Lead with Heart, Scale with AI: Bruce Hershey on Modern Marketing

My guest this week is making his second appearance on the CMO Whisperer podcast, and for good reason. He’s a CMO who’s helped Fortune 500 companies, startups, and even a scratch-made pizza shop break through the noise. He’s driven $350 million in revenue from one campaign. He’s sparked 45% growth in online grocery and built brands that lead with meaning and scale with precision. With over 25 years in the game, Bruce Hershey isn’t just a marketer—he’s a builder, a breaker, and someone who’s redefining what it means to be a CMO. Bruce brings a rare mix of creative courage and operational discipline. But more than that, to me personally, he’s a friend and a mentor—someone I continue to learn from every time we talk, including right now. He’s back to share what’s working, what’s next, and how we lead with heart in an algorithmic world. And while he’s never one to brag, let’s just say any company looking to level up should be paying close attention—because Bruce is more than ready for whatever’s next. And it’s going to be big.