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

    2D AGO

    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
  2. Kerry McGovern of Power Home Remodeling: Building a People-First Brand in a Sales-Driven Industry

    JAN 8

    Kerry McGovern of Power Home Remodeling: Building a People-First Brand in a Sales-Driven Industry

    How do you take a "billion-dollar knock" and turn it into a modern, digital-first brand? 🏠✨ In this episode of CMO Weekly, host Hayley Clover sits down with Kerry McGovern, the Chief Brand Officer at Power Home Remodeling. Kerry’s career is a masterclass in professional agility, spanning roles as a music publicist, a speechwriter for Under Armour’s Kevin Plank, and a brand-builder for the NHL and Drizzly. Now at Power Home Remodeling—ranked #14 on Fortune’s Best Companies to Work For—Kerry is leading a massive brand transformation. She discusses how she’s moving a door-to-door sales powerhouse into the digital age with the "Our Work Shows" campaign, while maintaining a "people-first" culture that believes they "sell windows to hire people". In this episode, you’ll learn: The "Eras Tour" of a Marketing Career: How Kerry pivoted from the music industry to professional sports and eventually to high-growth tech and remodeling. Rebuilding Iconic Brands: Behind-the-scenes stories of speechwriting at Under Armour and navigating the "teal horse" era of the Detroit Pistons. The Billion-Dollar Knock: How Power Home Remodeling is evolving its legendary canvassing model into a multi-channel digital brand experience. "Our Work Shows": The strategy behind Power’s first external brand platform in 15 years and how it connects with modern homeowners. Influencers & Social Strategy: Why a home remodeling company is partnering with fashion influencers like Sai De Silva to reach new audiences. Timestamps: 0:00 – Introduction: Meet Kerry McGovern. 1:40 – Career Origins: From Seattle’s music scene to the Detroit Pistons. 4:30 – Lessons from the NHL and Speechwriting for Under Armour. 8:30 – The Drizzly Risk: Moving from a 100-year-old league to a startup. 13:00 – Why Home Remodeling? Finding a "People-First" culture at Power. 16:00 – Scaling the "Billion Dollar Knock" and Brand Identity. 20:00 – Launching the "Our Work Shows" Brand Refresh. 25:00 – Revamping Social Media & Influencer Partnerships. 29:00 – Kerry’s Best Advice: "It takes longer than you want and is harder than you think." 31:37 – Baltimore Recommendations & Closing. Connect with Kerry & Power Home Remodeling: LinkedIn: Kerry McGovern Website: Power Home Remodeling About CMO Weekly: CMO Weekly sits down with the world’s top marketing leaders to uncover the bold moves, tough lessons, and breakthrough ideas that shape their journeys. Hosted by Hayley Clover. Sponsored by OpenFortune: Reach your audience where they’re smiling. Learn more at openfortune.com. #Marketing #CMO #BrandBuilding #PowerHomeRemodeling #CareerAdvice #DigitalTransformation #InfluencerMarketing #CMOWeekly

    33 min
  3. Conley Downing of Archer Roose Wines: Marketing a Celebrity-Backed Disruptor Brand

    JAN 1

    Conley Downing of Archer Roose Wines: Marketing a Celebrity-Backed Disruptor Brand

    In this episode of CMO Weekly, host Haley Clover sits down with Conley Downing, the Chief Marketing Officer at Archer Roose Wines, live from Adweek’s Brand Week. Conley shares her journey from "unsexy" pharmaceutical marketing to leading a disruptor brand in the declining wine category. They discuss how Archer Roose is redefining wine culture through convenience, sustainability, and high-profile partnerships with figures like Elizabeth Banks. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Disrupting Tradition: How Archer Roose is overcoming the "canned wine stigma" through scientific research with Cornell University and best-in-class quality practices. Brand Voice vs. Celebrity Voice: The strategy behind balancing the brand’s unique identity with the creative style of celebrity partner Elizabeth Banks. The Power of Partnerships: Inside the "scrappy" creative moves that turned a JetBlue placement into a viral DIY in-flight spritz campaign. Marketing for the Modern Consumer: Why the "sidecar" serving method and "better-for-you" transparency (vegan, sustainably sourced, no added sugar) are winning over today’s wine drinkers. Growth Metrics: How Archer Roose achieved a 92% increase in DTC sales this year and maintains an 88% reorder rate. About Conley Downing Conley Downing is a veteran marketer with a rich background in spirits and emerging brands. Her career includes stints at major agencies working on Pepsi and Diageo accounts, as well as leadership roles with Sean Combs' brands (Ciroc and DeLeón) and the startup 21 Seeds. She joined Archer Roose a year ago to lead their brand strategy and growth marketing.

    32 min
  4. Victoria Lozano of Crayola: Building the Crayola "Creative Ecosystem"

    12/18/2025

    Victoria Lozano of Crayola: Building the Crayola "Creative Ecosystem"

    In this episode of CMO Weekly, host Haley Clover sits down with Victoria Lozano, the Chief Marketing Officer of Crayola, to explore how a 120-year-old heritage brand is evolving into a full creative ecosystem. Victoria shares insights from her 16-year tenure at the company, discussing the shift from selling art supplies to fostering "creativity as a life skill" through content, experiences, and digital innovation. Key Topics Covered: Building a Creative Ecosystem: Discover how Crayola has expanded beyond physical products into Crayola Studios and location-based entertainment to showcase creativity in action. The Power of "Crayola Creativity Week": Victoria discusses the massive success of this free global program, which reached 13.2 million children in over 120 countries last year by integrating creativity into core subjects like math and literacy. Nostalgia vs. Modern Relevance: How Crayola uses emotional triggers—like the return of retired colors (Dandelion) and global color votes—to stay relevant for both children and nostalgic adults. The Adult Coloring Resurgence: Learn why 57% of Crayola purchases now come from households without children, as adults turn to coloring for relaxation and "rebalancing". The Secret to Marketing Longevity: Victoria offers advice for early-career marketers on finding passion, embracing diverse roles within a single brand, and thinking about the "bigger ecosystem". Crayon Naming Stories: A look behind the scenes at how colors like "Macaroni and Cheese" and "Tickle Me Pink" were named by fans and children.

    29 min

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.