Where Did All the CMOs Go?

Update: 2025-08-12

Description

Only 40% of Fortune 500 marketing leaders actually hold the title Chief Marketing Officer. But average CMO tenure is now 4.3 years, up from last year. So is the CMO role really disappearing?

New research from Spencer Stuart challenges the "CMO decline" narrative everyone loves to share. This week, Elena and Angela explore why this story gained traction, what effective marketing leadership looks like today, and how first-time CMOs can stay relevant. Plus, they share which brands they'd love to lead for one year.

Topics covered:

[01:00 ] Spencer Stuart's 2025 Fortune 500 CMO research findings
[07:00 ] Only 40% of marketing leaders use the CMO title
[10:00 ] Should CMOs handle roles beyond traditional marketing?
[12:00 ] What effective marketing leadership looks like today
[17:00 ] Biggest challenge facing first-time CMOs
[22:00 ] How companies should treat the CMO role differently

To learn more, visit marketingarchitects.com/podcast or subscribe to our newsletter at marketingarchitects.com/newsletter.

Resources:
2025 Spencer Stuart Report: https://www.spencerstuart.com/research-and-insight/cmo-tenure-study-2025-the-evolution-of-marketing-leadership

Get more research-backed marketing strategies by subscribing to The Marketing Architects on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

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