May 21
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Marketing insights that don't insult your intelligence.
Skip the "10 tips" posts. Get contrarian takes on AI, career strategy, and what's actually working in marketing—written for CMOs who've seen it all before.
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Monday Briefing
5 min read, every Monday
Platform changes, CMO moves, and what's happening in marketing this week. No fluff, just the signal.
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Strategic Deep Dives
Midweek, when you have time to think
One idea, explored properly. The contrarian frameworks and uncomfortable truths that don't fit in a tweet.
Recent Insights
What we've been thinking about lately.
What We Write About
We cover what matters to modern CMOs—and skip the obvious stuff you can find anywhere.
AI & Marketing
Beyond the hype. What AI actually means for your team, your strategy, and your job. LLM optimization, automation reality checks, and how to not get replaced.
Recent: "AI Won't Save You. It'll Expose You." • "The Rise of the Synthetic CMO"
CMO Career
The unwritten rules. How to get promoted (or not), the CMO-to-CEO pipeline, navigating boards, and why the best marketers often don't advance.
Recent: "The K-Shaped CMO" • "Why the Best Marketers Don't Get Promoted"
Strategy Frameworks
Mental models that compound. Not tactics—the underlying thinking that makes tactics work. Decision-making, prioritization, and playing long games.
Recent: "The Illusion of Optimization" • "The Physics of Marketing"
Brand & Performance
The false dichotomy. Why brand is the last performance channel left, attribution's uncomfortable truths, and building what lasts.
Recent: "Your Brand Is the Last Performance Channel Left" • "Every Channel Sucks. Now What?"
Industry Intel
What's actually happening. Platform changes, CMO moves, deal breakdowns, and the context you need to make sense of the noise.
Monday Briefings: TikTok deals, Meta AI, ChatGPT ads, CMO appointments
Org & Team
Building what works. Marketing org structure, decision velocity, doing more with less, and getting sales to actually like you.
Recent: "Structuring Your Marketing Org" • "Sales + Marketing = The Ultimate Power Couple"
"This is the stuff agencies charge $10K to tell you. I get it free every week."
CMO, Series B DTC Brand
"Finally—marketing content for marketers, not beginners. Strategic depth without the fluff."
VP Marketing, Public Tech Company
Common Questions
Who writes this?
Behind the CMO is written by marketers who've been in the seat—CMOs, VPs, and operators who've built teams, managed boards, and navigated the chaos. We write what we wish someone had told us.
How is this different from other marketing newsletters?
We skip the beginner stuff. No "what is SEO" explainers or obvious tips. We write for experienced marketers who want depth, contrarian takes, and ideas they haven't heard before. If you're early in your career, this might not be for you yet.
How often will I get emails?
Twice a week: Monday Briefing (quick intel) and a midweek deep dive (one idea, explored properly). We respect your inbox—no daily spam, no promotional junk.
Is it really free?
Yes. No paywalls, no premium tier. We believe good thinking should spread. We're supported by occasional sponsorships from tools we actually use and recommend.
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