruption29:01 AI on the Buy Side: Faster Planning & Measurement30:20 The Hollowing Out of the Middle Class & the K-Economy34:00 2026 Marketplace Outlook: Midterms, Olympics Dollars & Risk40:21 Streaming: Paramount/Warner Brothers & the New Big Six42:37 Sports: AI-Proof, Must-See TV & the NIL Problem44:45 The Fragmented Sports Viewing Experience46:00 Gambling: Engagement Boost or Threat to the Game?48:47 What CMOs Should Be Building Now for 202750:47 Closing Advice: The One Thing Dave Still Tells Every Mentee```CMO Confidential, Mike Linton, Dave Penske, Publicis Media, agency business, media industry 2026, connected identity, Epsilon, AI in advertising, AI and agencies, in-housing, media fragmentation, advertising marketplace, K-economy, middle class economy, streaming consolidation, Paramount Warner Brothers, sports advertising, sports gambling, NIL reform, agency valuations, Publicis Groupe, media planning, marketing leadership, CMO podcast, advertising trends, tariffs and advertising, media buying, retail media, influencer marketing, Sapient, AI creative production, upfront TV, Olympic advertising, World Cup advertising, midterm elections advertising, marketing strategy 2027, chief marketing officer```See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A CMO Confidential Interview with Dave Penski, CEO of Connected Media, formerly CEO of Publicis Media, COO of Publicis Groupe, and CEO of ZenithOptimedia. Dave shares perspective on how clients are managing through a challenging marketplace, how there's increasing "disruption" between consumers and advertisers, and why the future of media is based on "connected identity." Key topics include: why Publicis continues to invest in tech; why 2027 will bring increased challenges for marketers; how different business verticals are impacted by "the economic K curve;" and why sports is "as AI proof as it gets." Tune in to hear why you should know your customer as precisely as possible across all media types and thoughts on the potential impacts of gambling and NIL (Name, Image and Likeness) on the golden goose of sports.In this episode of CMO Confidential, host Mike Linton sits down with Dave Penski, two-time CEO of Publicis Media and former COO of Publicis Groupe, for a wide-ranging conversation on the forces reshaping media, agencies, and marketing strategy. Dave offers a ground-level view from one of the largest holding companies in the world — covering everything from the fragmented ad marketplace and AI's real-world impact, to the K-economy, streaming consolidation, sports gambling risk, and what CMOs should be building toward in 2027.This episode covers:Why the current ad marketplace is volatile — and which verticals are feeling it mostPublicis's $12B+ investment thesis around connected identity (Epsilon, Mars United, influencer)The real story on agency insourcing: who wins, who loses, and what "outsourcing back out" looks likeWhere AI is actually delivering — creative production, media planning speed, and Sapient's engineering workThe K-economy, hollowing out of the middle class, and what it means for advertising spendStreaming consolidation: why the Paramount/Warner Bros. deal is a win for advertisersSports as the most AI-proof content — and why gambling regulation is a threat to the whole modelWhat CMOs should be investing in now to win in 2027New episodes of CMO Confidential drop every Tuesday. Find our full catalog of 160+ episodes on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube.TIMESTAMPED CHAPTER MARKERS0:00 - Welcome to CMO Confidential0:23 - Introducing Dave Penski, CEO of Publicis Media1:13 - State of the Business Marketplace: Volatility, Tariffs & Fragmentation4:40 - The Agency Landscape: Publicis vs. the Field5:49 - Publicis's $12B Investment Strategy & Connected Media Vision7:42 - What "Connected Identity" Actually Means (Epsilon, 255M IDs)11:35 - Agency Valuations, Margins & Who's Growing vs. Who's Cutting13:21 - The Insourcing Debate: In-House, Out-House & "Re-Housing"23:55 - AI's Real Impact on Agencies: Creative, Engineering & Media Planning30:20 - The K-Economy: Hollowing Out the Middle Class & Advertiser Confidence35:04 - The 2026 Upfront Outlook: Olympics Dollars, Midterms & What's Next40:01 - Streaming Consolidation: Paramount + Warner Bros. & the Six-Player Model42:37 - Sports as AI-Proof Content & the Fragmented Viewing Problem46:00 - Gambling: Bullish on Sports, Bearish on the Regulation Gap48:47 - CMO Advice: What to Build Now for 2027 Success50:47 - Final Advice: The Most Underrated Career Skill Is Still PunctualityTAGSCMO Confidential, Mike Linton, Dave Penski, Publicis Media, Publicis Groupe, agency business, media agency, holding company, connected identity, Epsilon, AI in marketing, AI advertising, media fragmentation, programmatic advertising, insourcing, in-house agency, agency valuations, K-economy, middle class marketing, consumer confidence, advertising marketplace, streaming consolidation, Paramount Warner Bros, sports advertising, sports media, NIL, college sports gambling, sports betting regulation, upfront market, media planning, CMO strategy, marketing leadership, CMO podcast, marketing podcast, chief marketing officer, 2027 marketing strategy, media buying, agency economics, Sapient, creative production AI, marketing AI toolsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A CMO Confidential Interview with Megan Lally, the CEO and Co-Owner of Highdive, an agency which has created more than 10 Super Bowl ads. Megan explains why you shouldn't separate brand building from AI, the risk of optimization overwhelming strategy, and the importance of having partners tell you what you need to hear. Key discussion topics include: deciding whether your brand should or shouldn't be in the Super Bowl; why it's often challenging to have a good relationship with your agency; why brands should consider skipping the pitch process; and the reason you should ask your agency "Are you doing your best work for us?" Tune in to hear why you shouldn't care about "what everyone else is wearing to the party" when judging creative and case studies on Jeep, Lays and MSC Cruises.What does your agency really want to tell you — but won't? Megan Lally, CEO and Co-owner of **High Dive**, pulls back the curtain on the client-agency relationship: why great creative gets killed before it starts, when the pitch process does more harm than good, and the two questions every CMO should be asking their agency right now.Megan shares how AI is *saving* ideas rather than replacing them (the Jeep talking-animals campaign), why State Farm became the #1 consumer brand in 2025 by outperforming competitors who outspend them, what makes the Super Bowl worth it (and when it isn't), and why blending in with your competitors is the costliest marketing decision you can make.This episode is hosted by Mike Linton — former CMO of Best Buy, eBay, Farmers Insurance, and Ancestry.com.---🎙️ **This episode is sponsored by Scrunch** — the agent experience platform that helps your brand show up when consumers start with AI. Get a free website audit at **scrunch.com/cmo**--- Chapter Markers```0:00 - Intro & Sponsor: Scrunch1:24 - Meet Megan Lally, CEO of High Dive2:16 - AI vs. Brand Building: Why It's a False Choice5:04 - How AI Saved the Jeep Talking Animals Campaign8:00 - Why Marketing Is Still Treated as a Cost, Not an Investment9:17 - State Farm, Batman, and Measuring Breakthrough Creative11:33 - Super Bowl Strategy: Who Should (and Shouldn't) Be There13:32 - B2B Brands and the Super Bowl15:00 - What Makes Great Agency-Client Relationships16:22 - Why Radical Candor Is So Hard in Practice18:27 - How to Deliver Hard Truths Without Blowing Up the Room19:47 - Testing Chemistry During the Pitch Process22:28 - Why Clients Should Skip the Traditional Pitch24:33 - How Agency Search Consultants Can Help (or Hurt)25:49 - One Thing to Do This Year to Improve Your Agency Relationship26:37 - The "One Thing" Rule: The Lay's Super Bowl Example28:17 - Final Advice: Two Questions to Ask Your Agency Now30:27 - Funny Story: The Cheese That Won Jeep32:03 - Closing & Show Recommendations```--- TagsCMO Confidential, Megan Lally, High Dive Agency, Mike Linton, Chief Marketing Officer, agency client relationship, creative agency, brand building, AI and marketing, Super Bowl advertising, Jeep campaign, State Farm marketing, Lays Super Bowl ad, independent creative agency, breakthrough creative, marketing strategy, CMO podcast, how to work with an agency, agency pitch process, radical candor marketing, B2B marketing, marketing ROI, brand investment, marketing leadership, performance marketing vs brand, Scrunch, agent experience platform`See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A CMO Confidential Interview with Richard Sanderson, the Marketing, Sales and Communications Practice Leader at Spencer Stuart. Richard's topline - Shorter Tenures, Brighter Futures - with tenure stable at 4.1 years, nearly 2/3 of CMO's moving for similar or better positions, an increase in promotions from within, and marketers under pressure to produce AI results. Key topics include: the challenge of developing a broad skill set in a market focused on specialization; why 2026 is the "show me the money year for AI;" and how marketers and search firms are adopting when there's "no obvious playbook." Tune in to hear why you should be prepared to explain how you use AI in your personal life. What does the data actually say about CMO tenure, AI's impact on marketing teams, and whether your job is safe? Richard Sanderson, who leads the Marketing, Communications & Sales practice at Spencer Stuart, returns for his fifth appearance on CMO Confidential to break down two major studies: Spencer Stuart's 25-year CMO tenure survey and a new proprietary AI impact study of 100 CMOs.The data may surprise you — and some of it should concern you.---*This episode is brought to you by  @ScrunchAI  ---🎙️ Host: Mike Linton, former CMO of Best Buy, eBay, Farmers Insurance & Ancestry.com👤 Guest: Richard Sanderson, Spencer Stuart – Marketing, Communications & Sales Practice Leader---**CHAPTERS:**0:00 – Introduction & Richard Sanderson Background1:07 – Two Studies: CMO Tenure & AI Impact3:00 – CMO Tenure Overview: Shorter Tenures, Brighter Futures4:38 – Average CMO Tenure vs. The C-Suite5:55 – Where CMOs Go After They Leave6:36 – The CMO-Plus Role: CRO, CCO & Evolving Titles9:00 – Insider vs. Outsider Hiring & Succession Planning12:28 – AI Study: Marketers See 2026 as Make-or-Break13:18 – Headcount Cuts: Past vs. What's Coming14:20 – Efficiency Targets at the Largest Companies16:21 – CMOs in the Messy Middle17:18 – Where Teams Stand on the AI Adoption Journey18:29 – Who's Leading AI Strategy Inside Companies20:25 – Impact on Career Development & Future Marketing Leaders21:30 – How Job Descriptions Are Being Rewritten for AI23:32 – No Playbook: Learning as You Go24:14 – Brand Trust & the Risks of AI-First Advertising26:00 – Takeaways: What to Do Now28:01 – Ostriches vs. Wolves — Which One Are You?29:46 – Practical Advice: Treating AI Agents Like New Hires---**TAGS:**CMO Confidential, Mike Linton, Richard Sanderson, Spencer Stuart, CMO tenure, chief marketing officer, CMO survey, AI and marketing, marketing leadership, AI impact on jobs, marketing jobs 2026, CMO career, B2B marketing, marketing strategy, AI agents, marketing teams, headcount reduction, marketing executive, C-suite leadership, AI adoption, brand trust, marketing talent, CMO role evolution, chief revenue officer, chief customer officer, marketing podcast, AI in the workplace, marketing 2026, executive leadership, Spencer Stuart CMO surveySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.