Our theme – “The Innovation Songbook” – will help you craft new strategies to outpace competitors, think more strategically, and thrive in the year ahead.

Collaborative, cross-functional planning requires us to explore new growth strategies. Those strategies should fulfill three guiding principles: they must boost the bottom line, align with our core values, and drive predictable 2023 results.

Many promising marketing innovations never see the light of day because we do not fully understand the importance and timing of the idea incubation process. Naming your idea, then allowing ample time for testing and idea sharing, are essential steps in any innovation cycle.

Marketing innovation is about applying creativity to improve your stakeholders’ condition. It requires us to challenge our established beliefs and assumptions. It often also demands that we learn from our past as a way to inform our future.  We often need to set aside the past, and begin with a clean slate. This process helps us design an empowering narrative to guide us forward. It bolsters our resilience.

That’s the underlying theme of our 6th annual CMOs Leading Innovation Conference (CLIC ’22): “Growth Curves Ahead: The Resilient CMO.”
We’re gathering in historic Charleston, South Carolina at the International African American Museum….

Last week,we announced CLIC ’19 – The CMOs Leading Innovation Conference — is happening in San Francisco on December 5-6. This year’s theme – our 5th year!– is “Building an Innovative Marketing Culture.”

And here’s
why we will sell out…

Guy
Kawasaki, one of my mentors and longtime friends has just agreed to join our
dynamic CLIC speaker lineup.

In this session, you’ll hear how this “Wise Guy” has taught millions of leaders and entrepreneurs his secrets for building innovative marketing cultures….

We are thrilled at all the attendees who will be joining us at CLIC ‘18, October 3-4 in Atlanta. Perhaps you’ve already registered, or you’re still considering attending. This CMO conference is not your typical gathering in a hotel conference room for 1 ½ days. It’s an immersive field trip. We will visit organizations that have developed the “secret sauce” for blending marketing innovation with unforgettable customer experiences: Nanolumens and Atlanta United Football Club.

Here’s a sneak preview to give you an idea of the insights you’ll take away from CLIC from one of our innovation hosts: Karen Robinson Cope, the EVP of Nanolumens….

It’s Independence Day in the United States…although I prefer the term “Interdependence Day.” We cannot thrive without creating unique development opportunities, and collaborating with like-minded leaders and creatives.

When I spend time with leadership luminaries and marketing trendsetters, it’s electrifying. You may be preparing for your own “electrifying experiences” this week…fun food, friends, and fireworks. We are too—except the fireworks will be continuing into the fall months for our community.

If you are experiencing isolation as a marketing leader, or love to learn from some of the world’s top business luminaries, then join us for some of these exciting fall events….

How does a small LED display manufacturer compete and win against likes of LG and Samsung? By making marketing innovation and an intense focus on the customer their number one priority.

In my experience advising CMOs, I listen for whether they have a growth mindset or an output mindset. If they are focused on looking busy and launching loads of programs, their tenure will be short—or they will stay squarely in the “marcom and programs” role. The first people who notice their output behavior will be the CEO and the board of directors.