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Dear CMO: Dialog, “listening,” “conversations,” and a host of other tangibles and intangibles await the CMO who engages on a first-person basis with his or her constituents. We in the marketing community usually applaud company leaders who open themselves up in this fashion and talk to their customers in something other than “corporate speak.” Which […]

Dear CMO: My brother made a side trip to Chichen Itza a few weeks ago while celebrating his 50th birthday down in Mexico. Apart from the full court press the locals put on everyone to vote for it — his trip fell during the frenzied last moments of voting — he apparently had a lot […]

Dear CMO: This very important memo is about avoiding big career mistakes, so listen carefully. Trust me. I’ve made several. I’m acutely attuned to the sound of ice cracking beneath my feet. I’ve spent enough time in free-fall to have learned a lesson or two, so pay attention. You may not be in the right […]

Dear CMO: We don’t often talk about beer over here, do we? But while we’re on the subject, let’s talk about the world famous Boston Beer Company’s new Sam Adams commercial, where President Jim Koch drops this wonderful bomb: “Sam Adams is… not a beginner’s beer.” Why is this such a wonderful thing to say? […]

Dear CMO: We’ve discussed rats already. Let’s talk about fish. It’s hard to get worked up about fish. They have no discernable facial expressions. Their children aren’t cute. They’re just guppies or larvae or something. Regardless, there’s an interesting story about how to land a big fish. But first, let’s explore how not to land […]