Exploring the Marketing Data Dilemma: Insights from My Work with Chief Marketing Officers 

Speaking at the Consero CMO forum

Earlier this week, I spoke on a panel to an audience of dozens of senior marketing executives at Consero’s Chief Marketing Officer Forum—exploring the impact of data privacy on their organizations. 

As a marketing leader for consumer and technology companies including Microsoft, Uber, and now Transcend, I’ve always seen the intricate dance between marketing innovation and the complexities of data governance. In today’s world, it has never been more evident. 

Against the backdrop of new laws, increasing enforcement, shifts in advertising technology, and of course, generative AI—CMOs are not just orchestrators of campaigns and growth, they’re navigators in the evolving landscape of data privacy.

Harmonizing legal with security realities

CMOs are adept at working within the guardrails set by their legal and security counterparts. Yet, my ongoing work with CMOs unveils a genuine hunger among marketing leaders to delve deeper into the reasoning behind these user data guidelines. 

Striking a balance between legal conservatism and the nuanced demands of marketing strategies, particularly in a patchwork, state-by-state legal landscape like the US, poses a significant challenge. 

Questions around the necessity of a "reject all" option in cookie banners underscore the need for solutions that align legal compliance with dynamic business goals.

The rise of 1st party data

As the era of third-party cookies fades, CMOs have been forced to reconsider how they collect, store, and process consumer data. This seismic shift, combined with quick evolutions in the privacy legal landscape, has increased urgency around adopting first party data.

Shifting regulations demand a more controlled and transparent approach to data collection—necessitating a move away from third-party data sources. Embracing first party data not only better aligns with compliance requirements, but becomes a strategic imperative when navigating an environment where regulators are increasingly vigilant. 

By proactively adapting to these changing regulations, CMOs not only safeguard their organizations from legal risk, but also demonstrate a commitment to ethical data practices— positioning their brands as responsible stewards of customer information.

The impact on brand reputation is particularly profound for industries dealing in sensitive data, such as healthcare, banking, fitness, taxes, and mental health. 

Embarking on multi-quarter initiatives

In my conversations with CMOs, several large-scale initiatives stand out as needing deeper partnership with data privacy teams. For example, many CMOs are leading initiatives to centralize customer data in-house, leveraging a Customer Data Platform (CDP), embracing retargeting strategies, and advocating for the adoption of generative AI. 

These are not just technological endeavors, but essential strategies for scaling operations for continued growth. Each of these initiatives requires some level of cooperation with data privacy. For example, using generative AI safely requires technical guardrails and AI impact assessments, retargeting initiatives require robust consent management, and centralizing customer data in-house requires a comprehensive data inventory. 

The CMO's challenge lies not just in staying ahead but in orchestrating plans in a way that adapts to the evolving marketing landscape. The intersection of data privacy, legal compliance, and the strategic use of first party data is where CMOs must chart their course—armed with insights, tools, and a visionary approach to lead their teams through this data-driven era.