How CMO Huddles is shaping the future of B2B marketing leadership through collaboration and community.
Introduction to CMO Huddles B2B Marketing Leadership Network
In the competitive realm of business-to-business (B2B) marketing, differentiation hinges not only on innovation but also on a solid network of peers and pioneers. Drew Neisser’s creation, CMO Huddles, serves as a pivotal platform where marketing leaders unite to exchange insights, tackle challenges, and advance industry standards. Established in 2020 during the global pandemic upheaval, CMO Huddles has swiftly emerged as a vital hub for Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs) seeking camaraderie and innovative strategies.
Drew Neisser, the architect of CMO Huddles, melds marketing acumen with a zeal for fostering community. After his stint in advertising, his career commenced with the launch of Renegade, a marketing agency celebrated for its guerrilla tactics and inventive approach to branding challenges.
As Neisser interacted with numerous marketing leaders over the years, his path led to the inception of CMO Huddles. This venture reflects his career evolution and addresses a critical market need—a collaborative space where CMOs can collectively enhance their prowess in B2B marketing. Neisser captures the essence of his mission, stating, “I’m really not interested in your opinion. I’m interested in your experience,” emphasizing the practical, experience-based focus of CMO Huddles.
The Marketing Journey of Drew Neisser
Early Career and Founding Renegade
Drew Neisser’s marketing career is as dynamic and inventive as the strategies he espouses. Starting out in large ad agencies, he saw an opportunity for more. His significant journey began in 1993 with the founding of Renegade to go beyond advertising to introduce guerrilla marketing strategies and tactics that really moved the needle for clients. Renegade challenged the status quo of advertising with bold, unconventional solutions that uniquely addressed each of their clients’ brand’s marketing challenges.
Deepening Expertise and Launching CMO Huddles
As Renegade prospered, Neisser’s expertise expanded through deep engagements with other marketing leaders, notably during his time with The CMO Club. Here he not only crafted their first logo and website but also conducted over 600 CMO interviews, greatly enriching his understanding of marketing leadership. These experiences were instrumental when, in 2020, Neisser launched CMO Huddles in response to the shifting paradigms caused by the pandemic and industry transformations.
Reflecting on this pivotal moment, Neisser shares, “When my friend Pete sold the club March 2nd, 2020, right before the pandemic, brilliant move; sold it to Salesforce. The light bulbs went off in my mind in that. With the pandemic and with Salesforce, that was going to kill the club…” This realization of the opportunity spurred the creation of CMO Huddles, now a thriving community that empowers CMOs to navigate the complex marketing landscape effectively.
Leadership Insights for B2B CMOs: Navigating the First Two Years
Establishing Credibility in the First 90 Days
In his approach to guiding new CMOs, Drew Neisser emphasizes the critical importance of securing quick wins within the first 90 days to establish credibility. This early phase is about demonstrating value swiftly and effectively to both peers and superiors. Neisser notes, “It’s about those quick wins, quick fixes, things that show, ‘Oh, you’re pretty smart. Wow. You put an 800 number on the website. Wow. Good job.’ We have a long list of those that we share with our community of quick wins and sources of quick wins.” This strategy helps new CMOs build a foundation of trust and proves their capability in their new role.
The goal during this period is not just to impress but to lay the groundwork for deeper, more strategic initiatives. By establishing early successes, CMOs can buy the time needed to address more complex challenges. Neisser adds, “You need to secure quick wins that will help you buy the time to make the big strategic decisions that are necessary for long-term success.”
Year Two: How CMOs Can Sustain Momentum Through Strategic Patience
As CMOs progress into their first year, the focus shifts from initial quick wins to leveraging these successes to align closely with the organization’s broader goals. This period is critical for setting the strategic direction that will define their tenure. Neisser advises, “The first year is about navigating challenges and leveraging initial successes to further align with organizational goals.”
Entering the second year, the challenge intensifies as CMOs must prevent the onset of the “second-year blues”—a period where the initial excitement wanes, and sustained innovation becomes crucial. Neisser emphasizes the importance of strategic patience and resilience during this phase.
“It’s so hard,” he reflects, “And really hoping that part of that, that there’s a little break that, the CMO, when they take the new job and they’ve managed the expectations with the CEO, they say in their initial contract at the end of one year, we’re going to sit down, we’re going to talk about all they’re going to accomplish. And then I’m going to say goodbye for two weeks.”
Throughout the first two years, Neisser stresses the value of deep engagement with customer feedback and internal teams to refine and adapt marketing strategies continually. The dynamic nature of the CMO role requires an ongoing adjustment to strategies based on real-world feedback and changing market conditions. This iterative process is crucial for staying relevant and effective in the fast-paced world of marketing.
Through Neisser’s and peer guidance, CMOs learn that their role is not just about leading marketing efforts but also about embodying the change and innovation necessary to drive the organization forward. The insights and strategies shared in CMO Huddles provide valuable lessons on navigating the complexities of the role, ensuring CMOs are well-equipped to turn challenges into opportunities for leadership and growth.
This approach not only helps in creating marketing impact and maintaining momentum over the longer term, but also in helping CMOs manage personal and professional well-being.
Rock and Roll Diaries: The Musical Side of Leadership
Drew Neisser’s engagement with rock and roll is more than a personal pastime; it is a reflection of his zest for life and the depth of his experiences. His stories from attending various rock concerts offer a glimpse into how these experiences have enriched his life outside of the boardroom. His music experience has created emotional connections that date back to his grandparents and span to today with his own children.
One of the more poignant narratives Drew shares involves the “see them before they die” tour with his wife, an initiative to experience live performances of legendary bands while they were still active. The emotional weight of these experiences is captured when he remarks on the poignancy of seeing icons who would soon pass away. “We saw Prince, he died. We saw, Yes, the lead singer died. So of course, by the time we saw Boston, their lead singer had already died. The time we saw Journey, they had a replacement lead singer.” These experiences, marked by both joy and inevitable loss, highlight the fleeting nature of life and art.
Additionally, Drew recalls the experience of taking his daughter to see Cher, influenced by her childhood friend who greatly admired the pop icon. This concert was not just a musical event but a meaningful family outing that underscored the connections music can forge between individuals.
Finally, Drew reminisces about his very first concert experience which he attended with his grandparents as a child. He reflects, “I don’t know how old you guys are, but I had grandparents who lived in the Chicago area and I was from California, and they took me to concerts when I was little. So actually my first concert was either Dionne Warwick or the Loving Spoonful.” Drew’s initiation into live music at a young age left a lasting impression on him, illustrating the enduring impact of music in those early life experiences.
Through these recollections, Drew Neisser not only shares the soundtrack of his life but also paints a picture of how these moments have provided joy and reflection through the universal language of music.
Drew Neisser’s creation of CMO Huddles encapsulates a journey of innovative leadership and collaborative spirit within the B2B marketing world. Through this innovative platform, Neisser not only cultivates a network of marketing leaders but also champions the ethos of sharing, caring, and daring. As CMOs and marketing leaders navigate the complexities of today’s business environment, Drew’s blend of strategic foresight, commitment to community, and passion for real-world experiences provides an invaluable model. The CMO Huddles story should encourage every marketing professional to seek connections, embrace new challenges, and continue to innovate, ensuring their marketing strategies are as dynamic and impactful as the world around them.
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