Kellyn Smith Kenny (AT&T) | Reinventing and Redefining Trust in Telecom

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 .