In short
The episode introduces “Frontier CMO” by Think with Google, arguing that CMOs have short C-suite tenure despite marketing being a key growth lever in the AI era, and claiming only about 1 in 5 companies have a CMO on their board. It positions a “new breed of marketers” with a fresh playbook to earn a stronger seat at the high table.
Guest backgrounds
No specific guests are named in this transcript; the host says upcoming episodes will feature “transformative leaders, entrepreneurs, and technologists” inventing the future of marketing.
Key claims
marketing can do better; marketing is most important for AI-era growth; board representation is low.
Notable examples
the “1 in five” statistic; “shortest tenure” observation about CMOs.
Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.
Transcript
Automatic transcript. May contain errors.0:00Quick question, why do chief marketing officers have the shortest tenure in the C-suite?
0:04Joshua Spanier:I think marketing is the most important lever for growth in the AI era, yet only one in five companies have a CMO on their board. Marketing can do better. There is a new breed of marketers who are charting a fresh course with a new playbook to claim marketing seat at the high table. I'm Joshua Spanier, VP AI and Marketing Strategy at Google. I'm getting the opportunity to ask tough questions about the future of marketing to those inventing it. I'm speaking with transformative leaders, entrepreneurs, and technologists, all who are charting a new course for marketing growth. This is Frontier CMO.
0:41Think with Google's newest podcast. Let's see what we get away with. Episodes begin dropping in January, 2026, so follow and subscribe to Frontier CMO on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.
From the publisher
In the AI era, marketing should be unstoppable, and its future is being written in real time. Frontier CMO talks to the leaders shaping it. Join Joshua Spanier, Google's VP of AI and Marketing Strategy, in his deep-dives with the leaders, marketers, technologists who are rewriting the playbook. Welcome to the Frontier. New episodes drop January 2026.
We’re asking the questions others won’t: How do marketing leaders prove ROI to executives? What does a modern marketing strategy look like when AI and analytics are reshaping the rules every day? Each episode of Frontier CMO explores the real-world playbooks leaders are using to navigate the AI-powered landscape.
From marketing trends and branding breakthroughs to advancements in digital marketing, social media, content marketing, and B2B marketing, Frontier CMO breaks down what’s working and what’s not to help you navigate this new landscape.
Subscribe to Frontier CMO on YouTube, Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts to get alerted when the first episode drops in January.
