Welcome to The CMO’s Journal

Straight from the pages of my notebook (yes, it’s as scribbly as it sounds).

👋🏾 Hey! I’m Chris Keller, a marketing executive who believes in the power of great stories and even greater teams. Over the past 15 years, I’ve worked with brands big and small to create strategies that stick, drive growth, and make an impact. Along the way, I’ve learned that marketing isn’t just about selling—it’s about connecting, listening, and building something that actually matters.

In my experience, the best work happens when people feel supported and empowered, so I’ve spent my career creating spaces where teams can thrive, share ideas, and do their best work. I’m constantly learning and pushing boundaries to make sure the brands I work with stay ahead of the curve, but I never forget the importance of keeping it human and relatable.

What Gets Me Out of Bed in the Morning

Here’s the deal: I’m obsessed with empowering people to do their best work. As a leader, I see my job less as “making decisions” and more as “getting out of the way so the magic can happen.” If you’ve got a great idea, I’m all in. I’ve built and led teams that are actually fun to work with (I promise), because we’re all focused on the same goal: making awesome stuff happen. No egos, no politics—just a bunch of passionate, creative people who care about doing meaningful work.

Oh, and I’m kind of obsessed with learning. New marketing trends? I’m all over them. Cutting-edge tech? Let’s dive in. Customer insights? I’ll spend hours getting lost in that data. If there’s a way to do something better, I’m already thinking about how to make it happen. I once spent an entire long weekend learning how to automate AI tools to create cozy decor TikToks.

Why I’m Here

I started this space because I’m genuinely excited about helping others level up. Whether you’re an up-and-coming marketer trying to figure out how to break into leadership, or you’re a fellow CMO who wants to nerd out about the future of marketing (I’m so down), let’s connect.

I’m here to share what I’ve learned, trade stories, and maybe crack a joke or two. Marketing doesn’t have to be this serious, high-pressure, jargon-filled world. It can be fun, creative, and—dare I say—human. If you’re into that kind of thing, stick around.

Thanks for stopping by, and don’t be shy—drop me a message. Let’s do something awesome together.

Why You Should Go Premium (aka Why $8 is Totally Worth It)

So, here’s the deal: my weekly posts are free for everyone (I’m all about sharing the love), but the real magic happens behind the paywall.

For just $8/month (or $1.53 per week if you grab the annual plan—yep, you can thank me later), here’s what you get:

• Subscriber-Only Posts: Think of this as the good stuff you get when you pull back the curtain. It's basically my notebook, the one I carry around everywhere and write in like I’m secretly a genius. Warning: my handwriting’s a mess, but the ideas? 🔥

• Full Archive Access: All the past posts are yours to explore. It’s like a treasure trove of knowledge and, okay, maybe some questionable jokes, but mostly the good stuff.

• Join the Community: Drop your thoughts in the comments, chat with fellow marketers, and let’s make this space a little more fun and a lot more real. No stiff suits here—just people who care about getting better at what they do.

• Curated Jobs from My Network: I’m always talking to cool people, and now you’ll get access to job opportunities they’re sharing. Because let’s face it, who doesn’t want a job that’s as awesome as their marketing ideas?

Trust me, it’s worth it. Plus, you’re supporting a very caffeinated marketer in the process.