Worldwide Partners Report Outlines Topline Impact of Marketing Leaders

A major new global report has hailed the continued crucial role of chief marketing officers in driving the business success of multiple brands in a rapidly evolving world.
Findings in the report Confessions of a CMO, released by Worldwide Partners, challenge a common sentiment that the role of chief marketing officer (CMO) is diminishing and could vanish altogether.

The research shows that when CMOs lead with customer-centric growth, brands and companies see 1.4 times higher topline performance and when that leadership is fully integrated, growth doubles again.

Holywood-based Ardmore is a shareholder and partner in Worldwide Partners Inc., a global network of over 90 independent agencies across more than 50 countries.
Through anonymous interviews with CMOs worldwide, the first-of-its-kind qualitative study commissioned by what is widely recognised as the world’s most collaborative agency network, uncovers how CMOs are adapting - and thriving - amid seismic shifts in corporate leadership and culture.

For Ardmore, the findings offer timely insights into the realities facing marketing leaders today.

Ardmore Group CEO John Keane, a current Board member and ex-chair of Worldwide Partners Inc., said, “For organisations such as Ardmore, this study offers real, valuable, and, crucially, actionable insights into supporting adaptive marketing leadership as we all continue to evolve to meet the needs of our clients.

“The findings highlight how modern CMOs thrive when backed by innovative connected networks and collaborative cultures.

“It is fantastic to see in the research how marketing leaders are adapting, surviving, and thriving in an environment that could have wiped them out – and their businesses are reaping the benefits.”

John Harris, CEO of Worldwide Partners, added: “For too long, we’ve been reading the obituary of the CMO.

“But our research shows that the species isn’t extinct - it’s mutating. CMOs aren’t disappearing; they’re adapting into new forms of leadership built for turbulence, change, and complexity. This report is their field guide, and a study of evolution, adaptation, and the future of marketing leadership.”

Confessions of a CMO reveals how today’s marketing leaders are evolving to thrive under pressure. The report, which uncovers a new breed of agile specialists redefining leadership, creativity, and influence is now available here. 

With a 70-strong team, Ardmore is a recognised industry leader, representing some of the UK and Ireland’s largest public and private sector organisations and brands, including Dale Farm, Go Succeed, Lidl, Network Rail, Phoenix Energy, Progressive Building Society, PSNI, Stena Line and Translink. It also represents many international brands such as Brand USA, Destination British Columbia, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority including the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix, Visit Pennsylvania, and Tourism Whistler.