On Thursday, June 5th, we hosted our second-ever CMO Series Live in New York! Today, we are bringing you a recap of the amazing insights from the sessions led by esteemed CMOs and senior leaders.  

So let’s jump right into recapping the first half of the morning sessions and the key insights. 

Session 1: How to Build a Strong Market Presence with a Strong Website

Margie Hinckley, Chief Marketing & Business Development Officer of the Americas at A&O Shearman, took to the stage to discuss the foundations of how to build a strong market presence with a strong website. She explained how the newly merged global firm managed to retain elements of the two historic brands to create and launch a powerful and compelling website along with a new brand identity. 

During this session, key highlights included:

• The challenges and opportunities of merging two legacy brands into one and having a modern digital presence.
• How the firm’s website strategy goes beyond just launching, and the impact it can have on the market long-term.
•  Why a content-driven approach is key to building brand authority and client engagement.

Session 2: Driving Results: Using Data to Achieve Measurable Business Outcomes

Elizabeth Gooch, Chief Business Development & Marketing Officer at McDermott Will & Emery, explained how firms can use data and feedback to shape marketing strategies and measure business performance. Elizabeth went on to highlight the significance of aligning marketing efforts with business outcomes. 

The key takeaways include:

• Unlock new strategies by connecting the dots with what you already know.
• Find and tap into inspiration from inside and outside the industry. 
• Identify and understand the content your client craves and turn that insight into real impact.
• Grow your top client relationships - top rainmakers are reaching out around twice per week in a personal, meaningful way.

Session 3: The ChangeMaker Playbook: Top Takeaways for Marketing Success

Kelly MacKinnon, Chief Marketing & Business Development Officer at Gibson Dunn, Justin Edmondson, Chief Marketing & Business Development Officer at Duane Morris, and Kathryn Tschumper, Chief Marketing Officer at Hogan Lovells, took to the stage and had an amazing conversation about how they navigated the leap into senior leadership roles and what their journey to that point was like. 

Kelly, Justin and Kathryn dived deep and personal into what surprised them most when they started that role and shared the lessons they learned and carried into future leadership opportunities. 

Kelly, Justin and Kathryn highlighted: 

• How CMOs can position themselves as change agents, even in traditional environments.
• How their perspectives of senior leadership have evolved. 
•  How sustainable success relies on having strategic clarity and unified leadership.
• The expectations versus the realities when stepping into a senior leadership role.
• To gain influence is to build trust and credibility early by listening to all stakeholders, including employees and managing partners.

Stay tuned for all the insights from the day!