Top CMO Considerations for 2025

CMOs stepping into 2025 need to prioritize AI integration, navigate the evolving privacy landscape, and leverage innovation to drive growth.

● Implementing AI/Machine Learning to drive more impactful marketing
● Using dynamic creative engines
● Investing in data infrastructure and compliance solutions
● Bringing in external expertise that challenges internal thinking

The year 2024 marked a significant turning point in the marketing landscape. The rapid evolution and adoption of AI forced CMOs and marketing leaders to adapt quickly to a new reality. As we move into 2025, this pace of change shows no sign of slowing down. CMOs need to be prepared to embrace the ongoing transformation and leverage these advancements to drive growth, efficiency, and success. Here’s a look at some key considerations for CMOs as they navigate the year ahead:

1. AI is Here to Stay — Make it Your Ally

AI is no longer a futuristic concept; it’s an essential tool for effective marketing. CMOs should prioritize integrating AI into their marketing strategies and operations. This means investing in AI-powered solutions for:

• Dynamic Creative Optimization: Dynamic creative engines are revolutionizing how brands connect with consumers, allowing for personalized and optimized content at scale. CMOs need to ensure their teams are equipped to leverage these tools effectively.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: AI-powered analytics can provide unprecedented insights into consumer behavior, campaign performance, and market trends. This data can inform smarter decision-making and drive better results.
• Enhanced Customer Experiences: AI can personalize customer journeys…

2. Navigating the New Privacy Landscape

Consumer privacy remains a top priority. CMOs must stay ahead of evolving regulations and technology changes impacting data collection and usage. Key actions include:

• Prioritizing First-Party Data Strategies: Reduce reliance on third-party cookies and invest in building owned customer data and media channels. This ensures compliance while providing valuable insights for personalization and targeting.
• Partnering with Agencies for Expertise: Agencies can play a crucial role in guiding CMOs through the complex world of privacy regulations and implementing solutions that ensure compliance while maximizing marketing effectiveness.
• Transparency and Consumer Trust: Clearly communicate data collection and usage practices to consumers. Transparency builds trust and reinforces a brand’s commitment to protecting customer privacy.

3. Driving Growth in a Competitive Environment

Growth remains a primary focus for CMOs. In a dynamic market, CMOs must adopt innovative approaches to reach new customers and expand their market share. This requires:

• Embracing Emerging Marketing Channels: Explore new avenues for customer engagement, such as retail media networks and immersive Web3 experiences. These channels offer unique opportunities to reach target audiences and drive measurable results.
• Unlocking the Power of AI for Growth: AI-powered tools can identify new customer segments, personalize messaging, and optimize campaigns for maximum reach and impact. CMOs should leverage AI to unlock new growth opportunities and gain a competitive advantage.
• Investing in Talent and Expertise: Building a team with the right skills is essential to navigate the evolving marketing landscape. CMOs should prioritize attracting and retaining talent proficient in AI, data analytics, and emerging marketing technologies.

Key findings: what we heard from marketing leaders

AI isn’t just enhancing marketing practices, it’s rewriting the playbook, promising new ways to drive efficiency, creativity and opportunity at scale — creating an expectation of agencies to do even more to create business growth

Dynamic creative engines are already seen as a key to marketing success — noted by our respondents as the most impactful technology trend in the market and, increasingly, a requirement for impactful marketing

Data and customer privacy is an ongoing challenge and priority, meaning many marketing leaders are looking to agencies to bring them new solutions as the landscape continues to evolve

Diversity, equity and inclusion is an important factor to senior marketing leaders, not just in their teams and departments — many expect agencies to go above and beyond their own internal DEI commitments

Conclusion

2025 presents CMOs with both challenges and exciting opportunities. By embracing AI, prioritizing data privacy, and adopting innovative growth strategies, CMOs can position their brands for success in the dynamic market ahead. Remember, the key is to view change as an opportunity for transformation and leverage the power of technology and human ingenuity to drive meaningful connections and deliver exceptional results.

Source: Insights for Agencies from CMOs and Marketing Leaders: 2024–2025