noun

CMO

see-em-OH

CMO (noun) means the senior executive responsible for an organisation's marketing, brand and customer growth. Example: “The CMO cut the advertising budget and shifted spending to search.”

noun

business The senior executive responsible for an organisation's marketing, brand and customer growth.

"The CMO cut the advertising budget and shifted spending to search."

"She joined as CMO after a decade running brand at a rival retailer."

How to Use CMO

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe person in charge of a company's marketing.

When to use it

Always capitalised and normally used with the: the CMO said. Spell the title out on first mention in general-audience writing.

Memory tip

CMO is also an abbreviation for collateralised mortgage obligation in finance, so check the context before assuming a job title.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

CFO CIO → CCO CRO

Common pairings

the CMO of incoming CMO CMO role report to the CMO CMO and CEO

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ cut the advertising budget and shifted spending to search.

Etymology

An initialism of chief marketing officer.

Origin: English

Synonyms

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chief marketing officer marketing director head of marketing

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a CMO and a marketing director?

A CMO sits on the executive team and owns marketing strategy across the whole company, including brand, pricing and customer growth. A marketing director usually runs the function or a region and reports upward, though in smaller companies the titles overlap.

What is the difference between a CMO and a CRO?

A CRO, or chief revenue officer, is accountable for the total revenue number and typically owns sales as well as marketing. A CMO owns demand, brand and how customers find the company, and often reports to or works alongside the CRO.

Does CMO always mean chief marketing officer?

Not always. In finance CMO can mean collateralised mortgage obligation, and in healthcare it can mean chief medical officer. The surrounding subject matter almost always makes it clear.