18: From CMO Confidence Gaps to AI Wake-Up Calls: My 2026 Predictions
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In this solo episode of C-Suite Strategies, Stacie Sussman breaks down the five biggest trends she’s seeing as we head into 2026—starting with a surprising pattern: CMOs at $30M companies quietly fearing their next board meeting.
Stacie shares why brilliant marketing leaders are losing confidence in the C-suite, what’s driving the rising demand for clean attribution, and why most companies are wildly overestimating their AI maturity. She also unpacks how leaner teams will depend on stronger processes, and how consulting roles will evolve as AI becomes a core operating system rather than a shiny add-on.
If you’re a CMO, CRO, founder, or executive trying to scale without chaos, this episode offers a sharp, unfiltered look at what’s coming—and what it will take to stay ahead.
You’ll learn:
• Why the CMO confidence gap is widening
• The revenue language every marketing leader must master
• Why attribution is no longer optional
• The coming AI reality check for mid-market companies
• How lean operations and process excellence will drive growth
• The new consulting model: human expertise powered by AI
If you’re ready to build real capabilities instead of patching cracks, this episode is your roadmap for 2026.
Connect with Stacie:
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19 episodes