The CMO Podcast

2d ago

Few brands define connection quite like AT&T—not just through technology, but through trust. And trust is not a word historically associated with telecom companies. Jim’s guest this week is at the center of AT&T’s transformation: Kellyn Smith Kenny, the company’s first-ever Chief Marketing & Growth Officer. Since 2020, Kellyn has helped usher in what she calls the “Accountability Era,” part of an ambitious, multi-year reinvention backed by more than $145 billion invested in reliability, transparency, and customer trust. With revenues topping $120 billion and a customer base of more than 100 million consumers, AT&T is a brand that touches nearly every American life. Under Kellyn’s leadership, the company has become known for both its marketing excellence and its humanity—from launching the AT&T Guarantee, to pioneering a pragmatic approach to AI, to building meaningful partnerships with the likes of Formula 1 and Hello Sunshine. Tune in as Jim explores Kellyn’s unique leadership journey—from Division I athlete to C-suite change agent—and how she’s redefining what it means to lead a modern brand. --- Learn more, request a free pass, and register at https://www.iab.com/events/annual-leadership-meeting-2026/?utm_source=ad&utm_medium=The+CMO+Podcast ) Promo Code for $500 off ticket prices: ALMCMOPOD26 --- This week's episode is brought to you by Deloitte, TransUnion and the IAB. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Dec 10

Audio has a magic all its own. The power to connect deeply, inspire emotion, and build lasting trust. In this week's episode, Jim Stengel sits down with Jenny Nelson , Chief Marketing Officer of Audacy , one of the nation’s leading multi-platform audio content and entertainment companies. Founded in 1968 (then known as Entercom Communications Corporation) and rebranded as Audacy, Inc. in 2021, the company grew from a traditional radio broadcaster into one of the U.S.’s leading multi-platform audio content and entertainment companies. With over two decades in the industry, Jenny has become an authority on how sound drives emotion, performance, and brand growth. From her early days at BBDO to her pivotal role guiding Audacy’s transformation from a traditional broadcaster to a digital-first audio powerhouse, Jenny shares invaluable lessons on brand storytelling, creativity, and the future of audio marketing. Recorded live at the ANA Masters of Marketing in Orlando and powered by TransUnion , this conversation explores what it truly means to create, and harness, the magic of sound. --- Learn more, request a free pass, and register at iab.com/alm (utm: https://www.iab.com/events/annual-leadership-meeting-2026/?utm_source=ad&utm_medium=The+CMO+Podcast ) Promo Code for $500 off of ticket prices: ALMCMOPOD26 --- This week's episode is brought to you by Deloitte, TransUnion and the IAB. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Dec 5

From tennis rackets to Beyoncé, Microsoft to Apple…brand legends David Aaker and Marcus Collins have seen it all, and they’re here to close out our series with a masterclass on brand-led leadership. In the final episode of this season of The Brand Builder’s Playbook , hosts Jim Stengel and Ryan Barker reflect on the journey through our previous seven episodes before welcoming two of the biggest voices in marketing: David Aaker , often called the “Father of Modern Branding,” and Marcus Collins , award-winning marketer, author, and cultural expert. Together they dig into what it takes to get true buy-in for brand inside organizations, the traps of short-termism, and why culture, conviction, and clear differentiation are the ultimate energizers for growth From the evolution of brand equity to the five B’s framework, from the lessons of Steve Jobs to the rise of cultural resonance, this finale ties the whole playbook together, offering both inspiration and practical tools for brand builders at every level. Closing thought: great brands don’t just sell, they lead. And the smartest leaders put brand at the center of every decision.th David Aaker and Marcus Collins — If you’ve enjoyed this series, please share it with your team, your friends, or anyone passionate about building brands. Join in the conversation below…tell us what you’ve learned and what you’d love to hear in Season 2! — Download this week’s worksheet: https://bit.ly/4qDgxKG Read about upcoming episode topics and guests here: https://bera.ai/podcast/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Dec 3

When you think about brands that have truly reshaped an entire category, few have done it as quickly or as effectively as Chipotle Mexican Grill, a brand that turned fast food into fast casual, and purpose into a powerful growth engine. Jim’s guest this week is Chris Brandt , the President and Chief Brand Officer of Chipotle and one of the most respected marketers in the industry. Since joining the company in 2018, Chris has helped transform Chipotle into a purpose-driven lifestyle brand; making it more visible, relevant, and culturally resonant than ever before. Under his leadership, Chipotle has doubled in size, launched some of the industry’s most creative campaigns, and become one of the most admired brands in the world. Before joining Chipotle, Chris built his marketing foundation at three of the great brand academies--General Mills, Coca-Cola, and Yum! Brands--where he helped launch legendary platforms like Taco Bell’s “Live Más” and Doritos Locos Tacos. Today, he brings that same mix of creative courage, data-driven insight, and cultural intuition to Chipotle, where purpose and performance go hand in hand. Tune in for a conversation with a Chief Brand Officer who truly loves his job! --- Recorded live at the ANA Masters of Marketing in Orlando, powered by TransUnion. Here we go. --- Learn more, request a free pass, and register at iab.com/alm (utm: https://www.iab.com/events/annual-leadership-meeting-2026/?utm_source=ad&utm_medium=The+CMO+Podcast ) Promo Code for $500 of ticket prices: ALMCMOPOD26 --- This week's episode is brought to you by Deloitte, TransUnion and the IAB. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Nov 28

Brand building or performance? TV or TikTok? Data or gut? Every marketer wrestles with how to spend smarter, not just more. In the seventh episode of The Brand Builder’s Playbook , hosts Jim Stengel and Ryan Barker, along with guest co-host Kate Lamberton, dig into the art and science of the marketing mix. They explore how brands can cut waste, make every dollar work harder, and balance the short-term demand for results with the long-term need for brand strength Joining the conversation is Damon Berger, Head of Consumer Digital Engagement at Gap Inc., who shares his perspective on building a culture that embraces both measurement and creativity. From MMM (marketing mix modeling) to cultural relevance, Damon breaks down how Gap is revitalizing iconic brands by staying true to their DNA while staying agile in a fast-changing market The takeaway: when you put the consumer at the center, smart spending isn’t about choosing between brand and performance…it’s about making both work harder together. — Download this week’s worksheet: https://bit.ly/3JI5FdV Read about upcoming episode topics and guests here: https://bera.ai/podcast/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Nov 26

When you think of some of America’s most recognizable household brands: Brawny, Angel Soft, Dixie, Quilted Northern…there’s one company behind them all: Georgia Pacific. And at the helm of marketing for that incredible portfolio is Jim's guest this week, Laura Knebusch, the Senior Vice President of CPG Marketing and Customer Experience. Laura is a seasoned marketing leader and transformation champion who has spent the past 15 years at Georgia Pacific. She has been the head of marketing for the past two-plus years, and has been focused on modernizing one of the most iconic CPG companies in the world. Under her leadership, Georgia Pacific has become an early mover in retail media and a shining example of how legacy brands can stay relevant in the digital age. Before joining Georgia Pacific, Laura began her career at Procter & Gamble where she developed her grounding in consumer insight and brand discipline. Tune in for a conversation with a leader who is applying a rigor to a new era of marketing, one that’s faster, more digital, and more unpredictable than ever before. Recorded live at the ANA Masters of Marketing in Orlando, powered by TransUnion. --- Learn more, request a free pass, and register at iab.com/alm Promo Code for $500 of ticket prices: ALMCMOPOD26 --- This week's episode is brought to you by Deloitte, TransUnion and the IAB. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Nov 21

What do LEGO, Megan Thee Stallion, and a Ford Mustang have in common? They’re all proof that the right partnership can supercharge a brand. In the sixth episode of The Brand Builder’s Playbook , hosts Jim Stengel and Ryan Barker, joined by guest co-host Lindsey Wehking, explore why not all partnerships deliver equal value…some enhance brand equity, while others can dilute it. This week’s guest is Kristen D’Arcy, Chief Marketing Officer and Head of Digital Growth at True Religion, who unpacks how collaborations and partnerships drive growth, cultural relevance, and long-term brand equity. From bold campaigns with Megan Thee Stallion to unexpected collabs with Ford, True Religion demonstrates how math, magic, and cultural insight come together to keep a brand not just alive, but thriving. Kristen shares the playbook behind building a culture of collaboration inside the marketing team, tapping into subcultures that matter, and designing partnerships that actually move the needle. Bottom line: when you know your customer and lean into culture, partnerships don’t just create moments, they create momentum. — Download this week’s worksheet: https://bit.ly/47oVdBa Read about upcoming episode topics and guests here: https://bera.ai/podcast/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Nov 19

If you are Canadian, and you hear the words Tim Hortons, you conjure up a wide and deep range of emotions. Few brands inspire the kind of passion that Tim Hortons does in Canada. With nearly 6,000 restaurants in 22 countries, the 60-year-old brand continues to grow like a startup while holding a special place in Canadian culture. In this week's episode of The CMO Podcast , Jim sits down with Hope Bagozzi , Chief Marketing Officer of Tim Hortons, to discuss what it takes to steward such an iconic brand. From her early career in psychology and executive recruiting in New Zealand, to 15 years at McDonald’s Canada, to now leading marketing at Tims, Hope brings a unique perspective on brand storytelling and customer connection. Recorded as part of the Next Gen CMO Academy at Deloitte University, this conversation explores the emotional power of brands, sustaining growth across decades, and the art of keeping a beloved brand fresh. --- This week's episode is brought to you by Deloitte. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .