CMO Weekly

OpenFortune

"CMO Weekly," hosted by OpenFortune's Hayley Clover, explores the journeys of top Chief Marketing Officers. Each episode features in-depth conversations with influential marketing leaders, uncovering their strategies, challenges, and success stories. The podcast offers insights into marketing innovation, leadership, and brand-building for both aspiring and seasoned professionals. Clover delves into the career-defining moments and philosophies that shape marketing excellence, providing a unique insider's view of the industry's most brilliant minds.

  1. Tom Morrissy of Noble People: Why This Media Agency Rejects $50 Million Clients

    7H AGO

    Tom Morrissy of Noble People: Why This Media Agency Rejects $50 Million Clients

    In this episode of CMO Weekly, host Hailey Culver sits down with Tom Morrissy, the Chief Growth Officer at Noble People—an independent media agency that lives by a simple philosophy: "No B******t". Tom shares how his agency, born out of creative powerhouses like Droga5, is disrupting the traditional media landscape by treating media strategy as a "hack to growth" through the fusion of creativity and analytics. Whether you’re a marketing leader, an aspiring media planner, or an entrepreneur looking to scale, Tom’s insights on media disruption and individualized brand journeys are a masterclass in modern growth strategy. 📌 In This Episode, You’ll Learn: The "Media Agency for Creative People": Why Noble People views media as a creative canvas rather than just a spreadsheet exercise. Creativity as a Growth Hack: How blending left-brain analytics with right-brain creativity leads to smarter, more efficient brand growth. Breaking Through AI Anxiety: How Noble People uses over 150 internal AI tools to accelerate work rather than fear disruption. The "Smoke Weed with Jeff Sessions" Campaign: Behind the scenes of a viral, award-winning campaign that utilized clever media placement in D.C. and Arizona. Career Advice for "Hand Raisers": Why being the person who says "yes" to more responsibility is the fastest way to rise in the advertising industry. 🕒 Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro: Meet Tom Morrissy and Noble People. 05:45 – The Noble People Philosophy: "No Bullshit" Media. 12:30 – Why Independent Agencies are Winning in 2025. 18:15 – Balancing Brand vs. Performance with the "Budget Balancer" tool. 24:40 – Case Study: Creative Media in Action (The Jeff Sessions Billboard). 28:44 – Closing Advice: How to get started in the marketing industry. 🔗 About Tom Morrissy & Noble People: Tom Morrissy is a media industry veteran known for his background in digital media, publishing, and advertising revenue leadership. As Chief Growth Officer, he leads strategy for Noble People, which recently saw 30% revenue growth and was recognized as a top independent firm at the 2025 Ad Age Small Agency Awards. Brought to you by Open Fortune: Put your brand inside actual fortune cookies! Visit openfortune.com to learn more. Subscribe to CMO Weekly: Don’t miss an episode of the world’s top marketing leaders uncovering bold moves and breakthrough ideas. #Marketing #CMO #MediaStrategy #GrowthHacking #Advertising #NoblePeople #CMOWeekly

    29 min
  2. Andre Villanberg of Bullshark Games: Why Quality Beats Quantity in iGaming

    2D AGO

    Andre Villanberg of Bullshark Games: Why Quality Beats Quantity in iGaming

    This episode of CMO Weekly features a deep dive into the world of iGaming with Andre Villandberg, the Founder and CEO of Bullshark Games. Andre shares his journey from a professional poker player to leading an independent slot studio that prioritizes "player-first" design and bold, high-volatility gameplay. 🦈 Episode Highlights From Poker Pro to Game Studio Founder Andre discusses how his background as a professional poker player and his experience "bonus abusing" early in his career provided him with a unique, analytical perspective on what makes a game truly engaging. He explains that this history helps him understand exactly what users want and how to build games that are "fun" rather than just another corporate product. The Bullshark Strategy: Quality Over Quantity Founded in late 2023 with the release of their first game, Mafia Clash, Bullshark Games operates with a lean, hands-on team where everyone has a voice. Andre emphasizes their commitment to: Originality: Avoiding "lazy" reskins or reusing old mechanics. The "Playability" Test: If the team wouldn't play the game themselves for real money, they won't ship it. Calculated Chaos: A look into the development of titles like Godly Gains, where they "drove the mathematicians mad" to create massive, engaging ending moments. Innovative Marketing in iGaming Andre breaks down how Bullshark differentiates itself in a crowded market: Streamer Focus: Partnering only with streamers who genuinely love the games to ensure organic, high-energy reactions. LinkedIn Visibility: Using personality-driven content and product insights rather than traditional banner ads. Strategic Partnerships: How teaming up with major partners like Hacksaw Gaming (using their OpenGRS platform) helped a young studio gain rapid visibility. Lessons for Aspiring Leaders Andre offers candid advice for new founders, noting that "there are no free days" and that success in a lean startup requires a team where one member does the work of three. 🎯 Key Takeaways Volatility vs. Engagement: Finding the balance between high-volatility games that look great on stream and games that remain fun for "regular" players. Data-Driven Decisions: How the studio uses feedback from affiliate sites and player data to pivot and make game changes quickly. Under-promise, Over-deliver: The philosophy that has helped them win over casino operators and aggregators.

    17 min
  3. Tornike Zazashvili of FortuneJack: How FortuneJack Keeps Players Coming Back

    2D AGO

    Tornike Zazashvili of FortuneJack: How FortuneJack Keeps Players Coming Back

    Can crypto and traditional marketing coexist? In this episode of CMO Weekly, we sit down with Tornike Zazashvili, the Performance Marketing Director at FortuneJack, to explore the rapidly evolving landscape of crypto casinos and the bold strategies required to lead in a high-growth, high-stakes industry. FortuneJack has been a pioneer in the crypto gambling space since 2014, blending cutting-edge blockchain technology with a catalog of over 3,000 games. Tornike shares his journey navigating this unique niche, discussing how FortuneJack maintains its edge through performance marketing, brand building, and staying ahead of the "fast-changing industry". Whether you’re interested in the future of iGaming, the intersection of blockchain and marketing, or the lessons learned from leading a global crypto brand, this conversation offers a deep dive into the "bold moves and tough lessons" of a modern marketing leader. In this episode, you’ll learn: The FortuneJack Story: How a crypto casino launched in 2014 became a market leader with thousands of games. Performance Marketing in Crypto: The specific challenges and opportunities of marketing in the blockchain and gaming space. Staying Ahead of Trends: Strategies for leading teams and building brands in a fast-paced digital economy. The Future of Gaming: Insight into the world of crypto-integrated online gaming. Timestamps: 0:00 – Introduction to CMO Weekly 0:17 – Special Segment: Branding through OpenFortune cookies 0:40 – Meet Tornike Zazashvili, Performance Marketing Director at FortuneJack 1:03 – The evolution of FortuneJack and the crypto casino space 16:14 – Focusing on what you love in the gaming industry 17:01 – Final thoughts and where to find FortuneJack online Brought to you by OpenFortune: This episode is supported by OpenFortune, the marketing company putting your brand inside millions of fortune cookies worldwide. Learn more at OpenFortune.com. #CMOWeekly #FortuneJack #CryptoMarketing #PerformanceMarketing #iGaming #Blockchain #MarketingStrategy #TornikeZazashvili

    18 min
  4. Chris Barrett of Hippodrome Casino: How to Pivot a 100-Year-Old Brand During a Crisis

    JAN 29

    Chris Barrett of Hippodrome Casino: How to Pivot a 100-Year-Old Brand During a Crisis

    In this episode of CMO Weekly, host Hayley Clover sits down with Chris Barrett, Director of Marketing at The Hippodrome Casino in London. Recorded live in Las Vegas, Chris shares his decade-long journey at one of the world's most famous entertainment venues and explains how a 125-year-old landmark stays at the cutting edge of digital marketing. From the "Magic Mike Live" phenomenon to launching the UK’s first-ever in-casino sportsbook with Paddy Power, Chris breaks down the strategies required to manage a brand that is simultaneously a casino, a theater, and a five-star dining destination. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: The "Thomas Family" Way: How a family-owned structure allows for rapid innovation and bold decisions that corporate structures often miss. Audience Segmentation: How The Hippodrome successfully markets to wildly different demographics—from "Magic Mike" hen parties to high-stakes gamers. Omnichannel Mastery: The secret to maintaining brand consistency across LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok while keeping a "human" touch. Innovation Under Pressure: How the casino transformed its business model during the pandemic by building three new rooftop bars in record time. The Future of Sports Betting: Inside the historic partnership with Paddy Power to bring a US-style sportsbook experience to Leicester Square. 🕒 Key Chapters: 00:00 – Intro & The Power of Fortune Cookie Marketing with Open Fortune. 02:30 – Meet Chris Barrett: 10 Years at The Hippodrome Casino. 06:15 – The History of a 125-Year-Old Landmark: From Circus to Casino. 09:45 – Pivoting in a Crisis: How COVID-19 Sparked the Rooftop Revolution. 13:20 – The "Magic Mike Live" Effect: Marketing to New Demographics. 17:50 – Launching the UK’s First In-Casino Sportsbook with Paddy Power. 21:10 – Marketing Advice: Why You Should "Scroll with a Purpose". 23:45 – Closing Thoughts & Birthday Celebrations in Vegas!. Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE for more deep dives into the minds of marketing leaders! 🔔 Hit the bell icon to stay updated on new episodes of CMO Weekly. #CMOWeekly #MarketingStrategy #HippodromeCasino #DigitalMarketing #MagicMikeLive #PaddyPower #SportsBetting #HaleyClover #MarketingInsights

    23 min
  5. Paulie Dery of AG1: Why "Boring" is the Biggest Risk in Marketing

    JAN 28

    Paulie Dery of AG1: Why "Boring" is the Biggest Risk in Marketing

    In this episode of CMO Weekly, host Hayley Clover sits down with Paulie Dery, the Chief Marketing Officer of AG1, at Brand Week to discuss the evolution of one of the world’s most successful nutritional brands. Paulie shares the "tough lessons" and "breakthrough ideas" that helped shift AG1 from a product-first tactic to a global legacy brand. Discover how AG1 launched its massive "Morning People" campaign during the World Series, why they treat "Energy" as a critical KPI, and how the brand stays ahead of the curve by viewing creativity as a muscle rather than just a department. Whether you’re a marketer looking to escape "the sea of sameness" or a founder building a community-driven brand, this episode is packed with actionable insights on storytelling, the creator economy, and leading remote teams. 🕒 Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction to CMO Weekly & Special Guest Paulie Dery 01:05 – The AG1 Evolution: Moving from Product-First to Brand-First 03:20 – Behind the "Morning People" Campaign & World Series Debut 06:45 – Creative as a Muscle: Why Being "Boring" is the Biggest Risk 09:15 – Measuring Success: Why "Energy" is AG1’s Secret KPI 12:30 – The Future of Media: Linear TV, YouTube, and the Creator Economy 15:50 – Leading a Global "Tele-Remote" Team 18:15 – The Role of AI in Marketing: Enhancing vs. Dulling Creativity 20:30 – "Q5": How AG1 Navigates the New Year Health Rush 🚀 Key Takeaways from this Episode: Building a Legacy Brand: Paulie explains how AG1 shifted its focus from explaining the product to celebrating the lifestyle and community of "Morning People". Creative Courage: Learn why AG1 pushes for "weird" and interesting work to stand out in a crowded marketplace, and why Paulie believes AI might make marketing more boring if not used carefully. Non-Traditional KPIs: While data is vital, Paulie discusses the importance of "Brand Energy"—the momentum and sentiment that hard numbers can’t always capture. The Power of Focus: For 15 years, AG1 has focused on one core product. Paulie shares why doing "one thing incredibly well" is a masterclass for all marketers. 🎙️ About Paulie Dery Paulie Dery is the Chief Marketing Officer at AG1 (formerly Athletic Greens), where he leads global brand strategy, creative storytelling, and growth. With a background in top-tier creative agencies like Uber and R/GA, Paulie has been instrumental in transforming AG1 into a household name through high-impact campaigns like "Good Morning, Moon" (narrated by Rick Rubin) and deep integrations within the creator economy. Sponsored by Open Fortune: Bringing your brand to life inside fortune cookies. Visit OpenFortune.com. #CMOWeekly #AG1 #MarketingStrategy #BrandBuilding #PaulieDery #MorningPeople #CreativeDirection #CreatorEconomy

    22 min
  6. Aimee Egan of Shutterstock: Why Creative Results Aren’t Enough in Modern Marketing

    JAN 22

    Aimee Egan of Shutterstock: Why Creative Results Aren’t Enough in Modern Marketing

    This episode of CMO Weekly, recorded live at Adweek's Brand Week, features Aimee Egan, the first-ever Chief Enterprise Officer at Shutterstock. With over 25 years of experience in B2B leadership, Aimee shares her journey from law school to leading global growth and transformation for Shutterstock’s enterprise division. Aimee discusses how Shutterstock is evolving from a content marketplace into a strategic partner, particularly through its "human-first" approach to Artificial Intelligence. She also dives into the importance of personal growth in leadership and the future of creative impact in marketing. 🕒 Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction to CMO Weekly and guest Aimee Egan. 01:38 – Aimee’s career journey: From law school to 20 years at Thomson Reuters. 04:03 – Why Shutterstock? Marrying commercial passion with an industry in transformation. 05:45 – Scaling the Enterprise division and the Giphy acquisition. 07:33 – How AI is transforming the business: Data partnerships and virtual production. 09:38 – The "Human First" AI philosophy: Balancing efficiency with creative soul. 13:34 – Leadership Lessons: Inner growth and the "oxygen mask" philosophy. 15:30 – The Brand Genius Impact Award and honoring Kat Cole of AG1. 18:00 – Rapid Fire: Favorite cities, Jimmy Carter, and why she loves to cook. 💡 Key Takeaways AI as a Co-Creator: Aimee breaks down the creative process into ideation, alignment, and commercialization, noting that while AI is currently integrated into the first two stages, the industry is still co-creating the rules for the commercial side. The Transformation Within: A central leadership tenet for Aimee is that a leader can only transform a business as far as they are willing to transform themselves. Strategic Firefighting: Aimee shares a pivotal piece of advice: "Be careful that you don’t get so good at putting out fires that people start starting fires around you.". Impact-Driven Marketing: Shutterstock’s partnership with Adweek for the Brand Genius Impact Award highlights a shift toward measuring how creative work changes lives and behaviors, not just how it looks.

    23 min
  7. Akerho Oghoghomeh of Lucid Motors: How to Scale a High-End Brand

    JAN 20

    Akerho Oghoghomeh of Lucid Motors: How to Scale a High-End Brand

    In this episode of CMO Weekly, host Hayley Clover sits down with Akerho "AK" Oghoghomeh, the Chief Marketing Officer at Lucid Motors, to discuss the high-stakes world of luxury electric vehicles (EVs) and the art of building a brand that resonates as a cultural force. As Lucid navigates a pivotal year in 2026—marked by the expansion of the Lucid Gravity SUV and a cooling EV market—AK shares his unique "engineering-first" approach to marketing. Drawing from his previous leadership roles at Red Bull, Beyond Meat, and Amazon, he breaks down how Lucid is moving beyond the "tech-enthusiast" niche to capture the global luxury consumer. Key Topics Covered: The Transition from Engineering to Marketing: How AK’s background in chemical engineering informs his data-driven, analytical approach to brand building. Defining the "Lucid Identity": Why Lucid is positioning itself not just as a car company, but as a lifestyle brand rooted in design, sustainability, and peak performance. Marketing the Lucid Gravity: Strategic insights into the launch of Lucid’s first luxury SUV and how it aims to redefine the family EV segment. The "Iron Sharpens Iron" Philosophy: AK’s leadership style and how he builds high-performing marketing teams that challenge the status quo. Competing in the "EV Winter": Navigating industry shifts, Saudi-backed growth, and the importance of brand relevancy when consumer demand is under pressure. "Bumping the Lamp": Why extreme attention to detail and creative excellence are the non-negotiables for Lucid’s global marketing strategy. Timestamps: 0:00 – Introduction: Meet Akerho "AK" Oghoghomeh. 4:15 – From Red Bull to Lucid: Applying "Culture-First" marketing to EVs. 12:30 – The Engineering Mindset: Why data is a marketer’s best friend. 19:45 – Scaling Luxury: Moving Lucid from a Silicon Valley secret to a global icon. 28:10 – The Lucid Gravity: Marketing the next generation of electric SUVs. 36:50 – Leadership & Culture: How to "Bump the Lamp" in every campaign. 45:20 – The Future of EV Marketing: What’s next for 2026 and beyond. About the Guest: Akerho "AK" Oghoghomeh is the CMO of Lucid Motors. With a career spanning iconic brands like Red Bull, Beyond Meat, and Amazon, AK is known for his ability to scale disruptive products into household names. He holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Drexel and an MBA from Emory’s Goizueta Business School. #CMOWeekly #LucidMotors #MarketingStrategy #ElectricVehicles #BrandBuilding #LuxuryEV #AkerhoOghoghomeh

    38 min
  8. Shawn LaRowe of Pelican Products, Inc.: Shifting from Reactive to Proactive Marketing

    JAN 14

    Shawn LaRowe of Pelican Products, Inc.: Shifting from Reactive to Proactive Marketing

    How do you take a brand synonymous with military-grade protection and evolve it into a global lifestyle powerhouse for the "prosumer"? In this episode of CMO Weekly, host Haley Clover sits down with Shawn LaRowe, the Chief Product and Marketing Officer at Pelican Products. Shawn’s career journey is as rugged as the gear he builds—from playing semi-professional baseball to spending 17 years at Nike in global product roles. Now at the helm of Pelican’s product and marketing vision, Shawn shares how he is navigating the "49-year-old startup" mentality to launch massive collections, like the 47-product Pelican TRVL series. 🚀 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: The Nike Playbook at Pelican: How 17 years at the world’s leading athletic brand shaped Shawn’s approach to product lifecycles and global commercialization. Reactive vs. Proactive Marketing: Moving beyond just being "the case guy" to becoming a proactive partner in the consumer's journey. The Power of the Prosumer: Why Pelican’s most successful content is funded and created by its loyal community of professionals and enthusiasts. Outcome-Based Leadership: Shawn’s strategy for leading cross-functional teams by focusing on desired outcomes rather than just "talking shop". Building for the Mission: Why "Built to Protect" isn’t just a slogan—it’s a promise that spans from first responders to elite military units and everyday travelers. 🕒 Timestamps: 0:00 – Welcome to CMO Weekly & Meet Shawn LaRowe. 2:10 – Pivot Points: From Pro Baseball to a Temp Job at Nike. 3:23 – The Global Perspective: Lessons from 17 Years in Beaverton and Europe. 4:04 – Joining Pelican: Stepping into the CMO/CPO hybrid role. 5:07 – The "NATO" Filter: Why Pelican favors a bias for action over endless meetings. 10:15 – Reimagining the Brand: Transitioning from reactive protection to proactive lifestyle gear. 12:40 – The "Built to Protect" Halo: Maintaining trust in mission-critical environments. 18:20 – Scaling Innovation: Insights into the massive TRVL collection launch. 25:30 – Community First: How Pelican leverages its most dedicated fans for marketing. 30:55 – Rapid Fire: Baseball skills and the future of protective gear. 33:35 – Advice to My Past Self: "Getting to do the dream work". 👤 About Shawn LaRowe: Shawn LaRowe is the Chief Product & Marketing Officer at Pelican Products, Inc. With a background in outdoor apparel and action sports, he leads the creation and brand positioning of some of the world's most rugged, mission-critical gear. Most recently in 2026, Shawn unveiled the Aegis™ 25L Tactical Backpack, a testament to the brand's ongoing commitment to professional-grade durability. 🎙️ About CMO Weekly: Hosted by Haley Clover, CMO Weekly sits down with the world's top marketing executives to uncover the bold moves, tough lessons, and breakthrough ideas shaping the industry. Sponsor: This episode is brought to you by OpenFortune, the only marketing company putting your brand inside of actual fortune cookies. Visit openfortune.com to reach people when they are engaged and smiling. Don't forget to Subscribe, Like, and hit the Notification Bell to stay updated on the latest in marketing leadership! #CMOWeekly #MarketingStrategy #PelicanProducts #ProductLeadership #NikeAlumni #BuiltToProtect #BrandBuilding

    35 min
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About

"CMO Weekly," hosted by OpenFortune's Hayley Clover, explores the journeys of top Chief Marketing Officers. Each episode features in-depth conversations with influential marketing leaders, uncovering their strategies, challenges, and success stories. The podcast offers insights into marketing innovation, leadership, and brand-building for both aspiring and seasoned professionals. Clover delves into the career-defining moments and philosophies that shape marketing excellence, providing a unique insider's view of the industry's most brilliant minds.

Information

  • Creator
    OpenFortune
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    133
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © OpenFortune
  • Show Website
    CMO Weekly