AI Marketing

How CMOs Need to Lead the AI Marketing Shift

Lee Hackett · August 13, 2025

Entrepreneur · Leadership · Artificial Intelligence · Wellnessin

Interview with Lee Hackett

How CMOs Need to Lead the AI Marketing Shift — Lee Hackett

Podcast: AI Marketing

August 13, 2025

Key topicsWhy 2025 Is the Year CMOs and CIOs Must Lead TogetherAs customer expectations evolve and tech stacks converge, the need for tight alignment between marketing, IT, and sales has never been greater. Lee explores how Bluprintx helps unify these functions-leveraging data, predictive insights, and connected experiences-and why CMOs and CIOs must co-own transformation to drive meaningful growth. Lessons from 20+ M&A TransactionsLee shares insights from over 20 M&A deals across the buy and sell side-from due diligence to integration. He discusses how leadership mindset, team alignment, and tech strategy play critical roles in whether a deal adds value or erodes it. This is a must-listen for executives thinking about growth, acquisition, or exit strategy. Rewriting the Enterprise Playbook: How Mid-Market Businesses Can Win with AI Before the Giants Catch UpLee shares why mid-market companies are now better positioned than ever to outpace enterprise competitors-if they adopt the right AI-driven strategies. Drawing on Bluprintx’s work across sectors and its partnerships with Adobe and Salesforce, he reveals how to scale fast with agile architecture, personalized experiences, and integrated workflows-without the bloat or bureaucracy. View all topics →

About Lee Hackett

CEO of Bluprintx, Digital Growth Strategist and Former Pro Athlete

20+ M&A transactions across buy & sell sideTop 50 UK Most Ambitious Business Leader, 2023Wigan Athletic Former professional footballerBluprintx Group CEO

Lee Hackett is the Group CEO of Bluprintx, a global consultancy helping mid-market and enterprise businesses turn technological complexity into competitive advantage. With a proven track record across the UK, US, APAC, and the Middle East, Lee works at the intersection of strategy, sales, and technology - guiding leadership teams through AI adoption, digital transformation, and scalable growth.

Lee brings sharp, real-world insight to conversations around the convergence of marketing, sales, and service. He advises businesses on how to deliver enterprise-grade outcomes through integrated, data-led strategies. Under his leadership, Bluprintx has become a trusted partner to some of the world’s most influential platforms, including Adobe and Salesforce, further cementing its reputation for delivering measurable business impact at scale.

A former professional footballer, wellness advocate, and father of three, he leads with a balance of performance and perspective. He speaks openly about staying mentally clear while scaling companies, living with intention as a leader, and bringing athletic discipline into the boardroom. With the addition of his personal experience of over 20 M&A transactions across both the buy and sell side, his perspective is especially valuable for founders, executives, and investors alike.

Whether discussing AI readiness, sales enablement, operational strategy, or deal execution, Lee delivers stories and strategies that resonate with forward-thinking leaders.

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About this episode

Mark Fidelman andLee Hackettdiscuss the transformative potential of AI in marketing, emphasizing that CMOs must personally engage with AI tools to stay competitive and drive business value. They explore how AI will reshape marketing roles, potentially reducing team sizes while increasing productivity through advanced technologies like AI agents and large language models. The conversation highlights the critical need for CMOs to experiment, understand AI capabilities, and proactively integrate these technologies into their strategic planning to remain relevant in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Speakers were Host Mark Fidelman and Lee Hackett from Blueprint X

Discussion focused on how CMOs can leverage AI technologies

Main Podcast Highlights:

AI's Impact on Marketing

AI will transform marketing roles

Productivity gains expected

Teams will likely become smaller

CMOs must personally engage with AI tools

Critical AI Adoption Strategies

Understand data models

Create organizational willingness to experiment

Develop a clear vision for AI integration