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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