This week, Cathy McKnight, Chief Problem Solver at Seventh Bear, makes her monthly visit to the studio and shares her perspective on the changing role of the CMO with our host Ian Truscott, Managing Partner at Velocity B. Highlights from this week: Cathy shares her experiences from various conferences, highlighting the inspiration gained from Adobe Max and emphasizing that creativity cannot be derived solely from tools like AI or Canva. They discuss Cathy’s view on the identity crisis of the CMO role, the challenges they face in balancing short-term metrics with long-term brand-building, and the lack of a clear career path compared to other C-suite roles. Cathy shares her client experience, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between marketing and sales teams and the evolving landscape of technology selection and buyer behavior in B2B marketing. If you have any comments or thoughts on this topic, we would love to hear them, we welcome your feedback.  Enjoy! — The Links The people: Ian Truscott on LinkedIn  Cathy McKnight on LinkedIn Mentioned this week: Cathy’s firm - Seventh Bear Rockstar CMO: The Beat Newsletter that we send every Monday Rockstar CMO on the web and LinkedIn Previous episodes and all the show notes: Rockstar CMO FM. Track List: We’ll be right back by Stienski & Mass Media on YouTube You can listen to this on all good podcast platforms, like Apple, Amazon, and Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to The Rose and Rockstar - with the Chief Troublemaker at Seventh Bear, Robert Rose, behind the bar serving one of his splendid cocktails while our host Ian Truscott, a former CMO but not a rockstar, picks his brain on a marketing topic.  This week, Ian learns that Robert is re-reading a marketing classic, Different by Youngme Moon, and asks why Robert keeps revisiting this book. They discuss the importance of differentiation, how different is better than better, and how we need to be wrong for some to be right for others. Plus, the importance of knowing whether your cider is hard or soft.  If you have a question for the bar or an opinion on this week's discussion, please get in touch - just search “rockstar cmo” on the interwebs or LinkedIn. Enjoy! — The Links The people: Ian Truscott on LinkedIn Robert Rose on LinkedIn Mentioned this week Different: Escaping the Competitive Herd by Youngme Moon | Goodreads Sally Hogshead - Different is Better than Better Robert’s newsletter: Lens, his websites, robertrose.net and seventhbear.com Ian’s firm - Velocity B Rockstar CMO: The Beat Newsletter that we send every Monday Rockstar CMO on the web, Twitter, and LinkedIn Previous episodes and all the show notes: Rockstar CMO FM. Track List: We’ll be right back by Stienski & Mass Media on YouTube Piano Music is by Johnny Easton, shared under a Creative Commons license You can listen to this on all good podcast platforms, like Apple, Amazon and Spotify.This podcast is part of the Marketing Podcast Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Jeff Clark, former Forrester Research Director, and our host Ian Truscott, Managing Partner at Velocity B, take a break from their usual B2B beat to discuss marketing for non-profits, advocacy, and cause organizations.  They explore if their 5 f’in’ marketing fundamentals are relevant to this sector, and Jeff shares his experience of each of them working within non-profit organizations.  Highlights from the conversation: Marketing for a cause requires understanding multiple audiences. The knowledge phase is crucial for nonprofits to identify needs. A master plan aligns organizational goals with fundraising efforts. Storytelling is essential for emotional engagement in nonprofits. Campaigns serve as the product in nonprofit marketing. Data management is critical for tracking donor engagement. Nonprofits must balance awareness and fundraising objectives. B2B marketing skills are transferable to nonprofit marketing. As always, we welcome your feedback. If you have a suggestion for a topic that's hot for you that we should discuss, please get in touch using the links below. Enjoy! — The Links The people: Ian Truscott on LinkedIn Jeff Clark on LinkedIn Mentioned this week: Ian’s firm - Velocity B Rockstar CMO: The Beat Newsletter that we send every Monday Rockstar CMO on the web, Twitter, and LinkedIn Previous episodes and all the show notes: Rockstar CMO FM. Track List: Stienski & Mass Media - We'll be right back Public Enemy - Fight The Power - On YouTube You can listen to this on all good podcast platforms, like Apple, Amazon, and Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to The Rose and Rockstar - with the Chief Troublemaker at Seventh Bear, Robert Rose, behind the bar serving one of his splendid cocktails while our host Ian Truscott, a CMO but not a rockstar, picks his brain on a marketing topic.  As Robert is a prolific writer, Ian returns to pulling at the thread of Robert’s writing process that they discussed last month. This week, they explore the process that Robert has developed for using ChatGPT as a writing and research assistant. The discussion includes: Robert’s 8-point process for developing content with AI Training ChatGPT to interview Robert about a topic Creating a 'show Bible' for a topic for a collection of content assets Pressure testing an idea with AI and the unexpected insights this can give How this process actually takes more work and time, but improves the quality Robert also shared an excellent point about having ChatGPT create the content, versus following this sort of process that takes you on a creative journey.   “Constructed content is only loved after it exists, while created content is loved before it exists”. If you have a question for the bar or an opinion on this week's discussion, please get in touch - just search “rockstar cmo” on the interwebs or LinkedIn. Enjoy! — The Links The people: Ian Truscott on LinkedIn Robert Rose on LinkedIn Mentioned this week Robert’s podcast with Joe Pulizzi - Atlas Shrugged: Is OpenAI Coming for Google? (503) Ian’s firm - Velocity B Robert’s newsletter: Lens, his websites, robertrose.net and seventhbear.com Rockstar CMO: The Beat Newsletter that we send every Monday Rockstar CMO on the web, Twitter, and LinkedIn Previous episodes and all the show notes: Rockstar CMO FM. Track List: We’ll be right back by Stienski & Mass Media on YouTube Piano Music is by Johnny Easton, shared under a Creative Commons license You can listen to this on all good podcast platforms, like Apple, Amazon and Spotify. This podcast is part of the Marketing Podcast Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, due to a clash in Jeff and Ian’s schedules, it’s a solo episode this week and Ian takes to the studio alone. In this episode Ian explores the importance of remaining human, while still benefiting from the efficiency benefits that AI powered marketing automation offers.  Enjoy! — The Links The people: Ian Truscott on LinkedIn Mentioned this week: The Era of AI-Made Everything (501) - This Old Marketing podcast The Rose & Rockstar: Personalization is Still Creepy Why AI Generated Content Wont Move You - Nudge podcast Velocity B Rockstar CMO: The Beat Newsletter that we send every Monday Rockstar CMO on the web, Twitter, and LinkedIn Previous episodes and all the show notes: Rockstar CMO FM. Track List: Stienski & Mass Media - We'll be right back You can listen to this on all good podcast platforms, like Apple, Amazon, and Spotify. This podcast is part of the Marketing Podcast Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to The Rose and Rockstar - with the Chief Troublemaker at Seventh Bear, Robert Rose, behind the bar serving one of his splendid cocktails while our host Ian Truscott, a CMO but not a rockstar, picks his brain on a marketing topic.  Chris Ross, a VP and Analyst at Gartner for CMOs, recently published on LinkedIn that their research found that 45% of consumers find personalization creepy, inspiring Ian and Robert to take a trip down memory lane and discuss the two-decade challenge that personalization has faced and if anything has really changed, even with the rise of AI.  If you have a question for the bar or an opinion on this week's discussion, please get in touch - just search “rockstar cmo” on the interwebs or LinkedIn. Enjoy! — The Links The people: Ian Truscott on LinkedIn Robert Rose on LinkedIn Mentioned this week Chris Ross at Gartner  Is failing to freak out 52% of our audience the best we can do? - Chris Ross Ian’s firm - Velocity B Robert’s newsletter: Lens, his websites, robertrose.net and seventhbear.com Rockstar CMO: The Beat Newsletter that we send every Monday Rockstar CMO on the web, Twitter, and LinkedIn Previous episodes and all the show notes: Rockstar CMO FM. Track List: We’ll be right back by Stienski & Mass Media on YouTube Piano Music is by Johnny Easton, shared under a Creative Commons license You can listen to this on all good podcast platforms, like Apple, Amazon and Spotify. This podcast is part of the Marketing Podcast Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Jeff Clark, former Forrester Research Director, and our host Ian Truscott return to Michael D. Watkins’ STARS model and explore what each business situation means for marketing leaders.  STARS is an acronym for the five common situations marketing leaders may find themselves moving into: Startup, Turnaround, Accelerated growth, Realignment, and Sustaining success.  In his book The First 90 Days, which is obviously focused on executives entering a business, rather than specifically a marketing leader, Watkins describes these as the characteristics and challenges of, respectively, launching a venture or project; saving a business or initiative that’s in serious trouble; dealing with rapid expansion; reenergizing a once-leading company that’s now facing problems; and following in the footsteps of a highly regarded leader with a strong legacy of success. As always, we welcome your feedback. If you have a suggestion for a topic that's hot for you that we should discuss, please get in touch using the links below. Enjoy! — The Links The people: Ian Truscott on LinkedIn Jeff Clark on LinkedIn Mentioned this week: Picking the Right Transition Strategy by Michael D Watkins on HBR The First 90 Days by Michael D Watkins Renegade Marketers Unite Podcast by Drew Neisser Ian’s firm Velocity B Rockstar CMO: The Beat Newsletter that we send every Monday Rockstar CMO on the web, Twitter, and LinkedIn Previous episodes and all the show notes: Rockstar CMO FM. Track List: Stienski & Mass Media - We'll be right back OneRepublic - Counting Stars - On YouTube You can listen to this on all good podcast platforms, like Apple, Amazon, and Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to The Rose and Rockstar - with the Chief Troublemaker at Seventh Bear, Robert Rose, behind the bar serving one of his splendid cocktails while our host Ian Truscott, a CMO but not a rockstar, picks his brain on a marketing topic.  This week, over a fierce absinthe cocktail, Ian and Robert discuss the 2026 B2B Content and Marketing Trends Report from the Content Marketing Institute, based on a survey of 1000 marketers and research that Robert was the lead analyst for this year.  Some key points they discuss from the research: AI should enhance creativity, not replace it. Budget priorities in marketing are shifting towards technology. Quality content strategy is more important than quantity. Creativity in marketing needs to be prioritized. The importance of human investment in marketing teams. If you have a question for the bar or an opinion on this week's discussion, please get in touch - just search “rockstar cmo” on the interwebs or LinkedIn. Enjoy! — The Links The people: Ian Truscott on LinkedIn Robert Rose on LinkedIn and on Threads Mentioned this week B2B Content and Marketing Trends: Insights for 2026 Ian’s firm - Velocity B Robert’s newsletter: Lens, his websites, robertrose.net and seventhbear.com Rockstar CMO: The Beat Newsletter that we send every Monday Rockstar CMO on the web, Twitter, and LinkedIn Previous episodes and all the show notes: Rockstar CMO FM. Track List: We’ll be right back by Stienski & Mass Media on YouTube Piano Music is by Johnny Easton, shared under a Creative Commons license You can listen to this on all good podcast platforms, like Apple, Amazon and Spotify.This podcast is part of the Marketing Podcast Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Jeff Clark, former Forrester Research Director, and our host Ian Truscott discuss their 5 F’in’ B2B marketing fundamentals, this time through the lens of implementing a B2B buyer's journey, demonstrating how to put these fundamentals into practice. Their 5 F’in’ Marketing Fundamentals are the Masterplan, Knowledge, Story, Campaign, and Machine, and they step through each one to explain how it helps you engage the buyer throughout the buyer's journey.  As always, we welcome your feedback. If you have a suggestion for a topic that's hot for you that we should discuss, please get in touch using the links below. Enjoy! — The Links The people: Ian Truscott on LinkedIn Jeff Clark on LinkedIn Mentioned this week: Rockstar CMO Presents: The 5 F'in' Marketing Fundamentals Kerry Cunningham’s LinkedIn post about his buying journey Get Your Buyers AMPED with our Customer Journey Velocity B Rockstar CMO: The Beat Newsletter that we send every Monday Rockstar CMO on the web, Twitter, and LinkedIn Previous episodes and all the show notes: Rockstar CMO FM. Track List: Stienski & Mass Media - We'll be right back Talking Heads - Road to Nowhere (Official Video) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to The Rose and Rockstar - with the Chief Troublemaker at Seventh Bear, Robert Rose, behind the bar serving one of his splendid cocktails while our host Ian Truscott, a CMO but not a rockstar, picks his brain on a marketing topic.  This week, with a nod toward the Dude of the Big Lebowski, Robert keeps his Russian dark, and Ian asks what Robert makes of the trend for fractional marketing leadership. Key talking points this week: The term 'fractional' may be more of a sell-side term than a buy-side term. Independent consultants are increasingly preferred over large agencies. AI is disrupting traditional consulting roles, emphasizing the need for individual expertise. Understanding the job to be done is crucial. If you have a question for the bar or an opinion on this week's discussion, please get in touch - just search “rockstar cmo” on the interwebs or LinkedIn. Enjoy! — The Links The people: Ian Truscott on LinkedIn Robert Rose on LinkedIn Mentioned this week Ian’s firm - Velocity B This Old Marketing - Robert and Joe’s podcast Robert’s newsletter: Lens, his websites, robertrose.net and seventhbear.com Rockstar CMO: The Beat Newsletter that we send every Monday Rockstar CMO on the web, Twitter, and LinkedIn Previous episodes and all the show notes: Rockstar CMO FM. Track List: We’ll be right back by Stienski & Mass Media on YouTube Piano Music is by Johnny Easton, shared under a Creative Commons license You can listen to this on all good podcast platforms, like Apple, Amazon and Spotify.This podcast is part of the Marketing Podcast Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Cathy McKnight, Chief Problem Solver at Seventh Bear, makes her monthly visit to the studio, and she and our host Ian Truscott discuss 5 skills marketers need for working with agentic AI, based on an article she wrote for Salesforce.com. They discuss: Strategic thinking Creative direction AI literacy Ethical judgment Orchestration and collaboration If you have any comments or thoughts on this topic, we would love to hear them, we welcome your feedback.  Enjoy! — The Links The people: Ian Truscott on LinkedIn  Cathy McKnight on LinkedIn Mentioned this week: Cathy’s article on Salesforce.com: 5 Agentic AI Marketing Skills You Need Right Now Cathy’s firm - Seventh Bear Rockstar CMO: The Beat Newsletter that we send every Monday Rockstar CMO on the web and LinkedIn Previous episodes and all the show notes: Rockstar CMO FM. Track List: We’ll be right back by Stienski & Mass Media on YouTube You can listen to this on all good podcast platforms, like Apple, Amazon, and Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to The Rose and Rockstar - with the Chief Troublemaker at Seventh Bear, Robert Rose, behind the bar serving one of his splendid cocktails while our host Ian Truscott, a CMO but not a rockstar, picks his brain on a marketing topic.  This week, over a classic cocktail, Ian congratulates Robert on 500 episodes of his podcast “This Old Marketing” that he hosts with his chum Joe Pulizzi.  They discuss what he’s learned, some of the enduring themes that have continued to resonate since they started the podcast in 2013, and some of the hot trends that may not have stuck.  Finally, they catch up on Robert’s experience at Content Marketing World.   If you have a question for the bar or an opinion on this week's discussion, please get in touch - just search “rockstar cmo” on the interwebs or LinkedIn. Enjoy! — The Links The people: Ian Truscott on LinkedIn Robert Rose on LinkedIn Mentioned this week This Old Marketing - Robert and Joe’s podcast Ian’s shiny new website: iantruscott.com Ian’s Tuesday rant All the Gear, No Idea Content Marketing World Robert’s newsletter: Lens Robert’s websites: robertrose.net and seventhbear.com Ian’s firm - Velocity B Rockstar CMO: The Beat Newsletter that we send every Monday Rockstar CMO on the web, Twitter, and LinkedIn Previous episodes and all the show notes: Rockstar CMO FM. Track List: We’ll be right back by Stienski & Mass Media on YouTube Piano Music is by Johnny Easton, shared under a Creative Commons license You can listen to this on all good podcast platforms, like Apple, Amazon and Spotify. This podcast is part of the Marketing Podcast Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Jeff Clark, former Forrester Research Director, and our host, Ian Truscott, discuss what seems like the second biggest marketing topic right now, behind AI: fractional marketing leadership.  The tables are turned as Jeff asks Ian for his 5 f’in’ things and they discuss: Fractional is not Part-time   The client wants to solve a problem not hire a fractional Be purposeful fractional  Be clear about the problem you solve Flexibility is a feature, not a bug As always, we welcome your feedback. If you have a suggestion for a topic that's hot for you that we should discuss, please get in touch using the links below. Enjoy! — The Links The people: Ian Truscott on LinkedIn Jeff Clark on LinkedIn Mentioned this week: Ian’s post - Fractional is Just Part-Time - Right?  Velocity B Rockstar CMO: The Beat Newsletter that we send every Monday Rockstar CMO on the web, Twitter, and LinkedIn Previous episodes and all the show notes: Rockstar CMO FM. Track List: Stienski & Mass Media - We'll be right back Part-Time Lover - Steve Wonder You can listen to this on all good podcast platforms, like Apple, Amazon, and Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to The Rose and Rockstar - with the Chief Troublemaker at Seventh Bear, Robert Rose, behind the bar serving one of his splendid cocktails while our host Ian Truscott, a CMO but not a rockstar, picks his brain on a marketing topic.  This week, over a classic cocktail, having just published his fifth book and maintained his prolific writing for Content Marketing Institute and his newsletter, Ian asks Robert about his writing habit.   Some key points from the discussion: Writing is a process of storytelling, not just output Using AI to assist in research and idea generation Consider writing shorter books  Using video content to complement written articles  Attracting subscribers to your newsletter Timeliness and relevance If you have a question for the bar or an opinion on this week's discussion, please get in touch - just search “rockstar cmo” on the interwebs or LinkedIn. Enjoy! — The Links The people: Ian Truscott on LinkedIn Robert Rose on LinkedIn Mentioned this week Robert’s Weekly Articles on Content Marketing Institute, the Lens Newsletter, his website, and his firm Seventh Bear Ian’s firm - Velocity B Rockstar CMO: The Beat Newsletter that we send every Monday Rockstar CMO on the web, Twitter, and LinkedIn Previous episodes and all the show notes: Rockstar CMO FM. Track List: We’ll be right back by Stienski & Mass Media on YouTube Piano Music is by Johnny Easton, shared under a Creative Commons license You can listen to this on all good podcast platforms, like Apple, Amazon and Spotify. This podcast is part of the Marketing Podcast Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Jeff Clark, former Forrester Research Director, and our host Ian Truscott review their 5 f’in’ B2B marketing fundamentals and how AI can help with each of them.  As a reminder, our 5 F’in’ Marketing Fundamentals are: The Masterplan The Knowledge The Story The Campaign The Machine As always, we welcome your feedback. If you have a suggestion for a topic that's hot for you that we should discuss, please get in touch using the links below. Enjoy! — The Links The people: Ian Truscott on LinkedIn Jeff Clark on LinkedIn Mentioned this week: Rockstar CMO Presents: The 5 F'in' Marketing Fundamentals Velocity B Rockstar CMO: The Beat Newsletter that we send every Monday Rockstar CMO on the web, Twitter, and LinkedIn Previous episodes and all the show notes: Rockstar CMO FM. Track List: Stienski & Mass Media - We'll be right back Are 'Friends' Electric? - Tubeway Army / Gary Numan You can listen to this on all good podcast platforms, like Apple, Amazon, and Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to The Rose and Rockstar - with the Chief Troublemaker at Seventh Bear, Robert Rose, behind the bar serving one of his splendid cocktails while our host Ian Truscott, a CMO but not a rockstar, picks his brain on a marketing topic.  This week, over a classic cocktail, Ian and Robert discuss Reddit, how it is informing search results, generative AI, and how we should engage with it to support our B2B content marketing. Some key points from the discussion: The culture of Reddit Building credibility on Reddit takes time and effort Using Reddit for audience research. Niche markets and topics are well served by Reddit  Engaging on Reddit as a different channel from other social platforms Experimentation is key, like any social media If you have a question for the bar or an opinion on this week's discussion, please get in touch - just search “rockstar cmo” on the interwebs or LinkedIn. Enjoy! — The Links The people: Ian Truscott on LinkedIn Robert Rose on LinkedIn Mentioned this week Why Reddit Marketing Should Be Your Next Big Business Move Robert’s Lens Newsletter Robert’s new relaunched website: Robertrose.net Robert’s firm - Seventh Bear Ian’s firm - Velocity B Rockstar CMO: The Beat Newsletter that we send every Monday Rockstar CMO on the web, Twitter, and LinkedIn Previous episodes and all the show notes: Rockstar CMO FM. Track List: We’ll be right back by Stienski & Mass Media on YouTube Piano Music is by Johnny Easton, shared under a Creative Commons license You can listen to this on all good podcast platforms, like Apple, Amazon and Spotify.This podcast is part of the Marketing Podcast Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Jeff Clark, former Forrester Research Director, is back, and he and our host Ian Truscott, discuss some new research into the hidden B2B buyer from Edelman, and, adhering to the Rockstar CMO editorial policy, they share 5 f’in’ things to help reach them through your thought leadership. The five f’in’ things this week: The "safest choice" isn't always the winning one Develop the extended personas Define tactics that attract the hidden buyer Why thought leadership works when other tactics don't Setting up your CRM to identify hidden buyers As always, we welcome your feedback. If you have a suggestion for a topic that's hot for you that we should discuss, please get in touch using the links below. Enjoy! — The Links The people: Ian Truscott on LinkedIn Jeff Clark on LinkedIn Mentioned this week: The Rise of the Hidden Buyer: Rethinking B2B Influence Beyond the Obvious | Edelman Map your Buying Groups and Stakeholder Committees in your CRM — Squivr Velocity B Rockstar CMO: The Beat Newsletter that we send every Monday Rockstar CMO on the web, Twitter, and LinkedIn Previous episodes and all the show notes: Rockstar CMO FM. Track List: Stienski & Mass Media - We'll be right back The Rasmus - In the Shadows (Official Music Video) You can listen to this on all good podcast platforms, like Apple, Amazon, and Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to The Rose and Rockstar - with the Chief Troublemaker at Seventh Bear, Robert Rose, behind the bar serving one of his splendid cocktails while our host Ian Truscott, a CMO but not a rockstar, picks his brain on a marketing topic.  This week, over a refreshing cocktail, Ian and Robert discuss an idea Robert shared about losing creativity in B2B marketing on Goldenhour, a LinkedIn Live event with Anthony Kennada, founder of Audience Plus and three-time CMO. Some key points from the discussion: Data and processes are overshadowing creativity in marketing. Many marketers are leaving the profession due to a lack of creativity. AI is not solving the problem. Precision in marketing can lead to mediocrity. Marketers are focusing on efficiency rather than emotional connection. If you have a question for the bar or an opinion on this week's discussion, please get in touch - just search “rockstar cmo” on the interwebs or LinkedIn. Enjoy! — The Links The people: Ian Truscott on LinkedIn Robert Rose on LinkedIn Mentioned this week LinkedIn live event - Goldenhour: The Paradox of Content Marketing in the AI Age: Humanity Over Speed Robert’s Lens Newsletter Valuable Friction - Robert Rose Robert’s new relaunched website: Robertrose.net Robert’s firm - Seventh Bear Ian’s firm - Velocity B Rockstar CMO: The Beat Newsletter that we send every Monday Rockstar CMO on the web, Twitter, and LinkedIn Previous episodes and all the show notes: Rockstar CMO FM. Track List: We’ll be right back by Stienski & Mass Media on YouTube Piano Music is by Johnny Easton, shared under a Creative Commons license You can listen to this on all good podcast platforms, like Apple, Amazon and Spotify. This podcast is part of the Marketing Podcast Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Cathy McKnight, Chief Problem Solver at Seventh Bear, makes her monthly visit to the studio, and she and our host Ian Truscott explore whether, in 2025, the term CMS (Content Management System) is still relevant to CMOs with all the other acronyms and buzzwords around content operations today. Some talking points from this week: With the advances in page builder solutions to deliver multi-channel and multi-language websites, do organizations need enterprise solutions? What needs must enterprises have to justify an enterprise solution (like Adobe or Sitecore) versus a simpler solution? Do organizations handle workflow and orchestration within the CMS? Is Headless the natural successor to the content management principles of old? As usual, when Ian and Cathy get together, they dive into their inner content geeks, and as always, we welcome your feedback.  Enjoy! — The Links The people: Ian Truscott on LinkedIn and Bluesky Cathy McKnight on LinkedIn Mentioned this week: LinkedIn post by Gartner Analyst, Irina Guseva Cathy’s firm - Seventh Bear Rockstar CMO: The Beat Newsletter that we send every Monday Rockstar CMO on the web and LinkedIn Previous episodes and all the show notes: Rockstar CMO FM. Track List: We’ll be right back by Stienski & Mass Media on YouTube You can listen to this on all good podcast platforms, like Apple, Amazon, and Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to The Rose and Rockstar - with the Chief Troublemaker at Seventh Bear, Robert Rose, behind the bar serving one of his splendid cocktails while our host Ian Truscott, a CMO but not a rockstar, picks his brain on a marketing topic.  This week, over a refreshing cocktail, Ian and Robert discuss an idea Robert shared on the CMI blog, that real beats perfect in content marketing.  Some key points from the discussion: AI is dominating marketing conversations, overshadowing fundamentals. Brands are chasing automation at the expense of relationships. The classic marketing equation of reach and frequency still applies. Marketing should focus on building trust and engagement. High-quality content minimizes the need for frequent messaging. Provocative content can detract from brand integrity. If you have a question for the bar, or maybe an opinion on what was shared this week, please get in touch - just search “rockstar cmo” on the interwebs or LinkedIn. Enjoy! — The Links The people: Ian Truscott on LinkedIn and Bluesky Robert Rose on LinkedIn and Bluesky Mentioned this week CMI Blog post: Move Over "Authentic AI," Real Beats Perfect in Content and Marketing Robert’s LinkedIn Post - Forgetting the fundamentals of marketing: AI, trust, and relationships Valuable Friction - Robert Rose Robert’s new relaunched website: Robertrose.net Ian’s firm - Velocity B Rockstar CMO: The Beat Newsletter that we send every Monday Rockstar CMO on the web, Twitter, and LinkedIn Previous episodes and all the show notes: Rockstar CMO FM. Track List: We’ll be right back by Stienski & Mass Media on YouTube Piano Music is by Johnny Easton, shared under a Creative Commons license You can listen to this on all good podcast platforms, like Apple, Amazon and Spotify. This podcast is part of the Marketing Podcast Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices