Veteran general manager and senior marketing executive to create winning growth strategies and execution plans as a Chief Outsiders fractional CMO
CHICAGO, IL – August 2, 2023 – Dan Smith, an accomplished marketing and media leader, will now apply his extensive direct-to-consumer, e-commerce, and digital marketplace experience to drive client revenue growth as a Fractional CMO for Chief Outsiders. Recently, Smith joined Chief Outsiders’ team of more than 125 Fractional Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs) and Fractional Chief Sales Officers (CSOs).
“Cultivating productive relationships with stakeholders, agencies, and vendors, Dan is well-versed in growing marketplace businesses with both B2C and B2B components and developing digital expertise for traditional advertisers,” said Sharon Spooler, Managing Partner, Chief Outsiders. “We’re excited to add his successful consumer-facing business experience to our battle-tested network of marketing professionals.”
As a Chief Outsiders consumer focused Fractional CMO, Smith brings deep industry experience to drive growth at client companies. As his career demonstrates, he delivers profitable growth leading to successful IPO and transactional exits. With a history of developing talent, he drives profitable revenue growth through traditional and digital and traditional advertising, while improving conversion rates through optimization and testing.
Consumer Marketing Leadership
At Chief Outsiders, Smith works with the CEOs of middle-market consumer companies to accelerate sales and market share growth. For example, prior to joining Chief Outsiders, as Vice President of Marketing at Angie’s List, he drove a revenue CAGR of 26% and returned the company to a positive EBITDA of $36 million, leading to a successful exit transaction. And as Executive Vice President at FTD, he achieved a 62% revenue CAGR with an improved EBITDA margin, growing revenue from $10 million to $300 million over seven years.
He also served as Head of B2B Marketing and Strategic Partnerships at Grubhub, Inc., Executive Vice President and Founder of NAC Direct Inc., Senior Vice President, Digital Marketing at Playboy Enterprises Inc., and Senior Vice President, Consumer Marketing at Encyclopedia Britannica Inc.
Smith’s executive marketing experience began with a 9-year stint at The Bradford Group, where he advanced to the position of Senior Marketing Manager for the Ashton-Drake Galleries Division. Prior to his successful marketing career, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Marketing (magna cum laude) from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, Illinois.
About Chief Outsiders
Chief Outsiders, the nation’s leading Executives-as-a-Service firm, helps CEOs and their organizations identify the fractional marketing and sales executives they need to accelerate growth. The firm’s cohesive team of more than 120 fractional executives act as Strategic Operators™ to achieve results. They blend insight, strategy, and execution to deliver revenue engines that drive long-term profitable growth for businesses.
Chief Outsiders’ fractional executives drive growth strategy and execution plans by offering instant access to talent with highly customized and flexible engagements. Having served on the executive teams of more than 1,550 client companies, each Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Sales Officer has led marketing or sales at a diverse set of large corporations, including many Fortune 500 firms. Inc. Magazine has recognized Chief Outsiders for nine consecutive years as one of the 5,000 fastest growing privately held companies in the US. The company was also recognized as a Forbes Small Giant in 2019.
“The Growth Gears: Using a Market-Based Framework to Drive Business Success,” is an Amazon #1 best-seller for business owners and CEOs co-authored by Chief Outsiders’ CEO Art Saxby and Principal Pete Hayes. For additional information about the companies and CEOs who trust Chief Outsiders as their premier source for business growth acceleration, visit us at www.chiefoutsiders.com.
CONTACT: Sterling Wilkinson, SWilkinson@ChiefOutsiders.com