A marketing director (CMO) is the corporate executive responsible for the marketing activities of an organization. In other words, the marketing director of a company has the primary responsibility of driving revenue by increasing sales through marketing activities. The CMO of most companies will report directly to the CEO and is usually part of executive-level management. The marketing director will contact other company executives to set objectives for the entire company.
They will also help marketing directors and managers create a marketing strategy that achieves those profit, product and growth objectives through a variety of marketing functions and activities. More specifically, the CMO is the executive in charge of developing the corporate advertising and branding strategy, as well as communication with customers. As the organization's highest marketing position, he oversees these functions across the company's product lines and geographical regions. A marketing director is responsible for the development and execution of marketing and advertising campaigns.
The primary mission of a CMO is to facilitate growth and increase sales by developing a comprehensive marketing plan that promotes brand recognition and helps the organization gain a competitive advantage. They are also expected to direct marketing campaigns and communication with customers through existing (and emerging) social networks, as well as through traditional channels. Their functions will include managing all marketing operations, evaluating and improving existing initiatives, and designing new strategies to increase revenues. CMOs play a vital role in the growth of a company and have important responsibilities that range from creative influence to business strategy.
CMOs must also be able to adapt and innovate, as technologies evolve and markets change in response. To be successful in this position, you'll be able to adapt marketing strategies to complement the organization's objectives. In addition, the current CMO role requires a high level of technical aptitude to maximize tools and take advantage of social media platforms that are essential to marketing efforts. CMOs, who can also hold the title of vice president of sales and marketing, generally have at least a degree in marketing (although an MBA is often preferred, if not also required).
Some companies are remodeling the position in response to those same technological forces, eliminating the role of CMO or transforming it into positions such as customer service director, experience director, customer director or digital director. The CMO's work is expected to produce first-line results, and marketing initiatives are expected to increase brand awareness, recognition and loyalty, which will ultimately result in increased sales. As such, it is clear that a chief marketing officer has an important role in driving sales for an organization. They are responsible for developing strategies that will increase brand recognition and loyalty which will lead to increased sales.