Skip to main contentAdAgeAnswersBetaYour Shortcut to Smarter InsightsLearn MoreOpinionHow CMOs can align marketing with real business outcomesRaja Rajamannar, a former CMO and now senior fellow at Mastercard, shares candid perspectives on the realities of modern marketing leadership. (Ad Age Composite.) ByRaja RajamannarJune 02, 2026 05:00 AM EDTFeatured StoriesOpinionHow CMOs can align marketing with real business outcomesCMOs must reclaim their role as enterprise growth leaders by connecting marketing to business outcomes, proving impact, and embracing AI and analytics.ByRaja RajamannarInfluencers & CreatorsCreator and influencer trends brand marketers need to know about right nowGFByGillian FollettCreativityMariana O’Kelly of DonerColle Partners on finding truths hidden in plain sightTNByTim NuddCMO Survival GuideHow CMOs can become CEOs—advice for those seeking the top C-suite job APByAdrianne Pasquarelli
How CMOs can align marketing with real business outcomes
CMOs must reclaim their role as enterprise growth leaders by connecting marketing to business outcomes, proving impact, and embracing AI and analytics.
TL;DRAI
Rajamannar, ex-CMO at Mastercard, argues CMOs must align marketing to measurable business outcomes, embracing AI and analytics. For tech leaders, this signals marketing's evolution to impact-driven partner—expect outcome-based contracts and AI-powered GTM strategies.
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