Eliminate the Chief Marketing Officer Position

Summary

On the last episode of season four of the Rethink Marketing Podcast, Colin Jeffries and Paul Frodge unpack the relatively recent trend of eliminating the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) position. Many notable brands, including Walgreens, Etsy, Johnson & Johnson, UPS, and more have taken this step. This podcast episode explores whether removing the marketing executive is a long-term solution to underlying problems. Should we follow suit? Is there all that much risk in trying it? After all, McDonald's eliminated their Global CMO role and brought it back within 12 months, so what do we have to lose?

Takeaways

The elimination of the CMO role is not a one-size-fits-all solution and depends on individual organizational context.
Financial struggles often lead to the cutting of marketing expenses, including the CMO role.
The CMO plays a crucial role as the voice of the customer and in driving revenue growth.
Expanding the skill set of the CMO and aligning marketing responsibilities with other C-suite positions can enhance the value of the role.
Alternative approaches, such as agency partnerships, can provide cost savings while maintaining marketing expertise.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction: The Trend of Eliminating the CMO Role
02:08 - The Financial Struggles of Companies and the Impact on Marketing
03:24 - The Role of the CMO and the Voice of the Customer
05:27 - The Value of Marketing in Different Business Life Cycles
07:28 - The Reporting Structure and Alignment of Marketing Responsibilities
09:44 - Factors Influencing the Elimination of the CMO Role
10:25 - Expanding the Skill Set of the CMO Role
11:40 - The Impact of Other C-Suite Positions on the CMO Role
14:22 - Case Study: McDonald's and the Elimination and Reinstatement of the Global CMO Role
16:56 - Considerations for Eliminating the CMO Role in SMBs
18:03 - The Importance of Individual Organizational Context
19:08 - Alternative Approaches: Agency Partnerships and Cost Savings
20:21 - Conclusion: The Continuing Relevance of the CMO Role

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