
Building Better CMOs and Marketing Leaders
Marketing leaders are facing constant new challenges. If you want to stay ahead of the curve, listen to Building Better CMOs, from the nonprofit thinktank MMA Global. It's a podcast about the future of marketing and how marketers can get smarter & stronger, hosted by MMA CEO Greg Stuart. Greg interviews some of the wisest and most successful CMOs in the business, who share crucial insights about what their industry gets wrong, how to get to the C-Suite, and how to unlock the true power of marketing. You'll gain a deeper understanding of the evolving purpose of marketing leaders, and learn actionable strategies to overcome obstacles.Produced by LightningPod.fm. For transcripts and more, visit bettercmos.com
Latest episodes

Oct 16, 2024 • 52min
Allyson Witherspoon, Global CMO of Nissan: Creativity is Queen
Full transcriptAutomotive marketing is fiercely competitive, and even though she's excited about the potential of AI, Nissan's Global CMO Allyson Witherspoon says an over-reliance on technology could be dangerous. She believes the safer bet is to continue to embrace creativity and a strong brand identity, even in an era dominated by AI and data-driven tools."If everyone is using AI and the data set is the same for everyone, then what's going to be differentiated?" she asks.Today on Building Better CMOs, Allyson talks with MMA Global CEO Greg Stuart about how she adapted her leadership style for a Japanese team, the art of impactful messaging, and the importance of flexibility in the workplace. They also explore how marketers can better communicate their value within organizations and why listening is a crucial and sometimes difficult skill to develop.Follow or subscribe to Building Better CMOsRate & review the podcastLinks:
Allyson's LinkedIn
Greg's LinkedIn
This episode was produced and edited by Eric Johnson from LightningPod.fm.

Oct 2, 2024 • 1h 3min
Manolo Arroyo, Global CMO of Coca-Cola: What Kind of Leader Are You?
Full transcriptManolo Arroyo, EVP and global CMO of the Coca-Cola Company, believes there are three types of leaders: One type lacks confidence in themselves and frequently changes the strategy; another buys time for themselves by changing the team around them; and the third decides to commit to the strategy and the team and get the work done."[They] roll up their sleeves, having the confidence that the strategy is the right one," he says. "The team fundamentally is the same. It might not be perfect, but they're willing to roll up their sleeves and build the capabilities together and go through whatever it takes to learn every day and continue to encourage and inspire the teams to go faster."Today on Building Better CMOs, Manolo talks with MMA Global CEO Greg Stuart about leveraging AI for brand innovation and the importance of personal well-being for peak performance. He shares insights on the evolving landscape of marketing measurement, and highlights Coca-Cola's enduring Olympic partnership, aligning with the brand's values and global reach.Follow or subscribe to Building Better CMOsRate & review the podcastLinks:
Manolo's LinkedIn
Greg's LinkedIn
This episode was produced and edited by Eric Johnson from LightningPod.fm.

Jun 12, 2024 • 60min
Andy Rebhun, Chief Experience Officer of Cava: Bring the Weather
Andy Rebhun, Cava's Chief Experience Officer, discusses the importance of authentic customer interactions and leadership strategies. He emphasizes the value of positive team environments and balancing accountability with optimism. The podcast delves into marketing challenges in the restaurant industry, the introduction of new menu items, and the significance of brand authenticity in engaging customers.

8 snips
May 15, 2024 • 54min
Linda Boff, Global CMO at GE: Servant of Purpose
Global CMO at GE, Linda Boff, discusses the company's Purpose, importance of storytelling, and communicating with the C-Suite. Talks about punching above weight with small teams, making B2B exciting, and separating stories from facts in marketing.

13 snips
May 1, 2024 • 49min
Charisse Hughes, Chief Growth Officer at Kellanova: Evolution of the CMO
Charisse Hughes, Chief Growth Officer at Kellanova, discusses the importance of communicating marketing impact within organizations and the value of long-term brand equity. She explores the evolution of the CMO role, the differences between a CMO and Chief Growth Officer, and the challenges in proving campaign efficacy. The podcast also touches on brand valuation, career pivots, and navigating marketing roles for career growth.

11 snips
Apr 26, 2024 • 34min
Michelle Crossan-Matos, CMO of Ulta Beauty: Visionary and Operator
Ulta Beauty CMO Michelle Crossan-Matos shares insights on being a visionary and operator in marketing. She discusses balancing the strategic vision with daily operations, her unconventional path to the C-Suite, managing loyalty programs, and the importance of experiencing retail. The conversation with Greg Stuart also touches on preparing for unexpected scenarios like COVID.

Mar 6, 2024 • 1h 1min
Andrea Zaretsky, CMO of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management and E*TRADE: Can You Measure Customer Experience?
Andrea Zaretsky, CMO of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management and E*TRADE, discusses the importance of measuring marketing effectiveness, working with non-native marketers, and the impact of customer experience on business results. She also reveals insights on the iconic E*TRADE baby ads and the three key strategies companies can implement to improve measurement.

Feb 21, 2024 • 1h
Leslie Sims, CMO of Impossible Foods: Remember the Human
Leslie Sims, CMO of Impossible Foods, discusses the challenges of marketing plant-based foods and the importance of emotional connections in advertising. She shares insights on navigating internal hesitation, unleashing creativity in marketing, and crafting engaging strategies. The podcast also touches on the complexity of branding, the power of the Super Bowl in marketing, and the need for marketers to always remember the human element in their work.

Feb 7, 2024 • 28min
Nudge Theory with Rory Sutherland on "Stories and Strategies"
Vice Chairman at Ogilvy UK, Rory Sutherland, discusses nudge theory and behavioral economics with host Doug Downs. They explore the application of nudges in everyday scenarios, the effectiveness of nudge theory in government decision-making, and the dark side of manipulative survey questions.

Jan 24, 2024 • 53min
Kellie Richter, CMO of First Command Financial Services: Marketing a Mission
Kellie Richter, CMO of First Command Financial Services, discusses marketing a mission, responding to feedback, and the importance of client experience on the Building Better CMOs podcast. She talks about the accountability that comes with her title, the motivations behind First Command's mission, and why some of the best marketers are at Trader Joe's. The podcast also explores the financial challenges military families face during government shutdowns.