Two Big Takeaways from the CMO Assembly

Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs) are as relevant as ever. The Age of Digital has transformed the position, placing a spotlight on it that will become even brighter as we approach new decades and ever evolving ways to engage technology. The CMOs that IBM interviewed for its massive 2012 study (and its most recent one) seem to echo these points. Their three key areas of improvement are: 

• Deliver value to empowered customers
• Foster lasting connections
• Capture value and analyze results 

In fact, this seemed to be the sentiment of the CMOs I interviewed at the Transformational CMO Assembly 2015 in Miami. I moderated two breakout sessions and the keynote luncheon with smart corporate minds at some of the most forward thinking firms like TIME Inc., Burger King, Best Buy, HSN, Disney, Toys 'R' Us, BNY Mellon, UPS, and many, many more. 

You know you are where you need to be when CMOs are employing intellect and passion in their discussions about measuring content, taking advantage of the mobile boom, and, getting the best results from data collection. So often, we get a chance to see a CMO panel of 2-5 people, but what I was able to sit in on for three days amounted to an inspiring, CMO Brain Trust of tremendous international scope. Their insights were invaluable.

Here are my two takeaways from the event:

(1) "The Customer Experience" Rules - CMOs I talked with gave me a sense of what they are doing to respond to the reality of  the empowered customer. It is not enough to simply post content. You must interact with consumers and put them in the center of your thought process. What do they want, and how can you deliver on goods and services in a timely fashion? Knowing the answer to that question - and being actionable - improves your brand awareness as well as your bottom line.

(2) CMOs Are Soaring With a Great Team - Everyone seemed agreed that their jobs are much better with customer-centric talent that can enhance their day to day operations. Data scientists, content creators and digital storytellers are in high demand as CMOs look to elevate their marketing game, and consistently re-invigorate their infrastructure for contemporary (and future) successes. Talent acquisition was one of the big discussions. I am sure that it will continue to animate corporate leadership for many years to come.

Challenges are everywhere for the contemporary CMO. You will find article after article highlighting those issues. But as anyone will tell you, the ability to deal with challenges can also yield some important results, especially for brands positioning themselves as a partner with those who support them. Indeed, CMO work will most certainly stay well-regarded and highly coveted, no matter what era we find ourselves in. Exciting times.

Here is some of my work on LinkedIn, Huffington Post, and Smedio:

• How to Create Your Own Media Kit
• Rohit Varma on India's Surge in the Digital Era
• Success and Social Media: Heather Geronemus

-------------------------------------------

Sean Gardner is a global best-selling author, keynote speaker, digital consultant and business creative who is based in Seattle, WA. He currently conducts workshops and social media training for small business, nonprofits, government agencies, celebrities and multinational corporations. You can Tweet, Friend, Pin, or Instagram him, and/or circle him on Google Plus.

Also...you can purchase Sean's international best-seller, The Road to Social Media Success, which the Huffington Post says should be #1 on every marketer's reading list in 2015. It has some of his interviews with experts, and his own observations on a wide range of topics.

So if you're trying to understand social, some its major players, and its impact, this is the book for you.

Inspire, inform and elevate social media. Always!