Kip Knight | Putting the Chief in CMO - Being Good at Marketing Isn't Enough | CMO Confidential

A CMO Confidential Interview with Kip Knight, founder of CMO Coaches, formerly CMO of Taco Bell and H&R Block US President. Kip breaks marketing leadership into "3 Chiefs" - Marketing Leader, Member of the Exec (First) Team, and Company Ambassador and offers tips for how to sequence and think about all three. Key discussion topics include: why running marketing is like being a conductor; how to become a respected member of "The First Team" by remembering "marketing isn't a special function;" how staying "hungry, humble, and smart" allows for continuous learning; and why "you need to go to school every day" throughout your career to "earn the CMO title." Tune in to hear tips for development and why it is usually a disservice to your people to tell them they are "great." Why is being a CMO the toughest job in business? Tune in as Mike Linton, five-time CMO and host of CMO Confidential, dives into the challenges and nuances of this high-stakes role with guest Kip Knight, founder of CMO Coaches and former CMO of Taco Bell. In this insightful conversation, Kip shares his framework for success, including the "three chiefs" concept—Marketing Chief, First Team Chief, and Company Ambassador Chief—and how these roles shape a successful chief marketing officer. Key topics include how CMOs can align with CEOs and CFOs, the importance of storytelling and customer insights, and the necessity of staying ahead in a rapidly evolving marketing landscape. Kip also offers valuable advice for aspiring CMOs, from leveraging curiosity and continuous learning to navigating the balance between creativity and financial acumen. Whether you're an aspiring marketer, seasoned professional, or business leader, this episode is packed with actionable insights on leadership, team-building, and making marketing a growth engine for your company. Subscribe to CMO Confidential for exclusive content and actionable strategies to elevate your marketing leadership skills. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from industry veterans and sharpen your edge in the competitive world of marketing. #marketinganalytics #productmanagement #digitalmarketing #marketingcapabilities #socialmediamarketing CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Intro 01:03 - Chief Marketing Officer Role 02:21 - CMO Responsibilities Overview 03:25 - Marketing Leadership Insights 08:58 - Team Leadership Strategies 10:31 - Team Leadership Strategies 17:34 - Company Ambassador Role 21:00 - Preparing for CMO Position 27:07 - Final Thoughts and Advice 27:34 - Journey as a Reward 29:40 - Peloton's Business Journey 29:46 - Importance of Finance for Marketers 29:50 - CMO Tenure Challenges See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.