CMOs Share What They Are Grateful For

Marketing is going through a tremendous growth. The

possibilities introduced by technology are manifold. In an effort to keep up, we can, at

times, lose sight of why these changes make our industry so

exciting. Here, more than a dozen leading CMOs share what they are

most grateful for.

The Value of Content“I’m grateful we are now making content an important part of the larger marketing process. It gives us freedom from pricey media buys, creates meaningful and helpful conversations with our customers, builds trust and authority, and shows positive ROI.” 

Dee Mc Laughlin

VP Global MarketingForever 21

@deemclaughlin

Great Producers“I am grateful for great producers—people who

know how to curate a great experience and can

tell a good story. Every CSMO needs a great

producer! Best hiring decision you will make!”Peggy Roe

Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, Asia PacificMarriott International@PeggyRoe1

Leading Change“I'm most grateful for the team I have the privilege to lead in this time of exhilarating change...change not only in the tools and technology available to marketers to serve clients, but also in the amazing pace of change in the communications industry that Level 3 helps to lead.”

Anthony Christie

CMO Level 3

Communications@ADCCMO

Innovative Approaches“That design thinking—

the integrated approach to innovation—became

more pervasive in the way we approach work.

 We are faster and the ideas are better.” 

Norman de GreveCMOCVS Health@ndgreve

A Powerful Mission“I am most grateful to work for a company with a mission that is focused on empowering women to reach their limitless potential through fitness, especially when it comes to our company culture. Athleta strives to help employees balance an active life with a fulfilling career, which is something I am incredibly thankful for as a busy mother, wife, marketer and fitness enthusiast.” 

Elisabeth Charles

SVP/CMO, Marketing & Customer

EngagementAthleta

@ebcharles1

Transforming an Industry“I am thankful that more of my

smart marketing friends are moving into the health care

arena because it is an industry ripe for change and we need

more consumer- and technology-experienced

marketers to help lead this transformation.”

Carol KruseCMOCambia Health Solutions

Customer Trust“Every day I am very grateful for the trust of our 3 million worldwide customers who rely on Sage to track the movement of money through their businesses. In an era of hyper-connectivity and sophisticated, data-driven decision making, trust is still the main currency of marketing and the key to customers for life.” 

Santiago Solanas

CMOSage

@santiagosolanas

A Will to Win“I am grateful for

teammates who want to win. A willingness to take

risks to ultimately provide our customers with better

content, stronger experiences and greater

value are a marketer’s dream.” Andy Yost

CMOGannett@atyost

Focus on Stories“I am thankful for a resurgent focus on the core story, the brand essence, and the alignment of social media platforms to support that story. With the abundance of new tools, a major challenge for marketers is to remain focused on the story and avoid becoming enamored by the medium, diluting the brand story the process.” 

Catherine KeoghVP, CMO

Alltech

Content Marketing Tools“I am grateful for our

awards and for how the rise of content marketing

is enabling us to reimagine how to share over 250,000

stories about works of art in our collection in

innovative and creative ways.”  

Jennifer FrancisExecutive Director of Marketing and CommunicationsPhiladelphia Museum of Art@prjenni

Creative Solutions and Inspirational Colleagues“The opportunity to bring new ideas to market everyday which in turns helps our clients succeed. I am thankful for living in such a changeable new world that presents such challenges and opportunities for new ways to connect with customers and people. And I am most thankful for the great people I do this with.” 

Terese Fernandez

CMOWolters Kluwer | CT

Lien Solutions

Healthy Client Relationships“I am grateful for clients that view our firm as understanding not just their legal issues but also their business. While much of marketing today is focused on technology, it really comes down to whether an investment has been made in building a trusting, understanding relationship between people.”  

Renee Miller-Mizia

CMODechert

People Power“I remain thankful that we have people that are pushing us to think differently and create solutions that take the higher ground into consideration, particularly around experience.” 

June ArcherEVP and CMOHackensack University Health Network@JuneMArcher

Focus on Customers“I'm thankful for the evolution of the concept of "brand." Marketers have long had the job and privilege of being the voice of the customer. As the concept of "brand" continues to evolve from words and pictures to brand experiences, the focus is put firmly back on the customer and making his or her journey delightful and simple.” Margaret Molloy

Global CMO Siegel+Gale

@MargaretMolloy

A version of this piece appeared in CMO.com.

Margaret Molloy is the Chief Marketing Officer at Siegel+Gale, a leading strategic branding and design firm.

Follow @MargaretMolloy