Uncensored CMO Confessions of a CMO with Mark Ritson
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Jan 22, 2026 
Mark Ritson, a renowned marketing professor, joins the discussion to unpack insights from the Confessions of a CMO report. He emphasizes that the CMO role is evolving rather than disappearing and introduces the playful 'changing the M' framework. The conversation touches on the importance of combining data with storytelling, navigating company politics, and balancing emotion with facts to resonate with stakeholders. Ritson highlights the need for CMOs to not only serve as Chief Mood Officers but also articulate the company’s purpose in a data-driven world.
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Cannes Rant Sparked The Podcast
- Mark Ritson tells how an uncensored Cannes interview inspired the Uncensored CMO idea.
- Being candid on the beach after his second firing sparked the podcast concept.
The CMO Tenure Myth Debunked
- CMO tenure is not collapsing; it rose to 4.3 years post-COVID.
- Short averages hide a bimodal distribution of high performers and quick failures.
CMOs Are The Customer's Voice
- CMOs must disturb false internal stability to bring the customer's voice into decisions.
- Representing the customer in the boardroom is the primary marketing duty.
