A CMO Confidential Interview with Kip Knight, founder of CMO Coaches, former CMO of Taco Bell and H&R Block USPresident. Kip lays out the case for marketers to build their brands based on trust, authenticity and personal core principles along with an objective understanding of "what you are really famous for being able to accomplish." Key topics include: why executive presence matters; the combination of emotional IQ and curiosity; the need for resume "proof points;" and why role models matter. Tune in to hear networking tips, why you want to know what "they say about you when you aren't in the room" and the power of a handwritten thank you note.

Kip Knight (Founder, CMO Coaches; former Taco Bell CMO & H&R Block US Retail President) joins Mike Linton to get practical about building a durable *personal brand* as a marketing leader. We cover a three-step framework (self-assessment - positioning - activation), executive presence (IQ + EQ + CQ), how to lead with truth during tough calls, and why handwritten notes still matter.

Sponsored by Typeface — the agentic AI marketing platform that turns one idea into thousands of on-brand assets. Learn more: typeface.ai/cmo.

**Key points**

• Personal brands aren’t accidental: in today’s AI-accelerated market, being findable and consistent is table stakes for senior roles.

• The framework: start with a rigorous self-assessment (360s, reviews, assessments), then define positioning around your true superpowers, and finally activate with proof points.

• Be objective: ambition without a strategy and measurable evidence sets you up to fail; build real proof points before you sell your story.

• Executive presence = IQ + EQ + CQ (curiosity). Lean into new tech (e.g., GenAI) and stay relentlessly curious.

• Truth is better than spin in crises: define reality, be transparent, and your team will follow you through hard decisions (e.g., headcount cuts).

• Culture is the stories told when you’re not in the room; leaders are “always on,” so model consistency and principle-led behavior.

• CMOs as business integrators: convene IT, Legal, Finance, HR, and the CEO to make the right GenAI bets with clear success criteria.

• Power move: send handwritten notes on high-quality stationery; the impact far exceeds email.

**Chapters**

00:00 Welcome + sponsor: Typeface — why brand still wins in the age of AI

03:00 Why your personal brand matters more than ever

06:00 Being findable & consistent in an AI world

07:00 The 3-part framework: self-assessment - positioning - activation

10:00 Doing an honest self-assessment (360s, reviews, Working Genius)

14:00 Turning strengths into positioning; knowing your kryptonite

16:00 Executive presence: IQ, EQ, and CQ (curiosity quotient)

20:00 Truth-telling vs. vulnerability during layoffs and tough calls

23:00 Role models, “always on” leadership, and culture as stories

29:00 CMOs as business integrators on GenAI — how to run the process

32:00 Networking that works: “How can I help you?”, warm intros, no ghosting

34:00 Elite habit: handwritten notes on great stationery (why it lands)

36:00 Wrap + where to find more CMO Confidential

Tags

CMO,marketing leadership,personal brand,executive presence,brand strategy,career development,marketing careers,AI in marketing,agentic AI,Typeface,leadership,coaching,CMO Coaches,Kip Knight,Mike Linton,GenAI,networking,culture,trust,authenticity,handwritten notes,frameworks,positioning,activation,EQ,CQ,P&L,growth,enterprise marketing,YouTube podcast

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