The CMO Whisperer

Last time, Alan Bethke, SVP of Marketing at Subaru of America, joined me on the show. We talked about the heart of Subaru’s “Love” campaign and why this brand has such a unique emotional connection with its customers. If you missed that episode, definitely go back and listen — though not yet, after this one. It’s truly one of the most memorable conversations I’ve had. Today, I’m thrilled to have A...

My guest this week is Tifenn Dano Kwan , Chief Marketing Officer at Amplitude . Tifenn’s mission as a data-driven leader is to shape the future of work through superior digital experiences, great teams, and technology that customers love. What a novel idea. At Amplitude, she drives global marketing strategy and leads a team focused on helping organizations thrive in the digital era. Her career inc...

My guest this week is John Jorgenson , CMO at Cambium Learning Group . John spent his first seven years at Cambium leading marketing for two of its brands, where he helped grow Learning A-Z into its largest division. Now, as Enterprise CMO, he works alongside the Cambium executive team to shape strategy, creativity, and culture. What sets John apart is his vision—not just to advance education, but...

My guest this week is Kimberley Gardiner, the CMO of Tractor Supply Company. Since 2022, she's been leading the charge on all things marketing for the country's largest rural lifestyle retailer, from big national campaigns to loyalty programs that keep their 30 million-plus Neighbor’s Club members engaged. Kimberley’s career isn't just impressive, it's diverse—she's held senior marketing roles at...

My guest this week is someone who doesn’t just talk the talk—he’s lived it, built it, and continues to help others do the same. Jay Baer is one of the most dynamic voices in business growth, customer experience, and marketing. He’s a New York Times bestselling author of seven business books, the founder of five multimillion-dollar companies, and a Hall of Fame keynote speaker. His humor and insigh...

My guest this week is Kevin Akeroyd, a veteran tech CEO with a career spanning Fortune 500 giants, private equity powerhouses, and venture-backed disruptors. He’s currently leading Sovos, a PE-backed tax and compliance AI SaaS platform. Before that, Kevin was CEO of Magna Global, the world’s largest contingent workforce technology provider. And prior to that, he took Cision public on the New York...

My guest this week is Laurie Lam, the Chief Brand Officer at E.L.F. Beauty, the powerhouse behind E.L.F. Cosmetics, E.L.F. Skin, and Well People. With nearly two decades of experience shaping global brands, Laurie is a dynamic marketer and strategic innovator who’s redefining what an authentic, accessible beauty company looks like. Before joining E.L.F., Laurie held leadership roles at L’Oréal USA...

My guest this week is a force in the media world, Anna Bager , President and CEO of the Out-of-Home Advertising Association of America — quite a mouthful, so we’ll just say OAAA going forward. She is leading the charge in transforming out-of-home advertising into one of the most innovative, tech-driven, and brand-friendly platforms out there. Before taking the reins at OAAA, she was the EVP of Ind...

 My guest is Andrea Brimmer, the Chief Marketing and PR Officer at Ally Financial, where she leads the company’s integrated marketing strategy and brand transformation. Since joining Ally in 2006 and relaunching the brand in 2009, she has redefined what a financial services company can be—putting consumers first and driving bold, disruptive growth.  Under her leadership, Ally has earned spots on F...

My guest this week is Brian Kotlyar, Head of Marketing & Growth at Hightouch, the leading composable CDP that helps companies activate their data warehouses to drive personalized marketing and business operations. With 20-plus years of experience at Intercom, Sprinklr, and New Relic, Brian knows how to cut through the martech noise and build teams that turn data into real growth. 

My guest this week is Shelley Zalis, CEO and co-founder of The Female Quotient, a true trailblazer known as the “Chief Troublemaker.” She has always made her mark as an entrepreneur, a global advocate for women in the workplace, and a three-time movement maker. She pioneered online research, co-founded the #SeeHer initiative, and built The Female Quotient, home to the world's largest community of...

My guest today is Vicky Lozano, the CMO of Crayola — yes, the company that basically defined many of our childhoods. In her role, Vicky leads Crayola’s consumer communications, partnership marketing, digital and omnichannel marketing, interactive app portfolio, education, and location-based entertainment. Before joining Crayola, she managed a $1.2 billion gum and mints portfolio at Cadbury, workin...

My guest this week is Eric Williamson, Chief Marketing Officer at CallMiner. Eric brings more than 20 years of experience across tech and consumer marketing, spanning both the agency and brand sides. At CallMiner, he leads all global marketing functions, working hand-in-hand with sales and channel teams to fuel growth and pipeline. Before stepping into his role at CallMiner, Eric served as VP of B...

My guest this week is Eliot Hamlisch, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Amtrak, a role he took on in September 2023. He's been leading initiatives across pricing, revenue management, marketing, product development, and the entire customer experience for Amtrak’s national network. Whether you're riding the Northeast Corridor or traveling cross-country, Eliot is focused on rei...

My guest this week is back for another episode adventure. He was one of my very first guests on The CMO Whisperer —Dave Edelman.  A longtime thought leader in marketing and customer experience, Dave has amassed over 1 million followers on LinkedIn . Over the past 30 years, he’s led strategy and digital marketing practices at BCG, Digitas, and McKinsey, and also served as the Chief Marketing Office...

 My guest this week is Jennifer Renaud , CEO and board director at Coolhouse Botanics , where she leads corporate and portfolio strategy, operational expansion, and investor alignment for the Kradle pet wellness brand. With over 30 years of experience—including global marketing leadership at Oracle Marketing Cloud and Masonite—she excels in building enterprise value through growth strategy, brand...

My guest this week is DeLu Jackson, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at ADT.  A seasoned executive with over 20 years of experience, DeLu has led marketing transformation at some of the world’s most iconic brands, including McDonald’s, Audi, Kellogg’s, Nissan, Subaru, ConAgra, and now ADT. He’s known for his data-driven, customer-first approach and for helpin...

My guest this week is Evan Day. Evan is the VP of Digital Marketing at BriteCap Financial, where he’s been mastering the art and science of making complex things simple for over 15 years. He’s worked with giants like Comcast and global heavyweights in publishing, bringing data-driven strategy to the forefront at every stop. But that’s not all.  Evan is also pursuing a Ph. D. in psychology with a f...

My guest this week is Jenny Wall, Chief Marketing Officer at VideoAmp, a company that's transforming the world of media measurement and advertising performance.   With over 30 years of experience leading marketing for some of the most iconic entertainment and tech brands—including HBO, Netflix, Hulu, and Nickelodeon—Jenny is known for creating bold, innovative campaigns that not only drive results...

My guest this week is making his second appearance on the CMO Whisperer podcast, and for good reason. He’s a CMO who’s helped Fortune 500 companies, startups, and even a scratch-made pizza shop break through the noise. He’s driven $350 million in revenue from one campaign. He’s sparked 45% growth in online grocery and built brands that lead with meaning and scale with precision.  With over 25 year...

My guest this week is someone whose career path may not be linear, but it's been anything but boring.  Jason Chebib started out in some of London’s top ad agencies, including Ogilvy, Publicis, J. Walter Thompson, and BBDO, where he worked alongside CMOs and future CMOs at brands like Shell, Unilever, Dyson, Mars, and Ford.  Then came a pivot—from creating campaigns to teaching the science behind t...

My guest this week is Tory Pachis, CMO of Amica Mutual Insurance Company, based in Lincoln, Rhode Island. Tory is a seasoned insurance executive with nearly 25 years of industry experience.  At Amica, he oversees five core areas within the marketing department: marketing, data science, media and platform, branding and communications, operations and project management, and digital experience. He jo...

My guest this week is Doug Zarkin, a transformative leader in branding and marketing, known for his quick-thinking, human approach. His career highlights are many, including co-founding breakthrough advertising, youth entertainment, and lifestyle marketing campaigns; leading the successful launch of Avon’s mark. brand; and elevating Victoria’s Secret PINK into a national powerhouse. He also played...

My guest this week is an award-winning marketer, business executive, strategist, and brand innovator. Daniel Cherry III has extensive experience across sports, CPG, lifestyle, music and entertainment, and luxury consumer categories. He’s had a storied career working with some of the world’s most iconic brands, including DC Comics, Activision Blizzard Esports, the New Jersey Devils, the New York Co...

My guest this week is Randi Stipes, the Chief Marketing Officer at The Weather Company, one of the world's most trusted brands and most accurate forecasters. No stranger to marketing transformation, Randi challenges marketers to think differently about the weather and its business implications across every industry. With nearly three decades in media and marketing, she has served in a variety of r...