CMO Weekly

Seth Matlins of Wisdomous Company: Why Every Decision Creates or Destroys Value

In this episode of CMO Weekly, host Hayley Clover sits down with Seth Matlins—one of the most distinctive and influential voices in modern marketing. Make sure to check out Seth Matlins New Podcast: Create or Destroy: Reimagining Marketing” with Seth Matlins is produced by Vox Media Podcast Network in partnership with The Wisdomous Company, with new episodes releasing every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts. With a career spanning over three decades, Seth has operated at the highest levels of iconic organizations, including serving as the President of Rock the Vote, the first Global CMO of Live Nation, and the Managing Director of the Forbes CMO Network. Today, Seth is embarking on his newest venture: Create or Destroy, a new podcast and live events franchise in partnership with Vox Media designed to reimagine the role of marketing in the modern enterprise. In this deep-dive conversation, Seth shares why he believes marketing must be viewed as an organizational mindset rather than just a functional silo. He challenges the status quo of "data-driven" marketing, discusses the existential risks and rewards of Generative AI, and explains why the best leaders focus on objectives over pretty pictures. Key Takeaways from This Episode: The "Create or Destroy" Philosophy: Why every single decision a company makes—not just the marketing ones—either builds value or destroys it. The Power of Critical Thinking: Seth recounts a pivotal "smack in the face" early in his career at Evian that taught him to prioritize strategy and objectives over superficial aesthetics. Navigating the AI Era: A nuanced look at why GenAI is a powerful "teammate" that risks leading to mass commodification if it isn't steered by human judgment and experience. Defining Influence: Behind-the-scenes insights into how the Forbes "World's Most Influential CMOs" list was curated and why a "bad moment" can actually increase a leader's influence. Building Real Community: Why Seth’s live events operate under Chatham House Rules to ensure "real talk" away from corporate key messages. About Seth Matlins: Seth Matlins is the Founder of The Wisdomous Company and a veteran marketer known for his sharp, witty, and deeply practical perspective on brand building. Throughout his career, he has specialized in roles that never existed before he took them, allowing him to drive entrepreneurial growth within established giants like CAA, Live Nation, and Endeavor. Chapters: 0:00 – Intro to Seth Matlins and "Create or Destroy" 3:58 – Having a career of "jobs that didn't exist" 5:22 – Growing up in a household of marketers 7:07 – The Evian lesson: Strategy vs. Pretty Pictures 12:47 – Why modern marketing has "lost the thread" 15:52 – The AI Optimist vs. Pessimist: Avoiding the "Slop" 21:03 – What actually makes a CMO "influential"? 25:34 – Breaking down the "Create or Destroy" mindset 30:00 – The power of human connection and live events 35:11 – Outro and where to find Seth's new show Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE for more interviews with the world’s top marketing leaders! Brought to you by OpenFortune – Putting your brand inside actual fortune cookies. Visit openfortune.com to learn more.

Josh Redel of Central Bank: The Introvert’s Guide to Marketing Leadership

How do you stay at one company for your entire career and help it double in size while being named a Forbes Best Bank 18 years in a row? In this episode of CMO Weekly, host Hayley Clover sits down with Josh Redel, Senior Vice President and Director of Corporate Marketing at Central Bank. Josh shares his journey from an advertising copywriter to leading brand strategy for a multi-state financial institution that recently went public on the NASDAQ. We dive deep into the "secret sauce" behind Central Bank’s legendary consistency, their unique approach to community-based marketing, and a fascinating "unintentional case study" on why brand awareness is the ultimate driver of growth. Whether you are a marketing professional or a business leader, Josh’s insights on modernization, strategic partnerships (like the St. Louis Cardinals), and the importance of public speaking are not to be missed. Key Takeaways from This Episode Breaking the "Bank" Mold: Why Central Bank focuses on being "different" through wild creative testing and financial education rather than traditional sales-focused mailers. The Power of Consistency: The three-pillar philosophy that has kept Central Bank on the Forbes Best Banks list for nearly two decades. A Brand Awareness Case Study: A raw look at what happens when one market leans into a brand rollout while another pulls back—and how those results look 11 years later. Going Public: How Central Bank transitioned to a publicly traded company on the NASDAQ without losing its 120-year-old core values. Advice for Modern Marketers: Josh discusses why young marketers must embrace AI, take risks, and master the art of public speaking. Episode Timestamps 0:00 – Intro: Welcome to CMO Weekly 1:17 – Meet Josh Redel: A career built at Central Bank 2:41 – The early days: Managing 13 brands and websites 5:51 – The secret to 18 years as a Forbes "Best Bank" 8:51 – Standing out in a competitive, "sea of sameness" landscape 14:01 – Modernizing a brand that started in 1902 15:33 – Being a "fast follower" in social media (TikTok & more) 20:17 – Case Study: The massive impact of brand awareness (KC vs. St. Louis) 23:31 – Strategic partnerships with the St. Louis Cardinals 26:11 – The "Closing Pitch": Josh's go-to baseball strategy 27:15 – Going Public: Central Bank on the NASDAQ 29:44 – Career Advice: Risks, AI, and the power of public speaking About Our Guest Josh Redel is the SVP and Director of Corporate Marketing at Central Bank. Having spent his entire career within the organization, he has been a driving force behind the bank’s digital evolution, analytics strategy, and overall brand growth. Central Bank is an 18-time Forbes Best Bank, now publicly traded on the NASDAQ. Sponsored By OpenFortune: The only marketing company putting your brand inside actual fortune cookies. Reach millions of customers in a moment of surprise and attention that no banner ad can match. Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to CMO Weekly for more interviews with the world’s top marketing executives!

Shachar Scott of Sunbit: How to Humanize Your Brand in the Age of AI

Welcome to another episode of CMO Weekly! This week, host Hayley Clover sits down with Shachar Scott, the first-ever Chief Marketing Officer of Sunbit, to discuss her journey from leading massive teams at Big Tech giants to building a brand from the ground up in the fintech space. Shachar is one of the most decorated brand builders in the industry, having played pivotal roles at Apple, Snap, Bumble, and Meta. In this episode, she reveals her strategies for "zero-to-one" brand building, the distinction between managing and leading, and why she views every customer interaction as a deposit in a "brand bank". 🕒 Episode Timestamps 00:00 – Intro: Meet Shachar Scott, CMO of Sunbit. 02:31 – A 25-year career: Launching the first-ever YouTube and Facebook campaigns. 04:23 – Lessons from the early days of Apple and Snap. 06:16 – Redefining intimacy at Bumble during a global pandemic. 07:44 – Transitioning from Meta's Reality Labs to Fintech. 10:01 – Why Sunbit hired its first CMO after 10 years of growth. 12:37 – The First 90 Days: Listening, frameworks, and the "Future Positive" model. 25:08 – Management vs. Leadership: Being a "shit umbrella" for your team. 29:38 – The Brand Bank: Making deposits and avoiding withdrawals. 34:23 – Human-centric Fintech: Why Sunbit blames itself when a payment is late. 💡 Key TakeawaysThe "Zero-to-One" BuildDespite Sunbit being a Series D/E company, Shachar is leading a "zero-to-one" marketing build. While the company grew through merchant partnerships (now in 60% of auto dealerships), Shachar is now evolving the brand to have a direct-to-consumer (B2C) emotional connection. Managing vs. LeadingShachar draws a sharp distinction between these two roles. Managing is about accountability, career growth, and acting as a "shit umbrella" to protect the team from distractions. Leading requires vulnerability, a clear vision, and the ability to inspire others to follow. The Brand Bank PhilosophyShachar treats brand loyalty like a bank account. Deposits: Magical, frictionless experiences that surprise and delight. Withdrawals: Broken links, poor customer service, or hidden fees. To build long-term value (LTV), a brand must ensure it is constantly making more deposits than withdrawals. Disrupting Fintech with EmpathyIn an industry often viewed as cold, Sunbit focuses on the "whole person". Shachar highlights Sunbit’s unique culture where, if a payment is late, the company looks at how they can better serve the customer rather than immediately charging late fees. Connect with CMO Weekly:Don't forget to Subscribe to stay updated on the bold moves and breakthrough ideas from the world’s top marketing executives!

Joe Nayquonabe of Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort: Servant Leadership in the Gaming Industry

How does a math-driven marketer rise to become the "Most Admired CEO"? In this episode of CMO Weekly, host Hayley Clover sits down with Joe Nayquonabe, CEO of Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort and a 22-year veteran of the Indian Gaming industry.Joe shares his unconventional path—from knocking on doors in Washington, D.C., to leading a massive $600 million tribal business portfolio. We dive deep into the "data revolution" in gaming, exploring how the shift from traditional hospitality to sophisticated data mining has redefined the industry. Joe also provides a masterclass on servant leadership, mission-driven business, and how tribal gaming funds critical community services like healthcare and education.Watch to learn: How a single Harvard Business Review article changed Joe's career trajectory. The strategy for leveraging first-party data to compete with digital giants like DraftKings and FanDuel. Why a marketing background is the "best equipment" for a modern CEO. The cultural and economic mission behind the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe’s business ventures.🎧 TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Welcome to CMO Weekly: Meet Joe Nayquonabe 01:52 – The "Stumble" into Gaming: Leaving D.C. for a Minnesota internship 03:10 – "Diamonds in the Data Mining": The HBR article that changed everything 05:45 – Mission-Driven Marketing: How tribal gaming supports the community 10:15 – Brick-and-Mortar vs. Digital: Navigating the online gaming boom 15:30 – Leadership Philosophy: Transitioning from Marketing Executive to CEO 19:45 – Celebrating 45 Years: What’s next for Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort 22:30 – The Future of Consumer Engagement and Relationship Marketing👤 ABOUT THE GUESTJoe Nayquonabe is the CEO of Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort and the former CEO of Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures. An enrolled member of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, he holds an MBA and a Master of Tribal Administration. He has been recognized as the "Most Admired CEO" and is a member of the Young Presidents' Organization (YPO).Special thanks to our sponsor, OpenFortune!#CMOWeekly #MarketingStrategy #TribalGaming #Leadership #DataMining #CEOInterview #SoaringEagleCasino

Paul Burns of Canadian Gaming Association: How AI is Changing Player Protection

This episode of CMO Weekly features an in-depth conversation with Paul Burns, the President and CEO of the Canadian Gaming Association. With over two decades of experience in government affairs and gaming policy, Burns has been a primary architect in transitioning Canada’s gaming landscape from a "gray market" into a regulated, multi-billion-dollar industry.Host Hayley Clover dives into the evolution of sports betting, the massive success of the Ontario market, and why player protection is no longer just a "checkbox"—it’s the foundation of long-term sustainability.🎧 What’s In This Episode? The Origin Story: Paul shares how he transitioned from the world of politics to helping establish the CGA in 2005. The Ontario Blueprint: A look at how Ontario’s regulated market grew to include over 50 companies and why other provinces (like Alberta) are looking to replicate its success. Player Protection 2.0: Moving beyond basic tools to active behavioral monitoring and the importance of financial literacy for younger players (legal gambling age is 19 in most of Canada, but 18 in Alberta). Industry Modernization: Why the gaming industry must "meet people where they are" to stay relevant in a digital-first world. The 2030 Vision: Paul predicts the state of Canadian gaming over the next five years, including his hope for at least two more regulated provinces.⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Intro and a word from our sponsor, Health and Fortune. 00:51 – Introducing Paul Burns, CEO of the Canadian Gaming Association. 01:31 – Paul’s journey: From politics to the "fun file" of gaming. 03:06 – The struggle of establishing a regulated market in Canada. 05:00 – Ontario’s billion-dollar success and the shift in consumer protection. 07:17 – Alberta’s move toward regulation and the "Ontario model". 11:51 – What "Player Protection" actually looks like today. 13:21 – Monitoring player behavior: Escalation and intervention. 16:28 – The gambling age in Canada and the need for youth education. 20:20 – The evolution of provincial lottery models vs. commercial operators. 23:03 – Future Outlook: Innovation, harmonization, and predictions for 2030.About CMO Weekly:We sit down with the world's top executives to uncover the bold news, tough lessons, and breakthrough ideas that have shaped their journeys.Support the Show:Check out OpenFortune, the only marketing company putting your brand inside actual fortune cookies. Keep an eye out for their latest campaign with MrBeast! #CanadianGaming #SportsBetting #OnlineGaming #ExecutiveInterview #CMAWeekly #PaulBurns #OntarioGaming #PlayerProtection