The Fractional CMO Podcast, hosted by Simon Dell of Cemoh, is a marketing, entrepreneurship and business podcast dedicated to interviewing high performing Fractional CMOs and marketing leaders.
A great product isn't enough, if nobody knows about it, you don't have a business. In this episode of The Cemoh Marketing Podcast, Simon Dell sits down with Dean Salakas, four-time business exit veteran and co-founder of Retail Community, to talk about building The Party People into one of Australia's best-known retail brands and what he'd do differently if he started again today. Dean covers why buying customers only gets you so far and the real difference between selling products and solving a problem, why physical stores are set to remain the majority of retail sales in our lifetime even…
AI doesn't run your business, it runs on whatever rules you give it. In this episode of The Cemoh Marketing Podcast, Simon Dell sits down with Fiona Campbell, founder of the Virtual Assistant Lead Network, to unpack how she's built her entire operation around Claude, and why she treats it like a brand-new staff member rather than a shortcut. Fiona covers how she's turned Claude into a shared knowledge base for her business, documenting brand voice, decision logs and a running backlog so the AI (and her team) stay consistent, why documentation beats clever prompting when it comes to getting…
AI hasn't fixed bad marketing, it's just made it faster and louder. In this episode of The Cemoh Marketing Podcast, Simon Dell sits down with fractional marketer Danielle Coffin (My Marketing Makeover) to unpack why so much AI-generated marketing falls flat, and what to do about it. Danielle covers what actually counts as bad marketing versus vanity metrics, why AI amplifies weak foundations instead of fixing them, and her three-step fix: truly knowing your audience's pain points, building one clear message instead of a hundred scattered ones, and choosing the right channels instead of…
The first 90 days with a new client make or break a fractional CMO engagement. In this solo episode of The Fractional CMO Podcast, Simon Dell shares a six-part framework for onboarding a new client, building trust, and proving your value fast. Simon covers what a client should feel in week one, why the audit comes before the action, how to build trust with the whole team, setting the right cadence, balancing early wins with long-term strategy, and what success looks like at day 90. Practical marketing and consulting advice for anyone starting a fractional CMO role, or hiring one. We would…
In this episode of The Fractional CMO Podcast, Simon sits down with Alison Dean, fractional CMO and founder of The Peppermint Group, who has spent 20 years in marketing and brand. Alison started her career at Clemenger working with multinational brands, then founded The High Tea Party, a live event experience that brought 30,000 women through the doors every year across Australia and New Zealand before she sold it to a media company. Simon and Alison explore why human connection is the one thing you can't automate, and why it's about to become the most valuable asset any business has. They…
In this episode of The Fractional CMO Podcast, Simon is joined by Kirsty Dagnall, founder of Beyond the Brief, a Sydney-based challenger agency offering fractional CMO services and big agency quality without the big agency budgets. Originally from Wales and with 15 years in Australia, Kirsty's background spans global tech marketing, agency work, finance, strategy and content. Simon and Kirsty unpack why so many businesses jump straight into execution before doing the thinking, and why "we tried marketing and it didn't work" usually means the strategy was never built in the first place. They…
In this episode of The Fractional CMO Podcast, we're joined once again by returning guest Chris Jowsey, a fractional CMO based in Sydney with a background in digital marketing and e-commerce across tech companies, professional services, and DTC brands. Simon and Chris dig into the Australia Post 2026 E-Commerce Report, unpacking what the data actually means for businesses operating in the online retail space right now. They cover slowing growth, the rise of marketplace shopping, why 73% of Australians wait for a sale, the shift from SEO to GEO, and what AI-powered discovery means for brands…
In this episode of The Fractional CMO Podcast, we're joined once again by returning guest Kelly Dimkovska, a digital marketing specialist with 16 years of experience, more than 12 of them working exclusively in the healthcare sector. Simon and Kelly dive into the realities of content marketing in a heavily regulated industry, exploring why most businesses are producing content that adds no value, how to actually measure what matters, and why founder-led content consistently outperforms company page posts. Expect sharp takes on SEO basics that still get missed, the "so what" factor every…
Pricing yourself as a fractional CMO is one of the hardest things to get right, and most people get it wrong. In this solo episode, Simon Dell breaks down four practical frameworks to help you figure out what to charge as a fractional CMO, whether you're just starting out or well into your journey. Simon covers the Market Rate Anchor, Salary Reverse Engineer, Value-Based Pricing, and Competitive Positioning frameworks, plus the key pricing structures to consider, from hourly and day rates through to monthly retainers and project-based fees. He also shares why most FCMOs are undercharging,…
In this episode of The Fractional CMO Podcast, we're joined once again by returning guest Kristy Hunter from Hunter Marketing Co. — one of Cemoh's longest-serving consultants and a true expert in small to medium business marketing. Simon and Kristy dive into the content demand explosion that's sweeping the marketing world right now, exploring why businesses are producing more content than ever, whether AI is helping or hurting, and why quality and purpose should always trump volume. Expect a lively debate, a few disagreements, and some genuinely practical advice for any business owner trying…
In this episode of The Cemoh Podcast, Simon Dell is joined by fractional CMOs Josh Cilento and Gus Wurth for a head-to-head debate on the worst rebrands in airline history. Qantas vs British Airways. From brand trust and leadership decisions to poor research and costly reversals, they unpack what really went wrong, and what businesses of any size can learn from it. Because brand isn’t what you say. It’s what people believe. Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuacilento/ Connect with Angus on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/angus-wurth-cmo/ We’d love to hear…
In this episode of The Fractional CMO Podcast, Simon Dell is joined by David King, CEO for Eastern Australia and New Zealand at the CFO Centre, to explore why the fractional leadership model is accelerating and what it really takes to succeed as a fractional executive. David shares insights from over 25 years working with SME founders, explaining how fractional CFOs help businesses stabilise, scale, and transition through growth without the cost of full-time leadership. The conversation covers the shift from “part-time” to truly fractional roles, the importance of objectivity, and why…
In this episode we’re joined by accountant Daniel Hay, fractional CMOs Kelly Dimkovska and Joshua “JC” Cilento, and marketing strategist Tommy Holt for a deep dive into one of the biggest business questions: Are accountants holding back marketing success — or are marketers overspending? This episode breaks down the real tension between marketing and finance teams, why marketing budgets get cut too early, and how businesses can align brand growth with financial strategy. What You’ll Learn ✔️ Why accountants often push to reduce marketing spend ✔️ How cutting marketing destroys revenue in the…
For this episode of The Fractional CMO Podcast, Simon Dell is joined by Caroline Warns, founder of Only Good Content and a seasoned B2B marketing content expert. With decades of experience in in-house marketing and communications, Caroline shares her insights on how fractional CMOs, consultants, and service-based business owners can leverage content to build personal brands, attract clients, and drive meaningful engagement. Caroline dives into topics like writing for LinkedIn, creating content that supports long sales cycles, repurposing content for third-party channels, and maintaining…
Thinking about becoming a fractional CMO? In this episode of The Fractional CMO Podcast , Simon Dell breaks down 10 essential steps to launch your fractional marketing business before leaving your full-time role. Learn how to: ✅ Define your niche and target market ✅ Build a strong personal brand and showcase your expertise ✅ Prepare cash reserves and set up your business structure ✅ Create compelling case studies to win clients ✅ Set pricing, service models, and contracts that work ✅ Build a powerful professional network ✅ Land your first client before making the leap Simon also shares a…
For this episode of The Fractional CMO Podcast, Simon Dell is joined by Kristy, Kelly Dimkovska, and Joshua Cilento for a roundtable discussion on one of marketing’s biggest frustrations — reporting. Are detailed marketing reports a waste of time when clients rarely read them? Or are they critical for accountability and strategic alignment? Together, the team breaks down how to make reporting meaningful — from setting clear KPIs and speaking the CFO’s language, to using dashboards and data that actually drive decisions. They also explore the balance between hard numbers and brand impact, how…
For this episode of The Fractional CMO Podcast, we’re joined by Kelly Dimkovska, founder of Tuesday Logic and a seasoned marketing leader with over 15 years’ experience across healthcare, agencies, and consulting. Kelly shares how she made the leap into the fractional space, why so many businesses struggle to align marketing with commercial goals, and the quick wins that can transform client outcomes. We dive into her passion for healthcare marketing, the shift from agencies to fractional models, and how CMOs can bridge the gap between CEOs, CFOs, and marketing teams. Kelly also explains why…
For this episode of The Fractional CMO Podcast, Simon Dell is joined by Kateesha Hembrow, founder of Be Known Academy and a leading personal branding and LinkedIn coach. With experience coaching hundreds of professionals across more than 40 industries, Kateesha shares her insights on how consultants, freelancers, and fractional CMOs can use LinkedIn to attract clients and grow their personal brand. If you’re a fractional CMO, consultant, or service-based business owner, this episode is packed with practical tips to help you stand out, connect with decision-makers, and generate real results…
For this episode of The Fractional CMO Podcast, Simon Dell is joined by Farrah Motley, Director of Prosper Law. With over a decade of experience as an in-house counsel and now running her own firm, Farrah shares what fractional CMOs and consultants need to know about the legal side of marketing. We cover duty of care, contracts, staged payments, IP ownership, AI-created content, and what to do if a client doesn’t pay. Farrah also explains how to avoid misleading claims and why clear communication is the best legal protection. If you’re a fractional CMO or consultant, this episode is full of…
For this episode of The Fractional CMO Podcast, we’re joined by Chris Jowsey, founder of Nugget Digital and one of Australia’s leading fractional CMOs. Chris has helped B2B and tech businesses grow with clarity and focus — and he shares insights on what really sets a fractional apart from a consultant, how to balance quick wins with long-term strategy, and why financial fluency and AI are becoming must-haves for today’s marketing leaders. Chris's LinkedIn - / chrisjowsey Nugget Digital - https://www.nuggetdigital.com.au/ We would love to know what you think so, give us a rating and review on…
For our second episode of The Fractional CMO Podcast, we are joined by Jamie Gilbert-Smith, from Occam Strategy — a marketing powerhouse who’s helped brands cut through the noise with clarity, confidence, and creative thinking. He’s got thoughts on aligning brand and business strategy, moving fast without breaking things, and why marketing doesn’t need to be complicated to be effective. Jamie's LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/jamie-gilbert-smith-b777726 Occam Strategy - https://www.occamstrategy.au/ We love to know what you think so, give us a rating and review on Apple Podcast. Rate Our Podcasts…
For our first episode of The Fractional CMO Podcast, we are joined by Kristy Hunter from Hunter Marketing Co. where we discuss the unique role of a fractional CMO and how they differ from traditional consultants. Learn how they integrate into businesses, offering strategic insights and hands-on implementation to drive success. Kristy's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristyhunter-marketingspecialist/ Hunter Marketing Co. - https://www.huntermarketing.co/ We love to know what you think so, give us a rating and review on Apple Podcast. Rate Our Podcasts Subscribe to our YouTube channel…
Our very own marketing guru, Simon, is joined by Selina Donnelly who owns finance company HSA Growth. In this episode we discuss challenges of running a small business and Simon helps Selina with some marketing strategies to implement into HSA Growth. Selina's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/selina-donnelly-13312b57/ HSA Growth LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/hsa-growth-partners-pty-ltd/?viewAsMember=true Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hsafinancepartners/ We love to know what you think so, give us a rating and review on Apple Podcast. Rate Our Podcasts Subscribe to…
In today's episode, Simon is joined by SEO guru Maddison Ryan, Founder of The Digital Hub. She has helped a diverse range of companies improve their visibility on search engines. Maddison's LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/maddisonryan1 The Digital Hub - www.thedigitalhub.com.au We love to know what you think so, give us a rating and review on Apple Podcast. Rate Our Podcasts Subscribe to our YouTube channel to learn more marketing tips and ideas weekly. CLICK HERE If you think you have a great story for the podcast, contact our producer at [email protected]. 🚀If you need help growing your…
This week, Simon is joined by an award-winning CEO, speaker, and advocate whose journey from entertainer to immigrant to global leader exemplifies resilience, authenticity, and purpose. Elena Gosse OAM transformed her husband’s small business of three into AIS Water, a globally recognised, multi-award-winning water disinfection manufacturing company. Elena's Bio - www.elenagosse.com.au LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/elenagosse AIS Water - www.aiswater.com.au We love to know what you think so, give us a rating and review on Apple Podcast. Rate Our Podcasts Subscribe to our YouTube channel to…
This week's episode we are joined by Chanel Clark from The Marketing Club, an ecosystem where marketers from diverse backgrounds can connect, learn, and grow. Chanel founded the club and TMC is run purely by marketers, for other marketers and is a growing community of over 8000 across Australia and New Zealand. The Marketing Club: https://www.themarketingclub.org/ Chanel's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/chanel-clark-155630b0 We love to know what you think so, give us a rating and review on Apple Podcast. Rate Our Podcasts Subscribe to our YouTube channel to learn more marketing tips and ideas…
In this episode, Simon is joined by CEO of Maleny Dairies, Stephen Tait, where we talk about all the things that go into managing a large successful dairy farm, supply chains, product branding and much more. Stephen's LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/stephen-tait-2570447 Maleny Dairies - www.malenydairies.com We love to know what you think so, give us a rating and review on Apple Podcast. Rate Our Podcasts Subscribe to our YouTube channel to learn more marketing tips and ideas weekly. CLICK HERE If you think you have a great story for the podcast, contact our producer at [email protected]. 🚀If you…
In this week's episode, Simon is joined by the exceedingly accomplished Taryn Williams, a multi-award-winning Founder and CEO. A former model, at just 21, Taryn founded WINK Models, which grew to become one of Australia's most successful commercial modelling agencies. Her latest project is #Gifted, a Shopify plug-in enabling brands to manage their influencer contra gifting at scale, and is already being used by some of Australia’s biggest brands. Taryn's Bio - www.tarynwilliams.com.au/bio WINK Models - www.winkmodels.com.au #Gifted - www.hashgifted.com We love to know what you think so, give…
This episode, Simon Dell chats to Annika Pol, Buying Manager at TradeMutt.com . We learn about how TradeMutt came to be, their mission to raise awareness for mental health in blue-collar spaces and touch upon other topics such as 'fast fashion'. Instagram - @TradeMutt LinkedIn - @TradeMutt We love to know what you think so, give us a rating and review on Apple Podcast. Rate Our Podcasts Subscribe to our YouTube channel to learn more marketing tips and ideas weekly. CLICK HERE If you think you have a great story for the podcast, contact our producer at [email protected]. 🚀If you need help…
About The Fractional CMO Podcast
The Fractional CMO Podcast, hosted by Simon Dell of Cemoh, is a marketing, entrepreneurship and business podcast dedicated to interviewing high performing Fractional CMOs and marketing leaders.
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