The CMO Podcast

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 growthFrom 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/4qDgxKGRead 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.

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.

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 strengthJoining 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 marketThe 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/3JI5FdVRead 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.

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/almPromo 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.

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/47oVdBaRead 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.

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.

Every CMO faces the same question: how do you balance long-term brand equity with short-term performance marketing?In the fifth episode of The Brand Builder’s Playbook, hosts Jim Stengel and Ryan Barker, along with guest co-host Lindsey Wehking, tackle one of the most heated debates in modern marketing: brand versus performance. Is short-term activation enough, or does long-term brand building ultimately win?This week’s guest is Andrea Brimmer, Chief Marketing and PR Officer at Ally, who has spent nearly two decades transforming Ally from a regional bank into one of America’s most admired challenger brands. Andrea shares the inside story of launching the Ally brand, driving growth through bold, customer-centric marketing, and proving that financial services can stand for transparency and trust. The conversation explores how to build brands people truly love, balance creativity with measurable results, and use brand purpose as a competitive advantage.“We have to stop calling it brand versus performance. It’s demand generation and demand capture. And you can’t have one without the other.” — Andrea BrimmerIf you’ve ever wondered how to build a brand that punches above its weight, Andrea’s playbook is one you won’t want to miss.—Download this week’s worksheet: https://bit.ly/4hFTZ7WRead 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.

A repeated theme on this show is the goal of a well-lived life, and one of the ways Jim aims to live well is through working out. Moving your body, building strength, and finding balance are essential to living fully. Our guest this week on The CMO Podcast  is helping millions of people do exactly that through one of the most ambitious brand transformations in the industry.Nicholas “Nic” Berglund is the Senior Vice President and Chief Creative Officer of Life Time, the company redefining what it means to be a fitness brand. Under Nic’s creative leadership, Life Time has evolved from a gym chain into a “luxury wellness country club,” with more than 225 destinations across North America and a market cap near $3 billion. Before joining Life Time, Nic shaped campaigns for major brands like Cadillac, PepsiCo, and Gap, and even launched his own wellness venture. So tune in for our final episode captured at the Best Buy Studios, where Jim chats with a creative leader who starts the day off with a good workout. ---This week's episode is brought to you by Best Buy Ads.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on The Brand Builder’s Playbook, Jim, Ryan, and Cait dive into one of marketing’s toughest questions: how do you prove the ROI of a brand? In a world where every dollar spent needs justification, they explore how marketers can connect creative storytelling to measurable business growth.To help unpack it, they’re joined by Raja Rajamannar, Mastercard’s Chief Marketing & Communications Officer. Raja shares how Mastercard built one of the world’s most trusted brands by grounding its marketing in data, financial discipline, and purpose. He outlines his framework for measuring marketing ROI across three dimensions, brand strength, business growth, and sustainable competitive advantage, and shares practical lessons on earning credibility with CFOs and boards. “Purpose and profits are not mutually exclusive. If you pursue purpose methodically, thoughtfully, and innovatively, profits will follow.” — Raja Rajamannar—Download this week’s worksheet: http://bit.ly/3KX9ts4Read 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.

If you live in Minnesota, you know there are two things that keep you going through the long winters: a good pair of boots, and a great cup of coffee. For years, that coffee often came from Caribou, where Jim's guest this week, Erin Newkirk, most recently served as Chief Brand & Marketing Officer, helping guide a beloved global coffeehouse with more than 850 locations across 11 countries. Erin left Caribou coffee shortly after we recorded this show to start her own training & coaching company.Erin’s story stretches far beyond coffee. Her career spans Fortune 500s, startups, coaching, and everything in between, always with the same ambition: to build brands, businesses, and breakthroughs that spark movements people can feel. She began her career at the test-prep company Kaplan, earned her MBA from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business, and honed her brand chops at General Mills, shaping icons like Cheerios and Pillsbury. Then she leapt into entrepreneurship, founding Red Stamp, a mobile-first lifestyle brand that reimagined personal connection and scaled to millions before it was acquired. Today, Erin brings that same energy to her work as an advisor and board member. partnering with founders, executives, and mission-driven ventures including ModernWell, Omnia Fishing, and TurnSignl, an award-winning service providing 24/7 real-time legal assistance.Recorded in person at the Best Buy Studios in Minneapolis, here is Jim's conversation with the leader who believes in grounding herself each day—and helping others grow along the way.---This week's episode is brought to you by Best Buy Ads.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The consumer sets the price. That simple truth reframes how we think about brand strength and its real business impact.In the third episode of The Brand Builder’s Playbook, hosts Jim Stengel and Ryan Barker, along with guest co-host Cait Lamberton (Professor of Marketing at Wharton), unpack one of the most powerful—and often misunderstood—outcomes of strong brand building: pricing power.Our guest this week is Sandeep Seth, Chief Growth Officer at Tapestry (parent company of Coach, Kate Spade, and Stuart Weitzman), who joins the conversation to share lessons from his decades at Procter & Gamble and his current work revitalizing iconic fashion brands. Together, they explore how differentiation, brand love, and consumer perception translate into a brand’s ability to command a premium.From conjoint analysis to luxury pricing strategies, and from mass-market cosmetics to premium handbags, this episode dives into how pricing becomes both a signal and an outcome of brand strength. Listeners will walk away with fresh insights on how to connect strategy to pricing, reduce price sensitivity, and build long-term brand value.True pricing power doesn’t come from spreadsheets—it comes from the trust and love consumers place in your brand.---Download this week’s worksheet: 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.

They call it the Land of 10,000 Lakes, we believe it may also be the Land of 10,000 Great Brands.Welcome to a very extraordinary live roundtable edition of The CMO Podcast. This week Jim is coming to you from the Twin Cities, Minneapolis–St. Paul, to try to answer a big question: what’s in the water here that’s helped so many companies thrive for decades?He is joined by four powerhouse marketers who are shaping some of the region’s most iconic brands: – Jennie Weber, the Chief Marketing Officer of Best Buy. Jennie is leading a customer-obsessed transformation, bringing digital innovation and human connection together across one of America’s top retailers. – Martin Nance, the Chief Marketing Officer of the Minnesota Vikings. A former NFL wide receiver turned CMO, Martin is shaping world-class fan experiences on and off the field — from building year-round engagement platforms that connect fans to the team, to elevating U.S. Bank Stadium as one of the premier destinations in sports and entertainment. – Jill Renslow, the Chief Business Development and Marketing Officer at Mall of America, which is the largest retail and entertainment destination in North America, attracting more than 40 million visitors each year. Jill leads the charge for new entertainment concepts, global brand partnerships, and community-driven experiences that is keeping the mall both a cultural icon and a shopping hub. – Heather Malenshek, SVP and Chief Marketing Officer of Land O’Lakes. Heather is reimagining marketing for a century-old cooperative while championing farmers, food, and the future of rural America — from amplifying the “All Together Better” platform to spotlighting sustainability and innovation across the agricultural supply chain.Recorded live at Best Buy’s state-of-the-art studios, tune in for a candid, inspiring dialogue about the grit, generosity, and community spirit that make Minnesota business so unique. These leaders open up about career transitions, the shift from product-driven to experiential marketing, and how legacy brands can stay both relevant and timeless.---This week's episode is brought to you by Best Buy Ads.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tune in each Friday to enjoy our most recent episode of The Brand Builder's Playbook...---How do you turn customer love into business growth? In the second episode of The Brand Builder’s Playbook, the team explores how emotional connection fuels measurable results, from loyalty and repeat purchase to long-term enterprise value.Jim, Ryan, and Lindsey dive into what it really means to build “Brand Love,” using BERA’s Love Curve to unpack how the most emotionally connected brands outperform competitors on pricing power, market share, and shareholder returns.They’re joined by Sofia Colucci, Chief Marketing Officer of Molson Coors, who shares how her team translates brand love into bookings, loyalty, and iconic creative ideas; from beer-flavored Pringles to New Balance koozies and even a dive-bar perfume.“Brand equity isn’t a soft metric. It’s a growth engine. The most loved brands deliver stronger loyalty, pricing power, and market performance.”---Download this week’s worksheet here: https://bit.ly/43eFfHiRead 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.

Whether it’s the Wolves lighting up the court or the Lynx dominating the playoffs, few understand the power of fan passion quite like Jim’s guest this week on The CMO Podcast—Mike Grahl, Chief Marketing Officer of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx. The Wolves are one of the NBA’s most dynamic rising franchises, and the Lynx—a four-time WNBA champion—are a powerhouse team that embodies the spirit of the Twin Cities both on the court and in the community.Since 2018, Mike has led marketing for both franchises, overseeing brand strategy, creative, digital innovation, retail, and fan engagement. Under his leadership, the Wolves and Lynx have achieved record ticket sales, soaring fan engagement, award-winning campaigns, and retail growth that has set franchise records. Before coming to Minnesota, Mike spent more than 20 years with the Milwaukee Bucks, rising from account representative to Chief Digital Officer and helping drive that franchise’s digital transformation.Tune in as Mike shares how he’s built two thriving sports brands that go beyond the game, the lessons he carried from two decades with the Bucks, and his playbook for turning loyal fans into a movement.---This week's episode is brought to you by Deloitte and Best Buy Ads.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We’re kicking off this week’s episode with something special — and in a city that knows a thing or two about creativity, resilience, and great music. For the next five weeks, we’re coming to you from Minneapolis, Minnesota — home of Prince, more than 10,000 lakes, and a vibrant business community. For the very first time, The CMO Podcast is recording on-site at the Best Buy Studios, in partnership with Best Buy Ads.Jim’s guest this week is Dave Schneider, Chief Marketing Officer of Red Wing Shoe Company. Founded in 1905, Red Wing has built a legacy as America’s iconic work boot brand — boots that have supported the workers who built landmarks like the St. Louis Arch and the Sears Tower. Today, the company generates more than a billion dollars annually across its portfolio of brands and retail network, while remaining family-owned under its fourth-generation CEO — and first woman to lead the company.Dave oversees Red Wing’s global marketing practice, from brand management and digital strategy to ecommerce, retail experience, and corporate communications. Before Red Wing, he spent years in senior leadership roles at top agencies, shaping campaigns for some of the world’s most recognizable brands.This is Jim’s conversation with a CMO whose brand has outfitted generations of builders, dreamers, and doers — Dave Schneider of Red Wing Shoe Company.---This week's episode is brought to you by Deloitte and Best Buy Ads.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week we're very excited to share with you an exciting new show we've launched this week! It’s called The Brand Builder’s Playbook…a special 8-part series created in partnership with our friends at BERA.ai.In a world where CMOs are expected to do more with less—drive revenue, prove impact, and keep pace with accelerating change—The Brand Builder’s Playbook is your guide to what actually works.Now, here’s the important part: you’ll hear the very first episode right here in The CMO Podcast feed. But if you’d like to hear the rest of the series, head over and follow The Brand Builder’s Playbook on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you enjoy your podcasts.Follow on Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/thebrandbuildersplaybook----------Welcome to the very first episode of The Brand Builder’s Playbook, a new limited series hosted by Jim Stengel (Host of The CMO Podcast) and Ryan Barker (CEO of BERA.ai), and this week joined by guest co-host Lindsey Wehking (Chief Strategy Officer at Nonfiction Research).In this 8-part series, we’ll build a practical playbook for 2025—designed to help brand leaders navigate an era of uncertainty, constant change, and rising expectations. Each episode tackles a critical theme in sequence, offering insights and tools to strengthen your brand as a true strategic asset.We kick things off by asking the most fundamental question: Why does brand matter?Our featured guest is Chris Burggraeve, former Global CMO of AB InBev and a longtime champion of treating brand as a financial asset. Together, we unpack how brand drives growth, profit, pricing power, and resilience—even in turbulent times.If you’re a marketer, founder, or business leader seeking conviction, clarity, and a new set of plays for brand building, this episode is your starting point.---Each week we’ll offer you a worksheet to follow along and continue to learn after enjoying the episode. You can download this week’s worksheet here: http://bit.ly/4mZImdd –--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.

School is back in session—and so is the CMO Podcast, live from Penn State’s Alumni Leadership Conference. In our annual tradition, Jim welcomes three remarkable Penn State alumni on stage to explore the art and science of decision-making. Together, they dive into the vulnerable moments that shaped their lives, the career pivots that defined their paths, and the lessons learned when decisions didn’t go as planned.This year’s guests bring diverse experiences:Whit Friese, VP of Creative Marketing at The Home Depot, whose career journey spans advertising, Hollywood, and Emmy-winning creative work at CNN.Camille Chang Gilmore, Senior VP & Chief Human Resources Officer at Avanos Medical, who built her career leading people and driving diversity at Boston Scientific.Jim Erickson, founder and longtime CEO of Blue Mountain Quality Resources, a leader in life sciences software solutions.Join us for an honest, inspiring, and lively conversation about the critical choices that shape leaders—and the wisdom they pass on to the next generation of Nittany Lions.---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.

Not many CMOs can say they’ve had just one job their entire career, but our guest this week can say he can. Joining Jim is Colin Kelton, the Global Chief Marketing Officer at Vanguard, the 50-year-old investment management giant founded by legendary investor John Bogle. Vanguard is a pioneer in asset management, with a unique investor-owned company structure. It has a simple and powerful purpose: To take a stand for our investors, to treat them fairly, and to give them the best chance for investment success. Colin’s story is unusual in today’s world. He started with Vanguard in 1990, fresh out of Penn State, and he never left. Over the years, he has held a number of leadership positions, including Chairman and CEO of Vanguard Australia. In 2018, he became Vanguard’s first Global CMO, and in January 2024 he added Chief Communications Officer to his responsibilities.Recorded in person at the Next Gen CMO Academy at Deloitte University, this conversation explores Colin’s remarkable journey, what it means to lead with purpose, and how a lifetime at one company can shape both a career and a culture.---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.

For the first time in its 122-year history, Ford Motor Company has launched a singular global campaign—Ready Set Ford. To mark the occasion, Jim Stengel and The CMO Podcast traveled to Detroit to sit down with Ford’s Chief Marketing Officer, Lisa Materrazzo, at the company’s cutting-edge NewLab near the iconic Michigan Central station. With two decades at Toyota behind her, Lisa joined Ford two years ago to reinvigorate the brand and prepare it for the future. So tune in as Jim goes behind the scenes of one of the most ambitious—and promising—brand relaunches of the decade, exploring what it takes to reintroduce an iconic company to the world. Ready Set Lisa!---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.

Who doesn’t remember the Chili’s jingle—“I want my baby back, baby back, baby back…”? Or maybe you’ve seen the viral TikToks about Chili’s Triple Dipper. Chili’s is back in culture in a big way, and much of that credit goes to their Chief Marketing Officer, George Felix.George is one of today’s most dynamic marketing leaders. He started his career at P&G—where, like me, he worked on the legendary Old Spice turnaround—before moving on to Yum! Brands with KFC and Pizza Hut. Three years ago, he took on Chili’s, and the results have been remarkable. Under George’s leadership, Chili’s has gone from not even being a national advertiser to becoming Ad Age’s Brand of the Year, with George himself named CMO of the Year.In this episode, George shares his playbook for turning brands around, the importance of listening to frontline team members, and how to make a heritage brand cool again. And yes—we even take a detour into Taylor Swift.This conversation was recorded in person at the Next Gen CMO Academy at Deloitte University.---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.