Explore every episode of the podcast How CMOs Commit with Margaret Molloy

Margaret Molloy is joined by Kristin Russel (CMO, symplr), Chandar Pattabhiram (CMO, Coupa), and Rashmi Vittal (Former CMO, (Productiv), for a conversation that explores connecting brand to revenue and how when brands and CMOs get it right, it has the potential to grow companies and careers.

Margaret Molloy is joined by Jason Beckley (Chief Customer, Marketing & Digital Officer, Ted Baker), Kristof Neirynck (Global Chief Marketing Officer & Managing Director Western Europe, Avon), Rachel Fairley (Chief Brand Officer, HPE), and Chris Wood (Head of Brand & Marketing, first direct) for a conversation on the role of AI in brand building, balancing AI with brand fundamentals and how brands are committing to AI.

Margaret Molloy is joined by Lorraine Barber-Miller (EVP and Chief Marketing & E-Commerce Officer, Philips), Raj Kumar (Group Brand & Reputation Director, Aviva), and Sophie Wheater (Chief Marketing Officer, giffgaff) for a conversation on all things brand and simplicity. Simple isn’t easy! Behind every brand delivering simpler experiences for customers and employees is a leader who recognizes the inherent value in keeping things simple. Hear why these CMOs consider simplicity the key to successful brands, the practices that deliver top performance, and how they keep things simple for their teams.

S5 E6: Margaret Molloy is joined by Martha Boudreau (AARP), Michelle Byron (NASCAR), Jennifer Durgin (ExxonMobil), Dana Siegel (Girl Scouts of the USA), Devika Mathrani (NewYork-Presbyterian), Simon Geraghty (Unilever), Ana Villegas (Affinipay), Julie Haddon (NWSL), Enshalla Anderson (Google Cloud), and Maurice Jones (OneTen – former) for Women's History Month 2023.

The conversation explored brand building, inclusive storytelling, and #EmbraceEquity, the 2023 International Women's Day theme.

March 28, 2023: Recorded live in San Francisco, Margaret Molloy is joined by Julie Haddon (National Women’s Soccer League), Gail Moody-Byrd (LinkedIn), Jamie Moldafsky (Nielsen), Elle McCarthy (Electronic Arts - former), Tiffany Xingyu Wang (OpenWeb), and Samantha Wu (Meta & Braintrust - former) for Women's History Month 2023.

The conversation explores brand building, inclusive storytelling, and WHM as we strive to #EmbraceEquity.

March 7, 2023: Recorded live in New York City, Margaret Molloy is joined by Penny Wise (3M), Lauren Boyman (KPMG), Clayton F. Ruebensaal (American Express), Enshalla Anderson (Google Cloud), Lynn Teo (Northwestern Mutual), Catherine Newman (WWE), Alicia Parker (Tishman Speyer), and Zena Arnold (PepsiCo), for International Women's Day 2023. 

The conversation explores brand building, inclusive storytelling and IWD as we strive to #EmbraceEquity.

March 2, 2023: Recorded live in London, Margaret Molloy is joined by Sam Burns (KPMG), Kate Thunnissen (Mettle), Abigail Comber (Cignpost Diagnostics), Rachel Fairley (HPE), Stella Medlicott (Ericsson), and Lynn Mah (AllianceBernstein), for International Women's Day 2023. 

The conversation explores brand building, inclusive storytelling and IWD as we strive to #EmbraceEquity.

February 28, 2023: Recorded live in Dublin, Margaret Molloy is joined by Nicola O'Connell (Tirlán), Gillian Culhane (AerCap), Colin Westcott-Pitt (Glanbia Performance Nutrition), Caoimhe Donnelly (CIÉ Group), Niamh Bushnell (SoapBox Labs) and Stephen O'Kelly (GUINNESS, Diageo) for International Women's Day 2023. 

The conversation explores brand building, inclusive storytelling and IWD as we strive to #EmbraceEquity.

February 22, 2023: Recorded live in Dubai, Margaret Molloy is joined by Katie Golding (SRMG), Lea Halwani (DarGlobal Real Estate), Marwa Kaabour (Al Masaood), Melanie de Souza (The Royal Commission for AlUla), and Anood Haddad (JLL MENA), for International Women's Day 2023. 

The conversation explores brand building, inclusive storytelling and IWD as we strive to #EmbraceEquity.

S4 E8: Continuing in our Inclusive Storytelling series, in this episode we honored Pride Month 2022 with a Future of Branding CMO Panel: Pride + Inclusive Storytelling. The conversation explored how brands are observing Pride Month, balancing authenticity with action and how brands and marketers can cultivate inclusion all year long. Panelists also share their personal journeys as L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+ marketing and communications leaders.

Continuing our Inclusive Storytelling series, we honored Asian American Pacific Heritage Month with a Future of Branding panel on AAPI Leadership + Inclusive Storytelling. During the conversation, panelists discussed how their brands are celebrating AAPI Month, balancing authenticity with action, and cultivating inclusive storytelling all year long. Panelists also share their personal stories.

S4 E6: Margaret Molloy is joined by Linda Bethea (Head of Marketing, Danone), Ciara Dilley (Vice President, Better Choice Snacking brands, FLNA, PepsiCo), Jim Ruane (Vice President, Reserve Vodkas, Diageo), and Ziad Kamel (Vice President Global Brands, Kitopi and Co- Founder, Cloud Restaurants) for The Marketing Society CMO Panel: Driving the Future of Sustainability | The Food & Beverage Impact. The conversation explores challenges surrounding sustainability, the merits, and effectiveness of positive storytelling, and how marketers can connect with the next generation of informed consumers.

S4 E5: March 7th, 2022: Margaret Molloy is joined by Maya Watson (Head of Global Marketing, Clubhouse), Christine Anderson (Senior Managing Director & Global Head of External Relations, Blackstone), Samantha Maltin (EVP, CMO, Sesame Workshop), Lorraine Barber-Miller (Chief Marketing & E-Commerce Officer, Philips), Maggie Lower (CMO, Hootsuite), and Dana Khouri (VP Brand Communication & Marketing - Corporate HO, Majid Al Futtaim Retail). The conversation explores the massive role brands and marketing can play as we #BreakTheBias and strive for gender equity.

Continuing our Inclusive Storytelling series, we honored Black History Month with a Future of Branding panel on Black Leadership + Inclusive Storytelling. During the conversation, panelists discussed how their brands are celebrating Black History Month, balancing authenticity with action, and cultivating inclusive storytelling all year long.

S4 E3: December 1, 2021: Margaret Molloy is joined by Ellie Norman (Director, Marketing & Communications, Formula 1), Fernando Machado (Chief Marketing Officer, Activision Blizzard), Peter DeBenedictis (CMO - Middle East & Africa, Microsoft), and Rajashree R. (Chief Marketing Officer, Tata Consultancy Services) at the Asia Matters Global Business Summit. The conversation explores the constant pursuit of improvement, the role of partnerships in brand building, the significance of understanding customers and colleagues, how the pandemic fast-tracked existing trends, and why consumers place a premium on authentic, value-based brands.

S4 E2: November 16th, 2021: Margaret Molloy is joined by Cammie Dunaway (Independent Director, Planet Fitness + Red Robin & CMO, Duolingo), Mike Linton (Independent Director, loanDepot & CRO, Ancestry), Zena Arnold (Independent Director, EZCORP & Chief Digital and Marketing Officer, Kimberly-Clark), Nina Bibby (Non-Executive Director, Barratt Development & former CMO, O2), Sonita Lontoh (Independent Director, sunrun + TrueBlue & CMO, Personalization, 3D Printing and Digital Manufacturing, HP), and Richard Sanderson (Marketing, Sales and Communications Practice Leader, Spencer Stuart). The conversation unravels the mystery of CMOs and corporate governance. Panelists discussed the unique value a CMO brings to a public board, how marketing leaders can prepare for and obtain their first board role and how serving on a public board can inform their day job, ultimately benefiting the brands they lead.

S4 E1: September 29th, 2021: Margaret Molloy is joined by Cynthia Kleinbaum (VP of Marketing, Online Grocery, Membership and Mobile Apps, Walmart), Rich Orosco (EVP, Brand & Community, Los Angeles Football Club), Liliana Torres (Global Head of Marketing Activation—Electrification Business, ABB), Eduardo Conrado (EVP, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer, Ascension), Gabriela McManus (Serret-Campos), (SVP of People Operations, Drizly), and Tania Missad (SVP, Global Research, Insights & Analytics, WarnerMedia). During the conversation, panelists discussed understanding the nuances of the Hispanic marketplace, infusing culture year-round in a brand’s offerings, authentic storytelling that resonates with this rapidly evolving market, why DE&I is a responsibility for all marketers and the major mistake brands make when categorizing the 60.5 million Hispanics in the U.S. as a monolithic group.

S3 E5: June 16, 2021: Margaret Molloy is joined by Raja Rajamannar (Chief Marketing & Communications Officer and President – Healthcare Business, Mastercard), Chris Gray (Head of ESG, Pfizer), Frank Cooper (Global Managing Director and Chief Marketing Officer, BlackRock), and Maddy Kulkarni (Global Marketing Director for Sustainability and Purpose, PepsiCo) for the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit. The conversation explores how a brand’s purpose engenders loyalty, relevance, advocacy, and, ultimately, growth.

S3 E4: June 29, 2021: Margaret Molloy is joined by Thomas Ranese (VP, Global Marketing, Uber), Bradford Shellhammer (VP, Buyer Experience & eBay for Charity, eBay), Rachel Tipograph (CEO & Founder, MikMak), Walter Frye (VP, Global Brand Engagement & Design, American Express), and Mark Harrop (Head of Communications (GCS Flex), Cabinet Office). During the extensive conversation, panelists reflected on how brands have been observing Pride Month and looked to how brands can craft a more inclusive society; how to walk the line between authenticity and action; and how to meaningfully show up for the LGBTQ+ community throughout the entire year—not just in June. In closing, panelists were asked what is the most critical, high-impact thing a brand or an organization can do to support Pride? And what’s your commitment as a marketing leader to the LGBTQ+ community?

S3 E4: May 26, 2021: Margaret Molloy is joined by Jonnie Cahill (CMO, Heineken USA), Dean Aragon (CEO & Vice-Chairman, Shell Brands International), Meenu Bagla (CMO, Cyient), Mark Brennan (Head of Marketing, AIB), and Mette Munk (Head of Group Branding, Design & Digital Communication, Danfoss) The panel discussion explored how to maintain consistency and authenticity, “storydoing” versus storytelling, not getting sidetracked by jargon and technology and focusing on B2H—business to human interactions. CMOs also share their commitments to taking customer experience to the next level.

S3 E3: May 5, 2021: Margaret Molloy is joined by Michelle Froah (SVP, Global Marketing Strategy and Sciences, MetLife), Kerry-Ann Betton Stimpson (CMO, JMMB Group Jamaica), Michael Joseloff (CMO, Fortune), Sonita Lontoh (Global Head of Marketing, Personalization, 3D Printing and Digital Manufacturing, HP), Russell Barnett (MD + CMO, My/Mochi) and their parents or mentors. During the intergenerational conversation, the panel challenged assumptions about retirement, learned how marketers could communicate effectively without condescension and examined why building—and maintaining—trust is paramount among this demographic. CMOs also share their learnings and their commitments as leaders to engaging the Baby Boomer generation.

S3 E2: April 13th, 2021. Margaret Molloy is joined by Frank Cooper (Senior Managing Director and Global Chief Marketing Officer, BlackRock), Catherine Keogh (Group Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Communications, Kerry), Meg Galloway Goldthwaite (Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, The Nature Conservancy), Kimberly Kupiecki (Global Leader Sustainability, Advocacy, Communications, DuPont Water Solutions) and Akshay Gupta (Director Strategic Brand Marketing, Corning Gorilla Glass). The panel explored the relationship between environmental sustainability and brand growth at a time when COVID-19 has only accelerated the dialogue around sustainability and the planet. CMOs also answer the following questions: what gives you the most optimism regarding achieving meaningful progress in environmental sustainability, your brand's commitment to driving the sustainability agenda, and as a marketing leader, your commitment to progress on sustainability?

S3 E1: March 8th, 2021. Margaret Molloy is joined by Sanyu Dillon (CMO, Penguin Random House), Lisa McKnight (SVP, Global Head of Barbie & Dolls Portfolio, Mattel), Leanne Cutts (Group CMO, HSBC), Huda Buhumaid (CMO, Dubai Holding) and Carla Piñeyro Sublett (SVP, CMO, IBM). The panel explored leading with empathy, operating from a place of fearlessness, celebrating the diverse communities that they serve and challenging stereotypes around female leaders and entrepreneurs. CMOs also answer the following questions: how will your brand choose to challenge gender bias and inequality in 2021? And as CMO, what is your commitment to forging a more gender-equal world?

S2 E9: December 9th, 2020. Margaret Molloy is joined by Lynne Biggar (CMO, Visa), Seth Solomons (CMO, Equinox), Patricia Corsi (Global Chief Marketing & Digital Officer, Bayer), Anddria Clack-Rogers Varnado (Recent Head of Strategy, Macy's) and Reem Abeidoh (Head of Global Go To Market, LinkedIn). The panel explores shifting customer expectations, the fastest-growing job sectors and why we cannot lose sight of the arduous lessons learned this year. CMOs also answer the following questions: what do you predict will be most important to your customers and, in turn, drive growth in your business in 2021, and what is your professional commitment or resolution for 2021?

S2 E8: December 2nd, 2020. Margaret Molloy is joined by Doug Scott (CMO, Twitch), Catherine Dutton (Global VP, Marketing, Atos), Jonathan Bottomley (Global CMO, Ralph Lauren), Steven Wolfe Pereira (Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder, Encantos), Teresa May (SVP & CMO, American Woodmark) and Harold Weghorst (Global Vice President Marketing & Branding, Lenzing). The panel explores the increasing demand for personalization, the power of community, the importance of brand messaging, the need for transparency around sustainability efforts and the rise of the subscription economy. CMOs also share their commitments by answering the following question: What has been your most significant learning from COVID-19 regarding consumer habits, and how do you commit to staying in front of those evolving needs?

S2 E7: November 18th, 2020. Margaret Molloy is joined by Melissa Hobley (CMO, OkCupid), Brendan Delaney (CMO, Booz Allen Commercial Business), Katrina McGhee (EVP, Marketing & Communications, American Heart Association), Mai Fenton (CMO, Superscript), Deborah Scarano (VP, Senior Launch Navigator, Pfizer). The panel explores how brands impress or alienate the generation of baby boomers, where seniors go for inspiration and what brands are getting it right. CMOs also share their commitments by answering the following question: What were your takeaways, and what is your commitment as a marketer to appeal to this generation?

S2 E6: October 29th 2020. Margaret Molloy is joined by Dan Thomas (Chief Communications Officer, United Nations Global Compact), Filip Engel (VP, Sustainability, Public Affairs & Branding, Ørsted), Ciara Dilley (VP, Transform Brands & Portfolio Innovation, FLNA, PepsiCo), Mark Hanna (CMO, Richline Group, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway Company) and Harish Phadke (Business Manager to SVP NA Health, RB). The panel explores how brands align their purposes with the UN’s 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs), the opportunity for business leaders to come together and share knowledge for the greater good and the incredible role marketing plays in balancing science with storytelling. CMOs also share their commitments by answering the following question: "What gives you most optimism as it pertains to achieving sustainability goals? And what is your commitment to driving the sustainability agenda?"

S2 E5: October 21st 2020. Margaret Molloy is joined by Brian Kenny (Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Harvard Business School), Peter Jensen (Chief Brand, Innovation & Marketing Officer, Moleskine), K. Patrick Davis (SVP, Head of US Laundry & Home Care, Henkel), Paul Fletcher (Head of Marketing, Coutts) and Karen Kozak (VP, Global Brand, Cargill). The panel explores how enduring brands risk falling behind by resting on their laurels, the importance of trust in products, and why brand should be treated as an investment, not as a spend. CMOs also share their commitments by answering the following question: "What has COVID taught you about relevance, and what is your commitment to maintaining that relevance for your brand?"

S2 E4: October 7th 2020. Margaret Molloy is joined by Judy Lee (Global Head of Experential Marketing, Pinterest), Peter Giorgi (CMO, Celebrity Cruises), Sven Rudloff (VP, Brand and Channel Management, Uniper), Chris Graham (Director of Marketing, Planning and Communications) and Souad AlSerkal (VP, Strategic Communications, Tabreed). The panel explores how working remotely can make it easier to corral creative thinkers, writing the new rules of engagement in real time, the resilience of the human spirit and why in some areas, creativity continues to be undervalued. CMOs also share their commitments by answering the following question: "What has COVID taught you about creativity, where do you look for inspiration, and finally, what is your commitment to replenishing your energy?"

S2, E3: September 23rd 2020. Margaret Molloy is joined by: Khaled Ismail (VP, Comms., Europe, Middle East, Central Asia & Africa, Tetra Pak), Molly Battin (VP, Global Brand Marketing, Delta), Sarita Rao (SVP, Marketing, AT&T Business), Narine Galstian (CMO, SADA) and Jess Burns (VP, Brand Marketing & Creative, Grubhub). The panel explores brand partnerships to include marketing collaborations, alliances across product and service delivery in B2B and B2C ecosystems, and initiatives with public, non-profit or community organizations. CMOs also share their commitments by answering the following question: "What are the most important factors in successful brand partnerships, and what is your commitment to building successful partnerships for your brand?"

S2, E2: September 9th 2020. Margaret Molloy is joined by: Gail Moody-Byrd (CMO, Noodle.ai), Heather Freeland (Head of Marketing, Lyft), Fadl Al Tarzi (Founder and CEO, Nexford University), Andrea Brimmer (Chief Marketing and PR Officer, Ally) and Patrizio Spagnoletto (SVP and Chief Marketing Officer, Hulu). The panel explores the interrelationships across brand building, innovation, growth and scaling. CMOs also share their commitments by answering the following question: "Where do you see innovation in marketing, and what is your commitment to uniting innovation and growth?"

S2, E1: August 26th 2020. Margaret Molloy is joined by: Kenneth Mitchell (CMO, Snap Inc.), Stella Medlicott (SVP, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, Ericsson), Miki Toliver King (CMO, The Washington Post), Banali Luthra Malhotra (Director, Marketing, RAKBANK) and Lisa Tollman (Executive Director, Head of US Marketing Operations & Innovation, Amgen). The Gen Z panel features a conversation with five teenagers and their marketing leader parents. It explores how brands can excite or alienate young consumers. The CMOs also share their commitments by answering the following question: "As a parent and a marketer what surprised you most from what the kids shared today? And what commitment can you make, as a brand leader, to appeal to the next generation of customers?"

S1, Ep 10: August 6th. Margaret Molloy is joined by: Riham El-Lakany (Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Single-Family at Freddie Mac), Maryam Banikarim (Head of Marketing, Nextdoor), Martina Trucco (VP & Global Head, Corporate Marketing & Communications, Micron Technology), Raj Kumar (Group Brand & Reputation Director, Aviva) and Chandar Pattabhiram (CMO, Coupa Software). The panel explores collaboration with C-Suite and the seismic shift from tribalism to being communal. The CMOs also share their commitments by answering the following question: “What kind of working relationships are required with C-suite peers so that post-pandemic marketing plans build the brand and drive business growth? And what’s your commitment to collaboration and forging that relationship?”

S1, Ep 9: July 23rd. Margaret Molloy is joined by: Linda Boff (Chief Marketing Officer, GE), Amy Martin Ziegenfuss (VP, Global Brand Marketing, Hilton), Douwe Hilarius (Director of Product Strategy, Marketing & Comms., Europe, China, Japan, ASEAN, Meritor), Stephanie Buscemi (Chief Marketing Officer, Salesforce) and Mayur Gupta (Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer, Gannett). The panel explores marrying purpose and action and how crisis is pushing marketing back to its basics. The CMOs also share their commitments by answering the following question: “As we look to the future, how are you defining brand? And what is your commitment to making sure brand plays the role you believe it should in this reset?”

S1, EP 8: July 15th. Margaret Molloy is joined by: Douwe Bergsma (CMO, Piedmont Healthcare), Katja Ollila (SVP, Communications and Marketing, Stora Enso), Mohammed Abuazzah, MSc. (Executive Director, Strategic Marketing, Ministry of Investment, KSA), Othon Vela (Marketing Director, GPA) and Mike Fairburn (General Manager, Sony Music Entertainment Middle East). The panel explores harnessing a brand’s core values during periods of crisis and doubt. The CMOs also share their commitments by answering the following question: “What have you recently learned that has changed your view of the role your brand plays in your community? And what is your commitment to ensuring your brand plays an appropriate leadership role in your community?”

S1, EP 7: July 9th. Margaret is joined by: Clayton F. Ruebensaal (EVP, Global B2B Marketing, American Express), Rajashree Ramakrishnan (CMO, Tata Consultancy Services), Paul Chaggar (Chief Commercial Officer, Tugende), Muriel Lotto (CMO, Western Union) and Monique Elliott (SVP, Global Marketing, Industry Automation, Schneider Electric). The panel explores how brand purpose has come to life during the COVID-19 era. The CMOs also share their commitments by answering the following question: “What have you learned during this COVID-19 time that will change your leadership in the future, and what is your commitment to building cohesiveness across your global team?”

S1, E5: June 18th, 2020. Margaret Molloy is joined by: Alicia Tillman (Global Chief Marketing Officer, SAP), Jamie Moldafsky (Chief Marketing Officer, Wells Fargo), Madhur Aggarwal (SVP, Digital Channels & Experience, Pearson) Arlene Amitirigala (Head of Engagement and Employee Communications, Diageo) and Angela Pih (Chief Marketing Officer, Papa & Barkley). The Gen Z panel features a conversation with five teenagers and their marketing leader parents. It explores how brands can excite or alienate young consumers. The CMOs also share their commitments by answering the following question: “As a parent and a marketer, what surprised you most from what the kids shared today? And what commitment do you make, as a brand leader, to appeal to the next generation of customers?”

S1, E3: May 21st, 2020. Margaret Molloy is joined by: Soyoung Kang (Chief Marketing Officer, eos), Heidi Browning (EVP Chief Marketing Officer, National Hockey League), Vikram Krishna (Executive Vice President, Head of Group Marketing & Customer Experience, Emirates NBD), Lynn Godfrey (EVP, Chief Marketing Officer, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society) and Karen Wish (Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Mount Sinai Health System). The panel explores championing collaboration to promote innovation and embracing humility to build brand equity. The CMOs also share their commitments by answering the following question: “How do you envision the customer experience of 2022? And what is your commitment to ensuring that you’re on the forefront of that?”

S1, E2: May 7th, 2020. Margaret is joined by: Tariq Hassan (Chief Marketing Officer, Petco), DyShaun Muhammad, (Global Head of Brand Marketing, Uber/Uber Eats), James Humphreys (Chief Marketing Officer, Quest Diagnostics), Kieran Hannon (Chief Marketing Officer, Openpath) and Ruth Rowan (Chief Marketing Officer, NTT). The panel explores the importance of marketing agility and the notion of serving not selling to customers. The CMOs also share their commitments by answering the following question: “How do you want your brand to reemerge post-pandemic, and what commitment are you going to make to get there?”

S1, E1: April 23rd, 2020. Margaret Molloy is joined by: Norman de Greve (Chief Marketing Officer, CVS Health), Ed Pilkington (Chief Marketing & Innovation Officer, Diageo), Jennifer Temple (Chief Communications Officer, HPE), Sherry Sanger (EVP, CMO, Penske Transportation Solutions) and Huub Devroye (Global Director of Marketing, Dow). The panel explores how the pandemic has influenced leadership styles. The CMOs also share their commitments by answering the following question: “How do you want your brand to reemerge post-pandemic, and what commitment are you going to make to get there?”

The COVID-19-induced pandemic is the defining event of our time. On a personal level, we are all touched by its colossal human toll. On a business level, it has upended even the most rigorously formed plans. 

Over ten episodes, Margaret Molloy interviews CMOs from influential brands to share real-time brand responses to the pandemic and their commitments.  

We invite you to join us for an oral history of brand leadership in the Covid-19 era—an insightful, candid and human set of conversations. Subscribe, rate, review, and share with your colleagues.