Embedded Files
Thanks to Our Clients for a Wonderful 2025!
What is a Fractional CMO?
What is a Fractional CMO?
A Fractional CMO (a.k.a Fractional Chief Marketing Officer) is a part-time or contract, senior-level marketing executive. Fractional CMOs provide short-term and long-term strategic marketing leadership to companies who may lack funding for a full time Chief Marketing Officer. Businesses that need expert marketing advice to drive growth but can not commit to a full time Chief Marketing Officer, often employ Fractional CMOs. They are a cost effective C-Suite level strategic choice that can be contracted for a set length of time or a block of hours per month.
When to Hire a Fractional CMO?
When to Hire a Fractional CMO?
Fractional CMOs are a good fit for high growth companies and companies that need to return to profitability. Companies who do not have a dedicated marketing budget or do not have market ready products are traditionally not a good fit for Fractional CMOs. They are a flexible and budget friendly solution for enterprises that rely on a executive CEO/COO/CFO structure.
Fractional CMOs are a great choice for market expansion, brand split or consolidation, new product development & launch, departmental analysis (including marketing staff and agency evaluations), as well as executive decision making. Fractional CMOs can be brought in to elevate existing marketing staff or to help prepare a rising star for their first leadership role. They are also a great choice during mergers and acquisitions when an objective voice is needed to create a new marketing strategy going forward and to reduce staff redundancy.
How Much Does a Fractional CMO Charge?
How Much Does a Fractional CMO Charge?
Fractional CMOs work on a monthly retainer and/or hourly basis. Engagements start around $1,500-$2,000 per month based on services and experience needed. Hourly fees for a Fractional CMO can range from $250 to $450 per hour. This is a cost effective way to purchase C-suite leadership without committing to an annual salary. An annual salary for these C-Suite veterans according to Built In will often exceed $220k/yr. A good CMO can bridge the gap between business goals and marketing goals, and provide oversight to execution and tactical operations.
What are some Key Attributes of a Fractional CMO?
What are some Key Attributes of a Fractional CMO?
Provides C-Suite Experience - Having served as a traditional Chief Marketing Officer, Fractional CMOs bring real world, global marketing executive experience.
Strategic and Accountable - Experience integrating and working along side the CEO, COO, and CFO to align marketing and corporate objectives.
Cost-Effective - Hiring a CMO can cost $220k/yr, while a Fractional CMO on a 12 month retainer can be as low as $18k-$24k/yr.
Growth Focused - Looks at result metrics over vanity metrics to measure Return on Marketing Investment (ROMI) and Return on Ad Spend (ROAS)
Does a Fractional CMO need to have Traditional CMO Experience?
Yes. It is critical that any Fractional Chief Marketing Officer (Fractional CMO) you hire has experience as a Traditional Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) first. There are executive decisions and experiences, including legal and profit & loss (P&L) responsibilities, that a CMO does daily, that a lower marketer such as Senior Director isn't always tasked with. Ask questions of any previous CMO experience so you can be sure they weren't just working as a sole proprietor when they held the CMO position. If you are looking for market expansions experience, then the Fractional CMO with global CMO experience is a great choice. Expanding globally has a lot of intricacies that a person with experience opening foriegn markets will be better equiped to handle.
Google Sites
Report abuse