The CMO / CEO relationship

I enjoyed my recent conversation with Al Sefati of Clarity Digital who graciously invited me on his podcast to discuss the relationship(s) between the CMO and CEO . Plus a number of other related - and some unrelated - topics.

Enjoy!

00:00 – Introduction

01:45 – Chris Selland’s background: CMO, CEO, educator

05:30 – Understanding the CEO’s role in the C-suite

08:10 – The sales vs. marketing tension: healthy or destructive?

12:55 – Why marketing must support sales in B2B organizations

17:40 – What CEOs and boards really care about: pipeline and revenue

21:00 – The CFO’s influence: how marketing fits into the bigger picture

25:20 – Educating CEOs on marketing: when it works and when it backfires

30:05 – AI’s impact on marketing: how it’s reshaping content creation

35:40 – Real-world AI case studies: cost savings and team restructuring

40:10 – What CMOs need to stop doing today

43:55 – How CMOs can build trust with CFOs and CROs

48:30 – AI as a force multiplier: practical strategies for CMOs and CEOs

52:45 – Chris’s life beyond the boardroom: dog walks, podcasts, Arsenal

55:00 – Final takeaways: honesty, alignment, and adapting to change