What Does a Fractional CMO Do?
Ahead of the Game - A podcast by Digital Marketing Institute - Fridays

Categories:
The word "fractional" gets bandied around a lot these days. But what does it really mean, and how can a CMO be fractional?In this episode of the DMI podcast, host Will Francis sits down with Peter Murphy Lewis of StrategicPete.com and a successful fractional CMO. Peter shares his journey from launching a travel business in South America to becoming a data-driven marketing strategist for a wide range of industries, including software, finance, media, and even zoos. 🔹 What you’ll learn: What a Fractional CMO is and why the role is booming Who actually needs a CMO, and who doesn’t The biggest marketing mistakes Peter made and what he learned The most in-demand digital marketing skills for 2025 Why LinkedIn newsletters and automation are underrated goldmines How and why Peter builds high-performing remote teams using global talentPeter also talks about the power of vulnerability in leadership, his intern-to-MVP framework, and why he believes AI is an opportunity, not a threat.Check out Peter's documentary on YouTube - People Worth Caring About------------------------- 00:06 – Introduction 00:54 – What is a Fractional CMO? 04:38 – Does Every Business Need a CMO? 06:49 – Peter’s Background & Path to Becoming a Fractional CMO 09:18 – Performance-Based Marketing Contracts: Pros & Cons 12:36 – Biggest Early Career Mistakes & Lessons Learned 16:05 – How Digital Marketing Has Changed in 15 Years 18:26 – Leveraging Global Talent for Growth 21:06 – Peter’s Internship Model: Training Future Marketers 23:32 – The Importance of Soft Skills in Digital Marketing 27:09 – Coaching, Feedback, and the Power of Vulnerability 33:42 – The Most In-Demand Marketing Skills for 2025 36:09 – The Role of AI in Marketing 42:50 – The Top Marketing Trends for 2025 46:46 – Advice for Young Marketers & Entrepreneurs 49:25 – Where to Find Peter Online-------------------------The Ahead of the Game podcast is brought to you by the Digital Marketing Institute and is available on our website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.Check out the DMI's extensive digital marketing library of ebooks, toolkits, podcasts, webinars, guides, templates, advice, and more! Join for free today.And if you enjoyed this episode please leave a review so others can find us!