The CMO Podcast

David Aaker, known as the 'Father of Modern Branding', teams up with cultural expert Marcus Collins for a masterclass in brand-led leadership. They explore the transformative power of Aaker's five B's framework and warn against the pitfalls of short-term thinking. Collins emphasizes the importance of cultural relevance and ideology in branding, highlighting Nike's impact. The duo advocates for integrating brand strategy with business, urging leaders to prioritize brand values for sustained growth. Great brands, they assert, do more than sell—they lead.

In this engaging discussion, Chris Brandt, President and Chief Brand Officer of Chipotle Mexican Grill, shares his journey in transforming Chipotle into a purpose-driven lifestyle brand since 2018. He delves into the importance of innovation and storytelling while leading through industry headwinds. Chris also describes how employee-driven creativity enhances authenticity in campaigns and expands on the brand's Food with Integrity philosophy. His insights on balancing rapid execution with thoughtful strategy make for a captivating listen for marketers and food enthusiasts alike.

Brand building or performance? TV or TikTok? Data or gut? Every marketer wrestles with how to spend smarter, not just more.In the seventh episode of The Brand Builder’s Playbook, hosts Jim Stengel and Ryan Barker, along with guest co-host Kate Lamberton, dig into the art and science of the marketing mix. They explore how brands can cut waste, make every dollar work harder, and balance the short-term demand for results with the long-term need for brand strengthJoining the conversation is Damon Berger, Head of Consumer Digital Engagement at Gap Inc., who shares his perspective on building a culture that embraces both measurement and creativity. From MMM (marketing mix modeling) to cultural relevance, Damon breaks down how Gap is revitalizing iconic brands by staying true to their DNA while staying agile in a fast-changing marketThe takeaway: when you put the consumer at the center, smart spending isn’t about choosing between brand and performance…it’s about making both work harder together.—Download this week’s worksheet: https://bit.ly/3JI5FdVRead about upcoming episode topics and guests here: https://bera.ai/podcast/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Laura Knebusch, Senior VP of CPG Marketing at Georgia-Pacific, dives into the vital role of staying calm under pressure in marketing. She emphasizes the importance of adaptability and continuous learning in an ever-evolving digital landscape. Laura shares insights on transforming marketing into a consumer experience through data-driven strategies and analytics. She also discusses innovative campaigns for Brawny and Angel Soft, highlighting their relevance in today's culture. Lastly, she reflects on her journey from Procter & Gamble to leading change at Georgia-Pacific.

What do LEGO, Megan Thee Stallion, and a Ford Mustang have in common? They’re all proof that the right partnership can supercharge a brand.In the sixth episode of The Brand Builder’s Playbook, hosts Jim Stengel and Ryan Barker, joined by guest co-host Lindsey Wehking, explore why not all partnerships deliver equal value…some enhance brand equity, while others can dilute it.This week’s guest is Kristen D’Arcy, Chief Marketing Officer and Head of Digital Growth at True Religion, who unpacks how collaborations and partnerships drive growth, cultural relevance, and long-term brand equity. From bold campaigns with Megan Thee Stallion to unexpected collabs with Ford, True Religion demonstrates how math, magic, and cultural insight come together to keep a brand not just alive, but thriving.Kristen shares the playbook behind building a culture of collaboration inside the marketing team, tapping into subcultures that matter, and designing partnerships that actually move the needle.Bottom line: when you know your customer and lean into culture, partnerships don’t just create moments, they create momentum.—Download this week’s worksheet: https://bit.ly/47oVdBaRead about upcoming episode topics and guests here: https://bera.ai/podcast/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If you are Canadian, and you hear the words Tim Hortons, you conjure up a wide and deep range of emotions. Few brands inspire the kind of passion that Tim Hortons does in Canada. With nearly 6,000 restaurants in 22 countries, the 60-year-old brand continues to grow like a startup while holding a special place in Canadian culture. In this week's episode of The CMO Podcast, Jim sits down with Hope Bagozzi, Chief Marketing Officer of Tim Hortons, to discuss what it takes to steward such an iconic brand.From her early career in psychology and executive recruiting in New Zealand, to 15 years at McDonald’s Canada, to now leading marketing at Tims, Hope brings a unique perspective on brand storytelling and customer connection. Recorded as part of the Next Gen CMO Academy at Deloitte University, this conversation explores the emotional power of brands, sustaining growth across decades, and the art of keeping a beloved brand fresh.---This week's episode is brought to you by Deloitte.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Every CMO faces the same question: how do you balance long-term brand equity with short-term performance marketing?In the fifth episode of The Brand Builder’s Playbook, hosts Jim Stengel and Ryan Barker, along with guest co-host Lindsey Wehking, tackle one of the most heated debates in modern marketing: brand versus performance. Is short-term activation enough, or does long-term brand building ultimately win?This week’s guest is Andrea Brimmer, Chief Marketing and PR Officer at Ally, who has spent nearly two decades transforming Ally from a regional bank into one of America’s most admired challenger brands. Andrea shares the inside story of launching the Ally brand, driving growth through bold, customer-centric marketing, and proving that financial services can stand for transparency and trust. The conversation explores how to build brands people truly love, balance creativity with measurable results, and use brand purpose as a competitive advantage.“We have to stop calling it brand versus performance. It’s demand generation and demand capture. And you can’t have one without the other.” — Andrea BrimmerIf you’ve ever wondered how to build a brand that punches above its weight, Andrea’s playbook is one you won’t want to miss.—Download this week’s worksheet: https://bit.ly/4hFTZ7WRead about upcoming episode topics and guests here: https://bera.ai/podcast/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A repeated theme on this show is the goal of a well-lived life, and one of the ways Jim aims to live well is through working out. Moving your body, building strength, and finding balance are essential to living fully. Our guest this week on The CMO Podcast  is helping millions of people do exactly that through one of the most ambitious brand transformations in the industry.Nicholas “Nic” Berglund is the Senior Vice President and Chief Creative Officer of Life Time, the company redefining what it means to be a fitness brand. Under Nic’s creative leadership, Life Time has evolved from a gym chain into a “luxury wellness country club,” with more than 225 destinations across North America and a market cap near $3 billion. Before joining Life Time, Nic shaped campaigns for major brands like Cadillac, PepsiCo, and Gap, and even launched his own wellness venture. So tune in for our final episode captured at the Best Buy Studios, where Jim chats with a creative leader who starts the day off with a good workout. ---This week's episode is brought to you by Best Buy Ads.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raja Rajamannar, the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer of Mastercard, shares insights on quantifying brand ROI. He explores the critical link between creative storytelling and measurable growth, detailing a three-dimensional framework focused on brand strength, business growth, and competitive advantage. Raja discusses the importance of transparency with CFOs and the board, particularly during downturns, and how purpose-driven campaigns can boost profits while making a social impact. His advice to CMOs emphasizes the need to speak the financial language and involve the entire organization in marketing.

If you live in Minnesota, you know there are two things that keep you going through the long winters: a good pair of boots, and a great cup of coffee. For years, that coffee often came from Caribou, where Jim's guest this week, Erin Newkirk, most recently served as Chief Brand & Marketing Officer, helping guide a beloved global coffeehouse with more than 850 locations across 11 countries. Erin left Caribou coffee shortly after we recorded this show to start her own training & coaching company.Erin’s story stretches far beyond coffee. Her career spans Fortune 500s, startups, coaching, and everything in between, always with the same ambition: to build brands, businesses, and breakthroughs that spark movements people can feel. She began her career at the test-prep company Kaplan, earned her MBA from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business, and honed her brand chops at General Mills, shaping icons like Cheerios and Pillsbury. Then she leapt into entrepreneurship, founding Red Stamp, a mobile-first lifestyle brand that reimagined personal connection and scaled to millions before it was acquired. Today, Erin brings that same energy to her work as an advisor and board member. partnering with founders, executives, and mission-driven ventures including ModernWell, Omnia Fishing, and TurnSignl, an award-winning service providing 24/7 real-time legal assistance.Recorded in person at the Best Buy Studios in Minneapolis, here is Jim's conversation with the leader who believes in grounding herself each day—and helping others grow along the way.---This week's episode is brought to you by Best Buy Ads.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.