Passle CMO Series Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Cross-selling is becoming an essential part of how law firms can boost their revenue and create long-lasting relationships with their clients. Yet, CMOs and BD leaders have recognized that their lawyers are struggling to cross-sell effectively, leaving them wondering how they can get their lawyers over the cross-selling barriers. The key to that is building real human connection. 

On today's episode of the CMO Series Podcast, Charlie Knight is joined by Jason Levin, Founder of Ready Set Launch and author of Relationships to Infinity, former brand marketer of Unilever, and a business development coach to law firms across the US. Jason shares his insights on how CMOs can help their lawyers be more authentic and in-tune with their clients to help unlock unlimited opportunities to cross-sell and establish long-lasting relationships.

Charlie and Jason cover: 

• The types of clients Jason takes on and the core work Jason does with law firms
• The expectations that general counsels have for law firms and the reason why lawyers fall short in meeting their expectations
• The approaches lawyers can take to build relationships and how CMOs can make it easier for their lawyers
• The barriers holding law firms back from cross-selling and what practical steps CMOs can take to help their lawyers unlock their cross-selling potential
• The ways CMOs can help their lawyers shift from the ‘not enough time’ mindset to a proactive mindset
• Practical examples of small changes that lead to significant results, along with key takeaways CMOs should apply
• Advice for CMOs on building authentic relationships to unlock the full potential of cross-selling within their firms

In this special edition of the CMO Series Podcast, we revisit one of the standout sessions from last week’s CMO Series Live in New York. This episode explores how managing partners and senior leaders are using thought leadership to strengthen client relationships, drive business development, and leave a lasting impact in the digital space.

This session was moderated by our very own Alistair Bone, who was joined on stage by:

• Jeff Greenbaum, Managing Partner of Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz
• Simon Malko, Managing Partner of Morris, Manning & Martin
• Meredith Williams-Range, Chief Legal Operating Officer at Gibson Dunn
• Carl Kennedy, Partner and Co-Chair, Financial Markets and Regulation at Katten

Jeff, Simon, Meredith, and Carl shared how effectively leveraging thought leadership has fueled their firm’s growth, elevated their personal brands, and empowered their lawyers to become thought leaders themselves.

This special episode covers: 

• How thought leadership fits into today's legal landscape and why it's significant
• The challenges to expect when getting your lawyers to create their own thought leadership
• Refreshing approaches to maintaining a dynamic and compelling online presence over the long term  
• Advice for firms that want to build successful thought leadership programs 

Top-tier client experience is essential for law firms to stand out in a busy market. By prioritising usability and aligning with client needs, firms can showcase expertise, simplify engagement, and build trust, driving inquiries and conversions in a digital-first landscape.

In this episode of CMO Series Digital Masterclass, Charlie Knight is joined by Gareth Osborne, Managing Director at MRM UK, and John Riley, Head of Strategy. Together, they delve into the critical role of client experience, exploring how firms can unlock value by deeply understanding their clients' needs and motivations.

Gareth, John and Charlie Cover:

• The biggest considerations for law firms embarking on a website project, and where most go wrong 
• Guidance on how firms can identify when client experience should be a key focus 
• The "Discover, Define, Deliver" framework and how it helps to understand a firm’s unique challenges and opportunities to shape a website project
• How to assess both digital and human interactions within a firm and ensure these touchpoints are integrated throughout a website overhaul
• How to leverage digital platforms to drive sustainable growth by aligning technology decisions with long-term business goals
• Advice for CMOs who may need to focus on client experience when starting a website project 

In smaller to mid-sized firms, the marketing function can sometimes fall on the shoulders of just one person. 

In today’s episode of the CMO Series Podcast, Alistair Bone talks with not one but two solo marketers - Paige Pierce, Business Development & Marketing Manager at Ray Quinney & Nebeker, and Tiffani Mowry, Marketing and Attorney Recruiting Coordinator at Crowley Fleck. They discuss their insights, secrets and strategies to succeeding as a solo legal marketer.

Alistair, Paige and Tiffani cover:

• What their respective roles entail 
• The strategies and approaches to managing campaigns and initiatives as a solo marketer
• The importance of having full buy-in and the support from the firm's leadership
• The influential networks they lean on for support 
• The challenges of being a solo marketer and how to manage multiple priorities effectively
• Strategies to help manage receiving feedback
• Advice for other solo marketers or those heading up very lean teams

Thought leadership has become an essential strategy for professional services marketers, and it's even more powerful when driven by the experts and lawyers themselves.

In today's episode of CMO Series Rainmakers, Olivia Backon is joined by two of the foremost voices in advertising and marketing law - Brinsley Dresden and Geraint Lloyd-Taylor, Partners and Co-Heads of Advertising & Marketing at Lewis Silkin.

Brinsley and Geraint are renowned for their engaging and insightful thought leadership. With a blend of wit and humour, they tackle key issues in the advertising world, from ASA decisions to new legislation. Through their writing and expertise, they’ve shaped industry conversations and built strong reputations within the legal community and with their clients by strategically leveraging thought leadership to enhance their personal and practice brands.

Brinsley, Geraint and Olivia discuss:

• How Brinsley and Geraint have built their reputations in the advertising and marketing law space, and the moment they realised the power of thought leadership in shaping professional reputations
• How writing and publishing regular insights helps establish authority and credibility in a competitive industry
• How they developed their witty writing style, and why this approach is essential for connecting with clients
• How to integrate thought leadership with other marketing strategies to enhance the client experience and broaden reach
• Examples of how thought leadership content has delivered tangible value to clients and generated new business
• The AdLaw Podcast Brinsley and Geraint host, and how that is contributing to the practice group’s credibility in the advertising law space
• Advice for others looking to build their personal, practice and firm brands through thought leadership

You can catch all the insights from Brinsley, Geraint and the team at Lewis Silkin, here. 

CMO Series Live is back! After a hugely successful sell-out CMO Series Live last year in New York, we have decided to return for a second year running.

This year, CMO Series Live is set to be bigger and better, with another stellar lineup of speakers covering the hottest topics in legal marketing, from AI to cross-selling. 

On today’s episode of the CMO Series Podcast, Natsaha Sandamas joins us to share an exclusive look at what to expect from CMO Series Live 2025.

Natasha and Charlie cover: 

• An overview of what CMO Series Live is and highlights from last year
• This year’s line-up and the agenda
• Why CMO Series Live is a must-attend for Chief Marketing and BD professionals 
• How to register to attend

Creating deep connections with clients can lead to new opportunities for law firms to gain a greater understanding of client goals.

In today’s episode of the CMO Series Podcast, Will Eke is joined by Ian Ribald, Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer at Ballard Spahr, to discuss how legal teams can benefit hugely from taking a more holistic approach to their marketing and business development efforts. 

Ian and Will cover: 

• What Ian hopes to bring to his role and the surprises he's faced 
• How Ian’s approach to marketing and business development shifted after running previous client programs
• The importance of legal teams seeing clients from multiple perspectives
• Ian’s strategies for keeping everyone on the same page and motivated when taking a new approach, especially when it comes to buy-in
• How Ian encourages his team to understand the pressures of the different areas of the business as a way to build empathy and improve the client experience
• Advice for others looking to take a more holistic approach to legal marking and get their team on board

In our second special episode to mark International Women's Day 2025, we catch up with inspiring women who are paving the way in professional services marketing and business development. They share their top tips for firms looking to accelerate action and promote equality within their organizations.

Our incredible guests discuss the importance of transparent paths to promotion, the significant impact of leading by example, and why creating a safe space for authenticity is crucial to fostering equality in the industry.

A big thanks to all of our guests for their generous contributions to this important conversation:

Amelia Calloway, Director of Marketing and Business Development, Morris Manning & Martin

Amanda Lindley, Director of Business Development, Thompson Coburn

Ashley Horne, Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer, Womble Bond Dickinson, US

Bonnelle Martin, Associate Director - Marketing and Brand, Baker Botts

Heather Reid, Chief Business Development & Marketing Officer, Miles & Stockbridge

Kim Lansdown, Director of Strategy and Marketing, Fladgate

Kelby Luther, Chief Business Development and Marketing Officer, Allen Matkins

Michelle Powell, Sr. Manager of Marketing and Business Development, Axinn

Rachel Watson, Director of Business Development, Client Development and Campaigns, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld 

Savannah Kirk, Public Relations and Communications Coordinator, Jones Walker

Stefanie Nastou, Chief Marketing Officer, AMS

To celebrate International Women's Day 2025, we’re proud to present a special two-part edition of CMO Series REPRESENTS, where we spotlight the women at the forefront of driving gender equality in professional services marketing and business development.

We’re privileged to feature insights from influential women who share their personal journeys, the challenges they've faced, and the steps needed to accelerate gender equality in the industry.

In part one, our guests delve into the significance of female representation, the role of authenticity in leadership, and the profound impact women have in shaping change. Through their stories, we explore how women are not only excelling in their roles but also paving the way for future generations.

Thank you to all of our guests for their generous contributions to this conversation:

Emma Sosner, Head of Marketing at Spencer West Jeanne Hammerstrom, Chief Marketing Officer at Benesch Kate Fairweather, Director of Marketing & BD at Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle Lydia Martin, Director of Marketing & BD at Stewarts Margie Hinckley, Chief Marketing Officer Americas at A&O Shearman Mercedes Galindez, Head of Marketing at Slaughter & May Rachel Smith, Director of BD and Marketing at Cripps Laura Ottley, Chief Marketing Officer at Addleshaw Goddard

Stay tuned to hear more in part two of this special series.

In celebration of Black History Month, we’re revisiting powerful conversations with Black professionals in legal marketing to honor their expertise, contributions, and the lasting impact they've made on the industry. 

In this episode of the CMO Series REPRESENTS Podcast, Yasmin Zand chats with Terra Davis, Chief Diversity & Talent Development Officer at Knobbe Martens. Terra joins the series to share her journey, why she started advocating for diversity, equity and inclusion, and the critical role of psychological safety in law firms.

Terra discusses the strategies and programs she is working on to drive change and innovation to create a safe and inclusive workplace where everyone belongs, as well as advice for others looking to promote psychological safety within their firms.