Growth Insights for CEOs
Advice for CEOs on Growth and Scaling

Should I Hire a Fractional CMO?
Fri, May 8, 2026 | Posted by Vickie Sherman
Executive Takeaways
- A full-time CMO can cost $1M in year one — before the first campaign ships.
- Full-time CMOs optimize for tenure. Fractional CMOs optimize for outcomes.
- Fractional CMOs bring cross-industry pattern recognition that deepens with every engagement.
- Fractional leadership wins in specific, definable contexts. The next article maps exactly when.
Recent Posts
How to Best Leverage Marketing Technologies in 2015
Thu, Jan 22, 2015 — I was recently asked my thoughts on how technology and digital trends will shape the future of marketing. As I pondered this question, I took note of all of the ways that I am digitally connected to the outside world. My laptop, smartphone, phablet, tablet, and e-reader were all dripping digital data to some unseen force through my WiFi connection. A fitness tracker awaited the opportunity to observe and report my next activity. Acting as marshals for many of these resources were my modem and router, which collected the needed inputs and outputs and converted my actions into trackable information.
Stay up-to-date with the latest from Chief Outsiders
Great articles on marketing, growth, and how to take your company to the next level.