The Peerbound Podcast

Sara Spivey (former CMO at Braze and Bazaarvoice) on Building High-Performing Teams and the CMO’s Evolution

Episode Summary

Sara Spivey (former CMO of Braze and Bazaarvoice) discusses her journey in the tech industry, including her early experiences in operational and consulting roles, her transition into marketing, and her insights into the evolving role of CMOs and the marketing landscape. She shares advice for aspiring CMOs, discusses the importance of customer marketing, and offers leadership and career advice.

Episode Notes

With over 40 years in the industry, including significant contributions at Braze and Bazaarvoice, Sarah Spivey brings a wealth of experience and insights into the evolution of marketing technology, the crucial soft skills for success, and strategies for building effective teams. She emphasizes the importance of the CEO-CMO relationship, the role of customer marketing, and offers valuable advice for aspiring CMOs on career planning and broadening their experience. Sarah also sheds light on the differences between marketing in private vs. public companies and the impact of specializing in today's marketing landscape. Throughout the conversation, Sarah provides thoughtful leadership advice and future-facing insights, making this episode a valuable resource for current and aspiring marketing professionals.

• (1:09) Sarah Spivey's Journey: From Operations to Marketing Maven
• (4:53) The Evolution of a CMO: Realizing the Dream
• (6:58) Navigating Industry Shifts: Evolutions in Marketing
• (10:28) The Constants in Marketing: Leadership, Teamwork, and Content
• (11:31) From Bazaarvoice to Braze: The Public vs. Private Company Experience
• (13:06) Mastering the First 90 Days as a CMO: Strategy and Execution
• (17:14) Reflecting on Growth, Challenges, and the Importance of Product and Market
• (19:12) Pioneering Customer Marketing: A Game-Changer in Software
• (23:20) Leadership Insights: Building High-Performing Teams
• (26:08) Navigating the CMO Role: Challenges and Opportunities
• (31:51) Advice for Aspiring Leaders: Looking Beyond the Next Job

Stay tuned through the end of the show (33:10) to learn: 

• Which streaming service Sara gets her favorite content from.
• Who Sara thinks we should interview next.

Featuring:

Sara Spivey (LinkedIn)

Sunny Manivannan (LinkedIn, Twitter) 

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