What To Expect From This Article:
The Future CMO Summit, hosted by VaynerX and The Female Quotient, brings together rising marketing executives to define the industry’s future. Based on keynotes from Gary Vaynerchuk and Shelley Zalis, modern marketers must focus on three core strategies:
- Practitionership: Hands-on practice of modern tools—including generative AI, copy creation, and content production—to remain relevant and build authority.
- Personal Branding: Using executive platforms like LinkedIn or Substack as a low-risk testing ground to check messaging before rolling it out to brand campaigns.
- Analog and IRL Connection: Prioritizing in-person experiences to build high-trust networks as AI drives digital content saturation.
Networking shouldn’t feel like networking.
This simple idea has become the inspiration behind the VaynerX Future CMO Summit, an event series bringing together marketing’s rising superstars to connect and lean into major learnings that can only happen IRL.
With the beautifully scenic Calamigos Ranch in Malibu as our backdrop, we partnered with The Female Quotient for our latest FCMO Summit, highlighting an incredible group of women in marketing, ranging from CPG, beauty and tech brands.
We had panels and workshops, as well as conversations that started as small talk but grew into something much deeper. With each of our guests shaping this experience and leaving us with so much to think about on the flight home – we compiled the biggest takeaways from our 2.5 days in Malibu:
1. Practitionership Is Your Superpower 🚀
One of the biggest issues senior marketers face today isn’t coming from rapidly evolving tech or AI dominance. It’s from an inability to learn, practice, and grow new skills as they become relevant.
On the final day of our summit, Gary Vaynerchuk joined the group to deliver a keynote session on what he sees as the greatest upcoming opportunity for marketers. And it all comes down to one thing: Practitionership.
What does practitionership actually mean? It means becoming a master at everything your brand and team specialize in: Writing your own copy. Making content. Posting content. Becoming fluent in AI.
Becoming a modern practitioner.
2. You’re A Brand. Start Building Like It. 🧱
Today’s CMOs aren’t siloing themselves into one role. They’re expanding their skill sets and reminding audiences who they are and what they’re building, both in and outside of the office.
Practitionership is the start. From there, the goal of the marketer should be ‘How can I build my personal brand?’
It’s not about self-interest or promotion. It’s actually become one of the most grounded and effective ways to test out platforms, ideas, and POVs. Those learnings don’t just build your resume, they become a testing ground for what works and what should be incorporated into your brand’s next campaign.
Not a fan of being on camera? No problem. We’re seeing more and more written content (like Substack blogs and LinkedIn newsletters) really start to take off, making this a great opportunity for anyone with industry insights to share. Shout out your team who just launched a viral post and give a BTS look at how the campaign was made. Or share a few marketing truths you wish you had heard earlier in your career. Whatever makes the most sense to you and your unique POV.
3. The Best Networking (And Networks) Are Built IRL 🤝
“In the rise of AI and extreme digitization, the counteraction is the rise of analog.”
During a private keynote session, Gary Vaynerchuk said this in reference to one of the biggest shifts we’re seeing across culture today. AKA the rise of analog. It’s something that’s becoming harder to ignore, and it’s why in-person events are so meaningful.
Most of us have digital fatigue, and the way to combat it is by getting together one-on-one, unplugging, and really leaning into real-life experiences. Today, everything online is now quicker, cheaper, and readily available to consumers…but that also means in-person experiences and connection are becoming invaluable.
A fireside chat led by Gary Vaynerchuk and Shelley Zalis on what actually distinguishes trailblazers from the ordinary. Lightbulb moments that happen over breakout groups and workshop sessions. A surprise guest appearance from John Legend, wrapped into a powerful discussion on what artistry and authenticity in business look like. Those are the moments you can’t replace, and they’re the ones that happen when we come together.
A big thank you to this inspiring group of women for leaning into every moment & bringing their insights, experience, and unique perspective to every conversation.
We can’t wait to do it all over again, and our next FCMO Summit is already on the calendar…Know a marketing superstar who deserves a seat at our next event? 🌟Let us know!