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PODCAST · business

How to Grow a CMO

by The Marketing Practice

What does it take to be a successful B2B CMO in today’s ever more complex world? In this podcast, we speak to B2B marketing leaders to understand the skills, experience, and leadership needed to make a successful CMO. What’s the right blend of science and art? How do you keep the C-Suite happy? How do you balance short-term and long-term? And how do you inspire the CMO’s of the future? We’ll be answering these questions and much more, as we discover how to grow a CMO.

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Episodes

  1. Amy Messano, CMO at Thomson Reuters: Listening, reinvention, and trusted innovation

    On this episode of How to Grow a CMO, host Alastair Hussain is joined by Amy Messano, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Thomson Reuters. Amy reflects on her free-range childhood in Michigan, where independence, imagination and learning through failure shaped her outlook. She also...

  2. Abby Gabriel, CMO, North America, at Schneider Electric: Mission-led leadership, business partnership, and breaking mental ceilings

    On this episode of How to Grow a CMO, host Alastair Hussain is joined by Abby Gabriel, Chief Marketing Officer, North America at Schneider Electric. Abby reflects on how her parents taught her to set ambitious goals and work towards them, and how a university professor’s blunt criticism…

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  3. David Crozier, CMO at Appian: Simplicity, storytelling, and customer connection

    On this episode of How to Grow a CMO, host Alastair Hussain is joined by David Crozier, Chief Marketing Officer at Appian. David reflects on growing up in Sunderland during a period of industrial decline, and how watching his father work as a welder shaped his understanding of hard work,...

  4. Anthony Pappas, CMO at DXC Technology: Creative roots, collaboration, and courageous leadership

    On this episode of How to Grow a CMO, host Alastair Hussain is joined by Anthony Pappas, Chief Marketing Officer at DXC Technology. Anthony reflects on growing up in New York City surrounded by art, film and music, and how playing baseball taught him discipline, teamwork and the importance of...

  5. Antonia Wade, Global CMO at PwC: Commerciality, pragmatism, and transformation

    On this episode of How to Grow a CMO, host Alastair Hussain is joined by Antonia Wade, Global Chief Marketing Officer at PwC. Antonia reflects on the perspective and values she gained from her father, the importance of doing what you say you will do, and why leaders must support the human as well...

  6. Michael Atalla, CMO at UiPath: Technology, humanity, and AI adoption

    On this episode of How to Grow a CMO, host Alastair Hussain is joined by Michael Atalla, Chief Marketing Officer at UiPath. Michael reflects on how his father’s career in engineering sparked an early fascination with technology, from creating stories on a Macintosh computer to teaching himself to...

  7. Michelle Cooper, CMO at NiCE: Adaptability, customer focus, and AI transformation

    On this episode of How to Grow a CMO, host Alastair Hussain is joined by Michelle Cooper, CMO at NiCE. Michelle reflects on growing up in a military family, moving between cities, schools and countries, and how that early exposure to change shaped her adaptability and confidence as a leader. She...

  8. Mark Abramowitz, CMO at Dataiku: Global perspectives, people-first leadership, and AI

    Mark’s outlook on leadership was shaped by an international upbringing and a career that placed him at the centre of some of the biggest shifts in enterprise technology, from the rise of cloud computing at Salesforce to the AI revolution at ServiceNow. In their conversation, he reflects on how...

  9. Joe Taiano, CMO at RSM US LLP: Business fluency, being understood, and change

    On this episode of How to Grow a CMO, host Alastair Hussain is joined by Joe Taiano, Chief Marketing Officer at RSM US LLP. In their conversation, he reflects on the lessons he learned from his parents, how growing up gay encouraged him to become deeply introspective, and why his father's...

  10. Erin Gabrielson, CMO at IBM: Curiosity, confidence, and sales alignment

    On this episode of How to Grow a CMO, host Alastair Hussain is joined by Erin Gabrielson, CMO of Americas at IBM. Erin’s path to marketing leadership was shaped as much by team sports and family values as it was by her corporate career. In their conversation, she reflects on the lessons she…

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  11. Part 2: Zscaler & JFrog

    Standing out in a market that won’t sit still. Part 2 picks up the pace. Recorded live at RSAC, this half of the conversation gets into the work itself. Topics range from what makes cybersecurity marketing hard, what makes it exciting, and why so much of the job now sits in the tension between...

  12. Part 1: Zscaler & JFrog

    Curiosity, grit, and the mindset to build. Recorded live at RSAC, this conversation starts in a familiar place for the podcast, not with strategy, but with the instincts that shape how people lead. Listen to Part 1 for a grounded look at the traits that shape modern marketing leaders and why they...

  13. Part 2: Live Panel: Okta, Check Point, Crowdstrike, Datadog

    How cybersecurity CMOs cut through the noise The second half of the panel shifts gears. Less about background, more about the reality of the job right now. And it’s not straightforward. Host Alastair Hussain interviews: Jennifer Johnson (CMO at CrowdStrike) Sara Varni (CMO at Datadog) Brett…

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  14. Part 1: Live Panel: Okta, Check Point, CrowdStrike, Datadog

    The making of a modern CMO There’s something different about hearing four CMOs in one room, live, talking less about marketing and more about how they got there. This first session from RSAC leans into the human side of leadership. Before the frameworks and strategy, it’s about what shapes how...

  15. The state of the cybersecurity market: opportunity in uncertainty

    Tom Giles, Senior Executive Editor, Global Technology, Bloomberg News kicks off the How to Grow a CMO cyber mini-series, from tmp. Recorded live at RSAC, this opening conversation sets the tone for everything that follows. The headline? Cybersecurity is growing but not without friction. As...

  16. How to Grow a CMO: Live in London 

    In this special live edition of How to Grow a CMO, host Ali Hussain (Chief Strategy Officer at tmp) sits down with four standout marketing leaders for a wide-ranging conversation on career growth, the evolving role of marketing, and the power of humanity in an era of AI. Joining the panel…

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  17. Live in San Francisco

    In the first ever live edition of How to Grow a CMO, we bring together four heavyweight marketing leaders to unpack career journeys, the realities of modern B2B marketing, and how to survive (and improve) annual planning season. Host Alastair Hussain interviews: Carolyn Henry - most recently...

  18. Jean Lawrence – CMO, Nokia Cloud & Network Services - Part 2

    In part two of our conversation with Jean Lawrence, CMO at Nokia Cloud & Network Services, we focus on her career journey and marketing philosophy—from learning the ropes at startups to leading global teams at Motorola, Oracle, and now Nokia. Jean shares how an MBA at Kellogg shaped her…

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  19. Jean Lawrence – CMO, Nokia Cloud & Network Services - Part 1 

    In Part 1 of our conversation with Jean Lawrence, CMO of Cloud & Network Services at Nokia, we explore the early forces that shaped her - growing up in a tight-knit Chicago family, inventing games before screens took over, and following in the footsteps of her MBA-trained father… who also…

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  20. Dave Carrel – Global CMO, Thomson Reuters - Part 2 

    In Part 2 of our conversation with Dave Carrel, Global CMO at Thomson Reuters, we explore what it takes to lead in a company at an inflection point. Dave shares how his early days teaching himself HTML mirror today’s challenge of mastering AI, and why staying close to the work still matters—even…

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  21. David Carrel – Global CMO, Thomson Reuters - Part 1 

    In Part 1 of our conversation with Dave Carrel, Global CMO at Thomson Reuters, we rewind to the early influences that shaped his leadership style—from growing up in a competitive, creative household in Buffalo to tournament pickleball in Seattle. Dave shares how becoming a parent made him more...

  22. John Watton - CMO LettsGroup - Part 2

    In Part 2 of our conversation with John Watton, senior B2B marketing leader, we explore the evolving demands of the modern CMO. John shares why breaking down silos between brand and demand is critical, how to speak the language of business (not just marketing), and why KPIs must be both practical...

  23. Art, Science & Synths: John Watton on Curiosity, Culture and the Making of a Marketer | Part 1

    In Part 1 of our conversation with John Watton, senior B2B marketing leader and seasoned CMO, we trace his unconventional path from soldering circuit boards in Cardiff to leading marketing teams at global tech companies. John shares how a love of science fiction, prog rock and analogue synths...

  24. Coherence, Trust & the New Commerce Playbook: Brendan McCarthy on Leading with Purpose | Part 2

    In Part 2 of our conversation with Brendan McCarthy, CMO at Criteo, we shift focus to the practical side of leadership—team dynamics, market positioning, and navigating industry hype cycles. Brendan explains why coherence across communications and marketing is non-negotiable, how trust is the...

  25. Heart First: Brendan McCarthy on Leadership, Punk Rock, and the Path to CMO | Part 1 

    In Part 1 of our conversation with Brendan McCarthy, CMO at Criteo, we explore the early influences that shaped his career—from a pivotal internship and a gifted copy of The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, to a teenage love of punk rock and noir fiction. Brendan reflects on the power of...

  26. The Market Maker: Anna Griffin on Challenger Thinking, Bold Campaigns & Strategic Reframing | Part 2 

    In Part 2 of our conversation with Anna Griffin, Chief Market Officer at Commvault, we dig into her fearless approach to B2B marketing—from launching a head-turning “Cisco Energy Tax” campaign during Hurricane Katrina, to redefining what it means to lead marketing with strategy, not just…

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  27. Roots and Risk: Anna Griffin on Creativity, Courage and the Power of One Idea | Part 1

    In Part 1 of our conversation with Anna Griffin, CMO at Commvault, we trace her journey from a family-run garden centre in rural North Carolina to marketing roles at global brands like Apple and Royal Caribbean. Anna shares how early lessons in small-town marketing shaped her creative instincts,...

  28. Creative Grit: Sally Croft on Advocacy, Bold Moves & B2B That Matters | Part 2 

    In Part 2 of our chat with Sally Croft, CMO Europe & LATAM at Ericsson, we explore her strategic mindset and bold approach to B2B marketing. Sally shares how curiosity and constraint have shaped her campaigns—from using Teslas to unconference an engineering event, to rethinking ROI for...

  29. Breaking Barriers: Sally Croft’s Journey from Teenage Mum to Global CMO | Part 1

    In Part 1 of our conversation with Sally Croft, CMO Europe & LATAM at Ericsson, we dive into her extraordinary personal journey—from growing up in a working-class family outside London, to becoming a teenage mum at university, and ultimately rising to the top of the marketing world. Sally shares...

  30. Engineering Growth: Caroline Burger’s Blueprint for Modern Marketing I Part 2

    In Part 2 of our conversation with Caroline Burger, CMO at GlobalLogic, we explore her approach to marketing in a complex digital ecosystem. Caroline shares insights on sales-marketing alignment, talent-driven strategies, and how GlobalLogic navigates the Hitachi brand network. She offers…

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  31. From Direct Mail to C-Suite: Caroline Burger’s Journey in Marketing I Part 1 

    In this episode, we dive into the vibrant story of Caroline Burger, CMO at GlobalLogic. Caroline shares her unique path in marketing, shaped by family roots in direct mail and small business ownership. She reflects on early lessons from her grandfather—author of the seminal Direct Marketing—and…

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  32. Chris Koehler is done playing it safe | Part 2

    Alastair Hussain⁠ welcomes back ⁠Chris Koehler⁠, CMO at Twilio, for the second half of their two-part conversation. In this episode, Chris and Ali discuss how to shift from talking about point solutions to telling a platform story, their shared passion for pricing, slaying the attribution dragon,...

  33. Chris Koehler: the CMO who watched rockets from his rooftop | Chris Koehler, CMO, Twilio | Part 1

    This week on How to Grow a CMO, ⁠Alastair Hussain⁠ sits down with ⁠Chris Koehler⁠, CMO at Twilio, for part one of a two-part conversation. Chris reflects on his early aspirations, from childhood dreams of becoming an astronaut, to excelling in soccer. He shares how influential mentors have been…

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  34. Building teams with the right mentality | Aruna Ravichandran | CMO, Webex by Cisco 

    On this episode of How to Grow a CMO, host Alastair Hussain is joined by Aruna Ravichandran, CMO at Webex by Cisco. Aruna transitioned from a successful engineering career to marketing, driven by a passion for understanding customer needs and the creative aspects of the discipline. In their...

  35. The importance of curiosity and collaboration | Unnikrishnan KP | CMO, Palo Alto Networks 

    On this episode of How to Grow a CMO, host Alastair Hussain is joined by Unnikrishnan KP, CMO at Palo Alto Networks. In a wide-ranging conversation, Unni and Ali discuss how to make sectors like cybersecurity more relatable and engaging (with some help from Keanu Reeves). Unni also emphasizes the...

  36. Remembering the ‘why’ of marketing | Claire Hockin | CMO, Splunk

    On this episode of How to Grow a CMO, host Alastair Hussain is joined by Claire Hockin, CMO at Splunk. In a fascinating discussion, Claire reflects on a career spent working across the globe, and the lessons learned from exposure to different cultural perspectives and business environments.…

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  37. The importance of effective partner marketing | Kelly Hopping | CMO, Demandbase 

    On this episode of How to Grow a CMO, host Alastair Hussain is joined by Kelly Hopping, CMO at Demandbase. In a wide-ranging discussion, Kelly and Ali talk about why brand identity is like a goalkeeper, what Kelly says is the fastest way to increase marketing efficiency, and how getting the ways…

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  38. Creating an emotional connection in B2B marketing | Kevin Sellers | CMO, Ping Identity 

    On this episode of How to Grow a CMO, host Alastair Hussain is joined by Kevin Sellers, CMO at Ping Identity. Kevin and Ali discuss how CMOs can get their CFOs on board, and what it's like to lead marketing at a company that has transitioned from public to private. Kevin also recalls asking his...

  39. The importance of collaboration in marketing | Amy Heidersbach | CMO, DHI Group

    On this episode of How to Grow a CMO, host Alastair Hussain is joined by Amy Heidersbach, CMO at DHI Group. Amy and Ali discuss the evolution of marketing as a discipline in recent decades, and the impact of digital transformation and the speed of decision-making in today's industry. She delves...

  40. The gradual journey to your North Star | Brett Hannath | CMO, Intel 

    On this episode of How to Grow a CMO, host Alastair Hussain is joined by Brett Hannath, CMO of Intel. Brett and Ali discuss the complexities of aligning marketing efforts with sales and partner organizations, emphasizing the importance of integrated campaigns, effective content, and leveraging...

  41. Driving efficiency and effectiveness in marketing | Paula Darvell | CMO, formerly of Snow Software

    On this episode of How to Grow a CMO, host Alastair Hussain is joined by Paula Darvell, ex-CMO of Snow Software. Paula and Ali discuss the evolution of the approach to marketing that she led at Snow Software, a shift which contributed to a doubling of revenues and the company's successful...

  42. The CMO as steward of the customer | Chris Kozup | Darktrace

    On episode four of this series of How to Grow a CMO, host Alastair Hussain is joined by CMO of Darktrace, Chris Kozup. In their conversation, Chris and Ali discuss the challenges of marketing in a rapidly evolving field like cybersecurity, and the importance of striking a balance between…

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  43. The importance of software | Kirsten Cox | ServiceNow

    On episode three of this series of How to Grow a CMO, host Alastair Hussain is joined by Vice President, EMEA Marketing at ServiceNow, Kirsten Cox. In their conversation, Kirsten and Ali discuss the importance of aligning marketing efforts with sales and understanding the language of different...

  44. Having the right conversations with customers | Gil Rosen | Amdocs

    On the second episode of the new series of How to Grow a CMO, host Alastair Hussain is joined by CMO at Amdocs, Gil Rosen. Gil and Ali discuss Gil’s unexpected journey into marketing, the value of bringing a diverse set of skills and experiences to the discipline, and the importance of having the...

  45. Coherence over consistency | Clara Lee | Neste 

    On the first episode of the new series of How to Grow a CMO, host Alastair Hussain is joined by Vice President of Global Brand at Neste, Clara Lee. In a wide-ranging discussion, Clara and Ali discuss the importance of ensuring your external positioning corresponds with your actions as a brand…

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  46. How to stand out from the AI 'blandscape'  - with Salesforce, Thomson Reuters and Rascal Ventures

    This bonus episode of How to Grow a CMO is taken from our recent virtual fireside chat on AI. Host: Alastair Hussain, SVP Strategy at The Marketing Practice Guests: Melinda Chan, Head of Marketing, Demand Generation, at Thomson Reuters Joanna Moss, UK&I Director of Executive Programs and ABM at...

  47. Going public and the importance of diverse teams, with Steve Daheb

    On this episode of How to Grow a CMO, host Ali Hussain is joined by Steve Daheb, CMO at Tanium. Steve’s career has focused on creating and leading new market categories for a wide range of organisations – from start-ups to public companies with $40B revenue. His experience spans multiple…

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  48. The importance of prioritising resources, with Eric Glass

    On this episode of How to Grow a CMO, host Ali Hussain is joined by Eric Glass, CMO at Ceridian. Eric’s career has combined both in-house and agency roles, and has seen him work for brands including HP, Yahoo!, LinkedIn, and Workday. In their conversation, Eric and Ali discuss the value of agency...

  49. The relationship between brand and demand, with Heather Dodgers-Rubash

    On this episode of How to Grow a CMO, host Ali Hussain is joined by Heather Dodgers-Rubash, SVP of Marketing at NetSPI. Heather’s journey into marketing came via stints in journalism and politics, before landing roles at a number of start-up and established tech providers. In their conversation,...

  50. The virtues of democratising information, with Evelina Amanatidou

    On this episode of How to Grow a CMO, host Ali Hussain is joined by Evelina Amanatidou, Global Head of Marketing Communications at Temenos. Evelina learned about the intricacies of business from a young age. Her father, a CFO, taught her that to fully understand a business, you must understand…

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

What does it take to be a successful B2B CMO in today’s ever more complex world? In this podcast, we speak to B2B marketing leaders to understand the skills, experience, and leadership needed to make a successful CMO. What’s the right blend of science and art? How do you keep the C-Suite happy? How do you balance short-term and long-term? And how do you inspire the CMO’s of the future? We’ll be answering these questions and much more, as we discover how to grow a CMO.

HOSTED BY

The Marketing Practice

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does How to Grow a CMO have?

How to Grow a CMO currently has 50 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is How to Grow a CMO about?

What does it take to be a successful B2B CMO in today’s ever more complex world? In this podcast, we speak to B2B marketing leaders to understand the skills, experience, and leadership needed to make a successful CMO. What’s the right blend of science and art? How do you keep the C-Suite happy? How...

How often does How to Grow a CMO release new episodes?

How to Grow a CMO has 50 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

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You can listen to How to Grow a CMO on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts How to Grow a CMO?

How to Grow a CMO is created and hosted by The Marketing Practice.
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