Leadership News, Features, and Interviews

For someone who claims no natural affinity with scheduling, it’s surprising Brett Chester finds himself in the role of CMO for a fast-growth technology company focused on making rostering easier. But it is through his own career experience Chester says he has developed an understanding of the client base of his company, Australian-born Deputy, and the pain scheduling can bring.

Chief executives of emerging companies are looking for marketing and sales leaders to not only work together seamlessly to drive growth and revenue, but also base efforts on a shared view of the entire buyer journey.

Australian FMCG brand, Carman’s Kitchen, has brought on a new marketing and innovation leader to drive its next phase of growth.

Senior marketers are increasingly looking to build their innovation and opportunity identification capabilities and recognise soft skills and collaboration as critically important across the marketing function. Yet there is clear gap in the way planning and execution knowledge is shared between senior leaders and their teams.

Discovering mentors was “life-changing” for Nick Bell, an AFR young rich-listed entrepreneur whose now more than 1000 employees in seven digital agencies are spread across 12 offices in eight countries.

Former ANZ and Deakin University senior marketer, Trisca Scott-Branagan, has become the chief marketing officer for recently established growth capital firm, Australian Business Growth Fund (ABGF).

QMS has recruited Melbourne Fashion Festival’s head of sales and marketing as its new chief marketing officer after promoting Sara Lappage to chief operating officer – customer.

Having the respect of the CFO and an ability to speak to both cause and effect is one of the vital skills CMOs need to earn their place at the executive leadership table today. And it’s also instrumental to making the leap up to CEO, iSelect CEO, Warren Hebard, says.

Ever-sophisticated use of intent data and predictive intelligence, along with a stronger emphasis on marketing’s contribution to revenue, are firmly in the sights of Boomi’s marketing chief as she looks to fuel growth at the tech vendor.​

A deficit of marketing discipline and diversity of thought are key challenges modern marketing leaders are facing right now. Fail to tackle them, and you'll miss out on the creative empathy and big ideas needed to cut through to modern consumers.

A picture of the difficulties faced by many CMOs was painted by Gartner’s team in the opening keynote to the analyst firm’s Marketing Symposium in September.

Australian cryptocurrency micro-investment platform, Bamboo, has brought on its first chief marketing officer as it looks to capitalise on growing interest in the next-generation digital currency.

Relationship building, curiosity, a high threshold for change and positive mindset are vital attributes marketing leaders look for when they recruit for regional marketing teams.

Dentsu has brought on a local chief marketing officer to drive understanding and awareness of its portfolio of agency brands.

Mining through the ‘minutiae’ of seemingly niche cultural phenomena could provide marketers with the toolkit for far stronger and more impactful engagement with consumers than purely relying on digital or survey data.

According to CMO’s annual State of the CMO research, marketing leaders rate the CEO/MD as their biggest champion and advocate within the organisation. So what does it take to truly build a great, strategic connection with your CEO/MD? We ask leading marketers from Greencross, MyDeal, Audi, NAB and West HQ for their valuable insights.

The annual leadership development scholarship program at The Marketing Academy is now open for nominations of potential marketing industry leaders by bosses or peers.

Road safety analytics startup, Advanced Mobility Analytics Group (AMAG), has recruited HP’s marketing leader, Darren Needham-Walker, as its first chief marketing officer.

On 6 September, Brightstar officially takes the wrappers off its comprehensive rebrand to Likewize. The massive effort is designed to showcase the global company’s transformation from mobile phone distribution to a broader technology protection and services provider. Here, its CMO shares the key steps taken by him and the Brightstar team to orchestrate the rebrand, and hefty learnings along the way.

ASX-listed Freedom Foods has brought on a new chief marketing officer and chief customer officer to round out its new-look executive leadership team.

Fostering strong relationships as a CMO with cross-functional leaders is vital to being able to exercise strategic and impactful organisational influence. And if this year’s State of the CMO is any guide, the best marketing chiefs are actively working to ensure their CEO is their biggest advocate.